SU:M37º Water-full Timeless Water Gel Eye Lifting Essence Review

I am a huge fan of SU:M37º ~ when I first heard about them, it was with that the SU:M37º Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick which I couldn’t use, due to allergies. But then, I found a new world outside of the ‘gram perfect now-defunct cleansing stick and I love this brand (read my reviews here). It is what I would say is middle tier to upper tier in terms of price and ingredients in the realm of K-Beauty. Jolse, a premier online K-Beauty retailer, sent me the SU:M37º Water-full Timeless Water Gel Eye Lifting Essence complementary for review purposes.

About SU:M37º: Their name comes from the Korean word “breath” and the 37°C is the best temperature for fermentation. This brand focuses on fermented skincare, using only natural oils to scent their products and they are free of artificial colors and synthetic preservatives. SU:M37º has the only fermentation research institute in the country and they ferment 86 different botanical plants that are grown in countryside of Gangwon-do, South Korea. SU:M37º , whose name is derived from the Korean word for “breath” and the optimal temperature for fermentation, specializes in naturally fermented skincare and makeup, free of fragrances, artificial colors, and synthetic preservatives. Every season, the lab of the prestige brand — the only fermentation research institute in the country — slowly ferments every part of 86 different kinds of seasonal plants in the countryside of Gangwon-do, South Korea. The essence extracted from this fermentation is used in SU:M37º products.

Skin Type/Concerns: oily, blemish prone, aging concerns, pores, fine lines/wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation

I received these products complementary to review and was not paid. 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.

K-drama actor Lee Jong Suk (While You Were Sleeping) is the spokesperson for SU:M37º

SU:M37º is well known for their love of fermented ingredients ~ they and Taiwanese brand Naruko have some of the longest ingredient lists per product that I have ever seen. However, just like Naruko, SU:M37º provides an elegant formula that works well for my skin, which is why I keep going back to this brand. As this firming eye essence is part of the Water-full line, there are some common ingredients that is shared among all of the line.

There are 50 fermented plant extracts ~ yep, there is a lot packed in here, herbs and essential oils. The key ingredient in the Water-full line is fermented bamboo sap, which not only contains over 70% of silica, which is a crucial item when it comes to your skin’s connective tissue, collagen and rich in amino acids. By stimulating certain cells, silica helps strengthen your collagen and elastin, which in turn will help firm and tone your skin and plump up your skin, so fine lines and wrinkles are not as noticeable. Bamboo is also known for an instant dose of hydration, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and retain moisture.

This also contains fermented hibiscus, which is a natural AHA and red clover, treating irritation and it has “estrogen-like” properties, which make it a great anti-aging ingredient too ~ this will help gently exfoliate surface dead skin cells and reveal new skin underneath. Trifolium pratense (red clover) has skin soothing, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits due to its high content of skin regenerating isoflavones. It is packed with nourishing ingredients for your skin, like vitamin C, niacin, calcium and thiamine. Honeysuckle is a soothing ingredient, that helps with skin irritation, improve uneven skin tone and it is anti-bacterial and antiseptic as well. It also tones and balances your skin.

Now, I can’t go over all of the 147 ingredients in this eye essence, so I randomly selected a few that I thought would be beneficial for the delicate skin around the eye area. Dandelion root is not something you see everyday, and it helps with inflammation ~ think puffiness ~ irritation and helps increase collagen and hydration. Chicory is full of flavonoids and polyphenols, making it a great antioxidant ingredient, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and it is also an anti-inflammatory. This will help reduce the puffiness and soothe the skin. Turmeric is an another anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, helping to give your skin a radiant brightness.

A soothing, calming trio of hanbang botanicals include houttuynia cordata, mugwort and chamomile. Grifola frondosa fruiting body extract ~ fruiting body, alias sporocarp , is actually where the spores are in a mushroom and this is from the maitake (grifola frondosa), a medicinal mushroom. This extract contains beta-glucan which moisturizes and soothes your skin.

Banana is rich in antioxidant vitamin A and potassium, helps reduce inflammation while moisturizing. Papaya is an antioxidant, as it has vitamins A, C and E along with carotenoids, helping to reduce inflammation of your skin, as well as nourishing it. Apples are a vitamin-rich, anti-aging ingredient, containing antioxidants that promote cell health, moisturize and help heal sun-damaged skin. Goji berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and will help aide in collagen production and brightening skin.

