By ChristinaHello of christinahello.com
Anytime I see the brand Haruharu, I automatically think of Big Bang’s old school hit song. No we aren’t talking about Big Bang today. I have seen the Haruharu brand pop up here and there but I remember them more for their comic sheet masks they had in the past which had very odd comic as their designs. These days, they have sleeked up their designs and have two lines under the brand, Wonder original and Wonder black rice.
Haruharu Brand Story
The Haruharu wonder wonder line focus on ingredients like honey green (honey with fermented green tea) for its hydrating, brightening and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as Maqui berry for its powerful antioxidant and anti-aging effects.
Haruharu’s wonder black rice line focuses on using fermented black rice which has high concentration of Anthocyanin, a plant extract high in antioxidants. Black rice contains 4 times anthocyanin compared to black bean, 3.4 x of grapes and 2.5 times of blueberries.
So you might be wondering why fermented skincare is great for the skin. Fermentation creates lactic acid (chemical exfoliator) and hyaluronic acid (ingredient known for its ability to retain hydration), as well as enhancing the production of ceramics (lipid that form’s skin’s barrier and helps retain moisture).
Trying 6 of the Best Products from Haruharu Wonder
Haruharu Maqui Berry Anti-Oxidant Cream
Description of product:
“Anti-oxidant and regenerative moisture cream made with fermented maqui berry (Chilean superfood with the highest antioxidant value of any superfood). Maqui berries are rich in Anthocyanin, Flavonoid, and Polyphenol.
Anti-aging, Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammation, and Skin Regeneration
Fermented Maqui Berry + Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil “
Amount of product:
90 mL
Duration before expiration:
1 year
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1.2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, Lactobacillus Ferment, Aristotelia Chilensis Fruit Extract, Brown Rice Vinegar, Betaine, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Juice, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Adenosine, Benzyl Salicylate, Citral, Ethyl Linalool, Tetramethyl Acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Disodium EDTA.
How to use:
After you have cleansed your face, toned and used any of your desired serums/ essence/ ampoules, continue on with the cream to finish off your routine.
This cream is the only product I’ll be reviewing from the wonder line and not the fermented black rice line. Haruharu has four versions of these moisturizers in a coffee cup looking jar and would be a super cute planting pot after I’m done with the cream. Within the four versions available, they all have different formulas including gels to lightweight creams. I picked the Maqui berry version since it looked like it was the thickest one of the four and the use of sunflower oil and maqui berry. Unfortunately for my dry skin, this cream didn’t do much and would best suit those with normal to combination skin in my opinion. The smell is too strong for my liking as well. It smelled just like the lemon scent from Mr. Clean, and the scent lingered for a while after application.
The texture leans towards lightweight and absorbs into the skin relatively quickly. There is no greasy residue, which I personally don’t mind, but even layering with the toner and finishing it with the oil, my skin felt dry in the morning.
Haruharu black rice soft peeling gel
Buy now at Glowie Co - $27.00
Description of product:
“A smooth, gel-type exfoliator that gently removes impurities and dead skin cells with a nonirritating fermented black rice formula. Leaves skin looking brighter and more even. Vegan and 95% and made with natural ingredients.“
Amount of product:
100 mL
Duration before expiration:
6 months
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Fermented Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract [an antioxidant powerhouse packed with polyphenols and flavonoids, which protects skin against free radicals and promotes skin cell regeneration] + Red ginseng extract [rejuvenating] + Betaine [collagen-boosting].
How to use:
After cleansing, apply the peeling gel on your dry face and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse and continue on with there rest of your skincare routine.
So I’ve had quite a bit of experience with peeling gels and one of my favourites is the Secret Key lemons peeling gel. Some of argued the eraser looking bits that fall off your face isn’t exactly your dead skin but the cellulose that is in the gel itself. Even if that is true, my skin looks visibly more glowy and my skin doesn’t feel rough afterwards.
With that experience, i thought it would be about the same with Haruharu’s wonder black rice soft peeling gel. Maybe I’ve been spoiled with the dramatics of the previous peeling gels, but this one is a little too “soft” to the point of me not seeing much difference. You do feel a little bit of balling up but not much difference both visually and physical touch wise.
Black rice hyaluronic cream
Description of product:
“Retains hydration in skin by creating a protective barrier to prevent loss of moisture with highly concentrated hyaluronic acid and other nourishing properties.
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract [anti-oxidant], Hyaluronic acid [moisturizing], Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract [improves skin tone/ brightening]
Vegan and made with 95% natural ingredients.“
Amount of product:
50 mL but there is the full size version that is 90 mL
Duration before expiration:
6 months
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Propanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Heptyl Undecylenate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cyclodextrin, Hyaluronic Acid, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Palmitate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil.
How to use:
After cleansing, toning and serum/ essence/ ampoule, apply this as the last step of your routine to seal in all the moisture.
