Round Lab Dokdo Cream - Review

The Round Lab Dokdo cream is a thick moisturizing cream with smooth texture, leaving the skin moisturized and plump without a sticky residue. What’s so special about this cream is that it’s formulated with Ulleungdo Island's deep seawater, which contains 72 types of natural minerals! Let’s take a closer look at the ingredient list and what makes this cream deserving of the 2018 Glowpick Consumer Beauty Awards – Rookie of the year.

Seawater has lots of benefits for the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin types or those struggling with skin conditions like eczema. Mineral-rich sea water can reduce irritation and inflammation, calming down inflamed skin. You see people soaking or bathing in sea salt water to soothe symptoms of psoriasis and other dry skin conditions. Similarly, it has amazing effects on the facial skin as well. There are lots of minerals in sea water that is beneficial for the skin such as potassium, zinc, iodine, iron, magnesium…and this product contains 72 types of minerals that promotes skin health!

Glycerin is one of the best skin-replenishing ingredients out there, and it’s one of the top ingredients on the list! Also known as glycerol or glycerine, glycerin is a naturally found substance in our body, which helps balance and hydrates our skin barrier. As a skin-replenishing and skin-restoring ingredient, it is one of the best hydrating ingredients in skincare and works even better when paired with other emollients. This ingredient will help keep your skin soft, supple, and hydrated.

The other notable highlight is the number of ceramides in this product. Ceramides also naturally occurs in the body, and they are necessary for water-retention capabilities in skincare products. There are a total of 9 different types of ceramides, 5 of which is formulated in this product: ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, ceramide NG, ceramide NP, and ceramide NS. Ceramides work best when combined with other replenishing ingredients, such as glycerin. As a result, these skin-restoring and replenishing ingredients work together to improve skin’s texture, suppleness, and restore the moisture barrier. The effectiveness of a product is multiplied when these ingredients are found together! 

The Round Lab Dokdo Cream is suitable for all skin types. Formulated without harsh ingredients (i.e. fragrances, alcohol), this product is great to mix with other actives, such as niacinamide boosters and retinol, to help reduce irritation or slowly acclimate the skin to new ingredients. It is a gentle, thick, non-irritating cream with no discernable smell, which I personally love. Although it’s thick, the product can quickly absorb into the skin, leaving no sticky residue or greasy film. If you’re on the oilier side, I highly recommend pairing this with a niacinamide booster to reduce the shine on your t-zone. If you’re trying out new actives that may cause skin irritation, try mixing them with this cream to slowly acclimate your skin to those products. Personally, I love mixing this with my 1% retinol (which can be strong if you’re a first-time user) and my 10% niacinamide booster. I tend to use this product as the last step in my PM skincare routine, and I can 100% guarantee that your skin won’t be dry using this. A little goes a long way! While it might be a little thick for the summer season, it is a perfect cream to use during cooler months.

After using this product every night for nearly 2 months, I’ve only finished 1/3 of the product. I use a little more than the regular amount, since I like to double down on my moisturizer (moisturize first, retinol, and moisturize again). Since I have a different, slightly lighter cream that I use for my AM routine, it’s understandable that there are still a lot of products left. I like something a little lighter in the morning because I also layer sunscreen on top. If used regularly, once nightly and once daily, I recommend using one small scoop of product (with the provided scooper) each time! Although this product is the standard size of 50ml, I think it will take a little over 3 months to finish, as a little bit of product goes a long way. Generally, for lighter creams, I tend to finish them around the 3-month mark. However, for this one, I’m hoping it’ll last me around 4-5 months of regular use. Overall, I would rate this product a 8.5/10 – it’s now my go-to cream for winter months.

Purchase it here: Round Lab Dokdo Cream ($35)

--

Review by Joane: 

Hi everyone! I’m Joane, an avid skincare enthusiast and ex-makeup artist located in Vancouver BC, Canada. My skincare routine has definitely changed a lot throughout the years, especially after suffering from a severe reaction to a makeup product 2 years ago. After being introduced to my first k-beauty product from Cosrx, I immediately fell in love with the brand as well as the affordability of Korean skincare products. Due to the severe reaction to certain makeup products, I now pay a lot more attention to the ingredients that I’m putting on my face to better take care of my skin. I have combination, slightly sensitive, acne-prone skin with oiler areas around my t-zone and drier zones around my cheeks. I find that my top 2 favourite k-beauty brands for acne or problem skin are from Cosrx and Benton, with Round Lab and Pyunkang Yul emerging as notable highlights.