The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA 100 ml Review

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Triolein, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

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:

- A bit thick, balmy, grainy out of the tube - you really have to squeeze and warm it a bit between your fingers or on your face before it starts to melt. So it looks scarier than what it actually is.

- Works ok under the make up, but not the best choice in combination with many other products. It doesn't cause pilling but if paired with thing that might, it makes it worse.

- I don't think it feels super moisturizing/hydrating, I felt like I wanted to put more and more on my skin in the beginning. It doesn't layer nicely however, the rest won't sink in. Better put something else under it. So it's definitely not enough on it's own but honestly, nothing is for my skin.




+ I noticed the difference, the calmness, in my skin after about a week using NMF + HA during the nights.

+ I haven't had a single acne breakout after introducing it! Not even during my period. Is it the weather, lessened stress, weight loss, or the moisturizer? We might never know. I'm not complaining.

+ I think, my skin is calmer and looks more even.

+ It does sink into skin very nicely and fast, surprising because of it's balm like consistency. Doesn't feel heavy at all. Leaves skin looking healthy, not shiny. Maybe almost matte for people who don't use oils etc under it?

+ No fragrance. No irritation. No alcohol. Doesn't clog my pores at all.

+ Cheap, cheap, cheap!

* At first I used NMF + HA only during the nights for about two weeks, then both during the day and night. It's been now about a month? Under it I use for example (not everyday, not in order...) TO's Niacinamide + Zinc, TO's Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution, SKIN&LAB K Plus Red-X Essence, Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion, TO's Lactic Acid, TO's Salicylic Acid, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Squalane...

* Comparing NMF + HA and my old trusted Neutrogena moisturizer, Neutrogena feels a lot more pleasant, soft, sinks in fast, I can layer it many times, works great under make up. However NMF+ HA makes my skin healthier looking, defies acne attacks better, calms skin.

* I'm quite excited I've found a moisturizer that works for my skin. It's been difficult. But it really makes a difference what moisturizer you're using. It's not all about serums!

* Will be interesting to see if my skin will improve more once the tube is finished (will take maybe 2 months more) but I don't think so, it worked so fast to balance my skin that now it's just doing maintenance work!

Price: 

7,7 € / 100 ml

Bought from: 

The Ordinary webstore

Buy again? 

Yes. Definitely. 

Worth the money? 

Absolutely. Can't believe TO's NMF + HA 100 ml is so cheap! (50 ml of Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturiser costs about the same.) I would recommend everyone to try it at least once, even though I'm not sure if it works for extremely oily or dry skin. Also it does need something extra under it, I recommend oils obviously, rose hip seed oil is my favourite. Also the texture and consistency are not a deal breaker for me but maybe for some people they are.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% 30 ml Review

Ingredients:


Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

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:

+ First time using this product, I was surprised how it didn't make my skin dry or uncomfortable like glycolic acids have in the past! Only once stung my skin and that was quickly over too.

+ I can see the results the next day, and the day after... I don't know how to describe it, just my complexion looks more even? Pores look smaller (especially now after 2 months)? Skin feels very smooth for a couple of days after using it.

+  I feel like I have less pimples, whiteheads, weird bumps... I feel like it has cleared up a bit some of my clogged areas (T-zone) but not completely, especially my chin is still stubbornly clogged.

+ I can have a bit of an control over the strength by diluting or buffering the acid.

+ Absorbs to skin very very fast, isn't sticky, doesn't leave any film or foam or whatever.

+ Can't say I've really noticed any smell, a bit chemical.

- Does slightly dry my skin (but I don't have to take extra steps to hydrate, no dry skin flakes whatsoever), absolutely would not use two days in a row.

- Minimal purge (a couple of small whiteheads the next day), maybe for a month?

- Might sting initially when put on if skin is compromised. Happened to me once. Stinging was not strong and lasted maybe 30 seconds but still be careful.

- I use a 4-6 minute wait time before I put the rest of my products on my face, any longer and my face starts to turn red (on my cheeks first). I don't know if you have to wait, but I feel result is better that way? So I think people with inclination to redness have to be careful, but for my skin lactic acid has been a lot better than glycolic so far.

* I have to say, I'm quite pleased with The Ordinary's Lactic Acid! It really has given me results! Granted I've only been using it for two months now, 2 times a week.

* I hope I don't sound crazy but Lactic Acid is a bit of an overnight miracle. Compared to BHA, I had smaller purge, no dryness and saw immediate change. TO's Salicylic Acid took a while to "work" and there was a purge involved, also you don't notice it working because it's so gradual and change is small. I might not purchase TO's SA anymore and just use Lactic Acid as I've done for the last month. At least results have been better than with Salicylic Acid for now!

