Asian Beauty/Skincare

[Lakes]

Same Taitai. The only thing I’ve changed is my toner. I finished up my Klairs Supple Prep. I have a small bottle of Pyunkang Yul Essence toner so I’m using that up but will go back to Klairs. Mostly because I miss the scent of the Klairs!

[Taitai]

Feb 11, 2020 5:42:49 GMT -6 Lakes said:

Same Taitai. The only thing I’ve changed is my toner. I finished up my Klairs Supple Prep. I have a small bottle of Pyunkang Yul Essence toner so I’m using that up but will go back to Klairs. Mostly because I miss the scent of the Klairs!

I love the Klairs. I like the price on Pyunkang Yui, especially for the mister. But the Klairs is still my fav. Although I have to get Earth’s Recipe when I’m back in the USA next, because beesquared loves it so much.

[beesquared]

Feb 11, 2020 7:52:40 GMT -6 Taitai said:

Feb 11, 2020 5:42:49 GMT -6 Lakes said:

Same Taitai. The only thing I’ve changed is my toner. I finished up my Klairs Supple Prep. I have a small bottle of Pyunkang Yul Essence toner so I’m using that up but will go back to Klairs. Mostly because I miss the scent of the Klairs!

I love the Klairs. I like the price on Pyunkang Yui, especially for the mister. But the Klairs is still my fav. Although I have to get Earth’s Recipe when I’m back in the USA next, because beesquared loves it so much.

The Klairs has grown on me, but it’s no comparison to the Earth’s Recipe. For me, the Klairs is like a solid daily sheet mask and the ER is a hydrogel.

[beesquared]

I am so annoyed by innisfree. They have stoped making (or maybe selling in the US) my favorite pressed powder and cushion compact. I’m going to have to do a deep dive to see if they have it in store or if I can get it shipped EMS. I know the cushion color I wear was a US only color and I doubt I can find a shade dark enough in their Asian line. Their matte cushion was my favorite 😩

[beesquared]

Taitai I do something similar in the winter if I am not doing 7 skin at nights. It’s amazing how the layers can really plump stuff up. I think it’s partly how I’ve been able to avoid Botox on my forehead this far.

[vvvvvfee]

i thought somebody mentioned year-end reviews a couple of weeks ago? i would be very interested in that if anyone would like to share. here is a list of asian beauty stuff i tried this year with brief reviews. i hope i remembered everything... although it already seems like a lot! my H does share some of it because i'm forcing him to regularly cleanse and moisturize. i would also do a separate list of non-AB stuff. i have gotten a lot of good deals at tj maxx/marshall's and amazon... but yeah it does seem kind of crazy to write it all out. this was my 1st year experimenting with a real skin care routine so i tried a LOT of stuff.


LOVED
------
*ceracolla perfect gel-- clear but rich unscented gel moisturizer. very hydrating and just really pleasant to use.
*cosrx ultimate nourishing rice overnight mask-- really nice, creamy texture and not too heavy.
*hada labo tokyo gentle hydrating cleanser-- lovely, rich and creamy texture. feels hydrating and not stripping. only need a pea-sized amount.
*Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Nightly Re.Pair Mask-- rich and calming, nice (but not overpowering) scent. the individual packets are wasteful, though.
*ariatum ginger sugar overnight lip mask- i think this works well because it's so thick and sticky. aquaphor or whatever else doesn't seem to have the same staying power. this was meh for me to begin with, but once i started layering squalane oil under it, it was miraculous. it made my lips noticeably plumper.


LIKED
-------
*nivea japan perfect water gel spf 35/ pa +++-- nice and light feel. enjoyed the pump bottle.
*mizon water volume ex cream-- like a cheaper neutrogena hydro boost. gel texture with light ocean scent. nice hydration for daytime
*secret key starting treatment eye cream-- this did the job-- hydrated and didn't give me milia.
*biore aqua rich watery essence-- again, nice and light and fast absorbing. feels like it has more alcohol than the nivea, though.
*Dr. Jart Firm Lover Mask-- this looks like slices of ham on your face but this is the first sheet mask i tried that really had a noticeable effect. i def looked plumped afterwards. i was not so much a fan of the smell or the cooling sensation, though.
*nooni marshmallow whip maker-- plastic tool that whips up your cleanser! highly entertaining, especially for my kids.


