Naruko Narcissus Nectar Vital Skincare Line Review

Narcissus Nectar Vital is a new anti-aging skincare line from Naruko, a Taiwanese brand that I was introduced to by the now defunct monthly sheet mask service MaskGenie which had a Naruko Snail mask in it. I have been on a long love affair with Naruko, especially their tea tree line and I have reviewed a lot of Naruko products in the past ~ click here to see all of my blog articles ~ and Naruko still remains one of my favorite brands at which I will alway jump at the chance to try their products. Naruko Canada sent me this brand new set for review purposes and you can use CouponCode0527 promo code to save 10% off your orders at either Naruko Canada or Naruko USA ~ I don’t make any commissions off the code, this is just a thank you for my readers.

Skin Type/Concerns: Oily, blemish prone, pores, aging skin with fine lines/wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation (both sun damage and PIH)

All reviews are my own honest opinion and I never have been asked to write copy for a brand. This blog post might contain promo codes, affiliate and referral links, which using my links will help generate a small commission that helps support my blog at no extra cost to you.

Key Ingredients

Narcissus Nectar Vital obviously contains narcissus! I was introduced to this particular ingredient via the Naruko Narcissus Repairing skincare line. Narcissus Nectar Vital is an anti-aging skincare care line that will help repair your skin as narcissus bulb has an compound called IBR-Dormin, providing cell renewal so your skin looks healthy. Narcissus bulb extract also has anti-inflammatory benefits while firming and brightening your skin. This ingredient will also help maintain your skin’s elasticity and protect it from extreme environmental stressors.

ActiStem Gold Nest™ is swiftlet bird’s nest, an ingredient that has been used by royalty and aristocrats for centuries to help keep skin soft, smooth and moisturized. Bird’s Nest extract is made from swiflet spit and since it is also edible, it is one of the more popular ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Bird’s Nest contains EGF (epidermal growth factor) which helps repair skin and tissue and builds skin elasticity. It is also rich in peptids, glycoproteins, antioxidants and amino acids, which help combat aging as it aids in the healthy growth of cells, healing and fights free radicals. Are you concerned about the conservation and overharvesting Bird’s Nest in skincare and food products? Read here to learn about how Asian countries are taking steps to conserve and protect swiftlets

DETOSKIN™ contains peony root, trehalose and glycerin and is an antiaging ingredient, helping to stimulate cells for regeneration and helps make cells more resilient while detoxifying cells from something called ROS (reactive oxygen species). From what I read, ROS are “key signaling molecules” that causes inflammation and tissue damage. DETOSKIN will help even your skin tone and refine your skin’s texture. source US National Library of Medicine .

Panthenol helps cellular renewal, is an anti-inflammatory and is an effective moisturizer. Panthenol is a natural humectant, which retains moisture, hydrates, softens and smooths the skin. Niacinamide (vitamin B 3) is a superstar in the skincare world. It helps even out and brighten your skin tone, acts as a humectant and helps heal and prevent blemishes. Powerhouse humancant sodium hyaluronate attracts moisture and binds it to the skin to keep it hydrated.

Phytoferulin is Naruko’s blend of 11 concentrated herbal ingredients: kalanchoe spathulata, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root, alpine skullcap (scutellaria alpina), masterwort (peucedanum ostruthium), ginkgo biloba, alps wormwood (artemisia umbelliformis), leontopodium alpinum , alpine willowherb (epilobium fleischeri) , calendula officinalis, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) and camellia sinensis (green tea) extracts. This complex will help prevent hyper-pigmentation and environmental stress to your skin, while being a powerful antioxidant and brightening agent. This complex is very effective in hydrating your skin, while controlling oil.

All three of these products contain fragrance and it is strongly scented with what I assume is what narcissus smells like ~ a heady, sweet, floral. The scent does fade so it isn’t so strong so I wasn’t bothered too much by it. All Naruko products are paraben free.

Naruko Narcissus Nectar Vital Toner (水仙花蜜保濕水凝露) This is also contains harpagophytum procumbens root extract which is a new ingredient to me! This is plant comes from the dry arid regions of South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is called Devil’s Claw as the word harpago is the Latin word for hook ~ which actually describes how the fruit looks like

By Roger Culos – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

The roots of Devil’s Claw have been used as a traditional medicine among the South African indigenous San and Khoi people. It has been used as a tonic that can help fevers rheumatism, digestive issues and applied topically can help with pain and healing. This has been used in Europe for over a 100 years to help with inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. It is full of amino acids, flavonoids, anti-inflammatory phytosetrols and iridoid glycosides and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory triterpenoids source zuplex

This toner is more of a watery gel or as Naruko describes it “honeydew” ~ they are so much more poetic than I am! Narcissus Nectar Vital Toner is thick and bouncy, and just like Heinz Ketchup, you have to have patience to slap this toner out of the bottle. Drop by drop, it will slowly get out of the bottle as I tip it over and pound on the end of the bottle ~ hahaha. Once I used a fifth of the bottle, it came out much more easier so all I had to do was tip the bottle and it would drip out slowly.