* Obviously this is just my experience and maybe something else is I do benefits my skin too. I did introduce the famous Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion (the basic one) some weeks before trying LA, also a few times tried SKIN&LAB K Plus Red-X Essence, but I don't really see either of them (based on the ingredients) making such a change to my face.

Price: 

6,79 € / 30 ml

Bought from: 

The Ordinary webstore

Buy again? 

Yes.

Worth the money? 

Yes, absolutely, it is such a steal. Why did I not try it earlier? I would recommend it for people with pore problems and rough skin. For my sensitive skin it's been good. I would imagine that almost everyone could tolerate the milder 5% Lactic Acid from TO (it wasn't in stock earlier so I went with 10%...). I think the 10% LA helps a bit with everything, glowiness, pimples, smoothness, pores. I think the bottle will last me at least a year.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Kids Moisturising Spray High Protection SPF 50 200 ml Review

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Alcohol Denat, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Homosalate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoyl-Methane, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyester-5, Parfum/Fragrance, Tocopherol, PEG-8 Laurate, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Triethanolamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Disodium Edta, FIL B158651/1 (?).

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:

- Gives me more bumps than Pirkka's SPF 20 sunscreen when used daily (on my body), my skin is not quite agreeing with it

- The bottle is quite annoying to use, can be messy with the liquid sunscreen, sometimes the nozzle leaks

- Don't think the bottle is very travel friendly...

- Not really moisturizing in my opinion but can't blame it for drying my skin either!



+ Dries fast in about 2-3 minutes (probably the alcohol), doesn't stay sticky, is a bit "damp" on the skin for maybe 20 min?

+ No white cast, maybe ever so slightly some "cloudiness"

+ The consistency is very liquid, serum like, quite a nice change from thicker creams

+ Feels like it protects better than my cheapo Pirkka SPF 20, I think my skin wasn't as "irritated" by sun in the evening after being exposed for 8-10 hours (I did reapply), no wonder with all those sunscreen filters packed in one product!

+ Good for hot, humid days, quite sweat proof

+ Very slight neutral fresh smell, practically nothing

* I feel like I just bought the bottle and I am already half way through it... something about the liquid products makes them end faster!

* I have just started to trial different sunscreens for my body and this seemed like a good candidate. Yet, against burning and tanning the cheaper, less SPF ones seem to work almost as well! But if you are outside all day everyday, it makes a difference to go up with the protection.

Price: 

About 15 € / 200 ml

Bought from: 

Supermarket

Buy again? 

Maybe? 

Worth the money? 

I think the filters seem stable and it's definitely better for hot/humid days than a thicker cream that doesn't truly dry at all. I wish the bottle would be somehow better to use and pack. But I do like it better than my cheaper sunscreens for body.

Rituals Ritual of Sakura Zensational Foaming Shower Gel 200 ml Review

Ingredients:


AQUA/WATER, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, SORBITOL, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSIDE DIOLEATE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, ISOBUTANE, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, PRUNUS CERASUS (BITTER CHERRY) EXTRACT, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE,  PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, CITRIC ACID, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, HEXYL CINNAMAL, GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE,  BENZYL SALICYLATE, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL,  LINALOOL, CITRONELLOL, COUMARIN, GERANIOL,BENZYL ALCOHOL,  ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE,  CINNAMYL ALCOHOL.

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:


- The shape and material of the bottle is not very convenient, I dropped it several times on the floor, it gets slippery



+ Feels very luxurious, spa-like with the thick and soft foam

+ Smell is pleasant, neutral, wouldn't really say cherry flowers but quite a crowd pleaser I think, lingers a bit

+ The bottle lasts a long time, you don't need a lot because it foams so well... it lasted 4 months for me (I have several shower gels at the same time though)

+ Non-drying, washes off nicely, cleans well!

* This shower gel was a gift, I never was that curious about Rituals. Their whole imago feels a little overdone (pretentious? with the exotic, Asian spa themes) to me. But I actually ended up liking this product and understand the concept a bit better now. I don't really have much to complain about.

* While browsing Rituals' website, I found several other things I'd like to try - some of the mini fragrances like Ocean Infini, Bleu Byzantin and Oasis Verte. The shower oils seem interesting too in addition to the foaming gels.

Price: 

8,50 € without shipping on Rituals website / 200 ml

Bought from: 

A gift

Buy again? 

Yes, I would buy this or some other foaming shower gel from Rituals if I ever see them anywhere.