MEH
------
*cosrx snail mucin power essence-- took me like 9 months to finish and i'm still not sure that it did anything. it felt soothing, but i was worried that it might be contributing to CCs because of the whole dust mite allergy could mean snail allergy thing. i don't think i'd repurchase.
*cosrx advanced snail 92 all in one cream-- pleasant enough but it wasn't hydrating enough for me.
*hada labo gokujyun premium hyaluronic solution- still haven't gotten through this after 9 months. it seems to help with hydration but i also worry that this might be causing CCs since other people have mentioned that.
*kikumasumune high moist skin lotion- i don't think my face likes ferments. this seems to cause breakouts. i've been using it on my legs as a light moisturizer but it leaves a sticky film.
*neogen dermalogy real cica pad- didn't seem to do anything. also has PHA in it (mild exfoliant) which seems at cross-purposes with the soothing/hydrating aspect.
*cosrx low ph good morning gel cleanser-- just okay. did not like the tea tree scent.
*thefaceshop rice water light cleansing oil-- okay. did not like the powdery scent.
*cosrx AHA whitehead power liquid-- seemed very harsh for the face. this works great on the body though for keratosis pilaris and preventing ingrown hairs.
*melano CC essence-- didn't brighten PIH... airless tube is cool, though. lasted forever.
*meishoku whitening eye cream-- gave me milia but it was very rich and hydrating. i used it up as a fantastic, if expensive, hand cream.
*cosrx ultimate moisturizing honey overnight mask-- not bad. didn't seem occlusive enough. not really composed of honey but rather propolis.
*cosrx aloe soothing sun cream-- didn't expect this to be scented. didn't mind the smell though. also didn't expect it's creamy lotion texture- it's more like a western sunscreen.
*banila clean it zero cleansing balm original-- worked well, loved the scent... but i kept having problems with it quickly developing an off odor (mildewy), even when i religiously used a spatula.
*hada labo gokujyun cleansing oil-- very thick and greasy.
*kose speedy cleansing oil-- works well but nothing exciting
*klairs midnight blue calming cream-- unexpectedly greasy. i guess it was slightly calming, although i feel like that whole guiazulene or whatever they call it is a gimmick. expensive for such a small jar.
*laniege lip sleeping mask- grapefruit-- not worth the hype or expense IMO. seems more like regular old lip gloss to me.
*Dr. Jart Pore Minimalist Mask-- didn't do much noticeable
*Dr. Jart Hydration Lover Mask-- looks like blue ham on your face, lol. didn't seem to plump as much as the Firm Lover mask.

*purito pure vitamin c serum-- horrific, burnt hot dog smell. but it did work to lighten PIH. made my skin red and irritated but it could be because it's extra sensitive from differin.

*purito centella green level buffet serum-- i only just started using this but i'm already afraid it's breaking me out. TBD. unfortunately it's scented with essential oils, which can be irritating

ETA: *neogen white truffle serum in oil drop-- basically a serum with oil drops in it. it feels like an oil when you apply. this was just a weird product because the instructions say to apply it AFTER your moisturizer, so how can it penetrate the way it's supposed to? also not sure it did anything. i think i'm done with neogen because i've been unimpressed with all their products i've tried so far. 

HATED
-------
*purito centella green level eye cream-- this bizarrely has essential oils in it and caused red, irritated patches near my eyes. not a fan.
*neogen dermalogy real fresh cleansing foam- cranberry-- too stripping. gave my H an allergic reaction. you can't get all of the liquid out of the bottle because of the stupid design with the chunks o' junk in the bottom.
*hada labo gokujyun perfect gel-- smells like glue and feels like glue on your face. just sticky and yuck.
*Dr. Jart Clearing Solution Mask-- ironically i think this made me break out.

[Taitai]

vvvvvfee Wow! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on all that stuff! Interesting about the Purito eye cream - I had been considering that one, but I might hold off now. I am pretty picky about eye creams and tend to not like new ones anyways.

[vvvvvfee]

Taitai, i should add that i have been using differin for the past couple of months, so my skin is a little on the sensitive side. but the cream def has a noticeable scent from the lavender and bergamot oils. unfortunately all of purito's stuff contains essential oils for scent, but they are starting to come out with unscented versions. so far they have an unscented sunscreen and an unscented version of the centella serum.

