[REVIEW] IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM

Centella Asiatica/Cica is taking the whole skincare industry and community by storm because it’s pretty much everywhere now. Whether it’s from abroad or even western beauty. I just bought a l’oreal revitalift cica and retinol cream recently at the drugstore. Iunik has been in the skincare game for about 2 years now and they’ve grown and expanded a lot from they first started as. They’re still one of my favourite brands to use in my skincare regimine because of their affordability and how excellent their products work for my skin. Alright, let’s dive into the review on this cica gel cream.

Claims

• iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is a refreshing and moisturizing oil-free cream that makes the skin clearer and more vibrant.
• Enriched with Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 70% and Tea tree Leaf Water 10%, gently lowers skin temperature, effectively soothes and calms sensitive skin with blemishes.
• Lightweight gel texture containing 6 kinds of sprout extracts fully moisturizes the skin and helps relieve skin stress, creating clear, refreshed skin in a good condition.
• Whitening & Wrinkle Care Double Functional Cosmetics
• 6 patented sprout extracts
• Quick absorbing and acts as an amazing perfect makeup base

Key Ingredients

Centella Asiatica is a plant-based ingredient that has multiple healing properties. The extract is rich with amino acids, fatty acids and etc that can help treat and prevent acne, calming down skin inflammation and promote collagen growth.

Niacinamide is ideal for those with acne-prone and oily skin as it works to minimize sebum production for a more balanced complexion.

Adenosine is a yeast-derived ingredient that has soothing properties and skin-restoring agents. It also has anti-wrinkle benefits due to its ability to energize the skin’s surface creating a youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic Acid is a very well-known and popular ingredient that has some great qualities and benefits such as it can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and also speed skin recovery. It also is fantastic for retaining moisture in the skin.

Ingredient List:

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Brassica Napus (Canola) Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract

My Skin Type and concerns:

Combination | PIE | Congested | Dehydrated | (Occasionally) Sensitive

How to use: After using toner, apply a moderate amount to face and gently pat until fully absorbed.

My thoughts

There are a lot of beautiful ingredients in this product that are packed with skin relieving properties. I would be curious to know if whether they decide to release a cream version of this because I think it would be amazing for those who have dry, dehydrated skin. This gel-cream is more ideal for those who have combination, oily skin and for those who live in hot climates. I don’t think this would be enough for anyone who suffers from dehydration issues, however, that being said, it is a great gel-cream used as a topical treatment because it does instantaneously relieve the skin from further inflammation and redness does gradually go away after application.

The one thing that really throws me off about this cream is the essential oils. I have developed a sensitivity towards essential oils so I would prefer to stray away from them as much as possible if I could. I personally did not experience any adverse effects when using this product however, I would rather be safe than sorry with my skin.

Be aware that there is also dimethicone in this product and some people are sensitive towards that. I found this gel-cream not effective as a makeup base simply because it pills on the skin and it even pills when you apply sunscreen on top.

Overall

• Texture: 4/5 – Comfortable, lightweight gel formula however I just did not like it as a makeup base. As a skincare product, it performed fine.
• Scent: 4/5 – I personally did not smell anything, maybe a super faint citrus scent from the bergamot oil but I would prefer to stray away from essential oils because they’re quite sensitizing.
• Price: 5/5 – IUNIK products are always affordable and they have a nice range of choices to choose from so that is always nice.
• Performance: 4/5 – It worked fine but I cannot say if I would repurchase this. It’s definitely a product I would use specifically for the hotter season but definitely not all year round.
• Packaging: 3/5 – I like that it’s in a squeeze tube for hygienic reasons but I also do not like how difficult it is to squeeze product near the end. I’m only halfway through my bottle but it’s like pulling out teeth to get out just some product.
• Overall: 3/5 – Not for me but I know a lot of oily skin folks would really enjoy this gel cream and would appreciate it for it’s fantastic soothing and cooling effects. If you’re interested in trying this out, here are the following links to purchase them on.

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on Yesstyle your purchase

Available here: eBay | Yesstyle

 

 

 

[REVIEW] NARUKO JING CHENG 60 ACTIVES LA CREME EX

NARUKO’s team kindly sent over some of their products for me to try out and share with you all. They carefully curated a package together to fit my skin’s needs and did a wonderful job. I’ve been a fan of their sheet masks from time now so it was amazing when I was given the opportunity to try out their lovely skincare products.

