Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream

After two months of dilly-dallying with my opinion on this product, I am now ready to present my review of Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream. I've used a few other snail creams before, but this one is the best among the group so far.

Missha shopping spree (with thanks to my sister). Missha M Signature
Real Complete BB Cream, Time Revolution the First Treatment Essence and
Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream all for 50 usd

Price and Availability: I asked my sister in Korea to buy this for me because Missha products here in the Philippines can be quite expensive. For example, this reviewed sunscreen costs around 1500 php at Cinderella when I bought it for 9 USD on a roseroseshop sale. Yeah, go figure. Anyway, if not for my sister, I'd probably buy off roseroseshop.com for around 38 usd if not on sale.

Packaging: I have no idea how the stand alone Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream is packed, but the one I bought came with a free Sleeping Pack and a transparent sampling spoon. It also came with a step-by-step instruction on the use of the full Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail set. 

Texture and Scent: I think texture is where Missha's snail cream beats the other brands. It is light and gel-like, which is quite refreshing. It has a floral+cucumber-ish scent to it which may be overpowering to some, but it's fine, at least for me.

Ingredients (from cosdna.com): First, I'd like to be clear that I am still skeptical of the use of snail secretion filtrate as an anti-aging, skin repairing ingredient, although studies about it are already being published, such as this study, hopefully more studies about it will arise.

I made the mistake of setting this cream to act as a moisturizer with infrequent use of the sample Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Moisturizer given as a freebie. Missha's Snail Cream has alcohol in it, which probably is the reason why it did not feel moisturizing enough for me, unless I use the Super Aqua Snail moisturizer or serum freebie. 

Finish: The cream can be a bit slimy at first but once it is absorbed, it leaves a slight sheen on the face which may not be ideal for day use for some. Most snail creams are marketed as products which reverse the signs of aging, but as I have no wrinkles so far, I was unable to confirm its anti-aging effect. 

Rating: This product is somewhat expensive and ineffective in moisturizing when used without the other products from the Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail set. Its anti-aging, wrinkle erasing benefits may not be so suitable for wrinkle-free skin yet, so for yuppies like me, this is a steeply priced gel moisturizer.

Ingredients: 4/5

Value for money: 2/5

Performance: 3/5

Overall: 3/5

Review: TheFACEShop Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme-Moisture Daily Moisturizer

Happy Holidays to all!

I've been out of blogging for a while due to my Skyrim spree. But as promised, here is the review from probably my most favorite Korean product I've ever used. I could gradually replace all of my skin care stuff for cheap local/drugstore equivalents, but this one will never be replaced as long as it works so well for me. Presenting TheFACEShop's Arsainte Eco Therapy Extreme-Moisture Daily Moisturizer.

Holiday Haul: TPE Marketplace and Skin Food store rave

I't that time of the year in the Philippines when people are eager to spend on stuff, because Christmas. For me, I wanted a good haircut to go with the coming year. So last Saturday, I went by the Tony and Jackey Salon at Makati. Unfortunately, there were a lot of customers who availed of the ongoing perm and rebond discounts and the reception lady said it would take about an hour of waiting for an available stylist - an hour which was hell because of the strong smell of chemicals used for perms and rebond treatments. Pass.

Thankfully, TPE Marketplace was nearby (suggested to me by a fellow blogger, Rae) and the mall is just one jeepney ride away. Anyway, I found two good shops that night - TPE Marketplace and the re-opened Skinfood store in Glorietta.

Find out why I will stop by these shops from now on.

First Impressions: Random Samples from MISSHA, The FACE Shop and Etude House

I find it not fair to review skin care products based on samples as I believe not enough time is given to allow for the ingredients to take effect - it's just like taking a prescription medicine just once despite of the recommended trice a day intake and saying the drug is useless.

Which is why rather than a review, I'd rather share my first impressions on the samples I got from my sister who lives in Korea. Nothing too descriptive, but just enough to give an idea is worthy of further Googling for prices, suppliers, and ingredients.

Here goes!

Review: Kracie Naive Deep Cleansing Oil (Olive)

Hello! I've been too busy or very sleepy (to the point I cannot work or write) so I was unable to finish a review from my pending reviews list. Anyway, as promised, I am going to review a product I brought along with me which I will not forget since I used this on my wedding day to take care of my wedding makeup - Kracie's Naive Deep Cleansing Oil, the Olive variant.

