Laneige Water Sleeping Mask 15 ml Review

Ingredients:


WATER / AQUA / EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, TREHALOSE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, OENOTHERA BIENNIS (EVENING PRIMROSE) ROOT EXTRACT, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) FRUIT EXTRACT, BETA-GLUCAN, CHENOPODIUM QUINOA SEED EXTRACT, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM ALGINATE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE / VP COPOLYMER, POLYSORBATE 20, DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONOL, DIMETHICONE / VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, PROPANEDIOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, STEARYL BEHENATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, HYDROXYPROPYL BISPALMITAMIDE MEA, INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE, ALCOHOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CARBOMER, TROMETHAMINE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, BLUE 1 (CI 42090).

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- ??? For me, no negatives yet. Includes alcohol, but you can't tell at all and it's probably only very little. I will probably notice something when getting the full size jar later.




+ Feels calming

+ Works on it's own as a moisturizer, or on top of everything as a mask, never feeling heavy or slimy

+ Makes skin soft and smooth

+ Light, fresh fragrance, quite pleasant

+ Not very much is needed at a time because it spreads so well after turning watery on skin contact

+ Considering how light, gel like the consistency is, amazingly hydrating/moisturizing

+ Skin looks more refreshed in the morning

+ Dries down quickly and the slight tackiness that it leaves doesn't get stuck on pillow, so you can put it on and go to bed soon (~10 minutes)

* I can't believe I didn't realize sooner how amazing Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask is. I had the sample for a long time and in the beginning I thought it was nothing special, I only tested it like once before putting it away. I guess, I was looking for a more balmy sleeping mask back then, I didn't believe such a gel could make any difference. This one reminds me of Caudalie's Moisturizing Sorbet.

* I have the 15 ml sample jar and it lasted me about a month. Granted, I also used it during daytime sometimes. Not with makeup though so can't comment how it would play with foundation.

* I actually just now took a good look at skincare that Laneige offers and it seems they have all sorts of things I want to try. I think the prices seem ok if the quality is the same as with the sleeping mask. It's difficult to choose what to go for though, they have so many different lines and it seems difficult to track down some of the items. Maybe I should just get a sample of the new Cica Sleeping Mask and the Lip Sleeping Mask that is also insanely popular.

Price: 

2-6 € depending on where you buy, how many, shipping... / 15 ml

17-20 € on Ebay / 70 ml

Bought from: 

Beautynetkorea

Buy again? 

Yes. I'm sold. Feels weird to be so delighted about skincare for once! But I'm not going to repurchase until I have finished something else first so that I can keep my stash at a manageable size.

Worth the money? 

Absolutely. The full size jar should last for 4-5 months if I use it almost everyday. But sometimes you can also get these 15 ml samples for even cheaper price per ml, so I might get those instead. Even though the full 70 ml jar is very pretty! I totally understand why Laneige's Water Sleeping Mask is such a cult favourite now, but still, if you're looking for a thick, balm occlusive, this is not it. This one is good for summer and oily skin definitely, even though it feels so surprisingly hydrating/moisturizing so any skin type could enjoy it!

Missha Time Revolution White Cure Blanc Tone-Up Sun Protector SPF50+ PA+++ 50 ml Review

Ingredients:

Water(Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Zinc Oxide (Cl 77947), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycereth-26, Saussurea Involucrata Extact, Lillium Candidum Flower Extract, Freesia Alba Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Gnaphalium Leontopodium Flower Extract, Jasmium Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Maricaria) Flower Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Lactobacillius/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Saccaromyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate Extract, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Betaine, Sea Water, Adenosine, Echium Planagineum Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianhus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Sigesbeckia Orienalis Extract, Rabdosia Rubescens Extract, Glucose, Methoxy PEG-45 Thioctate, Campsis Grandiflora Flower Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Fullerenes, Glyceryl Diisostearate, PEG-7 Dimethicone, C12-14 Alkyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide, Distearyldimonium Chloride, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Beeswax, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Syntheitc Fluorphlogopite, Sorbitan Oleate, Polymethyl Methacrylae, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Iron Oxides (Cl 77492), Xanthan Gum, Octyldodecanol, BHT, Iron Oxides (77491), Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (Cl 77499). Tin Oxide, Methicone, Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate, Copper Sulfate, Polyacrylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, PVP, Fragrance, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Made me break out a little

- A lot of different plant extracts and ferments, difficult to know what is causing possible breakouts

