Pages - Menu

Friday, February 26, 2016

First Impression | Biore Baking Soda

Biore Baking Soda
pH balanced  deep cleanses • gently exfoliates


This line was featured in Glow Magazine's Spring Checklist in their newest issue!


Biore Baking Soda Pore Cleanser (200mL)



Claims:
• for everyday use
 ideal for combination skin
• oil-free

Ingredients:
Water: main ingredient
Glycerin: humectant (attracts water)
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: foaming agent
Salicylic Acid: heals acne
Citric Acid: balances out pH, promotes skin regrowth
Sodium Bicarbonate: gently exfoliates skin & deep cleanses pores


My Verdict:
• leaves skin with a matte texture
• pores feel invigorated

Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub (127g)


Claims:
use 2-3 times a week
• cleans 2.5x better than basic cleansing



Ingredients:
Sodium Bicarbonate: main ingredient. gently exfoliates skin & deep cleanses pores
Citric Acid: balances out pH, promotes skin regrowth
Menthol: potential irritant



My Verdict:
• flip top cap is convenient for dispensing
• maximum quarter-size of the powder is needed
• make sure to mix with water in your palm before applying to face
• more water added softens cleansing action
• face feels squeaky clean and dry
• it is key to moisturize after since this is an exfoliator

Final Thoughts for Both Products:
Surprisingly, both of the products have the same pleasant smell that remind me of one of my first Biore products that was a holy grail of mine: the Steam-Activated Green Tea cleanser! I had expected a harsh grainy smell, instead. The conveniently-packaged dispensing products create instant results by fizzing up in deeply cleaning out pores of makeup & dirt and leaving a matte skin texture. It's the ultimate cleanse for days that I've felt I've been sweating a lot, exposed to the outdoors. I believe this product will be more ideal for summer use. Even though baking soda in itself has a more basic pH=9, it is balanced out by the citric acid in the products. The cleansing scrub is a harsher exfoliator in comparison so I suggest using less than the recommended quarter-size with more water. Also, with baking soda being multi-purpose and skin-care friendly, I can imagine myself using this for acne spot treatments, body odour, and stained nails/enamel in emergency scenarios.



Products have been sent by @InfluensterCA for consideration. All opinions are 100% my own.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Review | Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream & Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule


Being a skincare fanatic, I was intrigued by the effects of snail mucus; antioxidants, proteins, elastin, glycolic acid properties that are multi-purpose, in especially skin regeneration and healing of skin wounds  (eg. blemishes and acne scars). I ended up picking up part of Mizon's beloved and affordable snail skincare line known for their ambered glass packaging The complete list of products - in order of application - is surprisingly the heaviest to the lightest consistency: All in One Repair Cream  Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule → Snail Repair Eye Cream → Snail Repair Gel → BB Cream → Snail Repair Hydro Mist. I tried out the first two in the line just to test it out: All in One Repair Cream ($25.83 CAD) and Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule ( 30mL for $17.92 CAD).

Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream



Claims
• repairs, protects, firms, moisturizes skin
• reduces pore size, fine lines and wrinkles, and acne scarring
• balances overall skin tone
• ideal for oily, acne-prone, combination, sensitive skin
• no fragrance, artificial colour, or parabens

Ingredients
92% Snail Mucin: renews skin, reduces appearance of pores, blemishes & acne scars
Sodium Hyaluronate: hydrates, promotes blood circulation & nutrient absorption
Glycerin:  hydrates, improves skin elasticity, heals wounds, antimicrobial
Cocoa: promotes circulation for hydration and healing
Copper Tripeptide-1: promotes skin cell regeneration, anti-inflammatory
EGF (Human Oligopeptide-1): promotes healing and collagen & elastin production
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4): promotoes collagen & elastin production, heals damaged skin
Adenosine: anti-inflammatory
Plant Extracts: anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, moisturizing
Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanol Amine, Stearic Acid: potential irritants