The first product I will be sharing with you all today is from their anti-ageing line, also known as the Jing Cheng line. The story behind this cream is it’s a combination of Chinese medicine and western aromatherapy all in one. This is created with 60 precious herbal essences that can revitalize the skin, reduce the appearance of ageing and reveal skin’s glow.

Claims

• Firms and smoothens out skin texture
• Improves skin elasticity
• Prevents against signs of ageing
• Improves skin’s dullness, age spots and enlarged pores

 

My Skin Type and concerns:

Combination | PIE | Congested | Dehydrated | (Occasionally) Sensitive

My thoughts

The first thing I noticed when I opened this cream was it’s very subtle rosewater scent and how thick the consistency was. Think of really thick buttercream, this texture resembles that.

TIP: Scoop a dime-size amount out of the container and massage the product in between your fingers, you should start noticing it breakdown and turn into more of a creamy consistency that glides into the skin easily.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – I wanted a thick cream and NARUKO definitely gave me one. This one is like no other thick cream and I own. This texture is incredible and may require some time for those to get used to. If you’re not a fan of thick creams, I still do believe you can make this work. Follow my tip on how to breakdown the cream and make it easier to apply and you might just enjoy it.
• Scent: 4/5 – It’s lightly scented and smells like rosewater. Very clean and airy, I really like it and it gives this “spa-like” feel.
• Performance: 5/5 –  I’m blown away, guys. I found this cream surpass my expectations and in fact, it does what it claims. The biggest claim that stood out to me and I was skeptical of was the ability to minimize the appearance of your pores and it truly does while deeply moisturizing and nourishing my skin. I can feel a significant difference between using this and my all-time favourite Cerave moisturizing cream.
• Packaging: 4/5 – This packaging is quite extra, has this luxurious appearance to it and I like it! It obviously isn’t travel-friendly but you can always transfer it into a smaller container to bring with you.
• Overall: 4.5/5 – I love this cream and I would repurchase it, however, the price is hard to get past and kind of makes me grind my teeth when looking at. It’s $109 CAD and will vary where you purchase it from. I’ve seen a couple sources online that are cheaper and around $70 but nonetheless, it is a pricer cream but if you want something effective that can do the job – definitely look into this cream. I would HIGHLY recommend it to those who suffer with dry, combination, dehydration, parched skin issues. This is the ideal cream to seal in all the hydrating products you put on prior to.

Available here: NARUKO  | eBay

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind.

 

[ROUTINE] My Current Evening Routine (Fall)

Hello friends 🙂 I realized I have never shared my routine and breakdown of it with you guys before. I thought this would be a fantastic way to share my current favourites and why I like these products. To keep things consistent and clear, I will be using stock images so you know what exactly it is and how it looks when purchasing the products. Some of my products had the labels rub off.

Cleanse

I always double cleanse every night because I usually wear sunscreen and makeup, so it’s crucial for me to get this step done first before I head on to my skincare routine.   Sometimes, I even triple cleanse and I add a micellar water as my first step to loosen all the pigment and makeup off my face prior to oil cleansing. I know, extreme but it is what it is. I like the bioderma sensibio micellar water. The products I have been enjoying for my double cleanse routine is the Innisfree Olive Cleansing Oil/Kumano Cosme Pharama act deep cleansing oil and also, the Youth to the People Super Food Cleanser. They’re both fantastic and gentle on my skin and I do not have any issues with them. Some cleansing oils can burn my eyes and also can be a bit harsh on my sensitive eye area, I find this really breaks down my waterproof eye makeup and face makeup really easily. I then follow up with my favourite cleanser of all time to clean off any remaining impurities off my face.  The cleanser has a pH level of 6, the overall feel of it resembles a silky, lightweight gel and foams up ever so slightly. It also doesn’t burn my eyes if I accidentally go too close to my eyes.