Worth the money? 

Yes! It really did feel a lot more expensive than what it is.

Clio Kill Protection Sun Base No Sebum SPF 50+ PA++++ 50 ml Review DISCONTINUED

Reformulated/Repackaged sunscreens.

Ingredients:

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinx Oxide, EThylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, EThylhexyl Salicylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Silica, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dipropylene glycol, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/
Vine Extract, Epilobium Fleischeri Extract, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Mica, Aluminum hydroxide, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Magnesium sulfate, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Methicone, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Propanediol, Glyceryl caprylate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Saccharide hydrolysate, Adenosine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cellulose gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Trehalose, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Capryloyl glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Xylitol, Tocopherol, Sarcosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Serine, Proline, Alanine, Sodium phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Octyldodecanol, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499.

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:


- Leaves a slight white cast... For someone lighter than me, you probably wouldn't notice anything.

- Also slightly pore clogging (probably because of the zinc oxide). A lot clogging if I don't take precautions with cleansing/exfoliants.

- No stickers anywhere on the plastic outer packaging to seal it, however the tube itself has a foil under the cap.



+ Actually smells quite nice, a bit similar to Holika Holika/Tonymoly sunscreens but not so strong (it lingers however).

+ Nicely shaped tube, good size (50 ml instead of 30-40 ml).

+ Finish is quite natural, wouldn't say exactly matte or powdery, but definitely more matte/powdery than some other sunscreens (like Tosowoong's Soft Touch), also keeps my foundation looking better longer even if I sweat, helps even with a bit more "dewy" foundations that usually start to slide off.

+ Excellent consistency, easy to spread, thin cream. Can be layered. Haven't noticed pilling or clinging to dry patches.

+ No alcohol, doesn't feel drying. Doesn't irritate. Quite the contrary, feels a bit moisturizing and calming.

+ Went running for half an hour while wearing this sunscreen and I felt really (dripping) sweaty, but my significant other said that my skin doesn't look bad/sweaty/oily at all! Would say it controls sebum really well.

* So, so bummed they discontinued this sunscreen as soon as I started to experiment with it and half way through the tube was considering buying more... There is a new version though, called Kill Protection Sun Base Matte. I wonder if it has been reformulated and how? Can't find information anywhere. Still, when this tube ends, I might have to buy the new version and try if my skin tolerates it! EDIT: The ingredients are the same in the new version as well. I'm going to buy it. Also maybe I'll try the Glow version.

* EDIT: My review for the new replacement Clio Kill Protection Matte Sun Base SPF 50+ PA++++ and Glow Sun Base SPF 50+ PA++++!

* I even like the yellow, simple modern look of the packaging and tube, I would have noticed it in the store too. The new version's packaging looks nice too but not in the same clean way.

* Even though it leaves the white cast and is slightly pore clogging, those things are similar to any physical sunscreen I've used. Clio's Sun Base offers higher sun protection with mixed filters and is as gentle to my skin as a pure physical one.

Looks like the sunscreen has completely disappeared into the skin, but in reality there is the slight white cast.

Price: 

USD 12.77

Bought from: 

Ebay seller roseroseshop

Buy again? 

Yes I would have, but it's been discontinued. Maybe getting the new version.

Worth the money? 

Yes. I think, it's a well formulated product that does exactly what it promises to do. Feels long lasting, quite resistant to sebum, corrects the skin tone and imperfections, works as a primer, is not drying, is not expensive. It is not perfect but there is not much to complain about! Also it is slightly pore clogging.

Mizon Original Skin Energy Hyaluronic Acid 100 30 ml Review

Ingredients:

Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Capryl/capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, C12-c20 Alkyl Glucoside, C14-22 Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate, Cholesterol, Ceramide 3, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, 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...

Thoughts:

- I have similar problem with Mizon's serum as any other hyaluronic acid products, I need to use squalane with it to not experience the tightness

- Pills if layered two layers (but who else would do that except me?)

- I wouldn't say it's "amazing" at hydrating the skin (more soothing)



+ If used one layer, doesn't pill, so it works for daytime too (compared to The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid serum)

+ Feels calming/soothing

+ Bottle looks like a jewel! Sturdy too. Dropper works well.

+ Sinks into skin fast, only slight stickiness that goes away soon

+ Multitasker product: hydrates, soothes, smoothes (but, requires squalane too)

* Overall I feel that Mizon's Hylauronic Acid Serum is a lot better than what I thought it would be! I guess I wasn't expecting much? I tried to postpone using it in fear it would break me out or something but now I'm just happy I bought it. It has a lot of plant extracts and other things I was afraid of.