- Despite being SPF 50+, it's only PA+++

- I don't think it stays put if you are sweating

- Finish might be too shiny for some, this is not for those who are looking for matte or powdery finishes




+ No white cast and the tint barely shows and only brightens and evens out skin tone

+ Very natural finish, glowy

+ Feels light and spreads easily, takes about 5 minutes to "dry" (still will be visibly glowy, it will not disappear or turn powdery)

+ The tube is sturdy and it's easy to control the amount you squeeze out

+ Doesn't pill, works well under my foundation or just powder

+ Doesn't feel oily or dry out my skin

* Missha's Time Revolution is a classic series and a long time ago I stumbled upon White Cure Blanc Tone-Up Sun Protector and initially thought that it was only physical sunscreen, even though it has mixed filters. I liked it a lot and bought one for my mom too. Then I noticed it was breaking me out a little, even though it doesn't feel pore clogging at all. I have the back up tube unopened in my drawer and I'm thinking about giving it another go now! Maybe afterwards I have more things to say about it.

Price: 

About 13-20 € / 50 ml

Bought from: 

Jolse, cosmeticmarket2012 (ebay)

Buy again? 

Yes, in fact I already did. I don't know if I will continue repurchasing.

Worth the money? 

Yes, the consistency, feel and user experience are some of the best I've come across. Also I like that it's versatile, good under the make up or just for the lazy day when you don't want to put foundation but still cover just a little. I just wish it wouldn't break me out. I believe it's good for an aging, dry or combination skin, probably not for very oily. Also I don't think the tint is completely transparent, so I don't know how it would look like on darker skintones, as it has Zinc Oxide high on the ingredient list.

Rosette Ceramide Gel 80 g Review

Ingredients:


Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, PEG -400, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6II, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, PEG -8, Carbomer, Parabens

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Smells stuffy, old, but not strong and doesn't linger

- Looks like glue, feels a bit like glue, a bit disgusting

- Actually doesn't moisturize/hydrate at all? More of an occlusive. Feels like it creates a film on my face, quite uncomfortable if you don't hydrate/moisturize enough beforehand

- After a couple of days, started breaking out my T-area, especially forehead and nose; closed comedones, whiteheads

- Will stay on top of the skin, doesn't really absorb

- Shiny, shiny, shiny

- The tub and inner lid are annoying




+ Feels so smooth, gives me silky soft skin

+ Works as an occlusive very well! This is how most of the people use it I think?

+ Within 3-5 days from starting to use it during nights, my acne marks/PIE (?) has remarkably faded.

+ I think, it has made my skin tone and texture slightly more even

+ My pores appear a bit smaller too, maybe?

+ Little goes a long way and I really mean it, I have a tendency to overslather (oils, serums, even creams that absorb easily or feel nice!) but no way you can do it with Rosette Gel, it will suffocate your skin and create a film, also it doesn't absorb and will just slide around

+ Comes with spatula that you can store inside the tub, genius (if I wouldn't hate tubs and inner lids and the bother to take out the product)

* First I thought this glue gel thing was disgusting and annoying to use. I had it for months until I was brave enough to actually put it on my face! Yes, I have a lot prejudices.

* The breakout reaction on my T-area reminds me of my short experiment with Vaseline, I think it was very similar. Put me off Vaseline since but maybe I'll give it another shot. Because so many people praise it.

* Maybe I should have introduced something with ceramides to my routine earlier... but it's so difficult to find the right products for my skin and for my wallet as well.

* I gave Ceramide Gel to my friend with a very dry, parched, peeling skin and she didn't like it either, not even as a night cream. She said it's perfect as a handcream after handling cardboards though, haha!

* I think I have finally learned the lesson not to purchase popular things just because they are popular. To be honest, this was an old purchase and I was still trying different things to get some understanding what could work for me. So much money I have wasted during the last two years...

Price:

USD 13.90 / 80 g

Bought from: 

Ebay seller ryushindojapan

Buy again? 

No.

Worth the money? 

Very much if the gel doesn't break you out and you need an occlusive for night time use. The tub seriously lasts a long time, with my pace I would've been finished in two years. However the gel is not very pleasant to use at all! Even though the end result is very soft. Suitable for very, very dry and rough skin. I gave the gel away to my friend but she wasn't a fan either. Ceramides or not, there are other options and I'll gladly find those other options one day.

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100 ml + Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid 100 ml Review

Ingredients:

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol.

Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid


Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol.