Tone

Alright, my favourite step all of all steps, toning! I am a big fan of watery, lightweight toners and that are not complicating.                                                                                                                                                                         I like mild and simple ingredients that soften my skin while leaving it feel hydrated. The top 3 toners I have been using alone or layered are the Unpa Cosmetics Bye Bye Cica, Tiam B5 and Keep Cool Soothe. I don’t seem to be as attracted to thicker toners as much as I use to before. On days where my skin needs more hydration and moisture, I like to use the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner. I own both the original and the mist form of it. I like the mist form for easy application but on days where I want to DIY mask, I would make a DIY mask using the Cream Skin Refiner. Check out my previous blog post review on my thoughts on it!

Serum

There are only 2 serums I have been using a lot in the evening and it’s the Skinfood propolis serum and keep cool soothe serum. During the day, I’ve been reaching for the good molecules niacinamide serum a tone but during the evenings, I have always leaned towards these two and because I want to clear my inventory of skincare, so I can start using my unopened products.

Moisturize

Almost near the end… There are 3 moisturizers I am altering around because it really depends and varies what my skin will need that evening. I’ve been using a lot thicker, richer moisturizers because we are transitioning into more colder weather here where I am so I like my to prep my skin prior to the drastic changes. I’ve been enjoying the caudalie sos vinosource, cerave moisturizing cream and finally, the etude house soon jung hydro barrier cream.

Out of all the 3 creams, the cerave has the thickest consistency which I absolutely adore because it acts as a seal, protective layer as it keeps my skin moisturized. This is a classic and although it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it’s simple and does the job. Plus, you get a ton of product in this. I had my jar for about 1 year and a half and I used it pretty much every day, whether on my face or body. It contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin’s barrier as it locks in moisture and keeps skin protected. A delightful and affordable choice for those who are looking for a good moisturizer. This is 100% going to be a repurchase.

The Caudalie sos vinosource is a beautiful product and created specifically for those who have normal and dry skin. I have combination, dehydrated skin and I find it works just as well on me. It has grape water, grape seed, and squalane! This is packed with moisturizing, soothing and antioxidant properties in one cream. It is a tad more expensive than I expect it to be however, I do enjoy it. In case you were curious, the product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and comes in recyclable packaging. I’m not sure I would repurchase because there are a lot of affordable options out there I can explore and try out.

I got this Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier cream as a gift and I must say, this took me by complete surprise as I had no expectations for it. The cream appears to be this light gel texture so I assumed it wouldn’t provide my skin enough moisturizing and hydrating benefits but to my surprise, it did and I find this is more ideal for weather that is in between summer to fall, perhaps even spring. This is a hypoallergenic gel cream and it has a pH level of 5.5, it is enriched with 92.2% hydrating, soothing and moisture-retaining ingredients panthenol and madecassoside. I don’t expect much from Etude House simply because they are well-known for their makeup. I don’t recall really enjoying any of their skincare products but this was probably the first.

Sleeping Mask *optional

There are days where I like to be extra with my skincare and there will days where I could careless and will do the bare minimum for my skin. Whatever works for you, right?

So there seems to be a lot of misconception in the Instagram beauty community where they see a sleeping mask as a moisturizer. Sure, a sleeping mask can potentially have moisturizing, soothing and hydrating properties, however, from what I learned, a sleeping mask is a final step to your skincare routine; which means this comes after your moisturizer to seal the skin and lock in all those previous steps in.

I’ve been loving the Laneige cica sleeping mask. This is a skin barrier strengthening mask that can help improve skin’s strength. It also is hypoallergenic and free of 9 harmful ingredients. I purchased this off Jolse and have been hooked, I use it every single day and I think I have about 30% left.

 

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

[REVIEW] JayJun Roselle Tea Eye Patches

 

I’m a big fan of eye patches and I love what they have to offer. Life code boutique sent over an amazing package for me to share with you all and also, I wanted to share my experience with the Jayjun Rosellete Tea Eye Patches. I have seen these around for about a year now and have been dying to try them. Special thanks to Alice and the Life Code Boutique team for sending these over for me to share with you all!

Available on: Life Code Boutique | eBay

What are they?

These are hydrogel patches that provide conditioning benefits and brightens dark, dull skin for a fresh, awake appearance.