Again, this is another lightweight cream texture and definitely more lightweight then the maqui cream up above. With hyaluronic acid in the name, I was expecting way more moisture being jabbed into my skin but this is yet another cream that would work better for those who have normal to combination skin. There’s no greasy finish with this cream and absorbs quickly as well. Thank god this one doesn’t smell like Mr. Clean but has a light lavender scent that is not strong and fades after application.
Haruharu black rice facial oil
Description of product:
“A lightweight, perfectly blended oil that’s amazingly fast-absorbing.
Great for all skin types, including those who don’t like the feeling of heavier oils.
Ingredients:
Fermented Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract [antioxidant], Jojoba oil [anti-inflammatory], sweet almond oil [smooths fine lines/stimulates new cell production], sunflower seed oil [acne-fighting/anti-inflammatory] and lavender oil [brightening/reduces wrinkles] “
Amount of product:
30 mL
Duration before expiration:
6 months
Country of manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triolein, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Heptyl Undecylenate, Camellia Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Dioleate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil.
How to use:
After your moisturizer, apply 3-4 drops on your face and massage into your skin. This will help seal in all your moisturizer but it is not to replace your moisturizer, so please use AFTER your moisturizer.
Out of all the products I’ve tried, I really do love this facial oil. Like the description states, this is a lightweight oil but is also very nourishing. The Lavender oil did ring a couple of red flags for me before tried it out since lavender oil is considered an irritant. Jojoba, sunflower seed oil and sweet almond oil are a cocktail for success since they are very nourishing and hydrating. Two thumbs up for the black rice facial oil and a green light for those who are looking for a high quality facial oil.
Haruharu black rice hyaluronic toner
Description of product:
“A light, hydrating, and refreshing toner packed with nourishing ingredients.
Helps condition the skin and prepare for optimal absorption of products along with instant moisturization. Key Ingredients: Fermented Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract [antioxidant] + Hyaluronic Acid [moisturizing], Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract [improve skin tone/brighten]
Our unique fermentation formula transforms raw ingredients into a more flexible configuration for the skin to absorb.
We have developed a formula targeting powerful absorption by utilizing patented Ultra Deep Technology — made to deliver active ingredients deep within the skin. “
Amount of product:
150 mL or 300 mL
Duration before expiration:
6 months
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Water, Betaine, Glycerin, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Cyclodextrin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-glucan, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Sodium Phytate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glucose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alcohol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
How to use:
After washing the face, wet a cotton pad with the toner, apply evenly across the face and pat to fully absorb it.
Out of all the Haruharu I’ve tried so far, this is definitely my favorite of the bunch and that is no surprise since this is Haruharu’s best selling product. The toner is almost like an essence, lightweight but still has a bit of body to it. It is so hydrating and really reminds me of another favorite of mine, Purito’s niacin amide boosting essence. I could almost use 4 layers of this and skip the rest of my routine if I really wanted to. The rice and hyaluronic acid is two of the best combos and both are some of my most favorite ingredients to combat my dry skin. It absorbs into the skin quickly but your skin instantly feels like there is a hydration shield keeping your skin from cracking. Two thumbs and one big toe up and I give you a big fat green light to get this.
Haruharu black bamboo mist
Description of product:
“A fine spray mist to supply ultra-light moisture and energy to exhausted skin.
Perfect for all skin types, especially those with dehydrated and easily irritated skin who want an immediate dose of healing moisture.
Provides deep nourishment and cooling hydration to exhausted skin. “
Amount of product:
80 mL or 150 mL
Duration before expiration:
6 months
Country of Manufacture:
Made in Korea
Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phyllostachys Nigra Leaf Extract, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Shoot Extract, Sodium Phytate, Alcohol, Beta-glucan, Aspergillus Ferment, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Fragrance
How to use:
Spritz this all over your face on the go or before you start your skincare routine to help with the rest of your skincare absorb better.
This mist will definitely be with me when I am out and about this summer. It contains bamboo bark extract which is great for its hydration as well as an anti-acne ingredient. The only ingredient that alarms me is alcohol, but I don’t know what type of alcohol it is.
Alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol dent and methanol are ones to look out for since those are the ones that will cause dryness and irritation. The good alcohols would be the fatty ones such as Cetearyl, Stearyl, Cetyl and Behenyl alcohol which would be the ones that won’t dry or irritate your skin.
There is a lingering coolness to my skin after application and it isn’t the minty type of cooling, which I really detest. My skin does feel a bit of moisture, but I might add couple of drops of the toner for more hydration since I’m a dry mofo.
Overall I do appreciate Haruharu for what they are and their mission to be a vegan skincare brand using 95% natural ingredients. I love their concept of fermented black rice and I hope they make other moisturizers that would cater super dry skin in the future. My two picks would have to be the black rice facial oil and the black rice hyaluronic toner.