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- BHA made my skin flush very violently and afterwards tingle and itch, my fiance complained about itching when I swiped his back with it as well (and he has thick skin), and the friend who I gifted the BHA Liquid to reported similar initial flushing of face when using it

- Not really a negative thing but a warning, both products are a lot stronger than you would think. They are not for daily use for a sensitive skin. There's something about the formula that makes them a lot more irritating than other acids from The Ordinary for example (Salicylic Acid Solution, Glycolic Acid Toning Solution). I don't understand why, but I feel like the results are not that amazing compared to the irritation.




+ AHA didn't feel like anything on skin, no tingling, itching, dryness

+ For me either AHA or BHA don't smell much of anything, a bit chemical for a second. AHA does smell a bit dead though.

+ They both absorb really fast

+ They are both clear, serum like thin liquid and easy to spread either with fingers or a cotton pad. I actually prefer the cotton pad method even though you have to use 2-4 pumps of product then.

+ The pump bottles work really well and you get a perfect amount of the product: 1 pump for spot treating, 2 pumps for the full face

+ The bottles are huge and a huge amount of product for the money (but remember, still they are good only 1 year from opening)

+ In the beginning AHA made my skin feel softer immediately and next morning (but now I don't notice the effect)

+ BHA Liquid must work because I did purge for the first two weeks, mainly on nose, the whiteheads kept popping up every morning. Never had the same kind of purge before or after (but I don't remember, was this my first time using acid anyway?). But at some point I discarded the BHA because it kept irritating my skin.

* I have been putting off this review because I have so mixed feelings about both of these products, despite owning and trying them for a year!

* Everyone's skin is different: I had heard that Cosrx AHA is "stronger" than BHA but for me, Cosrx BHA made me flush really hard for the first times and left my skin feeling tingling, itching while AHA felt like nothing.

* I ended up giving the BHA away because it just wasn't nice to use. My friend reported getting the similar flush when using it, but not as bad and no itching.

* I do not have an aspirin allergy that could lead me to react to BHA products, at least I have never gotten any reaction from aspirin (but as a pain killer aspirin is so weak I haven't touched it for the past 10 years probably). Maybe it's the willow bark water? It's weird because the ingredient list looks so good!

* Strange things, but after trying Cosrx BHA and getting weird reactions, I decided to try just basic salicylic acid; I ordered The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and it's been ok, or amazing if we compare to Cosrx BHA because it doesn't cause the same reactions!

Price: 

Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 100 ml

Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid 100 ml

About 12-25 € depending where you purchase, ebay is cheapest

Bought from: 

Jolse

Buy again? 

No. I don't feel very attached to either of them, at least not at the moment.

Worth the money? 

I guess if you can handle acids well and can use a huge bottle in a year? For sensitive skin, sadly, it's a case by case situation and I feel like I'm struggling with using them, even though I started to use them on my body as well. I gave the BHA Liquid away already. But yes, you get a lot of product for your money and the pump bottles are lovely to use and I like their sleek designs. AHA Liquid is definitely better in my point of view and it works as promised.

Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water Spray SPF 30 150 ml Review

Ingredients:


Aqua / Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Homosalate, Dicaprylyl Ether, Octocrylene, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Triazone, Propanediol, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Ci 61565 / Green 6, Ci 60725 / Violet 2, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Caprylyl Glycol, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum / Fragrance Fil C209794/1.

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

Thoughts:

- Bottle shape and design is difficult to use, sadly. Impossible to hold it with slippery hands.

- Applying is more challenging than a basic cream because it's so watery-oily, dripping before you get a chance to spread it well. It spreads well without tugging skin though.

- Doesn't really dry down. I think I'm applying a right amount. So it stays slippery-slimy for hours, shining on my skin like oil or sweat. Ha, maybe this is the summer glow :)

- Gave me the worst "sunscreen bumps" I've had up to this day!




+ Very fresh, slight, pleasant scent, I really like it.

+ Feels moisturizing and if you apply only very little, it feels ok, very pleasant actually, silky, smooth, not oily.

+ Despite not being drying, and feeling oily on my skin, it stays put rather well even if I sweat. Definitely needs a super scrub in the evening to get rid of (especially someone like me who gets those bumps).

+ Bottle is a good size and shape to carry with you in a purse for reapplying. It's pretty too.

+ Absolutely no white cast.

* Also Tonymoly's Sun Oil gave me similar bumps, but not that many. But it could be only because I put it less on, as it's a facial oil. Can't be related to fungal acne btw, UV Water should be fungal acne safe.