How to use:

• After cleansing the skin thoroughly, ensure your skin is clean to apply these on. When taking the product out of the container, use the spatula to pick up the patches and gently apply them on the skin under your eyes.
• Leave the patches on 20-30 minutes and gently massage + pat the excess essence into your skin.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of.
Ingredient List: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Potassium Chloride, Tripropylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract(0.2%), Saururus Chinensis Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Calcium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Cellulose Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Lactate, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Fragrance, Chlorphenesin

TIPS & TRICKS: You can apply these on your cheeks and forehead for a full detoxifying and cooling experience. Who said eye patches are strictly for eyes? I find these are really nice on the cheeks especially if you’re having dry skin and puffy skin kind of day.

Put these on before applying on your makeup and then remove them off after 15-20 minutes, your skin should be depuffed and bright!

My thoughts

I found these so comfortable to wear, I almost forgot I had them on the handful of times I’ve worn them. There are these little flower petals on them that sometimes get of your skin but you can just wipe them off. I find these super detoxifying and they feel amazing under the eyes. If you have puffy eyes and need a little pick-me-up, just wear these! They make a huge difference in my skin’s overall feel and appearance. I look more alert, refreshed and hydrated! If you’re guilty of staying up late, eating too much sodium and etc, these definitely will do the trick and give you that refreshed look and you’ll less puffy.

I know there is alcohol in this product but a lot of eye patches do have alcohol in them for the formulation purposes, a lot of the time alcohol is used to create a lightweight feel to the product’s consistency, it also can help ingredients to penetrate more easily into the skin and used as a preservative to prolong the shelf’s life of the product. I mean, the last thing we want is dry eye patches and we cannot use them, right?

I have very sensitive eyes and I have this a handful of times in the past where my eyes are very reactive, they will turn bloodshot red if it’s irritated by the ingredients I put on my face. I’m quite surprised and pleased to say that my eyes did not turn bloodshot red when using these eye patches and that they were just fine. The skin around my eyes

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – Perfection, they’re not too thick where they don’t allow circulation on your skin, they’re also not too thin where they tear easily. The fit and adherence for these are spots on, I don’t have the issue of where they slide off because there’s too much essence or because of the fit. They fit very well and I’m pleased with these.
• Scent: 5/5 – I don’t really notice a scent from these, maybe something faint but I don’t really pick up any specific notes from smelling it.
• Performance: 5/5 – They’re excellent and I have no complaints about these. Well worth the hype, they’re affordable and are available at a lot of places online.
• Packaging: 5/5 – The packaging for this is gorgeous! There’s a gorgeous floral design on the lid and also the print is in gold font. It has this luxurious felt and appearance to it.
• Overall: 5/5 – No complaints here! I love it and it deserves more love for what they are. I use these in the morning to depuff my eyes and also in the evening before I apply my eye cream and eye sleeping mask on. They’re really easy on my sensitive eyes and I am very likely to repurchase these.

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

[REVIEW] BLIV MILK JOY CLEANSER

 

Behold, the long-awaited review because I clearly take forever to clear out products but here it is. I’ve been using this cleanser for about 2 months now and the cleanser I have right by my shower which explains why you never really see it on my Instagram feed. I finally have remembered to set it aside by my desk to share a review with you all and my experience with this cleanser.

B.LIV MILK JOY CLEANSER
5.3 fl. oz. / 150 ml | MADE IN TAIWAN – $13

Available: B.liv Official Website

Claims

• Cleanses the skin while being moisturizing at the same time
• It has a creamy consistency and non-greasy texture with a slight milky fragrance; it provides a comforting feeling after cleansing and maintains a healthy skin moisture level.
• Mild yet effective cleanser to remove all impurities and protect skin against pollutants without irritation.
• Light and hydrating formulation to cleanse skin gently without stripping the skin’s natural oils or cause a tightening sensation.

Key Ingredients

aloe barbadensis leaf extract is one of the most well-known, popular ingredients in skincare that treats damaged, wounded, irritated and sensitive skin. It contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, humectant and soothing properties that can prevent the skin from further irritation.

glycine soja seed extract is a soybean seed extract that is rich in protein, minerals and vitamin e. It also can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and damaging effects of uvb rays on skin cells. It also acts as an effective moisturizer that can protect and shields the skin from excessive dryness.

chondrus crispus (carrageenan) is loaded with vitamin e and humectants that draw in moisture from the environment to boost skin’s hydration level. It can also protect against uv rays and helps treat inflamed tissues. The natural minerals namely, omega, zinc and magnesium, create a barrier to protect skin from harsh weather while helping to heal acne, rosacea and sensitive skin problems.

chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract can relieve inflamed skin conditions and calms sensitized skin. It also provides antioxidant protection – aids in soothing, moisturizing and inhibits the growth of bacteria while improves the appearance of dehydrated or damaged skin by restoring suppleness and lessen flaking.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of. 

