iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum Review
After really enjoying the iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil and appreciating their minimal approach to ingredients, I decided to check out this serum! If you're combo/acne prone as well and are looking for your next go-to serum, keep reading for the full iUNIK Tea Tree Serum review!
Update from June 2022 down below as well.
Quick facts:
Makeup Alley Review: 4/5 out of 1 review
Formulated without: paraben free, sulphate free, fragrance free and free from mineral oils
Potential irritants: Although the serum is made from 100% natural ingredients, the serum does contain Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, an antibacterial that can potentially irritate the skin. Someone on Reddit also mentioned they are sensitive to the preservative Butylene Gylcol that is in this formula.
Texture: The serum has a watery consistency which absorbs quickly into the skin. It's not sticky but leaves skin feeling more hydrated and a bit tacky upon drying.
Price: around $20 CAD, $18 USD depending on where you purchase
Where to purchase: (Canada) YesStyle, Stylevana, iUnik, Kosamebeauty, PureSeoul, Mikaela Beauty, Walmart
Scent: No notable scent
Packaging: The serum comes in a clear 50ml glass bottle with a pipette that makes it easy to hygienically apply the serum to the skin.
Main pros: This is a gentle skin soothing serum that is light weight (love the texture) and can help with occasional acne/redness/irritation and would be a good alternative if you're sensitive to AHAs, BHAs, etc. For all the beneficial ingredients it has, I think most people would enjoy it. The price point and glass packaging is also a plus!
Main cons: It's not as effective as other actives and if you have more than a few red bumps like I do, might need something a bit stronger!
What does the iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum do?
The brand website notes that the Tea Tree Relief Serum is a dual functioning serum which provides moisture and nutrients to the skin. It claims to calm sensitive skin with the Tea Tree Leaf Water and the Centella Asiatica Leaf Water and soothes redness and irritation quickly.
The formulation is made up of Tea Tree Leaf Water 67%, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 19.5% and the other 13.5 % contains niacinamide, plant extracts and preservatives.
iUNIK Tea Tree Serum ingredients:
I love how the tea tree leaf water makes up of 67% of the formula (different than tea tree oil, which can be more sensitizing), followed by 19% centella asiatica leaf water (very soothing).
Niacinamide is known to be highly effective for helping the skin fight against acne and create a stronger, healthier skin barrier.
Beta glucan, Broccoli, alfalfa, cabbage also contains great antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and E work to support health function of immune cells and boost immune system.
Other ingredients in the formulation appear to be low in comedogenicity and toxicity as well (according to their INCIDecoder page), and also help to brighten and soothe the skin.
More info on how to read ingredient labels here!
Here's the full iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum ingredient list:
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water (67%), Centella Asiatica Leaf Water (19%), Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Caprylyl Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Cellulose Gum, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract iunikcos.com
Is iUNIK tea tree serum oil based?
Nope! The base is 67% Tea Tree Leaf Water 67% and Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 19.5%. Tea tree leaf water is not the same as tea tree oil as it has a different distillation process. Tea tree leaf water is much gentler that tea tree oil and won't burn if applied undiluted on the skin.
*I used to apply tea tree oil directly onto my pimples and can vouch to say that my skin would just become more angry lol. This serum does the opposite and is super gentle!!
Is iUNIK tea tree serum good for acne?
I would patch test if you have sensitivities to certain natural ingredients or certain preservatives. However, I found this to be a really light and gentle serum with a great list of skin soothing ingredients!
How to use:
- Dispense about 4 pumps of the serum and gentle pat into freshly cleansed skin (I don't use a toner prior to this since this serum is very watery).
- Layer more if needed (this soaks into the skin really well).
- Finish off with your regular moisturizing routine.
Summing up this iUNIK tea tree serum review
I can see this working really well for someone that has mild redness, stressed skin or very mild acne/pimples. This is a really gentle serum with a great texture, lots of natural ingredients that are known to soothe skin. Not to mention the value!! Price point and packaging is really nice as well.
June 2022 update: I really enjoyed this serum paired with the Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (review here) throughout the winter till springtime. I didn't notice much of an effect at first but then over time it gives you the most subtle, beautiful glow from within (also kept my skin pretty clear for the most part)!
Now that it's near the end of the bottle though, I'd still recommend the SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule (review here) over this. Similar effect but just 100% Centella Asiatica extract!
Let me know if you end up trying it or if you already love this below! :)