A few months back my friend Andie asked me if I've tried the Missha Immortal Youth Cream. When I said no, she linked me to this news article.

 A Korean study done on the best anti-aging creams

This chart was a result of a study in Korea that ranked the best anti-aging creams (including international brands) based on the reduction of fine lines/wrinkles, the level of moisture it provided the skin and user feedback. The winners? Eucerin's Hyaluron Filler Day Cream ranked first, Missha's Immortal Youth Cream ranked second, and Isa Knox's X2D2 Wrinkle A440 Cream ranked third.

I've had a lot of success with Missha products, so the despite the cheesy name that claimed to give "immortal youth", I decided to give this one a try. It was actually perfect that my friend passed along this article because I was prepping for good picks for the fall/winter curation and I wanted a cream that could really hydrate and help retain the moisture, which is key when dealing with cold winds and dry air.

The rockstar ingredient in this product is betula alba extract, which is basically sap from a birch tree. They use this instead of water because the benefits of the betula alba extract includes vital minerals, sugars, and best of all amino acids.

If you want a quick refresher on the benefits of amino acids, here it is: Amino acids supply nutrients to nourish the skin, keeping the skin smooth and elastic.

This product also includes arbutin and fermented rice extract. Arbutin is a plant extract, and it inhibits melanin production to brighten the skin. For those brightening fanatics, you'll be glad to know that this formula also includes fermented rice extract which is known for its gentle brightening properties. 

I applied the cream on the right side of my hand and after two hours, I took a photo.
Look how incredibly moisturized it is even after two hours! (See photo on bottom right)

After testing the product for four weeks, I could see why it's a good cream for those with aging skin and normal to dry skin types. The product is heavy and buttery to the touch, so a little goes a long way. The key to this cream is that it's thick and buttery formula really locked in the moisture throughout the night. As strange as this might sound, in the morning could still feel a thin layer of the cream on my skin, almost like I preserved my skin for the night.

That being said, a cream that is as emollient as this one wouldn't be good for those that are oily skin types. Also despite its masculine packaging, it does have a floral scent to it - and although the scent fades, initially it is stronger than most Missha products I've tested.

Because this post is about an anti-aging product, I want to end on this note: Don't wait until you have signs of aging to start taking care of your skin! Just like you should exercise and eat right from the start, and not when you find out you're unhealthy, skincare should be viewed in the same way.

And for those of you who are older and are wondering if its too late - it's never, ever too late. Using the right ingredients to get your skin the healthiest it can be is an achievable goal and you can get there with a little time and effort. I've received countless of emails from women in their 40s and 60s that have tried the Korean skincare routine and have seen their skin transform! 

Your reviews

"I looooove this cream! I've been looking to buy a night cream for the cold winter season and this cream is perfect for it! My skin feels very soft the next morning, even after a full night of heater going. This cream will definitely be a permanent member of my night time skincare lineup!" - Lisa B

"I've only been using this cream for a week, but the difference between this cream and any other moisturising cream I've used is amazing. This cream has a velvety texture going on, and stays that way overnight. In the morning when I wash my face and neck, I still feel the cream on my skin." - Garland S 

"great night cream for winter in NYC! a little goes a long way for me, so i don't use as much as i would with a typical night cream. love the light fragrant smell too." - Grace C

Now it's my turn to ask you, what do you think of the Missha Immortal Youth line? Have you tried the other top 3 anti-aging creams that were ranked in the study?