Snail Secretion Filtrate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Coploymer, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Caprylyl Glyocol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Artemesia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Alcohol, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Human Ogliopeptide-1, Propylene Glycol, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Beta-glucan, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Disodium EDTA

My Verdict
• Texture: light, more viscous, smooth gel, unscented
• Fast absorption which is perfect for day-time use


Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule 



Claims
• repairs, protects, brightens, firms & refreshens skin
• clears spots, acne scars, skin damage for soft and plump skin
• reduces pores, fine lines, wrinkles by moisturizing
• ideal for sensitive skin
• no fragrance, artificial colour, or parabens



Ingredients
80% Snail Mucus : skin cell regeneration for tight skin
Sodium Hyaluronate: hydrates, promotes blood circulation & nutrient absorption
Glycerin:  hydrates, improves skin elasticity, heals wounds, antimicrobial
Cocoa: promotes circulation for hydration and healing
Copper Tripeptide-1: promotes skin cell regeneration, anti-inflammatory
EGF (Human Oligopeptide-1): promotes healing and collagen & elastin production
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4): promotoes collagen & elastin production, heals damaged skin
Adenosine: anti-inflammatory
Plant Extracts: anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, moisturizing
Alcohol: potential irritant

Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycereth-26, Punica Granatum Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Trehalose, Copper Tripeptide-1, Human Ogliopeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Caprylyl Glyocol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tropolone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Coptis Japonica Extract, Disodium EDTA




My Verdict
• Texture: sticky, thick but is not viscous, unscented
• Slower absorption than All in One Repair Cream

Final Thoughts for Both Products
+ skin feels soft, bright, hydrated
+ does not break my skin out
+ faded acne scars by A LOT
+ prevented new fine lines from forming
+ pores slightly reduced
- skin is not hydrated enough to help plump out existing wrinkles (laugh lines are just as noticeable as prior use)
- does not help with hyperpigmentation (eg. sun spots)

Before | After
PIH hasnt changed but skin is brighter and pores arent as obvious
Both ingredients are essentially the same so I feel that just having one snail product in your skincare regimen is a smart decision.  The Ampoule was a little too sticky with a slower absorption rate, and after adding it onto my skin regimen did not help with fading hyperpigmentation. I will purchase just the Mizon All in One Repair Cream again, for my summer routine, since it lasted much longer (for about a year) after using it regularly for both day and night. The quick absorption and non-greasy feeling leaves a glowing dewy complexion and its all in one healing properties softens, and maintains the skin of acne scars and redness.


Monday, February 8, 2016

Review | The Face Shop Monkey Character Mask

Apple Flavour • Soothing • 23mL


Happy Lunar New Year everyone!
I decided to be festive by getting my monkey face-mask on for the Year of the Monkey.


Official Claims:
• promotes moisture & elasticity
• additive-free (no mineral oil, sulfate, talc, polyacrylamide)

Ingredients:
• Hyaluronic Acid: heals wounds, hydrates, improves skin structure
• Collagen: increases skin elasticity & firmness, reduces fine lines/wrinkles/pore size
• Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract: anti-inflammatory
• Rumex Crispus Root Extract: anti-inflammatory

Water, Propanediol, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Panthenol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Caprlhydroaxmic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Phenoxyethanol, Beta-Glucan, Betula Platyphylla Japonica Bark Extract, Rumex Crispus Root Extract, Dimethicone, FragranceApplication:

Application:
• wash face
• tone
• place mask on for 10-15 minutesMy Verdict:

My Verdict:
• smells like apple-flavoured arizona tea!
• hard to stay adhered because the size is too big, causing ripples
• sheet is cute but looks more like a panda to me because of the eyes
• can squeeze out excess essence to rub on body or save it for later after putting it in the fridge (for up to 3 more applications)
• face feels baby smooth and dewy the next day; it works well for the little amount of investment ($ and time)!