Ingredient List:

aqua (water), lauramidopropyl betaine, tea-lauroyl glutamate, glycerin, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, butylene glycol, glycine soja seed extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, chondruscrispus (carrageenan), glycol distearate, peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium carbomer, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyquaternium-10, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

My Skin Type and concerns:

Combination | PIE | Congested | Dehydrated | (Occasionally) Sensitive

My thoughts

I must say, I was quite skeptical of this cleanser at first not because how it appeared but more rather if whether it was stripping. As you can see, the ingredients list is surprisingly not too lengthy and has a lot of fantastic ingredients that are both hydrating and moisturizing. The first thing I noticed when I tried this cleanser was how it smelled, it smells like a sweet milky dessert, nothing overpowering or bad. In fact, it smells quite delicious. My skin can be quite sensitive and reactive to things I use but I found myself not having any issues when using this. Although there is a fragrance in it, it isn’t potent and as you can see, it’s at the very bottom of the list. I personally am not bothered by that. It also lathers quite well and does not leave my skin feeling tight and gross after using it so I do appreciate that it is accurate with its claims. If you flip the bottle around, you will notice a 14-day money-back guarantee offer if you are unpleased with the product. All you need to do is present the product with the receipt and leftover product. I really appreciate how confident they present themselves and how understanding their company is for honouring this for their shoppers.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – This has a milky, creamy gel texture to it lathers into a soft foam. I find it really pleasant.
• Scent: 5/5 – This smells delicious, I honestly thought I had a piece of dessert nearby when I opened the bottom up. If you like milky dessert scents, definitely check this gem out. However, if you are sensitive to scents, I would avoid this just because there is a bit of fragrance in it.
• Price: 5/5 – This is very reasonable and affordable. I really think this is budget-friendly and for the amount of product you get for this? It’s a great bargain.
• Performance: 4/5 – Did the job, I wouldn’t say it clears up makeup and debris but I find it’s a gentle and mild enough to be used as an AM kind of cleanser.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s cute! Aesthetically pleasing, in a squeeze tube and has a smooth feel to the bottle. I think it’s a really nice looking cleanser!
• Overall: 4.5/5 – This cleanser is exceptional for those who want a simple cleanser and for those who have normal, combination, oily skin.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

 

[REVIEW] PURITO CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL EYE CREAM

Purito has come a long way in the beauty community and their journey as an overall brand. They were one of the very first companies that worked with me when I was relatively small on Instagram and believed in me. I’m blown away by their level of customer service and care because I have been following them for months and I can see the drastic changes on how they want to brand themselves and how engaging they are with the beauty community. They’ve been releasing a bunch of new products that are adjusted and catered to their fans wants, needs and concerns.

Thank you so much to Purito for sending over your goodies to me. A couple months ago, I review the Centella green level toner on here and loved it. They also sent me their eye cream but unfortunately, during the move – I lost the eye cream because it was misplaced somewhere in my storage. About a month ago, I found it in one of my storage bins and was ecstatic to try it out. I’m now back to share my full thoughts on this eye cream! 🙂

Available on: Yesstyle | Amazon

Key ingredients:

• Centella Asiatica: is a plant-based ingredient that has multiple healing properties. The extract is rich with amino acids, fatty acids and etc that can help treat and prevent acne, calming down skin inflammation and promote collagen growth.
• Shea Butter: is non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores) and it can mimic the moisturizer in sebum. Thus, it convinces the skin into believing that it has enough sebum and helps slow down the process of overproduction of sebum. It also can help out on skin discoloration by evening out the skin’s overall appearance.
• Panthenol: This ingredient is common in beauty products such as moisturizers, ointments, shampoos, and even eye drops! It’s specifically used to help heal the skin such as from sunburns and wounds. Panthenol is another ingredient that does a fantastic job binding water and enhances hydration.
• Ceramide NP: This is one of the types of ceramides. This can improve the appearance and texture of dry skin.

