Korean emulsions: My new moisturizer choice

Remember when I raved about my improved skin and attributed it to switching to a different moisturizer type? One of the new elements I've added to my regime was switching from a normal, heavy moisturizer to an emulsion for my morning skin care routine. So what is an emulsion, and how is it used?

Review: Nature Republic California Aloe Sun Block SPF 50 PA+++

Back again from a very long slumber from blogging, and with me, I bring yet another sun screen review born from haphazard purchases and what-not. So while I have the time to write this, here's a quick review on Nature Republic's California Aloe Sun Block.

Not to be confused with the Sun Milk version. That one's
for next time, as soon as my sunscreen stock runs out.

Review: Mizon Mela Defense White Multi UV Sun Block SPF 50+ PA+++

Hi everyone! I'm back again with another sunscreen review! I've recently jumped into the Mizon AHA bandwagon on reddit, and in effect I also bought their only sunscreen available (in Suesh, at least) here in the Philippines. So here it is, my review for Mizon's Mela Defense White Multi UV Sun Block.

Review: Mizon Skin Turnaround Pore Control Peeling Toner

I've had awful luck in finding a good chemical exfoliant from Korean skincare brands. I've almost succumbed to just ordering a Paula's Choice AHA or BHA, until a redditor posted a list showing the pH of some Mizon toners. While the best one recommended by the boards is hard to purchase in the Philippines (or at least here in Mandaluyong due to customs duties), one of them was readily available from a local store, Suesh. And so, here's my experience with Mizon's Skin Turnaround Pore Control Peeling Toner.

Review: The Face Shop Super Perfect Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA+++

The rains may have started in the Philippines, but my sunscreen obsession will be unhindered. I still use sunscreen regularly, so I go through them the fastest than any other product type in my skincare stash. Now I am about to review another one, The Face Shop Super Perfect Sun Cream, with an SPF 50+ and PA+++.

Review: The FACE Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil

After weeks of not doing any review due to my ridiculous supposedly light "freelancing" gig (which turned out to be a handful), I'm back with one, and with a happy note. As to why, we might as well get to it then - here's The FACE Shop's Rice Water Bright Cleansing Light Oil.

By the way, since I'm too busy nowadays, expect concise reviews - like it or not, there will be less rambling from now on.

Review: TONYMOLY UV Sunset Aqua Sun Gel SPF30 PA++

Ever since I started working from home, I have been using less powerful sunscreen on days when I do not go out. The curtains may be blocking out a lot of light, but when it comes to skincare and the sun, one cannot be so carefree - so sunscreen stays. But I do not like the heavy feeling of my usual high protection sunscreen (SPF 50 and PA+++ ones) especially since I'm at home, and I'd really like that bare, at-home, light feeling on the skin. And so I tried looking for a light sunscreen and it led me to TONYMOLY's UV Sunset Aqua Sun Gel.

Review: Skin Food's Wildberry Milk Cleansing Foam (moist)

Have you ever been in a situation where you think you're contented with everything, then something comes along and takes you by surprise? I had this happen to me weeks ago when I started using Skin Food's Wildberry Milk Cleansing Foam - and  it's THE best foaming cleanser ever.

Review: Etude House Magic Bubble O2 Water Peeling Pack

Hi. I've been stalling around to review this exfoliant, but because I am running out of the product, I guess it's time to put on the review for Etude House's Magic Bubble O2 Water Peeling Pack. Not finding a way to check the pH is not an excuse, but still, we must go on!

5 Korean-Based Skincare Lines the Philippines Would Love

Aloof as some Filipinos may seem with the multitudes of Korean anything surging into the country, some skincare junkies still are craving for those elusive skincare and cosmetics lines which haven't caught on to the branching out of several brands here in the Philippines.

Today, let's go over those brands Filipinas will surely welcome with our usual warm hospitality.

Review: The Face Shop Face It One-Step BB Cleanser

I've just ran out of my favorite cleanser which is gold but unfortunately hard to purchase here in the Philippines. So I had to find a quick replacement and found one from The FACE Shop. They only had one of such oil cleansers at the branch I went to - Face It One Step BB Cleanser.

According to the SA, it's an oil that will become soapy upon addition of water, which is what I was expecting it to do. I wanted a one-step cleansing method to save time - but for such to work, the cleanser has to be workable, and it should clean well.

So how did it perform? 

Review: It's Skin 2 PM Sunblock

In my quest to find a no white cast, can-be-applied-every-two-hours sunscreen, I've searched high and low thru COSDNA (here's how I use COSDNA to find products with a small, pre-determined ingredient list), various Korean cosmetics shops in malls (while shamelessly reading ingredient lists and not buying if I did not like the UV filters) and blogs. I was looking for a sunscreen which does not contain titanium dioxide and had no denatured alcohol in it. 

Thanks to COSDNA, I was able to find a sunscreen from Korean skin care brand It's Skin. It's Skin's 2 PM Sunblock fits the bill of not having white cast and alcohol, but can it be more than just a pretty ingredient list? 

Image from en.koreadepart.com

Review: Skin Food Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion

Folks, I present to you probably the best smelling product I've ever used. It had such a beautiful scent which convinced me to buy it solely for my nose's pleasure - Skin Food's Pink Grapefruit Body Lotion.

Is great fragrance its only selling point? Or can it deliver more than what meets the nose?

Mini - Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask

Hi everyone! It has been months now since I've first started using this sleeping mask which came with the purchase of the cream from the same Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail line. Since this is a trial sample, it is best to just have a mini-review. Similar in everything with the normal reviews, but no comments on the price and long-term performance of the product.

Today's mini review is for Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask.

Review: Too Cool For School Jean George Llong Sun Block

In my quest to find a new, alcohol-free sunscreen, I've chanced upon Too Cool For School's Jean George Llong. And on this quest, I've realized that some things are easier said than done.

Image from testerkorea.com

Review: Nature Republic - Bamboo of Damyang

For the financially average person like me, stocking up on products (especially Korean/Japanese) is not feasible. Which is why I sometimes run out of HG products - I run out of HG product X, I buy at the nearest product X retailer but end up with product Y because there's no stock at the store. Which is how I got to this product I will review: Nature Republic's Bamboo of Damyang.

I bought this product for around 900 php at the NR's SM Megamall branch. I bought it because it reminded me of my HG product wherein bamboo water is a main ingredient. It did not feel too heavy on the skin when I tested and it is absorbed fast enough without containing alcohol. So it was good enough for a purchase.

Review: Etude House Sunprise SPF 30/PA++ Water Jelly

Hello! Back again for another sunscreen review, this time it's Sunprise (Aquamoist) SPF 30/PA++ Water Jelly. Before I begin, let me remind you how important it is to keep calm and inspect your product before buying.

Let me also stress how important it is to first make sure a sunscreen can adequately protect. That is, it has to be at least at an SPF of 30 and PA+++. And photostable.

Behold, my mistake!

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.

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!