Current Favourites

As always, I choose my current favourites whenever and however I like. Sometimes it is a repeat product and sometimes something I am using currently but would not repurchase. Actually it's been a while since I've chosen any! I think it is time to do this again because I can feel my shopping need stir inside me. 

The end of the year after mid summer really does something weird to me, I start to crave for new stuff, I feel bored with my life and myself, maybe? And especially now it feels bad because the world situation and Europe's situation are so sad. :( With the war, glooming unpredictable Russia, other politics, covid, inflation, food price going up, euro getting weaker...

The Ordinary Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol, which is maritime pine bark extract, just works for my skin. My skin looks better (brighter, smoother, less acne, more even color) when I use it. I have been using this on and off for about 3 years. Pycnogenol has antioxidant inflammatory benefits, both topically and orally used. I wonder if I should hunt down pycnogenol supplements as well! 

Burberry Her Eau de Parfum

I was disappointed when I bought this fragrance in the beginning of this year. Too much fake strawberry and plastic sweetness. However, now during summer and warm weather it meshes a lot better with my skin! I feel it is now warmer and not as sharp. I also just might like sweeter things during the summer.

Missha Aqua Sun SPF50+ PA++++

This is the new 2022 version. Finish is quite shiny, but it just makes my skin look quite good and works with all my foundations. My skin looks good even after I've washed it off, it doesn't seem clogging or irritating at all. Also feels moisturizing. I can use it with or without a moisturizer.

Filorga Time-Filler Absolute Wrinkle Correction Cream

My skin doesn't always get along with Filorga products but I did like this probably discontinued cream! At the same time felt nourishing and protecting, but light, almost like a gel cream.

My Gym Card and Polar Pacer Running Watch

Ok, this is not skincare or makeup. :) 

But if you are like me and cycle through phases where you do more and less exercise you must have noticed that skin always looks better when intensive work outs are regular (~3 times a week minimum)! For me at least, because I am prone to hormonal acne. Working out seems to balance me.

I bought Polar Pacer watch to help me understand my work out sessions better and I think it really works. It's a lot faster than older models of Polar watches I've had. Also I need to charge it only once a week so far. Finally started to go to gym regularly too, I think it compliments home exercise very well! I feel I have already made a lot of progress in 3 months. 

Avant Skincare Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm 50 ml Review

Ingredients:

aqua (water), ethylhexyl stearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sorbitol, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate citrate, stearyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, cera alba (beeswax), parfum (fragrance), cetearyl glucoside, xanthan gum, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, bht, citric acid, glycolic acid, glucose.

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:

- Not moisturizing or hydrating; I feel like my hands were almost more dry after applying

- No brighter or otherwise better skin on my hands

- Not enough Glycolic Acid according to ingredient list to actually do anything (second last ingredient) and it comes after Phenoxyethanol that can be used at max 1%

- The shea butter they also mention as a softening ingredient is less than 1%

- I find this is a quite useless product

+ Absorbs fast and well, not really residue after applying, good for day time use

+ Mild fragrance, not really good, but not bad either, does linger a little bit

+ Nice texture, light white cream (not a balm like the name suggests)

* I've had a few Avant products, they all came from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar. They all are overpriced in my opinion, but I really did like Avant Moisture Surge Overnight Treatment! It had that luxury feel for me, both texture and scent. So I am surprised that Avant Hand Balm is so bad. 

* I am convinced Avant products are super cheap but they are slapped a huge price tag to drive the subscription box values up. Avant products mainly come from different blind boxes or calendars. 

* I will try to finish this hand cream because it doesn't irritate my skin but it's difficult when I just want to reach for other stuff!

Price: 

65-95 € / 50 ml

Bought from: 

Got from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar

Buy again? 

No.

Worth the money? 

Avant Skincare Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm is definitely not worth the money, so incredibly overpriced. I don't find it luxurious or even a good moisturizer. I wouldn't buy it if it costed 1 €, because it doesn't brighten, soften, hydrate or moisturize my skin. It has a nice texture and not bad (but also not nice) scent, but it is not nearly enough. Definitely not for people with dry hands.

Nivea Sun Kids Protect&Sensitive Sun Spray SPF50+ 200 ml Review REFORMULATED

Ingredients:

Aqua, Homosalate, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dibutyl Adipate, Panthenol, Copernícia Cerifera Cera, Sodium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sucrose Polystearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium EDTA.

Ingredients for Nivea Sun Kids Sensitive Protect Sun Spray SPF50+, the reformulated sunscreen:

Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Isopropyl Palmitate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dibutyl Adipate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium 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...