Squalane has the ability to penetrate the skin quickly and completely and is a powerful antioxidant, prevents hyper-pigmentation due to age and promotes cell growth. Phytosqualane will prevent moisture loss and will also moisturize. Humectant panthenol binds water to the skin, as it works to improve skin’s barrier function and helps to maintain the cells that create collagen. Glycerin will moisturize and hydrate the skin, leaving your face feeling smooth and soft. Dimethicone helps provide moisture and a silky smooth texture while creating a protective film/barrier on your skin.

Ceramides helps lock in moisture and create balanced skin. Shea butter contains a rich source of concentrated natural vitamins and fatty acids ~ oleic, stearic, palmitic, linolenic ~ and is highly moisturizing and nourishing. It helps repair your skin, as well as reduce skin inflammation and it also smooths your skin to protect it from drying and it strengthens your skin over time as it helps aid in the collagen production. Lightweight, non-greasy macadamia oil has several fatty acids, which have anti-aging properties ~ palmitoleic acid: delays skin and cell aging; oleic acid: moisturizing and regeneration properties; linoleic acid: prevents water loss from your skin tissues. It is also high in phytosterols, which helps calm and soothe irritated skin. Please note that there is alcohol in here, but based on the formula and texture, I do think it is to help thin out the product.

Ingredients: Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasyloxane, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Phytosqualane, C14-22 Alcohols, Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Potato Extract Ferment Filtrate, Panthenol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Monascus/Rice Ferment, Lactobacillus/Ginseng Root Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Lactobacillus/Water Hyacinth Ferment, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Diospyros Kaki Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Morus Bombycis Leaf Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Root Extract, Brassica Rapa (Turnip) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Akebia Quinata Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sasa Veitchii Leaf Extract, Glechoma Hederacea Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Flower Extract, Allium Sativum (Garlic) Bulb Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Corthellus Shiitake (Mushroom) Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract, Cichorium Intybus (Chicory) Root Extract, Platycodon Grandiflorum Root Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Leaf Extract, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Acer Palmatum Leaf Extract, Geranium Robertianum Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Spinacia Oleracea (Spinach) Leaf Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Yeast Ferment Extract, Inonotus Obliquus (Mushroom) Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Kluyveromyces Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Ferment Filtrate, Bambusa Arundinacea Juice, Wine Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Malachite Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Squalane, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arachidyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-150, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, TrisodiumEDTA, Tromethamine, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Fruit Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil cosDNA

LOOK AT THIS BOTTLE!! OMG ~ the Water-full Line is in this beautiful Aegean Sea-blue shade with silver accents. Even the top of the cap has the pretty SU:M37º logo.

This has a pump applicator, so no messy jars to deal with. I have used the sample before and was so impressed with it that I wanted to try it out for longer. This essence is a gel, not a liquid. It has a firm texture to it and has a lovely scent of herbal citrus botanical to it.

It does spread easily on my skin and what I noticed is that the stiffer gel helps to fill in some of those fine lines and wrinkles ~ think of it as eye spackle ~ and I can tell that it “tones” up the delicate skin under my eyes. I have found I don’t need a lot of this product either ~ it isn’t one of those skincare items that you feel you need to slather all over the eye area. The firming effects aren’t permanent, alas, but it does make my eye area look more refreshed and awake.

I use this in my eye care morning routine ~ I actually layer my eye products ~ I start off with NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour, then apply a retinol eye cream ~ current favorite is First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream and then top it off with SU:M37º Water-full Timeless Water Gel Eye Lifting Essence. Retinol eye creams tend to be drying, so using this lifting essence helps add moisture back in, while “firming up” that skin around the eye area.

You are never too old to start using anti-aging products once you hit 25. I would not recommend the really rich, mature creams unless you have dry skin, but in your 20’s and 30’s, using products like retinol and lightweight nourishing and moisturizing skincare products are the way to go. I wish I had these types of products when I was in my 20’s ~ but then again, I doubt I could have afforded them back in my 20’s (sobs). I will repurchase this firming eye essence as I do not have a bad thing to say about it and I really enjoy using it.

Where to Purchase

Jolse carries SU:M37º Water-full Timeless Water Gel Eye Lifting Essence 35 mL for $66.30 USD (click here to purchase). They also have other selections in the SU:M37º Water-full line (click here to purchase). Jolse offers free global shipping plus gives a lot of samples out ~ the more you purchase, the more samples you get! Please note that the prices do fluctuate a little bit due to the WON to USD exchange rates.

Make sure to check your coupon zone (click here) for money saving discounts. You need to log into Jolse first, then download the coupons before you use them. Coupon savings usually are $5.00 off a $50.00+ purchase, 5% off $100.00+ purchase and 10$ off a $200.00+ purchase