Art Meets Skincare: Testing Innisfree’s New Collab with Steven Harrington

I try not to buy beauty products unless I need them, but brand collabs are a weakness of mine. The limited edition product designs are so cute, and I remember Innisfree's previous collabs with Toy Story, Mentos, and Peanuts that really tested my self-control. This time, colorful drawings by artist Steven Harrington decorate Innisfree skincare products for the brand's most recent partnership.

Steven Harrington's world-renowned art is described as embodying "California's psychedelic-pop culture". He is based in Los Angeles, USA and is currently having his first Solo Museum Exhibition entitled 'Stay Mello' at the Amorepacific Museum of Art in Seoul, Korea until July 2024. A part of the exhibition shows his global collaborations, including Nike, Uniqlo, and this one with Innisfree.

Steven Harrington's Mello character is featured in an animated campaign exploring #THEISLEADVENTURE, discovering the key ingredients used in Innisfree's three best-selling serums included in this collaboration. I took the opportunity to try out these serums and jot down my first impressions.

The INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum (P1,690) is  Korea's no.1 hydrating serum and Innisfree's product with the top repurchase rate. With a full size 80ml bottle plus the 15ml free gift, this promises to instantly hydrate the skin and have 72-hour moisture retention regardless of skin type. The formula uses a specific variety they refer to as Beauty Green Tea and Capsule Hyaluronic Acid that is smaller than pores.

First Week Impression: I understand how this became a best-seller as my skin instantly feels and looks hydrated after application. It’s quite lightweight and wears well under makeup.

The INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum (P2,050) is the 1st place winner of the 2023 Cosmo Beauty Awards for the Brightening & Whitening Category. This serum set comes with a 30ml full size bottle plus a 7ml free gift, and promises a "dual brightening effect". This is achieved with Innisfree's patented toning solution using Green Tea Enzyme for mild exfoliation and Dual Vitamin C for brightening. Those with sensitive skin can use this no problem too, since this is pH-balanced.

First Week Impression: The brightening effect will probably take some time but this does feel mild on. It doesn’t quite “warm up” the skin like other Vitamin C serums do. I also like the mild exfoliation effect it supposedly gives as I often forget to exfoliate my skin.

The INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule (P2,050) is Korea's no.1 trouble ampoule. Similar to the Vitamin C Serum, this ampoule comes in a set of a 30ml full size bottle and a 7ml free gift. A combination of Pure 95% Retinol, 2% Niacinamide, and Jeju Cica Liposomology formulation technology improves blemishes, skin tone, and skin texture. Since this is a retinol product, they recommend patch testing first, letting the skin adapt before increasing the amount, and wearing sunscreen in the morning.

First Week Impression: I have been using retinol on and off these days so the INNISFREE x Steven Harrington Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule is a welcome addition to my routine. I didn’t experience any irritation even if I don’t use the sandwich method anymore. I think the Cica combination works in keeping the formula mild and friendly to the skin.

The INNISFREE X Steven Harrington collaboration also includes the My Perfumed Hand Cream Set and the Collagen Green Tea Ceramide Bounce Cream. I didn't spot the Bounce Cream in Innisfree's local online stores however, while the Hand Cream Set is available only in select online stores. You can get the collab products and other Innisfree skincare online at the Innisfree Philippines website, Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora or visit in-person at SM, Glorietta, and other locations listed in their store locator.

INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum Ingredients:

Water / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Saccharide Isomerate, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Xylitol, Cetearyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Squalane, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Triethyl Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Disodium EDTA, Limonene, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Oleate, Citral, Elettaria Cardamum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Sucrose, Lauryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Myristyl Glucoside, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil,  Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella) Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Vitamin C Green Tea Enzyme Brightening Serum Ingredients:

Water / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Squalane, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dextrin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Madecassoside, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-20 Olefin), Protease, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glutathione, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Beta-Carotene, Ferulic Acid

INNISFREE X Steven Harrington Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule Ingredients:

Water / Aqua / Eau, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene, Phytosphingosine, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11