Thoughts:

- Used on face only a few times, was shiny and once my cheek got irritated afterwards, but didn't burn my eyes, still wasn't exactly good as face sunscreen



+ Not much scent

+ No white cast

+ Didn't break out my body or irritate

+ Easy to apply, light white lotion, absorbs quickly

+ Claims to be water resistant

+ Didn't notice it staining any clothes but this is just my observation (I don't exactly swim in sunscreen so there would not be a lot to be rubbed off...)

+ Bottle didn't leak when carried in a bag, no big pumps so the size fits nicely for travel too

+ Easily available in basically all supermarkets, no online ordering

+ Affordable

* This is Nivea Sun Kids Protect&Sensitive Sun Spray SPF50+, the old formula that has been reformulated since beginning of 2022. I was sure I had written a review for this one, especially because I am fairly certain this is my second bottle too, so I have even repurchased! But no!

* I did write 2019 in my sunscreen compilation post: "Nivea and Garnier Kids are my favorites out of these (body sunscreens). But I must say Nivea is easier to remove and absorbs maybe better? Even though there is no prominent white cast with Garnier, it still leaves more of an layer if you go looking for it, also it might bunch up on my neck for example when I sweat. Probably Nivea does too, but I can't notice it. But Garnier is so darn difficult to remove so I bet it survives beach trips amazingly. I think Garnier smells better than Nivea even though they are not strong scents and they are not disturbing at all."

Price: 

About 15 € / 200 ml

Bought from: 

Supermarket

Buy again? 

Yes, I would, and I did, and probably will buy the reformulated one at some point.

Worth the money? 

Yes, I think Nivea Sun Kids Protect&Sensitive Sun Spray SPF50+ is worth the money. It is a good sunscreen for just about everyone, no matter age or skintone, and it is fragrance free and easily available and affordable.

Lumene Lähde Nordic Hydra Hydration Recovery Aerating Gel Mask 150 ml Review REFORMULATED

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Propanediol, Betula Alba (Birch) Juice, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Trehalose, Urea, Eriophorum Spissum Flower/Stem Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Algin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Pullulan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Citronellol, Parfum (Fragrance), (Ci 42090) Blue 1, (Ci 60730) Ext. Violet 2.

Ingredients of the new version Nordic Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72H Hydra Gel Mask that I do not have:

AQUA (WATER), BETULA ALBA (BIRCH) JUICE, PROPANEDIOL, GLYCERIN, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS (CLOUDBERRY) FRUIT JUICE EXTRACT, VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS (BILBERRY) FRUIT JUICE, VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA (LINGONBERRY) FRUIT JUICE, PHENOXYETHANOL, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ANHYDROXYLITOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, XYLITOL, ALLANTOIN, TREHALOSE, UREA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, SODIUM BENZOTRIAZOLYL BUTYLPHENOL SULFONATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, ERIOPHORUM SPISSUM (NORDIC COTTONGRASS) FLOWER/STEM EXTRACT, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, SERINE, TRIS(TETRAMETHYLHYDROXYPIPERIDINOL) CITRATE, ALCOHOL, CITRIC ACID, ALGIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, GLYCERYL POLYACRYLATE, PULLULAN, SODIUM HYALURONATE, COPPER GLUCONATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SORBIC ACID, LINALOOL, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), (CI 42090) BLUE 1, CI 60730 (EXT. VIOLET 2). 

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:

- On several occasions just burned my skin when I applied the mask: sometimes less, sometimes so much my skin turned red and I had to wash the mask immediately off. I tried several times because I was unsure if my skin was just sensitive at the moment.

- One time I tried using the mask as an overnight mask because the instructions say you could do it: the next day I had a huge cyst on my cheek, in a place where I never get pimples. And let me tell you, those big under skin pimples THEY HURT and it took a week for it to go away. And then three weeks for the PIE to go away. UGh!

- At this point I just have to say this mask is not hydrating or recovering my skin, for whatever reason, maybe I am allergic to something in it - birch juice? The ingredients do not look bad, quite the contrary!

- Strong perfume-y scent that lingers, but it is not particularly bad scent to me

- Leaves skin sticky and doesn't necessarily layer well with other products

- Not necessarily hydrating, basic creams feel better, which is weird because the mask has one job and it is to hydrate



+ I love weird jelly textures and the mask feels and looks so fun to scoop a piece out. And the wobble when you shake the tub!

+ Multi use mask: overnight or a 10-minute pick me up

+ Easy to spread on skin and wash off, gel texture that melts

* I think this version of Lumene Lähde Nordic Hydra Hydration Recovery Aerating Gel Mask is discontinued and the new version is called Nordic Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72H Hydra Gel Mask. Such monster names. 