[Taitai]

Feb 12, 2020 9:11:46 GMT -6 vvvvvfee said:

Taitai, i should add that i have been using differin for the past couple of months, so my skin is a little on the sensitive side. but the cream def has a noticeable scent from the lavender and bergamot oils. unfortunately all of purito's stuff contains essential oils for scent, but they are starting to come out with unscented versions. so far they have an unscented sunscreen and an unscented version of the centella serum.

I definitely can’t use eye creams with essential oils in them - they make my eyes itchy! Thanks again for the info. I might try about her Purito product...like maybe a cleanser or a toner, just to see if I like the brand...but will steer clear of eye stuff.

[Lakes]

Another vote for Klairs, @icedtea!

[Deleted]

I hope it's alright if I jump in here with a question. I've was searching the thread and got a little overwhelmed with all the information so I was hoping you guys could help.

I've had issues with milia under and around my eyes and eyelids for a few years and it seems like they are getting worse lately. I think it could be hormones but my skin care routine needs some help anyways.

My normal routine is pretty skimpy. I wash at night with Cetaphil and use a night cream from Eminence organics, then in the morning I try to remember to wash and I use the Neutrogena hydroboost gel. I feel like I need to really step up my game but I don't know where to start and I don't have a ton of money to throw at it.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for AHA or retinol products for the milia and just general exfoliating products to brighten things up. I definitely need something for dark circles and fine lines, too I've been lucky in the past to not have too many issues with breakouts but either the cold winter or hormones are making things a little more uneven lately.

I appreciate any advice you guys can share, I feel very in over my head on where to start with this stuff.

[Taitai]

@nuts Welcome! Milia is a tricky thing to get rid of....often it just takes a while to go away on its own (unless you go to a dermatologist to get them zapped with a laser or something). Using a q-tip with an exfoliating agent can help speed up the process, but be prepared, it can take a while.

Gothamista has a good YouTube video about it, along with some product recommendations:



Another thing is that using a product which is too heavy for your eye area can cause milia. Of the products you are using now, it’s a good idea to make sure you are not using them too close to your eyes - especially the creams and hydro-boost. Once you lay off on that for a while (in the eye area), you should see improvement.

Eye creams are really tricky - most of them can’t do much of anything for dark circles (sorry to say). Fine lines can get help from retinol, Vit C, or hyaluronic acid. I use Cosrx snail around my eyes, and I have found that it also does a good job on fine lines - without giving milia. I also like the Innisfree orchid eye cream - doesn’t give me milia and helps with fine lines.

One thing I will say - if you decide to try something new, please make sure to patch test before putting it all over your face. Also - don’t try a bunch of new things al at once. If you have an adverse reaction, you will have no idea what is causing the issue.

[Taitai]

@nuts Also, I just re-read your post and realized you also are looking for help generally figuring out AB and getting a routine set up. These articles are very helpful to read, and give a good general overview of the framework.


fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2018/06/03/5-step-k-beauty-skincare-routine/


www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/p/blog-page_6.html?m=1


www.fanserviced-b.com/a-visual-guide-to-the-korean-skincare-routine/

[Deleted]

Feb 16, 2020 7:21:48 GMT -6 Taitai said:

@nuts Also, I just re-read your post and realized you also are looking for help generally figuring out AB and getting a routine set up. These articles are very helpful to read, and give a good general overview of the framework.


fiftyshadesofsnail.com/2018/06/03/5-step-k-beauty-skincare-routine/


www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/p/blog-page_6.html?m=1


www.fanserviced-b.com/a-visual-guide-to-the-korean-skincare-routine/

Thank you so much!

[Ls2012]

I want to try a new night cream. The neutrogena retinol night cream I've been using is ok, but I need a boost. I really like Mizon's all in one snail, so I was looking at their snail wrinkle care sleeping pack, or the good night white sleeping mask. Any experience with either of those? Yay or nay?

[shawnspencer]

Would you all recommend double cleansing if you have very dry skin?

[shawnspencer]

Feb 16, 2020 14:25:59 GMT -6 @karenwalker said:

Feb 16, 2020 14:10:03 GMT -6 shawnspencer said:

Would you all recommend double cleansing if you have very dry skin?

YES!! The beauty of low Ph cleansers is they won’t strip and dry out your skin. I will sing the praises of CeraVe hydrating cleanser for ever. It’s cheap and moisturizing. It’s not revolutionary but I don’t need my cleanser to do anything other than clean my face without drying it out.

Thank you! I'm in the market for new facial cleansers. I have the CeraVe one in my cart. Do I need another one to do the double cleanse?