* I noticed I soon started to favor Mizon's serum over The Ordinary's, even though I don't see the same results in fading PIE or hydration. Maybe it's just because it's more pleasant to use and soothing. I've tried to use Mizon for day, TO for night.

Price: 

USD$ 7.95, with shipping about USD$ 9.50 / 30 ml

Bought from: 

Beautynetkorea

Buy again? 

You know what, I actually might. Especially if I find the serum somewhere super cheap.

Worth the money? 

I think so! It's not overly expensive, it's pleasant to use, it really works, the bottle is pretty. If you want to try a serum and don't know which one to choose, maybe this could be it. However even though the bottle is not too expensive, it's only 30 ml and as a nice product, I wanted to apply it liberally and I felt like half of it was gone before I even noticed. If I keep using it like this it's finished in two or two and half months.

Canmake Be My Baby BB Cream SPF 50+ PA++++ 20 g Review

Ingredients:


Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Octinoxate, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, Pentylene Glycol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Sodium chloride, VINYL DIMETHICONE/METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, Butyloctyl salicylate, BisEthylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Tribehenin, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil, Ensulizole, Butylene Glycol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, vitamin E, Squalane, Ceramide 2, Sodium Hyaluronate, Titanium(IV) Oxide, Talc Powder, Iron Oxides, Hydrated silica, Dimethicone, Aluminum hydroxide, Methylhydrogenpolysiloxane

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:

- Sadly the Canmake BB cream is a bit too dark for me... I look surprisingly tanned. Takes an effort to blend it well and up to my neck and ears because they look pale against the parts with BB cream! It is very healthy looking natural tan however, so nothing else wrong with it except that my neck and arms etc are a shade lighter and it looks a little weird! Especially during winter.

- Because the finish is so natural, it doesn't quite hide proper (rosacea like) redness etc.

- I don't think it's buildable, it starts to cling to patches and accelerates facial hair. Best as a thin light layer.

- If you sweat, turns ugly patchy. Then again, most foundations do. I just happened to accidentally test this one.

- Small tube, gets pricy to order from Japan.



+ My skin seems to like it! No clogged pores or weird irritation in the evening when I wash it off. It's amazing. My skin looks almost or close to as good as in the morning.

+ Finish is quite natural, not too shiny or too covering, it takes a while until sebum appears, with powder on top it's alright almost 8 hrs! Very good also without powder, my skin but better look.

+ Feels light, doesn't dry my skin.

+ Minimal fragrance, barely smell anything.

+ Seems to melt seamlessly to the oily parts of my face.

This picture shows why the BB cream is not a perfect match for me. It's not properly blended (obviously)
so the difference is not quite that big afterwards, but still noticeable. But I think since taking
these photos I have already tanned despite sunscreen use.

* Even though the color of the cream is too dark, the shade is somewhat ok. Very yellow. Maybe too much.

* I'm guessing that for sun protection my skin likes Tinosorb S/BisEthylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine (UVA&UVB), Octinoxate/Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (UVB and weak UVA) and Ensulizole/ Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (only UVB). This is similar to Pladerm's Dual Sun BB Cream that also doesn't break me out/clog my skin. Interestingly products with Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate have clogged me, but I don't know if it's the culprit.

* I would like to try other products from Canmake but I don't know how their other foundations are shade wise. I think something like Perfect Serum BB Cream looked quite orange/dark as a swatch. At least I know I should get the lightest possible shade.

* I have to say, it surprised me how small the tube is even though I knew it would be only 20 g. It is very tiny.

* My skin gets noticeably less oily with Canmake's BB Cream than Pladerm's BB Cream. However the color and shade of Pladerm is spot on. Both are not buildable and they cling to dry spots, to pimples, and hair. Pladerm is easier to apply, it's more runny. But it's very dewy as well and it adds to the sebum problem.

Price: 

 $12.69, Canmake website says 650 yen in Japan / 20 g 

Bought from: 

Ebay seller japan-beauty-of-quality

Buy again? 

If I tan. I guess it's maybe/no, maybe for summer. I wish there would be a lighter (and brighter yellow?) shade, then I would click several into my shopping cart immediately!

Worth the money? 

It annoys me how much more expensive it is outside of Japan. The tube is small. But it is very suitable for clog prone skin. If it is your shade, I do highly recommend it. It's definitely not for a cool toned or pale skin! Maybe it's more for normal-oily skin that doesn't have much bumps, because it does cling to my dry patches, but melts quite beautifully to my oily forehead.