It can be challenging to treat skin issues like acne and irritation. While there are many products on the market for acne, it’s hard to know what will work for your unique complexion and not make skin conditions worse.
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum is a Korean facial serum formulated for oily skin, acne and breakouts, and post-acne scars.
I’ve really enjoyed other iUNIK products like their Centella Calming Gel Cream (see my review here), so I purchased this tea tree serum to see what makes it a best seller.
I will share my experience with the serum in this iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum Review.
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iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
IUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum is all about soothing, repairing, nourishing, and smoothing oily and acne-prone skin with 67% tea tree leaf water to calm breakouts and sensitive skin and 19.5% Centella asiatica leaf water to soothe redness and irritation.
It also contains several vegetable extracts rich in enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that protect the skin from external stressors.
The serum is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores or worsen acne and breakouts.
It’s ideal for all skin types, especially sensitive skin and oily skin prone to acne, and is cruelty-free.
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum Key Ingredients
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water (67%): Tea tree leaf water is the less concentrated version of tea tree leaf oil. Tea tree oil is a potent antimicrobial compound that helps to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation
It’s a favorite of those with acne prone skin because it’s effective at healing and reducing breakouts without being harsh on the skin like some acne treatments.
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water (19%) and Centella Asiatica Extract: Centella asiatica leaf water is the steam distillate of the leaves of the Centella asiatica plant. Centella asiatica is also known as gotu kola and is a popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.
Centella asiatica extract is rich in skin-protective antioxidants and stimulates hyaluronic production for improved skin hydration. It also improves blood circulation and speeds up wound healing.
It’s also an effective anti-inflammatory agent that is used to soothe sensitive skin and treat a variety of skin conditions, including wounds, scars, and burns.
Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a multi-tasking active ingredient that brightens skin, improves skin texture, and evens skin tone. It also has anti-inflammatory and sebum-regulating properties that effectively treat acne and breakouts.
Sodium Hyaluronate: A popular hydrating skincare ingredient, sodium hyaluronate is a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it ideal for dry skin. It leaves the skin hydrated and plump.
Glycerin: Glycerin, a humectant, is one of the most popular skincare ingredients. It attracts moisture to the skin and helps to keep it hydrated. It also has occlusive properties that help create a barrier on the skin to prevent water loss.
Looking for more Korean products for acne prone skin? Check out these posts:
Betaine: Betaine is an amino acid derived from sugar beets. It is an osmolyte that helps cells maintain their shape and structure in high or low salt environments.
It also has humectant and emollient properties that help to keep skin hydrated.
Portulaca Oleracea Extract: Better known as purslane extract, this plant-based ingredient is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also an effective anti-inflammatory agent that helps to soothe sensitive skin.
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: These sprout vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that nourish and protect the skin.
They are also a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents that help to soothe and calm the skin.
Allantoin: Allantoin is a plant extract with soothing, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties.
Beta-Glucan: Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide that occurs naturally in the cell walls of yeast, oats, and mushrooms. It’s a powerful soothing and anti-inflammatory agent that moisturizes the skin.
Adenosine: Adenosine is a nucleoside that occurs naturally in the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to stimulate collagen production while protecting and replenishing the skin barrier.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate: Dipotassium glycyrrhizate is a salt derived from licorice root. It has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. It also helps balance oil production in the skin.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: Licorice root extract is a skin-lightening agent that helps to even out skin tone. It also has anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties thanks to glycyrrhizin, a compound with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum Review
After trying and loving iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream (see my review here), I couldn’t wait to give iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum a try.
I have combination skin that deals with oiliness in my T-zone and experiences breakouts in the same areas.
I was looking forward to giving this serum a try because I struggle with salicylic acid products irritating my somewhat sensitive skin.
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum is a pale green-colored serum with a thin consistency. It sinks right into the skin and dries quickly without any stickiness or greasiness.
It is lightly hydrating, soothing, and non-irritating. This tea tree serum is just what my skin needed the past few weeks. My skin has been calmer, with less redness and fewer breakouts. It feels very lightweight on the skin, making it ideal for wearing under makeup.
It may seem a bit more expensive than some tea tree serums, but it comes in a generous 1.7 oz (50 ml) glass bottle, so ounce for ounce, it is very affordable.
I love that the serum is fragrance-free and that I detect no natural fragrance – not even a minty scent from the tea tree.
Drawbacks
Although ounce for ounce the serum is very comparable to other low-priced Korean serums, the 1.7 oz bottle is slightly more expensive than other serums.
The serum might not be hydrating enough for dry skin types.
How To Use iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
After cleansing and toning your skin, apply a few drops of iUNIK tea tree serum to your face and neck, avoiding the sensitive eye area.
Follow up with your favorite moisturizer or pair with iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream for a double dose of Centella, green tea, and niacinamide benefits.
For best results, use the serum once or twice a day.
Alternative To iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
If you have acne-prone skin and would like to try a similar serum from a Korean skincare brand, consider COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum which targets acne, redness, and acne scars. Like iUNIK, it contains Centella asiatica, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, and tea tree oil instead of tea tree water.
Although slightly more expensive, it is even more lightweight on the skin than iUNIK. For more details, please see my COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum review post.
About iUNIK
Founded in 2017, iUNIK (as in i-unique) is a Korean beauty brand that focuses on simple, natural ingredients and formulations. IUNIK focuses on producing effective skincare products at affordable prices.
IUNIK is an acronym using the words Ideal, Unique, Natural, Ingredients, and Knowhow, so the focus is on getting your ideal skin using the best, safe, and most effective formulas.
Final Thoughts on iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
This Korean serum is great to have on hand to soothe irritation and breakouts and works even better when paired with iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream.
If you are looking for an affordable, gentle tea tree serum, iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum is worth considering. For more of the best Korean serums, check out this post.
Thanks for reading, and until next time, here’s to your good skin health!