It’s no secret — we love Manyo Factory. So, why is this brand SO GOOD? It’s simple: they use all active, clean ingredients and natural preservatives. 

Yet, when we first came across Manyo a few years ago, we noticed that the brand wasn’t as widely known or popular in the K-beauty scene here as we expected it would be (or should be).

Read on to learn about our team members' favorite Manyo products and why we're so obsessed with this beloved Korean skincare brand.

I’m new to Manyo Factory — where should I start?

Everyone raves about the Galactomy Niacin Essence, and for good reason. This much-loved serum contains 97% Galactomyces ferment filtrate, 2% Niacinamide, and about 1% Sodium Hyaluronate. It brightens, hydrates, exfoliates, and strengthens skin, while improving skin texture and elasticity. It does it all. This essence also has no smell and feels almost like water — it absorbs instantly.

But, of course, there’s so much more to Manyo. Some of our other favorites include the Deep Pore Cleansing Soda Foam, Blemish Red Ampoule (formerly Proxyl AC Rescue Ampoule), Marine Energy Spa Gel Cream, Bifida Biome Concentrate Cream, and so many more. 

What's your favorite Manyo Factory facial cleanser?

One of my favorites is the Deep Pore Cleansing Soda Foam. They have other great foam and oil cleansers, too, but we'll save those for another day.

Personally, no other cleanser has tackled my blackhead concerns as effectively as Manyo Factory's Deep Pore Cleansing Soda Foam has — and so gently, too. On top of that, I simply enjoy using it. 

It's light green in color at first, a little creamy, and instantly smells calming, herbaceous, and mildly citrus-y. As you work it into a rich, white lather, you can feel its tiny granules ever so gently removing dirt and oils from your pores. It always leaves my skin feeling refreshed and never stripped or dry afterwards. FYI I have oily combination skin. 

This is probably not recommended, but now that I find myself spending more time at home these days than ever before, I sometimes find myself reaching for this cleanser in the middle of the day just so I can feel and smell it. So far, there haven't been any adverse effects. It just feels that good — I can't help myself. 

You talked a little about the Manyo Factory Galactomy Niacin Essence. Are there other Manyo Factory serums we should try?

Of course! Let’s talk about Manyo Factory's Blemish Red Ampoule, which used to be called the Proxyl AC Rescue Ampoule. This is my go-to for anyone with acne-prone skin and any pore concerns. I've recommended this to clients who have a ferment sensitivity or fungal acne. It does contain some Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, but not at the same level as the Galactomy Niacin Essence.

Packaged in a simple, frosted glass bottle, this serum comes out transparent, watery, and super spreadable on the skin. It has what I can only describe as a mild organic scent from the Centella Asiatica Extract and other herbal ingredients.

But, the very special thing about this serum is that it uses an ingredient called Terpinen-4-ol. Manyo Factory is probably one of the first brands I’ve seen using this ingredient. Terpinen-4-ol is derived from tea tree oil, which is amazing for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, but tea tree can also be irritating to the skin in high quantities.

Terpinen-4-ol is gentler and still provides that bactericidal effect. It's super soothing and can be a great alternative to tea tree oil for someone with sensitive skin.

This ampoule is also great if you have any pore concerns. It helps regulate hydration, and balances sebum production and secretion, leaving your skin feeling smooth and pores tightened.  

Can we backtrack a little bit and talk about four-step routines? We're talking about the Manyo Factory Blemish Red Ampoule, which, for some, could represent yet another step. Why do it?

Absolutely. If you're here, you're probably already familiar with the three-step skincare routine consisting of a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer. Typically, when you have a specific concern — e.g. hydration, anti-aging, and oil control — that's when you want to introduce a serum to target your area of interest. Serum goes after your toner and before your moisturizer.

I personally enjoy having multiple serums, figuring out what my skin needs on any given day, and choosing a serum accordingly. However, if you have sensitive skin, I recommend starting off with one serum first, then introducing new ingredients as you better understand your skin.

Can you talk about the Manyo Factory Marine Energy Spa Gel Cream? I love the blue jar. 

I’m typically very picky with my moisturizer. The Marine Energy Spa Gel Cream is lightweight and has wonderful sea-based ingredients like spirulina, sea bean, seagrape, and sea-based collagen. If you especially don’t like your skincare to feel sticky or become oily throughout the day, this is the moisturizer for you. It’s light, hydrating, plumping, and packed with wonderful antioxidants.

Once you unscrew the top, you'll see that this translucent soft white cream almost reflects the light blue hue of its packaging. It doesn't have a strong scent — maybe a gentle whiff of lemon to mute out the natural smells of all its amazing sea-based ingredients. 

The texture is somewhere between a watery gel and a cream in the best way — meaning it's lightweight, non-sticky, and absorbs instantly. It doesn't feel super heavy, yet keeps me hydrated all day. I recommend gel creams like this one for anyone who clogs easily, has oily skin, or prefers their skincare products to absorb easily.

Can you tell us about the Manyo Factory Bifida line, particularly the Bifida Biome Concentrate Cream?

The Bifida line uses pumpkin extract, which has been in the skincare industry for a very long time. It's packed with Vitamins C and A and is great for all skin types, but I especially recommend it for anyone who has dry skin or anti-aging concerns. 

The Bifida Biome Concentrate Cream has been fermented with a combination of probiotics, helping your skin become more resilient and strengthening your skin barrier. I would use about penny size day and night, but if you’re on the oily side and still want those anti-aging properties or the effects of probiotics and pumpkin enzymes, I recommend putting even less and focusing on your cheeks, neck, or just the areas where you’re feeling more on the parched side.

Want to see more from Manyo Factory? You can find hiyuzu's top picks here.