Review: BRTC The First Ampoule Essence

I was primarily drawn to BRTC The First Ampoule Essence for featuring a rice ferment and niacinamide, much like Hanyul Rice Essential Skin Softener. I find their effects comparable—they brighten to roughly the same degree, albeit not as much as Swanicoco Fermentation Care—but BRTC has no alcohol, no added fragrance, and somewhat unexpectedly, no humectants. There's a handful of ferments, white tea and Korean dandelion extract, niacinamide, and some plant-derived antioxidants/anti-irritants, but it's a brief ingredients list.

INGREDIENTS    lactobacillus/brown rice ferment filtrate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Taraxacum platycarpum extract, niacinamide, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, galactomyces ferment filtrate, lactobacillus/Eriodictyon californicum ferment filtrate, allantoin, adenosine, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, disodium EDTA, Centaurea cyanus flower extract, Borago officinalis extract, Lavandula angustifolia extract, Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower/leaf extract, Hyacinthus orientalis extract, Salvia sclarea extract

The First Ampoule Essence is practically scentless; there is perhaps a very faint whiff of fermented rice, but this quickly dissipates, and none of the flower waters are detectable. It comes in a frosted glass bottle with navy and silver lettering, simple and conventional packaging for first essences, with demarcations running along one side, each notch indicating a single-day's volume of use. However, I tend to use only just enough to spread a thin layer over my face once, and only once, because the deceptively watery texture dries down to a surprisingly emollient, silky finish (see below) that feels more moisturizing than hydrating. This is a true first essence; unlike others of that ilk, it does not double as a hydrating toner. On my skin, I feel it's necessary to follow up with a product that's specifically aimed at dehydration. This is a minor inconvenience if you already follow a multi-step routine, but if your aim is to keep it simple this—or any other first essence, for that matter—is probably not the product for you.

On the one hand, I find BRTC well suited to wintertime use, as my skin could certainly benefit from a little extra nourishment, a little extra glow. I do not know how it would fare in summertime, or on oilier skin types. On the other hand, it's a finicky product best suited to a complicated routine. It's best applied with a cotton pad, then patted in and allowed to absorb for a few minutes, followed by a hydrating toner or serum. As yet, I've not noticed any reactions; perhaps an isolated whitehead or two.

Overall, BRTC The First Ampoule Essence evokes mild approval. It gives me no cause for concern, and it's competent in its role as a brightening, niacinamide-enriched first treatment essence, but it's not remarkable enough to differentiate it from its competition.


AFTERTHOUGHTS
BRTC The First Ampoule Essence

• PROS Alcohol free. Fragrance-free and almost scentless. Feels nourishing on dry skin, but takes a little longer to absorb.
• CONS Due to the emollient feel, may be unsuited to oilier skins. Not hydrating enough; would require layering with hydrating products if dehydration is an issue. BRTC is available offline at select LOHB, Watson's, and Olive Young, but only selected products.
• UNIQUE FEATURES None. Looks great on paper, however.

DETAILS
Available in 150ml for ₩38,000, 310mL for ₩68,000. It is often on sale, however, for half price. I got mine off Gmarket for ₩22,800.