Ingredients

Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymer, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Methyl Trimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Panthenol, Carbomer, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Cholesterol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil

My thoughts

Although I do prefer thick eye creams specifically for nighttime routines, I was expecting this eye cream to be lightweight considering the fact there were water and glycerin on the top of the ingredients list. It’s quite thick and rich and to my surprise, it spreads really nicely and evenly on the skin. I like how dense it feels on and the skin under my eyes instantly feels moisturized and nourished. I also am very milia-prone specifically the skin around my eyes and I did not experience any signs of milia so that’s always a bonus because we know how troublesome and difficult it can be to remove those! I’m pretty sure you can use this during the day time too because I personally found it very comfortable on the skin even though it was on the thicker side of textures.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – I absolutely adore thicker creams, whether it’s for the eyes, face or body. It’s also what I look for in eye creams because I know that it will provide me long-lasting moisture. This is good on my books.
• Scent: 4/5 – There is a subtle essential oils scent, I see bergamot and lavender listed however I found the lavender essential oil overpowers the bergamot. You do also smell Centella, which is pleasant. Don’t worry too much about the scent because it fades away after a few minutes of wear. One thing I would change about this is to make it unscented because I just prefer it to be that way.
• Price: 5/5 – Huge fan and props to Purito for making this eye cream so affordable too because I would say it’s very comparable to high-end texture and performance but for a fraction of the cost.
• Performance: 5/5 – Absolutely wonderful. I found the skin around my eyes so soft and moisturized the following morning, not to mention plump looking. I am someone who suffers from very dry eyes and they get really itchy sometimes. I find when I use this particular eye cream, I rub my eyes less to no rubbing at all.
• Packaging: 5/5 – Functional, I love how it’s in a squeeze tube for hygiene reasons and how travel-friendly it is.
• Overall: 4.5/5 – Love it, it’s my current holy grail eye cream. It does the job and works wonders! What’s not to love about it? Knowing Purito, I’m sure they will create an unscented version later on in the road. Please check out their brand if you had not already, you will not be disappointed. I can think of 3 products of theirs that I use on a regular daily basis. Purito has very reasonable pricing, effective and mild skincare.

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

 

[REVIEW] MAMONDE 24H ICE ROSE WATER TONER

Mamonde came up with an innovative product that can provide hydrating, brightening and COOLING results? What if I told you that Mamonde revamped their rose toner formula and created it to stay unfrozen for 24 hours at temperatures of -18 degrees Celcius to -20 degrees Celcius. They also made this toner for those to have a simple and optimized skincare routine. You can use to create a DIY toner mask with this toner as well!

Where to buy: Yesstyle | *currently unavailable on Jolse*

Why keep it at below-zero temperature?

The ideal skin temperature is around 30 degrees Celcius. Summers can be brutal with intense sun rays, the skin temperature may rise up to over 40 degrees Celcius.

Why is this a concern?

The higher your skin temperature, it puts your skin at risk for losing skin elasticity, which may cause dullness + dark spots and potential breakouts induced by excess sebum production.

Claims

• The unfrozen technology allows the product to stay unfrozen for 24 hours using the Ice Moisture Blending technology, which uses a perfect ratio of minerals, moisturizing ingredients based on the extended study on maintaining the ideal skin temperature.
• Skin-soothing and firming all in one go – this toner can lower the skin’s temperature by -7 degrees, soothe it from excess heat exposure and restore skin elasticity.
• Hydration to balance the oil and moisture levels
• Skin clearing and brightening with a brightening formula – Niacinamide brightens darkened skin by UV exposure while mint leaf extract controls excess sebum production.
• 7 free – animal ingredients, mineral oil, polyarcylamide, imidaazolidinyl urea, triethanolamine, silicone oil, synthetic color.

My thoughts

I was really excited to try this toner out and with the impression of knowing their original rose toner, I thought they would be similar and this would be the revamped version. Unfortunately, that was not the case for me. I found myself quite frustrated with how it irritated and dried out my skin. It was also quite a challenge finding the ingredients list online and I was concerned it would be nowhere to be found but luckily I came across the list on Cosdna. Oh look, Alcohol is their 3rd ingredient. No wonder my skin reacted so negatively and the original rose toner did not have alcohol; It did have fragrance listed but it was really low in potency.