* I saw there is a new UV Water Mist, wonder what that is like... not that I need a mist right now.

* Again, I can't review the actual sun protection because here in the land of no sun I never burn. I just use sunscreen for anti aging purposes. Will be interesting to see one day if it works!

Price: 

About 15 € / 150 ml

Bought from: 

Supermarket

Buy again? 

No.

Worth the money? 

The bottle is pretty, the product is innovative, the scent is very, very pleasant... I really wanted to love Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Water but it's just not quite there. I would not recommend it for oily/sweaty skin or for sensitive skin (bumps) for a generous everyday application. But it works for the little touch up later in the day. Then the price is more understandable too, it's quite high considering you usually get 200 ml for that price in a market product.

Current Favourites, Shopping and Empties

Current Favourites

I haven't done before these posts! I saw some bloggers were making monthly favorite posts and it made me think, maybe it would be helpful for me too to put down some things I find interesting from time to time. Be it a new discovery or an old flame.

The Ordinary Pycnogenol 5%

Pycnogenol is antioxidant and derived from the pine bark of the French maritime pine trees. I have only tested this one for a week, and I don't really know what I'm seeing, but it does something. I get a feeling like it's niacinamide serum and tea tree oil combined kind of results? Very strong too, I really suggest mixing it with something in the beginning.


Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

I bought a sample jar a long time ago because I heard it was popular. Took a look at it, was "meh, nope" and put it away. Now I actually tried it and it's pretty nice! Consistency is a bit like Caudalie's Moisturizing Sorbet, very light gel-like cream and it turns watery on skin contact. Seems to work either on its on or on top of another moisturizer. Also my skin seems to like it.


Neulii BHA PHA 5.5 Peeling Pads

Good pads, I really feel like they are supporting my other skincare routine, doing a bit of everything.


The Ordinary Squalane

I guess I've been praising squalane a lot ever since I found it existed but is there anything else that versatile, easy, soothing and safe?


Nizoral 20 mg Shampoo

After having a possible fungal acne attack this year after getting sick, I gave in and bought Nizoral. After starting to weekly wash my hair with it and having about 10 minute scalp masks, my scalp and roots have felt so fresh and light, it's unreal. My scalp itchiness is gone, I can wash my hair every other/third day again (while it was at the worst I felt I had to wash twice a day, so disgusting). My oily dandruff is almost gone.


L'Oréal Paris Stylista The Beach Wave Mist

I had never tried beach wave/salt sprays before and I'm so impressed. Super easy and quick to use to get texture for a short hair, a lot better than hairspray for a natural everyday look! The scent is fresh and very light too. Doesn't make hair/scalp slimy or sticky like a cheap hairspray can do.


Nail polish in general

Been doing my nails for months in a row now. My current favorite polish is Essie's Leggy Legend that is the most beautiful warm copper and it flatters my skin tone perfectly. I found some questionable colors in my stash and tried them too, like mint and orange topped with Essie's Sparkle on Top, that is also my favorite top coat with glitter chunks.

Shopping

I wanted to treat myself and buy some affordable makeup to experiment with! I think I'm having an existential crisis.  I was prepared to go for Essence mainly but Catrice stand was right next to it...

Catrice limited edition Kaviar Gauche and Blush Box. Such beautiful colours.

From top to bottom: Catrice #peeloff Glam Effect, Catrice ICONails Gel Lacquer and H&M Beauty Nail Polish. 

Catrice #peeloff Glam Effect Nail Polish in When In Doubt, Just Add Glitter

Catrice ICONails Gel Lacquer in All That Glitters Is Gold

I couldn't decide which Catrice nail polish to get. Haven't tried peel off polishes yet! I wanted something cheap and versatile.

Catrice Kaviar Gauche Blush & Glow

Catrice Kaviar Gauche Blotting Powder

I love the gold packaging! They are so cute. I definitely recommend them both. The Blush & Glow palette couldn't be more perfect. Both shades are versatile and look amazing on me.

Catrice Blush Box Burgundy

Pretty burgundy, surprisingly dark and muted colour. Quite pigmented and stays put super well! Tried it even as an eye shadow. But, I think brighter red suits me better. The plastic box is very cheap and squeaky and probably going to break soon.

Catrice Lash & Brow Designer

The brush feels very precise. Very natural look. Not sure yet if actually useful.

Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Rosy & Goldie

Not for oily eyelids sadly. Trying to make it work. The shade is very natural, brightening the skintone kind of look. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

H&M Beauty Nail Polish in Friday Night

Matched my other purchases. A bit regret - not that good quality, but the colour is very pretty and unique.


Redken Beach Envy Volume Texturizing Shampoo

I like Redken. Shampoo was on sale.


L'Oréal Paris Elvital Extraordinary Clay shampoo 

Elvitals are good for the price in general. Apparently not very much clay in this shampoo. Bummed I can't find Phytoclear Anti-Dandruff anymore easily. Is it just the stores around here (small town) or have they reformulated or discontinued, what???

Empties

I have finished quite a lot of things lately and been too lazy to throw the packages away "in case I can still squeeze a drop out miraculously". Plus I need to wash the glass bottles for recycling. Usually I do throw out trash immediately so that's why I haven't thought about doing empties posts earlier.

Pirkka Sun Cream Aurinkovoide Sensitive SPF 20

Not amazing, not bad, works, affordable. I've used two bottles on the side of other higher SPF products.

Innisfree Rebalancing Watery Sun Cream SPF37 PA+++

I ended up using this sunscreen for afternoon re-applying as it doesn't work with makeup well. Felt refreshing and didn't mess up my face that way. The watery texture is unique but after all not always very practical.

The Ordinary Squalane

In fact, two bottles of squalane! Usually I avoid opening up too many items at the same time. I wonder what happened.

The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil

Been using less rose hip lately but it's still a staple.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

I use niacinamide a lot. New bottle every three months usually. What would happen if I stopped for a while?

Maybelline Gentle Remover Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover

Veeery old bottle. Not big fan, didn't destroy nails and is quite gentle, but takes a while to get the polish off with it. Not good at removing glitter stuff. And I still have another bottle left, probably bought at a 2 for 1 sale.

Cien Men Aqua 48 h Anti-Perspirant

A staple. Gone through probably twenty bottles during all these years.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Gel Wash 

Always works. Used probably over ten bottles.

Head&Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Shampoo Classic Clean

Good shampoo, I've used two bottles. Works even without zinc pyrithione. Good for oily scalp but not for a possible persistent fungal acne or itching it seems.

Neulii BHA PHA 5.5 Peeling Pad Review

Ingredients:


Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone (5%), Glycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate (1%), Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Methyl Cyclodextrin, Allantoin, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Disodium EDTA.

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

I cut the pads in half. The pads are moist, but there is no extra essence in the tub.

Thoughts:

- The tub didn't come with tweezers. So you must dip your fingers in every time.

- Opening and closing the tub all the time probably can make the pads dry. The tub says they are good for 12 months, but I think you should finish them sooner than that.

- The pads leave a bit sticky film on the skin, apparently it's something PHA's do? I can feel the film for a long time.




+ I feel like the pads are contributing to my skin's smoothness and clearness

+ They are not drying my skin, the pads can be used almost daily

+ I notice difference very quickly when using and not using the pads, usually my skin is better the next day already

+ Calming on active acne and redness

+ Gentle exfoliation with PHA 5% (Gluconolactone) and BHA 1% (Betaine Salicylate)

+ No scent

+ Probably suitable for all skin types, my combination skin has no problems at least

+ Soft pads, better quality ones than those cheapos I usually use on my face (but nothing extra ordinary about them still)

The sturdy protective foil.

* Comparing the sample peeling pad by Neulii and this tub, the sample pouch had a lot more essence. The pads in the tub are not as moist, and the one at the top was actually on the dry side and I already thought I'd had to throw some extra essence in. But actually the rest of the pads are just right.

* The tub is ridiculously big. I don't know if it serves some purpose that the pads won't dry.

* I cut the pads in half so I get more use out of them. The half is still a good size and enough for my face and neck and decollete, but of course it's more comfortable to use the full pad. The tub has 70 pads.

* I believe the pads are effective because of Gluconolactone. I am looking into other products with PHA, going to order Garden of Wisdom's 10% PHA Serum at some point.

* I thought the pads and Neulii as a brand would be discontinued but now I see Neulii has just completely renewed their whole product line. Bio Water B9 Hydration Serum seems interesting. Not that expensive either at around 14 euros. I wonder if they are going to release samples of them?

Price: 

15,98 USD

Bought from: 

Iamlove-shop on ebay

Buy again? 

If the pads still exist when I'm finished with the tub!

Worth the money? 

