When I wrote a post about products I was testing at the time, many of you wanted to hear my thoughts on Erborian lotions. I’ve been eyeing this brand ever since they launched at Sephora last year [or was that a year before?], but never quite bit the bullet to try anything, because, to be quite honest with you, I have a lot of skincare, and I really shouldn’t be buying any more until I use up at least some of it. That’s why I was thrilled when Erborian sent me three of their newest additions: Eau Ginseng, Yuza Double Lotion, and Bamboo Matte Lotion.
ABOUT THE BRAND:
The name Erborian is a play on “herbs of the orient”, which is the main driving concept behind the brand’s formulations and overall aesthetic. The company is owned by the L’Occitane Group, but the products are developed and made in Seoul, South Korea, using Korean ingredients with Easten skincare philosophy.
CLAIMS:
Erborian Yuza Double Lotion:
- Bi-phase formula helps to smooth the skin and reveal the radiance of even dull and tired complexions.
- The skin looks supple and full of vitality.
Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion:
- Mattifying powder, combined with an aqueous phase enriched with Bamboo extract helps to reduce excess sebum and tighten pores.
- Skin looks perfectly mattified, with a velvety feeling.
Erborian Eau Ginseng:
- Helps to hydrate the skin and give a feeling of comfort.
- Skin looks radiant, noticeably smoother and softer.
KEY INGREDIENTS:
Erborian Yuza Double Lotion:
- Citrus Junos Fruit Extract – Yuzu is an ancient citrus fruit that grows on pristine Jeju Island. It’s a wonderful antioxidant that helps protect the skin from free radicals, and also provides mild brightening properties.
Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion:
- Phyllostachis Bambusoides Extract & Juice – Bamboo extract and bamboo juice keep the skin hydrated.
- Powder – Absorbs excess oil, helps to tighten and minimize the appearance of pores.
Erborian Eau Ginseng:
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract – Ginseng root has been used for centuries in Korean skin care because of its smoothing and moisturizing properties.
MY SKIN TYPE:
I have combination/dehydrated skin type, and currently my main issues are post-acne hyperpigmentation and occasional dryness as a result of working from home with dry indoor air. As we move into spring, hopefully some of that dryness will fade away when I can finally have my windows open and not rely on central heating so much. I am approaching my mid-30s, but I don’t have any visible lines and wrinkles, yet, so that’s not really my concern.
MY THOUGHTS:
I admit, I gave these lotions a longer test run than I probably should have, considering they are not exactly the type of product that needs to be extensively tested to see the results. To be honest, I had my mind made up about these a long time ago, but couldn’t find the right time to write about them until today. With that said, let’s talk about the packaging. Each bottle is adorned with a white cap, which is pretty weighty, despite being made of plastic. I also love that the lotions come in bright colored bottles, so if you own two or more of these, they’re easy to distinguish on the shelf without having to read the label. These lotions are meant to be shaken out of the bottle through a tiny stopper opening, which is helpful to prevent using more product than you need.
Where do Erborian lotions fit in a typical skincare routine?
First of all, these are not part of a cleansing phase, instead, they are the first step of your moisturizing lineup. For the best effect, I use them immediately after cleansing by applying my lotion of choice to a cotton pad and gently swiping across my face, avoiding the eye area. Considering that these lotions contain strong fragrance [and the green lotion contains drying Alcohol], I do not recommend patting them in like you would a first essence. Let the cotton round distribute the appropriate amount onto the skin, while wiping away any excess to prevent the absorption of ingredients you probably don’t want absorbed.
The first one I tried was Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion. It was an unusually warm day and my face went into an oil-producing frenzy, probably after months of cold weather and dry indoor air. When I wiped my skin after cleansing, it temporarily felt hydrated and slightly powdery, and my pores did in fact appear to look tighter, so this product lived up to its claims. I don’t think this lotion did much in the long run, but toners rarely do. Erborian Bamboo Matte Lotion has a pleasant fresh, grassy fragrance that is not too strong, but definitely noticeable. Out of the three toners I got to try, I thought this one was the weakest of the bunch, as it did not really do anything for me. Keep in mind that skincare is YMMV, and even though it didn’t work for my skin, I’m sure it worked just fine for someone else.
The next lotion I tried was Erborian Yuza Double Lotion. I love when yuzu fruit is used in skincare and whenever I see it listed on the ingredient list, for some reason I always expect a good performance from that product. Unlike the bamboo lotion, this one looked more like a runny essence, and it actually felt like there’s something on my skin. I think for someone who has very oily skin and easily gets breakouts from serums, something like this could replace a serum step, because it’s very lightweight, but it does make the skin feel smoother, more velvety, and not stripped of moisture. Out of all three Erborian lotions, I feel like this one is the most universal one, in a sense that it can work for all skin types. No surprise here, but Erborian Yuza Double Lotion smells exactly like yuzu fruit. If you never smelled a yuzu fruit before, it can be best described as a mix of lemon tree blooms, lime, bergamot, and oranges. Let me know in the comments if that’s how it smells to you, too!
Last, but not least – Erborian Eau Ginseng was the most intriguing of the bunch, because I love Korean ginseng. Actually, now that I think of it, I’m pretty sure that yuzu lotion was the one I tried last, but who cares, am I right? This lotion was supposed to make the skin feel refreshed and looking more radiant. I didn’t notice much in terms of radiance, in my experience the yuzu lotion did a better job at giving the skin that coveted healthy glow, but it still felt very refreshing. So, to sum up my experience, Erborian Eau Ginseng left my face feeling soft and hydrated, which makes a good prep step for the rest of the skincare routine. This toner has a lovely floral fragrance, and doesn’t smell at all like ginseng, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you personally like. I find the ginseng fragrance too herbal and too spicy for my taste, so I wasn’t too upset about it.
After trying all three, initially Eau Ginseng was my favorite, because I loved how it made my skin feel so petal fresh after the application. However, in the long run I found myself reaching for Yuza Double Lotion more often. There is just something about that slight serumy film it leaves on the skin, that makes the surface feel smoother and softer. I have not been using Bamboo Matte Lotion at all after the testing phase. I find that it doesn’t do much for my skin, and I try to avoid unnecessary steps whenever possible. Even though my skincare routine consists of many products, each of them is there for a reason, and I just can’t find one to justify keeping the bamboo lotion in rotation.
Have you tried any of these lotions, or Erborian products in general? Do you have a favorite toner? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
