u/Few-Specialist-3214

Hi everyone,

I’m into Korean skincare and currently looking for a moisturizer that gives good hydration, helps repair the skin barrier, and leaves a healthy dewy glow.

I’m stuck between these two moisturizers and honestly can’t decide...I’ve heard amazing reviews for both.

I've tried the Aestura Atobarrier lotion (not the cream) and it somewhat works okay...gives a velvety finish...but it's not magic.

Would love to hear genuine opinions from anyone who has tried both, for comparison, especially if you have a similar skin type.

My skin type: Normal-combination skin (more on drier side)

I live in a hot & humid climate zone.

Which one worked better for you in terms of:

hydration

barrier repair

dewy finish (without feeling greasy)

layering under makeup/sunscreen

breakouts or clogged pores

Thanks in advance! :)

I picked up a travel size of the I’m From Rice Toner before committing to the full size, and here are my thoughts after about a week of use:

I’ve been using it three times a day (morning, afternoon, and night) after cleansing...on a bare face, followed only by a moisturizer. I wanted to isolate the toner’s effects as much as possible.

Texture-wise, it has a watery, milky consistency. It absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t require much rubbing, which I really like. However, right after application, it leaves a slightly tacky feeling that lasts around 15–20 minutes. Once that fades, my skin does feel soft.

So far, I haven’t noticed any major visible changes in my skin. That said, my skin does feel a bit softer than before. When it comes to hydration, I’m still unsure...it might be too early to judge.

It's a good thing that I bought a trial pack first before investing in full size.

For comparison, I’ve previously used the COSRX Propolis Toner, which gave me an instant boost in hydration and a noticeable glow...something I really enjoyed. I’m not getting that same effect with this one, at least not yet.

I had heard a lot of great reviews about the I’m From Rice Toner, which is why I wanted to try it. But honestly and personally, it's not doing any magic to my skin the way I expected after reading reviews...maybe it just needs more time, but for now, I’d call it a decent milky toner...not amazing.

I’m going to keep using it a bit longer before deciding whether to switch or go back to my previous toner.

I’m currently using the I’m From Rice Toner (trial pack) and considering trying the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Toner once I finish it.

I have normal to combination skin and live in a hot, humid climate. My main goals are hydration and achieving plump, supple, glass-like skin.

I wanna avoid the tacky feeling on the face after applying a toner...I want a toner that gets absorbed in the skin right away but leaves the skin with a hydrated, dewy & glowy finish.

Would this toner suit my skin type and help me achieve these results?

I’m also planning to go for the fragrance-free (sensitive skin) version, as I’ve heard that the original formula can cause reactions for some people...so I’d prefer to avoid that risk.

I personally believe all brands should make trial/travel size skincare/makeup products for people to try first before investing in their full size.

Kudos to these brands that help customers try out travel sizes!

We definitely need minis for skincare and makeup. How else are we supposed to know what actually suits our skin or what looks good on us without committing to expensive, full-size products?

There’s honestly no point in buying full-size skincare if you don’t even know it’s going to work for you.

No matter how much research you do, you can’t predict how your skin will react...especially with active ingredients. What suits someone else might not suit you at all.

I invested in a few products in the past after so much research… and still couldn’t get myself to like them. Now they’re just sitting on my shelf, barely used...basically wasted money.

If trial sizes or samples were easier to access, it would save so much money and disappointment.

I personally prefer these sizes if I'm trying out a new brand or product...makes it very easy on the pocket as well.

Minis would benefit brands too. Like if I try a mini and genuinely like it, I’m far more likely to repurchase the full-size version. It’s a smart way to let customers test products at affordable prices and, in turn, build long-term loyalty.

But there’s a reason many brands avoid minis. If someone tries a product and doesn’t like it, they simply won’t buy it again and that’s a loss for the company. Selling only full-size products guarantees higher immediate profits, regardless of whether the product actually suits the customer. At the end of the day, most brands prioritize sales and margins over helping people find what truly works for them.

But, at the end, it's the brand's choice.

However, I'm glad to get these before deciding to invest in full size... the moisturizer is literally the size of my pinky finger...like a miniature... plus it's so cute to look at!

What do you guys think?

I personally believe all brands should make trial/travel size skincare/makeup products for people to try first before investing in their full size.

Kudos to these brands that help customers try out travel sizes!

We definitely need minis for skincare and makeup. How else are we supposed to know what actually suits our skin or what looks good on us without committing to expensive, full-size products?

There’s honestly no point in buying full-size skincare if you don’t even know it’s going to work for you.

No matter how much research you do, you can’t predict how your skin will react...especially with active ingredients. What suits someone else might not suit you at all.

I invested in a few products in the past after so much research… and still couldn’t get myself to like them. Now they’re just sitting on my shelf, barely used...basically wasted money.

If trial sizes or samples were easier to access, it would save so much money and disappointment.

I personally prefer these sizes if I'm trying out a new brand or product...makes it very easy on the pocket as well.

Minis would benefit brands too. Like if I try a mini and genuinely like it, I’m far more likely to repurchase the full-size version. It’s a smart way to let customers test products at affordable prices and, in turn, build long-term loyalty.

But there’s a reason many brands avoid minis. If someone tries a product and doesn’t like it, they simply won’t buy it again and that’s a loss for the company. Selling only full-size products guarantees higher immediate profits, regardless of whether the product actually suits the customer. At the end of the day, most brands prioritize sales and margins over helping people find what truly works for them.

But, at the end, it's the brands choice.

However, I'm glad to get these before deciding to invest in full size... the moisturizer is literally the size of my pinky finger...like a miniature... plus it's so cute to look at!

What do you guys think?