[shawnspencer]

Feb 16, 2020 17:40:05 GMT -6 @karenwalker said:

Feb 16, 2020 16:34:28 GMT -6 shawnspencer said:

Thank you! I'm in the market for new facial cleansers. I have the CeraVe one in my cart. Do I need another one to do the double cleanse?

Yes, you need an oil or jelly cleanser. Where do you shop? Amazon, target? I love the innisfree cleaning oils. I get them on amazon. Another popular cheap one is the Kose Softymo cleanser. Bliss make up melt I get from target, it’s a jelly cleanser and I really like it. Oil cleansers emulsify really well and come right off, versus something like coconut oil that you can’t get rid off.

Oil cleanser first to remove make up, then use the second cleanser to remove traces of oil cleanser and clean skin (dirt, sweat, etc.)

Amazon is a definite yes. I will look some of those up! Thanks!

[vvvvvfee]

@karenwalker i have heard good things about the TO lactic acid, and that it's a dupe for good genes. i have a bottle of it at home that i got during their november sale but haven't tried it yet. i wouldd just get it and try it since it's so cheap. they make a 5% and 10% strength. i got the 5%.

@nuts i know you're Not Supposed To do this, but if you get some sterile lancets (about $1.50 for 100 at walmart, with the diabetic supplies) you can use them to extract the milia. just poke a tiny hole in the bottom of the milia and it's very easy to extract the hard deposit inside. i would only do this if they're not too close to your eye, though.

Ls2012 what characteristics are you looking for in a night cream?

[Ls2012]

vvvvvfee, I'm honestly not 100% I know what to be looking for. I live in a cold, northern state and am finding I just need more moisture. I generally have pretty dry skin as it is, but winter makes it ao much worse despite my best efforts. At almost 40, definitely would like something with anti-aging/ wrinkle reducing properties. I do have some sun/ dark spots I'd love to lighten also.

The neutrogena rapid tone repair does a decent job overall, but I'm finding it tends to make me break out around my chin a bit. And still lacks a bit of the moisturizing my skin needs in winter.

[bobyn]

I think I might be ready to pull the trigger on snail mucin. Y'all have worn me down. Is COSRX a decent place to start?

[vvvvvfee]

Feb 18, 2020 10:39:56 GMT -6 Ls2012 said:

vvvvvfee , I'm honestly not 100% I know what to be looking for. I live in a cold, northern state and am finding I just need more moisture. I generally have pretty dry skin as it is, but winter makes it ao much worse despite my best efforts. At almost 40, definitely would like something with anti-aging/ wrinkle reducing properties. I do have some sun/ dark spots I'd love to lighten also.

The neutrogena rapid tone repair does a decent job overall, but I'm finding it tends to make me break out around my chin a bit. And still lacks a bit of the moisturizing my skin needs in winter.

you might be better off treating your concerns with individual serums rather than trying to find a night cream that tries to do it all. for instance, you could use a vitamin C serum (klairs freshly juiced vitamin C is often recommended here) in the morning for lightening dark spots, and add in a retinol serum at night to address fine lines. the ordinary makes several strengths of an inexpensive retinol serum. olay also makes several lines of retinol products. i've heard positive things about their retinol 24 line. retinols are not so much a thing in K beauty from what i understand. an alternative to vitamin C for dark spots is azaleic acid- again, the ordinary makes an affordable one. that worked more quickly and effectively for me and with less irritation than vitamin C.

adding several layers of a hydrating toner (as opposed to an astringent toner, which is drying) in the morning and evening (after your actives but before anything else) will help get more moisture into your skin. then you can lock that in with a heavier cream on top. additionally you can add in a sleeping pack, which is an occlusive layer that goes on top of your moisturizer to prevent moisture loss. this can be as simple as a light coating of aquaphor. some people use oils as a final layer over their moisturizer-- e.g. rosehip oil, argan oil, etc. klairs supple prep toner is often recommended here. i really like ceracolla perfect gel as a nighttime moisturizer. but i would go for any thicker cream that is unscented. you could try neutrogena hydroboost for extra dry skin if you want an easily accessible drugstore option. cosrx makes a nice sleeping pack- the rice one. the ordinary and acure both have affordable oils.

moisturizing well will should also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines to some extent.

