Brand overview
Torriden is a new-ish K-beauty (Korean beauty) brand that is very simple to understand. The brand consists of three lines: Dive-in (hyaluronic acid), Solid-in (ceramides) and Cellmazing (Centella, or cica). All of these key ingredients have been widely and independently proven effective and backed by years of research.
Based on this, my first impression of the brand is "no BS". We're off to a good start.
In this review I am sharing my experience on the Dive-in range.
Hyaluronic acid
The entire Dive-in range features hyaluronic acid as the key ingredient. I discovered hyaluronic acid about 17 years ago and have not looked back. I had oily and congested skin at the time, and the addition of hyaluronic acid to my skincare journey was life-changing. Within weeks my skin was re-balanced and shiny T-zone no more. I have not had breakouts very often since then. In fact, I am a believer that (absent underlying medical conditions) hydration solves 80% of skin (and life) problem.
For a basic explanation of hyaluronic acid, see this post.
Not all hyaluronic acids are the same. Hyaluronic acid is a chain of polysaccharide consisting of a repeating disaccharide (sugar) unit, so there is no set weight (or chemical formula). A product may contain "high molecular weight" hyaluronic acid, or, if hydrolysed or fragmented, "low molecular weight" hyaluronic acid. The different molecular weights will allow the corresponding molecules to penetrate into different depths of the skin.
There are five types of hyaluronic acid used in Torriden Dive-in. From high to low molecular weight they are:
Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer - this is modified sodium hyaluronate so that chains of molecules are cross-linked with each other to form a network of hydration barrier on skin's surface, retaining moisture for longer
Sodium hyaluronate - a form of hyaluronate salt which is of bigger molecular size
Sodium acetylated hyaluronate - modified, medium sized hyaluronate salt
Hydrolysed hyaluronic acid - hydrolysed simply means broken down randomly. This provides low molecular weight hyaluronic acid for better penetration
Hydrolysed sodium hyaluronate - also low molecular weight molecule for better penetration
Even though Torriden labels the whole Dive-in range as "low molecular weight", all five types of hyaluronic acid are all present in all of the products that I review below.
Dive-in Toner
Ingredient highlight
5 types of hyaluronic acids
betaine (humectant)
allantoin (emollient)
panthenol (vitamin B5 which is both a humectant and an emollient)
portulaca oleracea extract (anti-oxidant rich plant extract)
trehalose (water-binding sugar)
malachite extract (copper-rich, described as an anti-oxidant and boost protein synthesis).
My experience
The toner comes in a huge (gigantic) 300mL chunky bottle. It can be used with a cotton pad or straight onto palms, and then applied to face.
It has a watery texture. While I find it a bit messy to pour onto palms and apply, this is my preferred way as I do not like creating cotton pads wastage (which also soak up too much product).
The toner is absorbed in an instant with no sticky or tacky residue. It gives my skin a very hydrated feeling.
Full of good stuff and ethanol-free. There is no detectable scent.
Very affordable at the current price of U$18.4 (approximately A$25.34) for this huge bottle at StyleKorean.
I wish that it comes in a spray bottle instead for easy misting after cleansing and in-between my skincare layers.
Dive-in Serum
Ingredient highlight
5 types of hyaluronic acids
glycerin (humectant)
panthenol (Vitamin B5 which is both a humectant and an emollient)
allantoin (emollient)
trehalose (water-binding sugar)
betaine (humectant)
portulaca oleracea extract (anti-oxidant rich plant extract)
witch hazel extract (anti-inflammatory)
madecassoside & madecassic acid (component of Centella - said to have soothing properties)
ceramide & cholesterol (part of intracellular matrix for structural integrity)
beta-glucan (humectant)
malachite extract (copper-rich, described as an anti-oxidant and boost protein synthesis).
My experience
The use of both low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid PLUS crosspolymer PLUS Vitamin B5 reminds me of The Ordinary Hyaluronic 2% Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. I have previously reviewed this serum. I found that The Ordinary's hyaluronic acid was effective but lack usability and was difficult to layer.
In comparison, Torriden Dive-In Serum is much easier to use and layer. In terms of consistency and texture, it is thinner and less sticky. It still has a viscosity which makes it easy to apply. I use 5 drops each time (which is a lot), there is a slight, next-to-nothing tacky feeling after applying. To me, the most attractive thing of Dive-in Serum is that it does not pill whatsoever with all my other seven hundred and eighty-one products I put in my face. The ease of layering means I have the freedom to either use this as the first or last serum depending on what what else I use at that particular time, without worrying about specific order.
In addition to its ease of use, it has a more comprehensive formula, too.
As a hyaluronic acid serum, Dive-in Serum provides decent hydration and more. I have used many hyaluronic acid serums across different price ranges and this is certainly one of the best.
My hyaluronic acid top tip: always use it on moist-to-wet skin. As hyaluronic acid is a water-binding agent, it cannot work as intended unless there is water. I make sure I have applied an excessive amount of toner/mist before applying this serum.
