A’pieu Madecassoside Cream Review

I mentioned this cream on my IG recently, and a lot of you replied with interest or telling me you also really liked it! What an under-discussed product, and I suddenly felt the need to share my full review with you. I bought the cream over a year ago in Myeongdong, and I’ve used it on and off ever since. Here are my thoughts!

Purpose & Directions

On the tube, the cream states:

“Madecassoside cream derived from nature strengthens skin barrier by providing protective film to the skin”. On the Apieu section of Missha US site, it describes this cream as “for sensitive, dry skin”.

The directions are so cute: “Apply gently following the direction of your peach fuzz, then press firmly to aid absorption. Apply small amounts for spot treatment and abundantly for night care! You can choose how to use the cream. Apply on areas like your elbow or under eyes (especially dry areas for extreme moisture!) .” So follow the fuzz ladies and gents.

I bought the cream because I was looking for something to nourish and protect my skin barrier, and help combat dry patches. I apply it at the last step of my skincare routine, and more often at night than morning.

Product Details & Ingredients

Amount: 50ml

Ingredients:
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water(Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Panthenol, Ethoxydiglycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sodium Chloride, Rubus Suavissimus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Adenosine, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Serine, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Asiaticoside, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

The ingredients list is pretty extensive which some great elements for moisturizing, as well as potentially brightening.

Madecassoside, the main marketed ingredient, is supposed to help with irritation and skin repair. Centella Asiatica Leaf Water is also a famous ingredient in Korea used for it’s supposed soothing properties. Here is the Cosdna link for the cream if any of you are interested. Some people are sensitive to citrus oils so be aware of their inclusion in this product.

Packaging

The packaging is kinda medicinal-looking, and just super simple and functional. You can control the amount dispensed, and it’s hygienic. Tubes are actually my favourite form of packaging for cream!

Texture & Scent

When you initially dispense the cream, it looks like a medium weight lotion. However as you begin to massage into skin, you can feel just how rich it is. It seems to sit on top of skin for a minute or two, and then absorbs relatively quickly. You can visibly see this in the photos below.

The scent is my ideal scent. It’s kinda herbal, with definite undertones of the citrus oils (grapefruit, lemon and mandarin). It’s quite strong on application but quickly fades. I love it.

Overall Performance

This honestly does exactly what it says on the tube. It is an intense moisturizer and it helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. It soothes and strengthens, particularly if I over-exfoliate or I’m having skin issues.

The application and functionality of the product are great. The packaging is perfect. It feels like a soothing balm when you apply it to skin, and it absorbs within several minutes. For me, it’s more of an evening option- it sinks in and seals in the moisture from the rest of my routine. My skin feels immediately softer, and it has definitely helped the dry patches I tend to experience.

Creams are not miracle products that will transform your face, but it’s necessary to have a good one in your stash. In my opinion, this is such a reliable option for a moisturizing routine. It’s become a staple for me without even realizing it, hence why I’ve never really talked much about it! It’s not an exciting product, but it does the job and it does it well.

Price & Availability

Something I really appreciate about this product is the price tag. In Korea, I paid a measly 9000 Korean won (around $9 or £6!), which I still can’t believe. There isn’t a huge amount of product, but more than enough to justify that price. Outside of Korea, I’ve seen the cream available online for around $15, which is still very affordable and more than worth it in my opinion! I would repurchase.

Let me know if you’ve tried this! The rest of the line looks pretty great too.