Ingredients from Cosdna

Ingredient	English	Function	Acne	Irritant	Safety
Rose		‧Astringent			1
Propanediol		‧Solvent ‧Viscosity Control			1
Ethyl Alcohol		‧Solvent			2
다이프로필렌글라이콜	Dipropylene glycol	‧Solvent ‧Moisturizer			1
Betaine		‧Viscosity Control ‧Antistatic ‧Moisturizer			1
Butylene Glycol		‧Solvent ‧Moisturizer	1	0	1
Propylene Glycol		‧Solvent ‧Viscosity Control ‧Moisturizer	0	0	3
Nicotinamide					1
Hexanediol		‧Solvent			1
Water		‧Solvent			1
Sodium chloride		‧Viscosity Control			1
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24		‧Emulsifier
Fragrance		‧Fragrance			1–4
Edetate Disodium					1
Ethylhexylglycerin		‧Moisturizer			1
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract					1
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract		‧Moisturizer ‧Anti-inflammatory ‧Astringent			1
Sucrose		‧Moisturizer			1
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract		‧Astringent			1
Indole Acetic Acid

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – I love anything watery and lightweight and this definitely did well in that department. How I used this was making a toner mask out of it.
• Scent: 3/5 – Smells quite similar to the original formula except for a strange chemical, menthol/ minty note with it.  I normally don’t feel nervous about products with mint in it but this one just smelled kind of off.
• Performance: 3/5 – I mean, it worked and chilled down my skin’s temperature but that being said, I found it kind of harsh on my skin where it irritated it and always dried it out. I knew for a fact there was alcohol on here because my eyes went bloodshot red immediately after applying it on my face. I normally do check for ingredients however I kind of mindlessly chose this toner because I liked the original one and was hoping it would be the revamped version of the original one. Jokes on me because it is nothing like the original formula and I prefer that one over this any day. Sure, it cooled down my skin but can’t think refrigerated skincare do the same? I don’t like the idea of refrigerating my skincare anyway because I’m afraid it could potentially affect the performance of the products so I prefer to avoid doing so.
• Packaging: 2/5 – The packaging label is really weird. Ok, it’s fine for function but the label is so cheap. It’s the original toner packaging label with another label thrown ontop. I don’t get that, why is it so hard to make a new one? Anyway, not a fan and not sure what they were going for this toner.
• Overall: 2/5 – It’s a no for me, would not repurchase. I would not even recommend this to anyone. The concept is really cool however it was poorly executed because I cannot imagine why anyone would enjoy putting this on their face and not have to deal with the long term aftermath from it. Alcohol is a very controversial subject, some don’t mind it.. some do. There are multiple articles and news reports of people stating why it’s formulated and why it’s in skincare but due to my dehydrated skin’s sake, I personally would rather not risk it. If you’re interested in trying a fantastic toner from mamonde, you’re better off trying the original rose toner.
  

  Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

   

 

[REVIEW] BIODERMA SENSIBIO GEL

Ever heard of a cleansing gel that is safe for the eyes? No? Yeah, me neither. This is the first time coming across a product like this.  I wrote a review for their Sensibio Micellar Water , please feel free to check it out and see why it’s so popular! I want to thank Lea for sending this over to me so I can try out and experience their Sensibio line. I was not aware that they had a product like this, I think this was either unavailable at my local drugstore or just sold out.

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing and Makeup Removing Foaming Gel – 200 ml

Available at: Amazon

Claims

This foaming gel is specifically created for those who have sensitive skin who are looking for a mild cleansing option that is reinforced with hydration. Sensitive skin/intolerant skin does not have the ability to combat against irritants. Makeup, makeup removing, pollution, external stress leaves skin weakened and tightened day in and day out.

This foaming gel is free of the following: soap, fragrance, paraben and it hypoallergenic + non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores)

My thoughts

I’ll admit, I was quite nervous when I read the claim of it being eye-safe. My eyes are ridiculously sensitive, they easily get itchy, dry and even red from just using products that had ingredients that irritate it. Surprisingly, I did not experience any stinging or issues with using this and it removed pretty much all of my makeup off really well. I wear waterproof liquid eyeliner every single day and it’s quite stubborn and strong stuff so I’m shocked to see something so mild and gentle on my eye and especially my eyes be able to remove the toughest makeup. This has definitely made my makeup cleansing experience a lot more exciting because I know I wouldn’t have stinging eyes or tight skin from using this. I’ve been using this about a month and I’m very confident to say that I really love this micellar gel.