* I suspect I might be allergic to birch but I do not know if birch juice topically can cause allergic reactions. I have no idea what else it could be. So this is the reason the mask was left unused after the beginning. At least I bought it on sale!

* I think Lumene as a brand is good when it comes to makeup but not so with skincare.

Price: 

I paid 10 € on sale, normal price about 20 € / 150 ml

Bought from: 

Supermarket

Buy again? 

No.

Worth the money? 

Lumene Lähde Nordic Hydra Hydration Recovery Aerating Gel Mask was not worth the money for me! And considering how the world is full of face mask options maybe people with sensitive skin should look elsewhere. But if your skin is not severely dry or sensitive and you are not allergy prone and you like fragrance, the price is not too bad on sale and the jelly texture is a delight.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser 30 ml Review

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Betaine, Glyceryl Distearate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xylitylglucoside, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprae Lac/Goat Milk/Lait de Chèvre/Lactose, Milk Protein, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Mel Extract (Honey Extract, Extrait de Miel), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Bisabolol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Anhydroxylitol, Parfum/Fragrance, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, t-butyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate.

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 faintly of honey, I do not like honey scents much

- For evening cleanse, I wish for a harsher product, especially if I have makeup and I use a cleansing oil that doesn't rinse off well

- Expensive for a cleanser



+ Creamy, soft on skin, no foam but melts and glides on skin well

+ Washes off well, leaves skin soft, not stripped at all, but still strangely clean, no product residue yet not tight

+ Doesn't irritate or sting eyes, haven't had breakouts

+ Excellent as a morning cleanser and evening cleanser for days when I do not have much makeup or heavy sunscreen

+ Best cream cleanser I've tried (but haven't tried many!)

* Cleansers like Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser are not usually my cup of tea, I find cream cleansers too heavy and not effective on combination-oily skin. I got this cleanser mini from LF Advent Calendar and I have seen a lot of praise.

* I wonder if other goat milk products are good as well. Did a quick search and I don't see much on the market despite goat milk being described as a great ingredient.

* It would be interesting to try other products from Kate Somerville as well but I think the price range limits my experiments. Plus the availability in Europe is poor so I would have to go out of my way to order them.

Price: 

About 43 € / 120 ml full size

Bought from: 

Got from Lookfantastic Advent Calendar

Buy again? 

Maybe on a sale?

Worth the money? 

Quite honestly, I feel Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser is more on the "luxury price" side and it isn't worth the money for me. It is excellent but in the end I get as good skin with a more powerful yet gentle Garnier Micellar Gel Cleanser that costs 5 € for 200 ml. Of course these cleansers aren't otherwise comparable at all. I think around 23-28 € would be a fair price that would make me jump on Goat Milk Cleanser again!

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 30 ml Review

Ingredients:

Ascorbic Acid, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Coconut Alkanes, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glucomannan, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, Bht.

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:

- Ingredients include Coconut derivates (might cause breakouts to some people)

- When I tried Vitamin C Suspension the first time (this is old tube) it did cause me breakouts and irritation

- Tingling on skin is indeed very strong and definitely avoid using if you have broken skin (=me poking every pimple until they bleed sigh)

- Feels gritty on skin when massaged in, unpleasant sensation with the tingling

- Pills easily if too much applied or too much products applied on top/underneath; a bit difficult product to place into routine, especially because Vitamin C would be good for morning and in the evening I have other actives to use

- Smells hospital like to me, plastic, cleaning supplies, dentist stuff 



+ Effective, after using a few days in a row I can tell my skin looks brighter and smoother (been lazy with actives lately because it was such a hot weather and skin went a bit mad, probably wouldn't notice such a difference when using all other stuff I have)

+ Stable formula: my tube is already several years old and it still tingles on skin, smells the same, feels the same and I can see the effects (note: don't be like me, use your products before expiration)

+ When a tiny amount is used and well spread on skin, no pilling issue when minimal amount of other products is used as well

+ Can be mixed with other lotions/creams/serums to custom the strength

+ Not heavy despite the siliconey feel

+ Not particularly moisturizing or drying product, not enough on its own, I must use moisturizer with it

* I found my old tube of The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% , about half used! Can't believe I haven't reviewed it yet. So I decided to finish the tube and make a note of it for myself. It is surprising how effective it still is, because I also found my old The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution (about 1/4 left) and also decided to finish that one, but it doesn't smell or feel the same anymore and honestly looks like it does almost nothing now. Of course, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is not as strong as the real Ascorbic Acid, but still! 