I do not use a cotton pad with this, but instead pour the gel-drops into my hand and then press the drops into my skin, as it melts into a watery texture. Like most Naruko products, this dries down without any sticky or tacky residue and leaves my skin looking fresh and plumped up, without a dewy finish. This has a pH of 5, so it is skin friendly with its mildly acidic pH level.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Chlorphenesin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Propanediol, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Trehalose, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate cosDNA

Naruko Narcissus Nectar Vital Complex (水仙花蜜保濕修護) Ahhh This is a repairing complex that I wish WAS IN A BIGGER BOTTLE. This Vital Complex comes with four 5mL bottles for a total of 20 mL. I think they split it up into four bottles so that it is “fresher” when you use it but quite frankly, I use a lot of it, so I would rather have it in one bottle.

Along with the key ingredients, this also has sea buckthorn oil which is chockfull of vitamins C, A and E, along with beta carotene, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that aids in skin brightening and stimulating production. Sea buckthorn is also known for its antioxidant properties to help slow down aging and to regenerate new skin cells, penetrating deep into your derma layer and locking moisture inside..

Myrothamnus flabellifolius is known as the resurrection plant, as its “dead” leaves quickly come back to life when it rains. The leaf extract is full of great stuff for your skin ~ trehalose, arbutin, tannins, antioxidants and flavonoids, providing not only environmental protection for your skin cells and preventing the degradation of skin cell lipids while suppressing melanin formation.

I already complained about the small bottles and I will continue to complain about them ~ this has an eye drop applicator and I keep dipping it into the bottle to try and grab the precious golden drops ~ poetic Naruko with a “nectar-like” texture. I have to tip the bottle over to get the few remaining drops as the eye dropper cannot get to the bottom of the bottle.

This isn’t a gel, but a thicker essence that still dissolves to a watery texture. I love how it feels on my skin, as it is a bit cooling and I can see my skin instantly plump up and *gasps* feels firmer. Any dehydrated patches I have aren’t dehydrated and this doesn’t leave any tacky or sticky residue, drying down to a nice matte finish. It really puts a nice finishing touch on my skin.

Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Glycosyl Trehalose, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Fragrance, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Benzoate, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolius Leaf Extract, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Trehalose, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Potassium Sorbate cosDNA

Naruko Narcissus Nectar Vital Lotion (水仙花蜜保濕水凝乳) comes in a HUGE pump bottle, which I guess is to make up for the teeny tiny Vital Complex bottles. This lotion also contains the key ingredients as well as some additional ingredients to give this lotion its texture ~ cycolpentasiloxane is a common silicone found in skincare products. It helps skin care products have a silky, lightweight texture while creating a protective barrier on your skin. Algae algin is a gelling-polysaccharide that helps bind water to your skin, while quickly absorbing into your skin. It creates a spreadable texture and is added to help thicken skincare formulas. There is alcohol in this lotion, but I have the feeling it is added to thin out the formula.

Silica absorbs toxins, so your skin is free from blemishes and it also helps increase the elasticity of your skin. It also aids in collagen production and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Non-essential amino acid serine adds to the moisturizing capabilities of this lotion as it is a water binding ingredient.

“A century-old rare water-preserving formula” sez Naruko. This lotion may look unassuming in its plastic pump lavender bottle, but omg. This is so lightweight and watery as I massage it into my skin BUT IT is also very moisturizing. What is this witchcraft? As it dries down on my skin, it feels so refreshing and cooling as well. Again, no sticky or tacky residue, just a nice semi matte finish that is supple and soft ~ and my skin feels SO SMOOTH. I love Taiwanese skincare products as this very hot and humid island needs to control oil production and sweat but also deeply hydrate ~ so their skin care products work very well on my oily skin.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Propanediol, Cycolpentasiloxane, Isododecane, Silica, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Lecithin, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Panthenol, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trideceth-10, Glycosyl Trehalose, Fragrance, Trehalose, Urea, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Propylene Glycol, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Artemisia Umbelliformis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Peucedanum Ostruthium Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Alpina Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Harpagophytum Procumbens Root Extract, Potassium Phosphate, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate cosDNA

Final Thoughts

Despite my misgivings on the strong floral scent, I will recommend this line to anyone who has oily, aging, blemish prone or combo skin types. This is such a hydrating lightweight skincare line with lots of skin plumping and anti-inflammatory ingredients. I can see myself using this a lot during the transitional and summer months and then adding an additional layer of moisture when it gets really cold here. I wish Naruko would rethink the scent, but other than that, this line is a winner! Usually a skincare line would get a two thumbs down on the fragrance, but the Narcissus Nectar Vital Skincare line excels in every other area that I only ticked it down one point for the scent, which does linger lightly. Are you interested in trying the Naruko Narcissus Nectar Vital Skincare line?

Where to Purchase

Naruko, of course! Naruko has several different stores around the world too. Naruko Canada and Naruko USA ship to Canada and the USA. Use CouponCode0527 promo code to save 10% off your orders at either Naruko Canada or Naruko USA on any purchase ~ I don’t make any commissions off the code, this is just a thank you for my readers. All prices are in USD

Narcissus Nectar Vital Toner 150 mL NarukoUSA $21.50 NarukoCanada $20.63
Narcissus Nectar Vital Complex 4×5 mL NarukoUSA $29.50 NarukoCanada $26.25
Narcissus Nectar Vital Lotion 120 mL NarukoUSA $22.50 NarukoCanada $21.75

Naruko USA offers flat rate shipping of $6.99 for orders under $74.99 and free shipping for orders over $75.00. Naruko Canada is a bit more complicated so I did a screen shot here of their shipping rates.