Deep Clear Oil Cleansing, says the big Japanese text
(if I still recall the kana)

Essential and carrier oils you should be careful of (Part 1)

I cringe at people who claim that all things "natural" are safe.

Because not everything synthetic or manufactured is unsafe, and not everything natural is safe. Take for example essential oils and carrier oils. Such ingredients derived from plants have benefits and unwanted effects, just like other "chemicals" - and it is the way these ingredients are mixed which determine their performance.

Today, I'll be naming a few of the essential and carrier oils which may be dangerous (especially on the hands on unsuspecting DIY-ers or chemical-hating consumers who fail to check their facts).

I hope lavender is not on the list

Natural abortifacient

User /u/valentinedoux from /r/SkincareAddiction did a good job of enumerating herbs and oils which may be abortaficient. Anise, Basil, Bay, Bitter Melon, Camphor, Cinnamon, Coriander, French Lavender, Lavender Cotton, Lemongrass, Neem, Nutmeg, Parsley, Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme and Wormwood are some which I've heard of.

Anise seeds
(Image credit to http://www.livingherbaltea.com)

Essential oils for aromatherapy (Not!)

According to a review on toxicology of essential oils written by Anthony Dweck, consultant on natural products for cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals, some essential oils may be dangerous even for aromatherapy. Bitter almond oil, Armoise oil, Boldo leaf, Calamus oil, Chenopodium oil, Croton oil, Horseradish oil, Lanyana oil, Mustard oil, Parsley herb oil, Pennyroyal oil, Perilla oil, Savin oil, Sassafras oil, Summer Savoury oil, Tansy oil, Wintergreen oil and Wormwood oil are unsafe for aromatherapy purposes.

Wintergreen (Image credit from aromaoilstore.com)

Irritating essential oils

If you're the type to be irritated with chemicals such as SLS and SLES which are irritants for some, you should also be aware of irritating essential oils which may be in your skincare or toiletries. Bay oil West Indian, Clove oil, Coriander oil, Ho oil, Kuromoji oil, Melissa oil, Origanum oil, Pimento berry and leaf
oils, Rosewood oil, Summer Savoury oil, Winter Savoury oil, Tagetes oil, Tea Tree oil, Thyme oil and Turpentine oil can mess with your skin, so it's best to careful with these in your skincare.

Long story turned short, it's best to leave the formulation in the hands of capable professionals - whichever natural or synthetic ingredient is used.

Part 2 of this post will go over essential oils which may be phototoxic and carcinogenic. Stay tuned!


Source:
Dweck, A. (2009). 'Toxicology of essential oils reviewed' Available at: http://www.zenitech.com/documents/Toxicity_of_essential_oils_p1.pdf (Accessed Dec 11 2013).

Popular Skincare Ingredients to Avoid During Pregnancy

For expectant moms, the greatest concern in every decision made is the safety and well-being of her baby. For skincare junkies like us, one of such concerns is the safety of the products we use. Some websites based on fear mongering would list several "chemicals" as unsafe, limiting the "safe" products that may be uses, and in effect will make skincare for pregnant women much more expensive (because organic and natural). But how do we know which ingredients may be harmful during pregnancy? 

Sure, you're not Marissa Miller, but hey, one can at least try to be beautiful!
(photo from allure.com)

Skin care products I cannot go without + Life updates

Again, let me apologize for the lack of attention on this blog the past week - my partner and I got married last Saturday, and we were very busy before and after the wedding.

I do have a skincare entry on this, but first, a short background on wedding trends here in the Philippines.

Having a photo shoot in a hotel during the bridal makeup and prior to going to the church is the trend here nowadays. Obligatory family photos, groom pretending to get ready for the wedding, bride pretending to be sentimental while being actually nervous because I might trip while on the aisle are common.

I mean, is such photo really needed?

So I had to stay in a hotel a day before the wedding. After the wedding, the husband and I went to Tagaytay for the honeymoon, which was more like a 3D/2N food tripping spree. During these times I was out of my home, I had very little room for skincare in my luggage. I wanted to keep my load minimal and I only bought along with me the very very important skincare products.

Update: MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Hello! Before I go on with my revisit for the MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence as promised on its review, I would like to apologize first for not posting last week for I've been busy with our wedding. I do have a skincare related post coming in relation to that event, so stay tuned!

Now, let's recap where I left off on the review.