* For now I am still unsure if Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% breaks me out or not. First I didn't notice anything this time, but I did get some closed comedones on my chin especially after about two weeks... This time there has been no irritation though.

 

Price: 

7,30 € / 30 ml

Bought from: 

Deciem website

Buy again? 

No... I am very tempted by price/effectiveness combo though!

Worth the money? 

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23%+HA Spheres 2% is definitely worth it if you want the strongest and cheapest stable formula! However, I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skin or for someone who uses a lot of even stronger actives already (tretinoin etc.). My skin can't handle such combinations for sure. Also not for someone who likes to layer a lot of product on their face. Best for someone with a normal to tough skin and minimal routine so it is easier to slot this Vitamin C product in either for AM or PM.

Korean Skincare Sample Reviews Part 12 Miscellaneous (Iunik, Banobagi, Ogana Cell, andLAB etc)

Purito Daily Go-To Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

Ingredients:

Water, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Dioxide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Trideceth-6, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* White cream, a bit oily

* Easy to spread on skin, no white cast

* Leaves skin very "oily" and shiny and it stays that way, looked the same over an hour later, hair sticks to my face, greasy

* Feels comfortable on skin, doesn't feel heavy, is not drying

* I feel a bit apprehensive towards Purito because of the sunscreen scandal but I do realize they have addressed the problem and this sunscreen is ok and I wouldn't mind using more as an at home sunscreen (because of the shine and grease)

Iunik Beta-Glucan Daily Moisture Cream

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Beta-Glucan, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Betaine, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens (Sesame) Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* Almost like a gel cream

* It is moisturizing and feels nice, but definitely not "hyper moisturizing" like the bottle says! I was testing Caudalie SOS  Intense Moisturizing Cream the day before and after and Caudalie is definitely a lot more moisturizing (but heavier too of course)

* Could be nice for summer? I wouldn't mind using more but not going to go out of my way to purchase

Iunik Vitamin Hyaluronic Acid Vitalizing Toner

Ingredients:

Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Caprylyl Glycol, Thuja Orientalis Leaf Extract, Zanthoxylum Schinifolium Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract.

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* Somewhat hydrating

* A bit thicker, essence like consistency

* Not sure if it broke me out a little or not

* What I feel after trying two Iunik products: they seem "basic", nothing miraculous or exciting but you know they can't go disastrously wrong

Thank You Farmer Tone Up SPF50 PA++++

Ingredients:

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium Oxide, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Disiloxane, Caprylyl Methincone, Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Disteariumdimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulphate, Polysilicone-11, Stearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethyl Hexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Glutathione, Tranexamic Acid, Sodium Palmitoyl Proline, Fragrance.

* Tried 1 sample

* Not much scent, a bit powdery, not strong

* Like the name says: tone up sunscreen. It is a mineral spf and it definitely feels like one, a bit thicker white cream, and leaves the white cast even if little is used, but I feel the whitecast is not quite as bad as usually with mineral sunscreens

* Pilled on the sides of my face where there is peach fuzz

* Interesting to test, but I am so over mineral sunscreens, especially the ones that can't act as primers because they pill  (white cast is bearable then usually)

B.LAB Matcha Hydrating Foam Cleanser

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauryl Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-39, Decylene Glycol, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Fructan, Fructooligosaccharides, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin

* Tried 1 sample

* Not much scent

* Brown-green-white cleanser, a little gritty

* Foams well into micro foam

* Slides well on skin, slippy 

* Not drying, no squeaky feeling on skin

* Quite good, actually! Wouldn't mind using more

Banobagi Rejuvenating Vital Emulsion Premium RX

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisostearyl Malate, Stearyl Alcohol, Acrylates/C10-30AlkylAcrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Sodium DNA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1.

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* White cream

* Banobagi Emulsion feels oilier to me than the cream for some reason

* Leaves skin almost silky smooth

* Both cream and emulsion feel about the same as far as moisture for me

* Banobagi is actually a pricier brand, their own website shows prices from 40-80 USD. 

Banobagi Rejuvenating Vital Cream Premium RX

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycosyl Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Stearyl Alcohol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Beeswax, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium DNA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Silica Silylate, Silica, Lysolecithin, Hydrolyzed Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Arginine, Calcium Carbonate.

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* White cream

* I think I like this cream better to emulsion

* Leaves skin almost silky smooth

* Cream and emulsion are not super different feeling in consistency actually? Maybe the sample sizes distract me? 

* Both cream and emulsion feel about the same as far as moisture for me

Banobagi Rejuvenating Vital Serum Premium RX

Ingredients:

Water, Polydecene, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Agar, Allantoin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, t-Butyl Alcohol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sodium DNA, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Lysolecithin, Hydrolyzed Swiftlet Nest Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dextrin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Arginine, Calcium Carbonate.

