Standing Tall with Lagom: A Hand Cream Trilogy Review

Hey everyone! I'm so excited about my new standing setup for filming! I'm not sure if it's permanent, but for now, I'm loving it. This new lighting system lets me stand and chat, which is a total game-changer. Sitting makes me a bit nervous on camera, and I tend to ramble. But standing? It's a whole new ballgame. I feel so much more comfortable and focused. So, we might be keeping this setup. We'll see!

But enough about the setup – let's talk hand creams! Today, we're diving into three different hand creams, all from the Korean skincare brand Lagom. They share the same base formula, the only difference being the fragrance – or lack thereof. Two are scented, and one is unscented. Welcome to another episode of Try K-Beauty with me! Let's jump right in.

Hi, hello, and welcome back to my channel! If you're new here, welcome, welcome! I'm Ray, and I review skincare products so you can shop with confidence. My skin type is a bit of a mixed bag – oily, sensitive, reactive, and dehydrated. Depending on the season, it can also lean towards combination. You can find me on all social media platforms if you want to connect!

Recently, I've been exploring Lagom's skincare offerings (check out my previous Lagom reviews if you're interested!). Earlier this year, I reached out to Lagom to see if I could try their hand cream line – a bit of a niche within their collection. I bet some of you didn't even know they had hand creams! Well, they do, and they generously sent me all three to try, no questions asked. They even threw in their new Airy Velvet Sun Stick, which I'll be reviewing soon. But for this post, we're focusing solely on the hand creams.

Everything I share here comes from my personal experience. So, let's get started!

The key ingredients in this hand cream are a blend of three different vegetable oils, third-generation fermented sugarcane (sounds intriguing, right?), squalane, niacinamide, shea butter, and panthenol. Those last three are some of my all-time favorite skincare ingredients, so I was already intrigued.

Lagom describes the fragrance as having "marine and green" top notes. Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What does marine smell like? The middle notes are iris and aromatic, which is a bit more descriptive. But the base notes are what truly captured my attention: sandalwood, vetiver, and cedarwood. These are some of my favorite fragrance notes, so I had high hopes.

The hand cream comes in a 30ml twist-off tube, similar to a sunscreen bottle. I have to say, 30ml feels a little small compared to the 40-50ml sizes many hand creams offer these days.

Texture-wise, it's a creamy, opaque formula, not a gel. It spreads easily and absorbs quickly, leaving a lightweight, non-greasy finish. The initial "marine" top note is definitely prominent, reminding me of the classic Nautica cologne. It's a very summery scent, perfect for those warm, beachy days.

While it absorbs quickly, the moisturizing effect isn't incredibly intense. I wouldn't recommend this for extremely dry or dehydrated hands. It's sufficient for my oily skin type, but those with drier hands might need something more substantial.

As the top note fades, the middle notes become more apparent, although the iris isn't particularly strong. The base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and vetiver are the stars of the show, adding a warm, sophisticated depth to the fragrance. While the initial marine scent screams summer, the base notes make it surprisingly suitable for autumn and winter as well.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the Marine Breeze Hand Cream. It's lightweight, non-greasy, and has a captivating fragrance. However, the moisturizing power isn't quite enough for my dry hands, which knocks it down a bit. I'd give it an A-minus. The fragrance is definitely its strongest point; without it, it would be a solid B-plus. Even after washing my hands, the scent lingered, which is a testament to its longevity!

Going into this one, I was incredibly excited. The fragrance notes sounded right up my alley. The key ingredients are the same as the Marine Breeze: three vegetable oils, third-generation fermented sugarcane, squalane, niacinamide, shea butter, and panthenol.

The top notes are bergamot, fig, and cassis – a combination that immediately piqued my interest. The middle notes of clary sage and lavender gave me slight pause, as lavender isn't my favorite. But the base notes of amber, musk, and patchouli sealed the deal. I love that combination, so I was eager to see how it translated in this hand cream.

The packaging is identical to the Marine Breeze – a 30ml twist-off tube. The texture and finish are also the same: creamy, opaque, lightweight, and non-greasy.

Upon application, the bergamot and fig are the most prominent top notes. Thankfully, the lavender isn't overpowering. However, the clary sage is noticeable. Unfortunately, the base notes of amber, musk, and patchouli are much more subtle than in the Marine Breeze. The overall fragrance is less masculine and more neutral.

Even after some time, the base notes didn't truly develop. The amber and patchouli eventually emerged, but the musk remained elusive, which was disappointing.

Overall, the Dark Mist Hand Cream was a letdown. The fragrance isn't as strong or memorable as the Marine Breeze. The functionality is the same, but the fragrance is what sets these hand creams apart, and this one fell short. It's a C-minus/D-plus for me. The name "Dark Mist" is so evocative, but the fragrance doesn't live up to the potential.

This hand cream is unique within Lagom's lineup. While they typically emphasize fragrance, the Egosphere is completely unscented. I was curious to experience the base formula without any added fragrance.

The key ingredients are, once again, the same: three vegetable oils, third-generation fermented sugarcane, squalane, niacinamide, shea butter, and panthenol. Lagom describes this hand cream as "harmonizing effortlessly anywhere, allowing you to fully focus on yourself, embodying your own charm, blending seamlessly with seasons, places, and spaces." Essentially, it's designed to be a versatile, no-frills hand cream.

The packaging, however, is a departure from the other two. The sleek black tube feels much more chic and sophisticated than the white tubes of the scented versions. It's a refreshing change and definitely catches the eye.

As expected, the Egosphere is completely scentless. It feels like a standard hand cream – nothing extraordinary. Without the added appeal of fragrance, I question who the target audience for this hand cream is. It's likely best suited for those with fragrance sensitivities, or those who work in environments where fragrance isn't permitted.

While I appreciate the lightweight finish and the sleek packaging, the lack of fragrance makes it less appealing to me personally. I prefer a pleasant scent in my hand creams. However, I recognize that there's a market for unscented options, and the Egosphere serves that purpose well.

Lagom's hand cream trilogy offers a variety of options to suit different preferences. From the bold, projecting scent of Marine Breeze to the subtle, almost elusive Dark Mist, and finally, the completely unscented Egosphere, there's something for everyone.

While I personally prefer the Marine Breeze, I appreciate Lagom's attempt to cater to a wider audience. The Dark Mist, while a bit of a disappointment, offers a more neutral fragrance option. And the Egosphere provides a fragrance-free alternative for those with sensitivities.

That's all for this Try K-Beauty review! What hand cream are you currently using? And which of these Lagom hand creams do you think would be best for you? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next post! Until then, stay safe, stay hydrated, and be gentle with yourself. Annyeong!