Hey Lovelies!
I'm so glad I finally found the time to write my next post. I've been getting quite a few questions/suggestions about what Korean skin care products I can recommend. So, I decided to gather all my favorite products and share it all with you guys.
This week's product review will not be as in-depth as my previous reviews because I will be featuring not one but all of the products featured below. However, if there is a product here that you want me to give a more in-depth review then I am more than willing to write one for you, guys.
Just so you know, I don't use high-end skin care products because I believe that most road brand products (equivalent to drugstore) in Korea are just as good or even better as the ones we can get at the department store. I have received and tested samples of high-end skin care products like Hera and SK-II but really couldn't tell that much difference. Also, I don't want my skin to get used to that expensive stuff. :) Maybe I'll consider it when my skin becomes more mature and needs more care.
So let's jump right into it!
The Face Shop Phyto Powder Green Tea Lip and Eye Remover
It is a lip and eye makeup remover with green tea, which mildly and thoroughly removes super-strong waterproof makeup on sensitive skin. It is one of those cleansing oil that is made of two layer solution, which you have to shake before using. I like this product for two good reasons - affordability and efficacy. It does the job well and it costs about $3 or less. I wear mascara and lip makeup everyday so I normally use a lot of this oil remover. Therefore, it isn't practical to get an expensive one when there's a cheaper alternative.
Missha Time Revolution One Step Oil-Gel Cleanser
It is a one step cleanser to help gently melt makeup with oil massage and cleanse the face with foam. It means it starts off like an oil when you apply it on your dry face and as you massage the product it slowly hardens almost like a clay mask. Then, you can splash your face with a bit of water and it literally turns into a foam. You can immediately see the result as your makeup melts with it. Before I used this product I normally use different cleansing oil and foam, but after I found out about this I never looked back. This is truly a one-step cleanser! It is also very gentle to your skin and leaves a very nice soft and moisturized effect afterwards. I use this stuff every night and the product lasts for over 3 months. I am finishing my second tube of it. I obviously LOVE this product! (125 ml)
Missha Time Revolution Essential Cream Scrub
It is skin treatment scrub to help remove dead skin cells and make skin smooth and bright with natural rice bran scrubs and fermented essential ingredients. This is the product I used every other day (3 times a week) to exfoliate my face. I have suffered from terrible acne breakouts about 2 years ago and it has left my skin some minor scarring and hyper pigmentation, exfoliation helps with the healing of my skin. And since this product contains natural ingredients for brightening and scrubbing it helps a lot with gradually blurring out my skin discoloration. I HIGHLY recommend this if you have pore problem, black heads, white heads, coarseness on your facial skin and things like that. It is very smoothing and it is the only exfoliating scrub I found that doesn't dry out my skin. It is AWESOME! (110 ml)
The Face Shop 9 in 1 Skin Solution Toner
It is a toner that claims to do 9 beneficial things to your skin: Cleaning (pores, skin texture, makeup residue), Controlling (sensitive skin, skin stress, pH balance) , and Caring (skin tones, skin moisture, skin elasticity). Just so you know, toner is one of the products that I run out almost immediately because I use adequate amount of it twice a day (morning & night). This supersize toner (400ml) is awesomeness in a bottle. The product itself does the job well and the packaging is so practical - it comes in a pump so it is very easy to dispense compared to other toner in a regular bottle. It also has a citrus smell in it that makes it so refreshing. Finally, I got it on sale which only cost me 7,000 won ($7) , regular price is 9,000 won ($9).