[vvvvvfee]

Feb 18, 2020 10:41:39 GMT -6 bobyn said:

I think I might be ready to pull the trigger on snail mucin. Y'all have worn me down. Is COSRX a decent place to start?

i think the cosrx is everyone's favorite, yes. it's 96% snail mucin so i believe it has the most snail mucin and the least amount of other stuff compared to the other snail products out there.

[ktg]

Feb 16, 2020 12:41:13 GMT -6 Ls2012 said:

I want to try a new night cream. The neutrogena retinol night cream I've been using is ok, but I need a boost. I really like Mizon's all in one snail, so I was looking at their snail wrinkle care sleeping pack, or the good night white sleeping mask. Any experience with either of those? Yay or nay?

I picked up a cheap toner that Nonniedee recommended on GP and it is so nice. Absorbs quickly, has a light rose scent, no pore clogging, layerable if I want.

Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin <-- that's at Thrive Market but you can get it at most health food stores, Target, Walmart online, etc.

I live in the desert Southwest and my "normal" skin needs a lot more moisture here. I had never even heard of moisturizing toner until a few months ago, though.

ETA lol got distracted and forgot to finish my point: so at night I don't need as much night cream. I can't do sleeping packs every night but I like the Laneige Water mask, and I got a Bliss watermelon something at Target that seems to work, too. Try a moisturizing toner, though - lighter layers that absorb in quickly can really help with that winter dry skin.

[bobyn]

Alright! I ordered the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for spot treating my T-zone for pore refining. Too bad I have to wait until next Tuesday...

[Taitai]

Feb 20, 2020 8:22:32 GMT -6 bobyn said:

Alright! I ordered the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for spot treating my T-zone for pore refining. Too bad I have to wait until next Tuesday...

Yay! 🐌 🐌 🐌

[Taitai]

I just opened up a new The Orindary Caffine 5% +EGCG, and it looks like there’s mold at the top of the dropper thing which gets the product out of the container. Argh. I’m so bummed, because it’s supposed to have a sheet life of 3 years (and expires 12 months after opening). I picked this up in the USA in Sept, so I figured it would be fine to sit for 5 months before I cracked it open. Now I can’t even try to return it, because I’m in Asia.

Maybe I will write to the seller on Amazon and see what they can do, but my expectations are low. Bah.

[bobyn]

Feb 22, 2020 8:18:57 GMT -6 Taitai said:

I just opened up a new The Orindary Caffine 5% +EGCG, and it looks like there’s mold at the top of the dropper thing which gets the product out of the container. Argh. I’m so bummed, because it’s supposed to have a sheet life of 3 years (and expires 12 months after opening). I picked this up in the USA in Sept, so I figured it would be fine to sit for 5 months before I cracked it open. Now I can’t even try to return it, because I’m in Asia.

Maybe I will write to the seller on Amazon and see what they can do, but my expectations are low. Bah.

That sucks! You can’t take the dropper apart to clean and pop the top back on?

[Taitai]

Feb 22, 2020 11:28:16 GMT -6 bobyn said:

Feb 22, 2020 8:18:57 GMT -6 Taitai said:

I just opened up a new The Orindary Caffine 5% +EGCG, and it looks like there’s mold at the top of the dropper thing which gets the product out of the container. Argh. I’m so bummed, because it’s supposed to have a sheet life of 3 years (and expires 12 months after opening). I picked this up in the USA in Sept, so I figured it would be fine to sit for 5 months before I cracked it open. Now I can’t even try to return it, because I’m in Asia.

Maybe I will write to the seller on Amazon and see what they can do, but my expectations are low. Bah.

That sucks! You can’t take the dropper apart to clean and pop the top back on?

I thought of that, but the product comes with the dropper already screwed into it. So the dropper thing has already been in contact with the liquid of the product, and I worry that the serum is contaminated now. Since it goes around the eyes, I threw it away to be safe. At least it was only $13, but still. Grrrrrrr.

[bobyn]

Feb 29, 2020 19:24:20 GMT -6 @icedtea said:

I swear I try to search these things, but for some reason the search bar refuses to recognize "vitamin c." Have y'all found any vitamin c products really helpful? I'm a little afraid of it, since my skin is dry/a little sensitive.

bobyn , do you like the Cosrx? I've been using the snail 92 but I'm going to give the birch sap one a try too.

I've only used it for a few days now, but I like it well enough! It's not proven itself to be a holy grail product yet, but I'm not giving up on it.