Honestly I'm so surprised by Neulii's pads. They are doing a bit of everything in a gentle way. So if you are new in the world of toner/exfoliation pads, they are an excellent choice. The pads are actually very reasonably priced (=cheap) considering how much my skin likes them and that they will last me probably half a year because I cut the pads in half!

Bioderma Cicabio SPF 50+ 30 ml Review

Ingredients:

AQUA/WATER/EAU, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE, HOMOSALATE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE, GLYCERIN, BIS-ETHYLHEXYLOXYPHENOL METHOXYPHENYL TRIAZINE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, NYLON 6/12, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, SILICA, SODIUM CITRATE, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, COPPER SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) VINE EXTRACT, ASIATICOSIDE, ASIATIC ACID, MADECASSIC ACID, ECTOIN, POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOMETHICONE, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, LAURETH-3, POLYSORBATE 60, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, ACETYL DIPEPTIDE-1 CETYL ESTER, BHT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, TOCOPHEROL, CITRIC ACID. [BI 689]

I try to mark the sunscreen ingredients in red and other possible irritants in lilac. Ingredients thought to be good and useful for skin I mark green.  Learning as I go, google is my friend etc...

No white cast whatsoever. Also despite having a green tint, no noticeable color correction.

Thoughts:

- The tube is small, 30 ml, if used everyday will not really last longer than a month/month and half.

- Even though the cream's tint is green, it doesn't color correct redness at all or cover any acne. According to the packaging the color comes from the ingredients and it's colorant free.

- Doesn't smooth skin like physical sunscreens, or hide small imperfections. Not really this sunscreen's fault but just in general, it's nice to use the sunscreen as a primer if possible.

- Creates a greasy look, especially for oily skin, as it will not dry down at any point of time! Feels slimy still three hours later.

- I don't think it's a good product under makeup, it pills slightly. I don't understand why even the packaging says "good makeup base". No it's definitely not!

- Burns eyes if I sweat




+ Very neutral pharmacy balm fragrance, barely there at all (something like this is my golden standard in addition to absolutely no scent at all and natural scent like hay in rose hip oil)

+ Feels moisturizing, I actually do skip moisturizer when putting on Bioderma's sunscreen. Otherwise it's too much because the feel is so creamy/oily/balmy despite the consistency itself being quite normal cream.

+ No whitecast whatsoever (chemical sunscreen)

+ UVA PPD 31! It feels nice to get an accurate number instead of just PA++++ (which means anything over 16).

+ When I have a dry skin, like cheeks, there it doesn't leave a greasy look at all, more like a soft sheen (but still it stays on top of skin partly, being slimy for hours). This sunscreen is for dry, damaged by chemical peels, flaking, itchy skin conditions.

+ Actually, a very soothing sunscreen. My skin stays calm all day, no tickling, no irritation, no new acne, no clogged pores (at least haven't noticed yet?). Includes also centella asiatica derivates that I was very into earlier and copper-zinc.

+ No alcohol. No avobenzone.

* I wanted to try another chemical sunscreen, this time without Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) that seems to be in everything and anything despite its reputation as possible irritant and low level toxicity. The reason I'm trying sunscreen without it is that it's been one ingredient in common in sunscreens that have irritated my skin. Also I read somewhere that it's more likely to be the other chemicals that avobenzone is formulated with that can cause irritation (because it's unstable alone). For some reason I stumbled upon Bioderma's Cicabio and thought to test it, I guess it looked enough like a pharmacy sunscreen I could trust.

* It's kinda funny, I'm so used to seeing the whitecast and where sunscreen is applied that now I feel worried about putting chemical filters because I don't know if I've managed to cover every spot!

Price: 

8.40 € I paid, seems to go between 7-12 € / 30 ml

Bought from: 

Feelunique

Buy again? 

Maybe? For irritated skin it's a safe bet. I'm thinking about checking out Bioderma's other sunscreens if I find something similar but more suitable for a combination skin.

Worth the money? 

Yes, Bioderma's Cicabio 50+ is not perfect but it delivers some of what it promises, a soothing, non-irritating, repairing sunscreen. The good makeup base is not true so don't expect that, unless your skin is very very parched and you miraculously have a compatible foundation... then it might actually work. A nice chemical sunscreen for those people who are struggling to wear one IF you have a super dry skin or other skin conditions or super sensitive skin. For me I'm quite glad it's not pore clogging at all and doesn't irritate so it's good sunscreen when I don't have to look that presentable.