Currently priced at U$19.2 (approximately A$26.44) for a big 50 mL at StyleKorean, noting that most of the other serums in the market come in 30 mL bottles.
Dive-in Soothing Cream
Just as I thought the serum was basically perfect, the soothing cream surprised me some more.
It is not a competition but if it was, the soothing cream is my favourite in the Dive-in range.
Ingredient highlight
5 types of hyaluronic acids
glycerin (humectant)
allantoin (emollient)
trehalose (water-binding sugar)
witch hazel extract (anti-inflammatory)
panthenol (vitamin B5 which is both a humectant and an emollient)
betaine (humectant)
6 herbal extract "complex"
malachite extract (copper-rich, described as an anti-oxidant and boost protein synthesis).
The Dive-in soothing cream has a really lovely gel-cream texture, bouncy and cushiony. It is basically a water bomb for my face. It is super lightweight and hydrating. Again I have been slathering a huge amount of this product on my face twice a day, and there is only a very slight tacky feeling. It is good to use under makeup and no pilling issues with any other products I use at the same time.
Because here in Sydney we have just transitioned out from winter to spring. I had been using layers and layers of oil and thick night cream on my face for many months. I am really enjoying using this moisturiser. It is refreshing to go to bed without feeling like an oily donut, and yet able to wake up the next morning with soft, plumped and hydrated skin.
The texture of this cream reminds me of a moisturiser from Clinique called Moisture Surge, which I have been using for years.
On the website, it is suggested that this cream can be used:
as a sleeping mask; or
by patting on top of a sheet mask (I have not tried this. Even though it is quite an economical product I cannot bring myself to "waste" such a beautiful moisturiser like this).
U$19.2 (approximately A$26.44) for a big 100 mL at StyleKorean. This moisturiser is great value for money.
Dive-in mask
I was only given 2 sheet masks to try, so my experience is limited. My biggest challenge was to find instructions / ingredients on the packet. The transparent packaging is very stylish but reading white text against a white sheet mask was impossible (see below). When I could finally see the writing I figured out everything is in Korean...
Luckily there is the internet. From the website, the active ingredients look quite similar to those in the toner/serum so I'll skip the ingredients part. FYI the directions say put it on for 10-20 minutes and then pat the face to promote absorption of essence.
My experience
I have always liked Korean sheet masks because they are usually thin and comfortable to use. The Torriden Dive-in mask is sitting on the thicker side. The feel of the sheet is slightly plastic-like rather than paper- or gauze-like, although the website says that the sheet is made from "100% cellulose fabric... with excellent adhesion and elasticity". That said, it is still quite comfortable to use.
The mask is fully saturated in essence. The contour is okay and the sizes of eyes/month cut-out are perfect.
The top tip from me is to apply the excess essence from the pack directly onto the skin first (before applying the mask), as this helps to hyper-saturate the mask and keeps it moist for longer.
I used mine as part of my evening skincare routine. My skin did feel very hydrated and plumped immediately after.
However I can honestly say that the next morning I felt no difference at all - I don't know whether it was because the mask was not doing much, or was it because the other products are so effective that there was little room for the mask to improve my skin's hydration level some more.
The best thing though is that there was no residue / pilling after use, which can sometimes happen with other sheet masks. So this mask can be used as part of the morning skincare routine or before special events.
Currently priced at U$26.40 (approximately A$36.36) for a box of 10 at StyleKorean.
Final notes
I came into this trial without any expectations (had not even heard of the brand before). I knew I was going to trial some hyaluronic acid-based products but I have tried heaps of hyaluronic acid products before. Now, I cannot stop talking about them.
These products focus on hydration. I have by-and-large normal skin (and slightly dry coming out of winter) but my skin is dehydrated most of the time. This is also why I like them so much. My best guess is that they are suitable for normal to oily skin types, and dehydrated skin. For those with truly dry skin (i.e. skin lacks oil rather than water), a facial oil before/after (depending on relative consistency) the serum might be needed; or replace the Soothing Cream with this moisturiser.
While they are doing a great job at hydrating my skin, I would not expect them to address other concerns, such as pigmentation or fine lines (unless the underlying cause of the lines is dehydration). To customise this routine, the best place to add an active serum (e.g. vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, AHA, etc. depending on skin needs) is before the serum.
I hope you enjoyed reading my review.
Products were given by StyleKorean for trial and review. My opinion is honest.
*Where to shop* Affiliate links: if you purchase any product directly from the links in this blog post, I will receive 7% commission from StyleKorean.
Toner: shopping link here
Serum: shopping link here
Soothing Cream: shopping link here
Masks: shopping link here
Discount code: "AUS15" for 15% off discount and free shipping to Australia (as at the date of this post)
About me
Makeup artist and hair stylist based in Sydney. Founder of the well-known award-winning bridal specialist team Faces Makeup & Hair. Beauty junkie with an obsession for skincare.
#Korean #KoreanBeauty #KBeauty #Torriden #Mask #SheetMask #HyaluronicAcid #Malachite #TryMeReviewMe #StyleKorean