Missha Time Revolution Wrinkle Cure Silky Lotion (my daytime moisturizer)
It is an anti-aging face lotion/moisturizer for fatigued and stress skin. It claims to give moisture, vitality and elasticity to your skin. I have been using this product for close to 5 years now and I'm an avid fan of this moisturizer. I especially use this at daytime because it acts perfectly as a preparation for my makeup. It has a very moisturizing and silky/dewy finish to it that gives my skin a healthy glow. I sometimes use it as my eye cream because it has a similar consistency. I should also add that a little goes a long way with this; I believe I have used 4-5 bottles of this already. I probably will use this product forever as long as they don't discontinue it. (130ml)
Missha Time Revolution White Cure Radiance Lotion (my night moisturizer)
It is a brightening emulsion/skin moisturizer that clears up dull complexion and brightens pigmented, rough skin. It contains highly concentrated brightening ingredients that create radiating skin by providing moisture and nutrients needed for damage skin. It also balances out oil-moisture level. I use this product at night because it is less tacky and absorbs faster than the wrinkle cure silky one (featured above). I also think that the brightening effect of this one might work better when I am not exposing myself outside - weird but that's how I think so. I would say that I find the previous one (wrinkle cure silky lotion) more moisturizing than this one. (130 ml)
Etude House Collagen Moistfull Cream
This is a collagen cream with elastic texture that hydrates the skin. It claims to keep the skin hydrated, smooth, and fresh longer for a youthful, water-bouncy skin. You're supposed to use it like a moisturizer but I use it as an eye cream instead because I am already satisfied with the moisturizer I talked about above. This has a very cooling effect so I love to put it on my undereye area after applying my moisturizer. I only have the sample size and have only been using it for 3 weeks now so I hope to give more in-depth review about it in the next couple of months when I am fully familiar with how it works on my skin.
The Face Shop 24k Gold Mask
It is a royal jelly golden gel mask which claims to bring back skin vitality and firmness through 24K gold and royal jelly. I use this mask 2-3 times a month. It gives me an added moisture that penetrates deeper to my skin. However, I don't seem to grasp the idea behind the 24k gold here. It didn't seem to do much on my skin; the moisturizing effect is good though. The only downside about this product is the design of the mask- it is divided horizontally so you have to apply half section of your face first. I found it troublesome and it has a very slippery texture that slides off my face easily. So, I have very limited movements when I'm wearing this stuff on my face.
Foodaholic Snail Mask
It is a snail essence mask that contains snail secretion, which claims to provide optimum skin moisture that nourishes and improve skin elasticity. I know you might think it is gross to use snail secretion on your face, but it actually is not. It doesn't even smell gross, it just have a nice slimy texture that is very very moisturizing. I would actually recommend this more than the 24k above. You don't have to find this exact brand. Most snail masks are just the same. You should give it a try it is really good for your skin especially after travelling and you feel like your skin has lost its natural moisture. I use this once or twice a week depending on my skin condition.
Missha M Prism Luminous Mist
This mist is made from moringa oil that promises to give your skin a lustrous, luminous glow. You can use this product before and/or after your makeup application. It helps prepare your skin for makeup and it takes away that cakey look after you apply your makeup. I use this as a finishing spray to keep my makeup in place and at the same time give me a luminous glow to make my skin look healthier. However, be warned that I won't recommend this for oily girls. It works best for my skin because I have normal to dry skin condition.
You can also listen and watch me on YouTube talking about these products.
That's it, guys. I hope it gives you an idea as to what Korean skin care product to try out. I do want to remind you that what works well for me might not work as great for you. Just consider your skin type and condition. For reference, I have sensitive (acne prone), dry to normal skin condition and all the products mention above works well for my specific skin needs. I suggest assessing your skin condition first - see what you need and what ingredients could probably irritate your skin- before you purchase any of these.
"Above all of these, I'd like to stress out that there is no better skin care routine than eating healthy and getting enough sleep."
If there is anything here that you want me to write a more detailed review please write me a comment. ^^
Useful Tip: If you are in Korea, I suggest getting these products when they're on sale. Missha has 20%~30% every 10th of the month. Also, Face Shop has a monthly sale and lasts for more than 3 days. Etude House does have an occasional sale but it is hard to pin down the exact time.
Thanks!
Keep Dolling Up,
Gelie (Jelai) xoxo