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* Clear, almost gel like serum

* Absorbed nicely

* Somewhat hydrating

* Not sure if broke me out or just my skin acting up?

Banobagi Rejuvenating Vital Skin Softener Premium RX

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Panthenol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lysolecithin, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium DNA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xylitol, Caprylyl Glycol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Copper Tripeptide-1.

* Tried 1 sample

* No scent

* Clear watery toner

* Absorbed well

* Nice ingredients, didn't notice much results using it a couple of times 

* Didn't feel especially hydrating

SUM Secret Essence

Ingredients:

?-

* Tried 1 sample

* Like clear water, very light

* Not much scent? Can't even remember!

* Absorbed immediately, left skin slightly softer, like your own skin but better

* I think this broke me out around my mouth and jaw

Isa Knox Phyto Retinol Oil

Ingredients:

?-

* Tried 2 samples

* Yellow golden thick serum essence, not oily at all

* Absorbed very nicely

* Not very hydrating but not drying either

* Perfume scent, strong at first but dissipates, very familiar so I think many k-beauty brands use this similar scent profile

* I think they still have this products but with the name AGE FOCUS Phyto Pro-RETINOL Wrinkle Serum and it is quite pricy at around USD 60

andLAB Mela Vita Whitening Cream

Ingredients:

?-

* Tried 1 sample

* Not really a scent

* White thick cream

* For some reason I thought whitening could mean that it is brightening with vitamin C etc but it is actually whitening, tone up cream

* My skin seemed to like this cream though, white or not! I used it during the night.

* Not super moisturizing, after a few hours almost drying.

andLAB Hyarucerin Moisture Cream

Ingredients:

?-

* Tried 1 sample

* A herbal scent, not strong but slightly lingers

* White cream

* Absorbs nicely, leaves skin slightly silky

* Moisturizing but not too heavy

* I could easily use more! The one sample lasted maybe 6 days for me... andLAB has generous sample sizes! I actually went looking for this cream but couldn't find it available anywhere. Maybe the brand pulled out of international market.

Ogana Cell Peptide Concentrating True Cream

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Vegetable Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Cyclopentasiloxane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Glucoside, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Pullulan, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Yeast Beta-Glucan, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Nonapeptide-1, Hexapeptide-61 Dimer, Saccharomyces/Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance.

* Tried 1 sample

* Ever so slight neutral scent

* Thick white cream

* Felt comforting and smooth on skin, leaves a slight protective layer, doesn't completely absorb

* Moisturizing

* Contains Saccharomyces but using this twice didn't make my acne worse

* I wouldn't mind using more as a comforting winter cream based on texture!

* Ogana Cell is actually a bit expensive brand and this cream costs about 80-120 USD for 50 ml so I guess the texture better feel nice! Out of my price range, though!

Ogana Cell Peptide Concentrating Amazing Lotion

Ingredients:

Water,Glycerin,Dipropylene Glycol,Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate,Vegetable Oil,Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,Cetearyl Alcohol,Glyceryl Stearate Citrate,Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil,Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate,Glyceryl Stearate,Sodium Hyaluronate,Trehalose,Betaine,Beeswax,Yeast Beta-Glucan,Ceramide NP,Alanine,Arginine,Glycine,Glutamic Acid,Serine,Copper Tripeptide-1,Acetyl Hexapeptide-8,Nonapeptide-1,Saccharomyces/Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Ferment Extract,Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract,Saccharomyces/Imperata Cylindrica Root Ferment Extract,Caprylhydroxamic Acid,Hydrogenated Lecithin,Octyldodecanol,Propanediol,Hydroxyacetophenone,Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer,Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer ,Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone,Benzyl Salicylate,Limonene,Hydroxycitronellal,Fragrance.

* Tried 1 sample

* Ever so slight neutral scent

* Absorbs nicely

* White light lotion

* Surprisingly moisturizing

* Contains Saccharomyces but using this twice didn't make my acne worse

* I wouldn't mind using more based on texture! 

Ogana Cell Peptide Concentrating Tornado Cleanser

Ingredients:

?

* Tried 1 sample

* Smells herby, sandalwoody, not too strong though

* Gel cleanser, doesn't foam

* Includes small glitter bits that actually do feel rough on skin - I am a little worried they could get into eyes etc?

* Doesn't feel stripping to me, doesn't leave residue either on skin when used as a morning wash or as a second wash

* Didn't actually feel like tornado powerful, did a quick face wash with two layers of sunscreen and felt still sunscreen residue on skin