Review: Hydrogel Very Simple Pack (Cosrx)

This product was sent to me for review purposes. I was not paid for this post but please note that there is an affiliate code advertised. The small profits go towards supporting Oh My Stellar and future content.

I personally love hydrogel masks but the problem is that they tend to be a lot more expensive than a standard sheet mask so I can only save them for special occasions. However, when I came across this product I knew that COSRX has found that gap in our market and found a perfect way to fill it – this is the Hydrogel Very Simple Pack. It comes in a tub of 60, which makes it a much more affordable option in comparison to individual masks.

COSRX is a very popular kbeauty brand, though I find that most of their hype is within the actual beauty community (they don’t have any stand alone stores in Korea but rather sell inside of Watsons – the drug store). They are very well known for their acne care products, in particular their acne pads, patches and pore clearing toner. I have used a handful of their products in the past and enjoyed them but hadn’t been fully blown away yet. However, this is fast becoming a recent favourite of mine!

I also believe that this was developed in collaboration with kbeauty blogger Hanbyul but there isn’t too much information about this (I used to be an avid watcher of her videos but not so much anymore, so I’m not up to date).

I recieved this from BB Cosmetic to review and this tub is selling for USD$17.65 (discounted from USD$26) – and they also offer free shipping worldwide with no minimum purchase. Check out their website if you’re keen to get this. You can also use my affiliate code for 5% off: QAL3F6ZA8YZ

So, let’s get into this review!

Product Description

These are essentially large hydrogel patches that can be applied to target areas of the face. They’re actually a fairly simple product and claims to soothe and moisturise skin, as well as cooling down any irritation. It also claims to help smooth out skin with a light peeling effect but, personally, I feel like this is the stretch.

The patches have an immediate effect on skin too and only needs to be applied for 10-30 minutes; there is also no excessive essence left on the skin, so it’s perfect for use in the mornings or as a quick pick me up.

It has three main features according to the BB Cosmetic website:

Refresh anytime, anywhere: It is recommended as an essential to soothe skin quickly
Finish complicated skincare at once: Your nightly routine ends with a simple pack instead of complex night skincare
Easy to apply: Rather than a sheet mask that can be messy to apply with all of that essence, this pad-shaped pack makes it easy for you to apply directly to the targeted areas

Below is the ingredients list, with a few of them highlighted (the ones I’m more familiar with):

Water, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP

Ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Sodium Hyaluronate are great for soothing and hydrating skin respectively, but I want to note the inclusion of essential oils (like Citrus Oil) which gives the pads a nice fresh scent but can be a skin irritant for some!

Packaging

The packaging of the Hydrogel Pack is really cute! The unit carton is white and has the image of the inside tub printed on the outside – which is the same as their usual boxes. It’s simple but I like how it makes each product very easily discernible.

Opening it up, you get a teal and white tub, which highlights the holographic print really nicely (both of the label and the lid). The light gray geometric pattern also gives it a very modern look and I like that they did something different to their other pad products – since this is a bit of a different product and is also part of a collaboration. However, since they’re still using the same style tub and the typography, it still looks very on brand.

The product also comes with a small pair of tweezers (which are housed nicely in the box). It’s a pretty average quality but works well for this sort of product. I’m glad that they included this.

Overall, the quality of the packaging is – as I expected from COSRX – pretty good! Their aesthetic is simple and trendy; even with their usual illustration mascot, their brand never looks too childish. It works well for their mid-range price point and target audience; generally teenagers up to late twenties.

Application & Personal Experiences

These apply on the face so well. They adhere very firmly and give an instant cooling sensation, which lasts for quite a long time. It also applies well on top of other skincare so these patches can be used at any time of your routine (I personally like to use it around the end so I can take the opportunity to make my serums absorb more).

As is common with most hydrogel masks and patches, these don’t have a lot of essence. However, the gel material means that it retains moisture for longer so the patches still last a good half hour on my skin (10-30 minutes is recommended). Although you can’t tell it’s dry, I don’t recommend keeping them on for longer than that as it can pull moisture back and also irritate sensitive skin.

I personally really like these as an alternative to full face hydrogel masks. Of course, I would still use those sometimes for the full treatment but these do a good job as an alternative! It’s great to be able to get that plump hydrated effect every night (instead of every once in a while). I don’t really see any other skincare benefits, there is an instant soothing effect but mostly just hydration – but it’s very good at it. I usually two use patches for each application, so I would have approximately a months use in a tub – making it great value!

I’ll definitely continue to use these and, once I finish them, I think that I’ll be repurchasing too. I have yet to come across something like this from another brand. I just wish that there was a bit more essence in these patches (like the Heimish Bulgarian Rose Water Hydrogel Eye Patches) even if it compromised on adherence.

So, here’s the verdict!

SO WHAT IS IT?

A tub of 60 hydrogel patches

THE GOOD

Affordable alternative to hydrogel masks
Pretty and trendy looking packaging (easy to store and stack)
Includes tweezers
Non-messy and easy to use
Adheres well to the skin
Gives an immediate cooling sensation
Keeps skin hydrated and plump
Instant soothing effect
Can be used on top of other skincare products
Effective for application up to half an hour

THE BAD

Contains citrus oils (can be a skin irritant, even if it makes it smell nice)
Not enough essence
No dramatic skincare benefits

RATINGS

PRICE POINT | 5/5
PACKAGING | 5/5
SCENT | 4/5 (one point off because the ingredient for the scent can be irritating)
ADHERENCE | 5/5
HYDRATION | 5/5
SOOTHING | 4/5 (instant but not long lasting)

OVERALL RATING? 9.3/10

WOULD I RECOMMEND?

This is a major yes from me! Please do note the use of citrus oil and don’t use this product if you are sensitive to it but, otherwise, I think that this is a wonderful hydrogel alternative and I’m surprised that no one else has done this earlier. I will definitely be recommending this product and happily working it into my nightly routine!

WHERE TO GET IT FROM

The COSRX Hydrogel Very Simple Pack was sent to me for review by BB Cosmetic so check out their page where you can buy this for USD$18.65 (discounted from USD$26). You can also get an additional 5% off by using my affiliate code, so don’t forget that: QAL3F6ZA8YZ