TIP: With clean and wet hands, dispense out 1 pump of the product and lather it between your palms until it gets a bit frothy then apply onto face. Close your eyes and gently massage the product off your face, this step will take about 2-3 minutes so be gentle and patient. Once you rinse off the product, you will notice your skin is clean and soft but not squeaky clean, dry and tight.

Overall:

• Texture: 5/5 – This is a light gel texture and I love how it does not get soapy when you lather it up.
• Scent: 5/5 – No detectable scent and I’m very pleased with that because my skin is easily sensitized, it’s always better to have unscented products.
• Price: 5/5 – This is pretty affordable for the amount of product you get and I would recommend you all to invest in this over any drugstore cleanser because I’ve tried a handful of them from Neutrogena, Aveeno to olay – a lot of them are high in pH and are very stripping. I don’t have any dry or tight skin issues when using this and I can always count on this to be able to clean but not strip my skin’s natural oils.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s fantastic! the bottle itself is adorable and pink! Comes with a pump that is easy to control and distributes out a good amount of product without wasting excess product.
• Overall: 5/5 – It’s a YES! I’m beyond impress with this micellar gel and will repurchase after finishing this because it works and most certainly works for my sensitive eyes and is so gentle. Some cleansers can give me bloodshot, red and itchy eyes and I don’t have that issue when using this so it says a lot. Take it from me who easily get irritated by a lot of products. It works like a charm and is available on Amazon for prime delivery!

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

 

[REVIEW] CERAVE RENEWING SA CREAM

Who said thick creams are strictly for winter? I suffer from very dehydrated skin. Although I have combination skin, it’s still possible to have that issue. Cerave has been one of the most life-changing brands that I came across late last year. I was struggling with seasonal eczema and nothing I used worked for my skin except for their classic moisturizing cream, formulated with ceramides, fatty alcohols and hyaluronic acid. It wasn’t the most glamorous looking however, it did the job; better than any high-end product I’ve tried. One 500ml tub cost me around 15 CAD( I got this during a sale) but they normally range between 20~26, varying where you purchase it.

Cerave was kind enough to send over their renewing SA line. The first product I will be sharing with you is their cream. This is specifically to help prevent and reduce the appearance of recurrence of dry, itchy and inflamed skin. Sounds like the dream, huh? It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, my body is forever dry and quite flakey.

340g ~ price may vary where you purchase it. See links below.

Available at: Shoppers | Well.ca | Amazon

Claims

• With ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II
• Salicylic acid softens and smoothes skin
• Lactic acid exfoliates
• Non-comedogenic
• Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic
• Gentle, non-irritating formula

Ingredients

Purified Water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Mineral Oil, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3 in Corn Oil), Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-11, Ceramide 1, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Edetate Disodium, Propylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.

My thoughts

Initially, I was worried that this cream was going to be too thick for me. I wanted something a bit more lightweight however I had a couple moments where my skin’s barrier was compromised; it felt so rough and parched so I turned to this to see if it could help and it really did. With continuous usage for over 2 months, I saw a significant difference in my skin’s overall health and appearance. You can see how much more glowy it is, plump and hydrated. I would recommend this to those who suffer from dehydration, irritated and textured skin.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – This is ONE thick cream, folks. If you’re not a fan of thick creams, stray away but I personally have grown to love thick creams all year round.
• Scent: 3/5 – There is a faint medicinal scent to it but it goes away after a few minutes so don’t worry about it lingering.
• Performance: 5/5 – Works like a charm. Cerave has never failed me and I will continue to support and purchase their beautiful products.
• Packaging: 4/5 – Practical and functions perfectly fine. Although I do prefer it being in a tube form for hygiene reasons, I don’t like digging my fingers in products so I have to use a spatula every time to scoop out the product.
• Overall: 4/5 – Fantastic find and product. I think Cerave deserves more love especially for a drugstore brand that is reasonably priced. Who said you need to invest big bucks in skincare? You’d be surprised what you can find at the drugstore and what it can offer for your skin’s needs.
  

  Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.