Asian skincare

[greeneggs]

Feb 8, 2016 11:59:57 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Feb 8, 2016 10:35:39 GMT -5 greeneggs said:

I did a bit of research, since I clearly have nothing better to be doing with my time, and started a two part plan to fix the dehydration issue and I think I'm making some progress. My face is feeling much better and it not as dry and tight feeling as it used to be. Last weekend I was out of town and didn't bring any actives with me at all so I could work on getting my moisture barrier back on track and I think it did a world of good to give my poor face a break from all the acids.

The first step is that I ditched the ph adjusting toner step because I think it was stripping my skin. I now keep an acids schedule and alternate strengths and formulas in the evenings only with only a 15 minute wait time. I'm still getting all the benefits of the BHA and AHA acids but by doing only one at a time once day I'm not drying it out with excessive use. This article gives a good explanation of why using a ph adjusting toner might be making the actives too strong and damaging to your skin.

theacidqueenblog.com/2015/12/04/skin-ph-and-urban-legends-an-argument-against-wait-times-and-ph-adjusting-toners/

I've also added in the Goodal Waterest Lasting Water Oil in the evenings after my actives and HOLY SHIT it's awesome.  Oils never played well with my skin but this just soaks right in and makes my skin feel like a baby's.  The rest of my moisturizers apply better over this and I don't have the feeling that I need to keep adding more to make my face feel right again.  This might be my newest skin care HG because it's just that good.  

Interesting read about pH-adjusting toners. I wonder if this is skin dependent. I ran out of my COSRX AHA/BHA toner and although I have been using witch hazel, I noticed my skin is breaking out more. Although this may have to do with the COSRX toner specifically, not necessarily the pH-adjusting nature of the product. YMMV and all.

I think a lot of it is YMMV but after just a week of cycling my actives and only using one at at time at night only has made a big difference in how my skin feels. I had a small purge happen around my mouth but after a few days to settle onto my routine things have gone back to normal.

I wonder if it's the witch hazel itself that's breaking you out. Every time I use a product with a lot of it my skin goes bananas.

[MrsAxilla]

Feb 9, 2016 13:11:04 GMT -5 maryanne said:

Feb 9, 2016 11:48:28 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I've fallen hard down the rabbit hole! I need help getting!!! Please send free samples....maybe I can staple them together and climb out. Or just stay down here and use them all - lol.

Most of the Korean online shops do send out tons of samples, so this isn't entirely unrealistic haha!

I hope so!  My first order with sokoglam should be here tomorrow.  

[maryanne]

Feb 9, 2016 14:02:32 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Feb 9, 2016 13:11:04 GMT -5 maryanne said:

Most of the Korean online shops do send out tons of samples, so this isn't entirely unrealistic haha!

I hope so!  My first order with sokoglam should be here tomorrow.  

I should clarify IME, the shops based in Korea send lots of samples, the US based ones vary in sampleage . I've bought from sokoglam a few times and they give 2-3 samples. I hope you enjoy your new stuff though! What did you order? The good thing about the US based shops is they are fast!

[MrsAxilla]

Feb 9, 2016 14:30:36 GMT -5 maryanne said:

Feb 9, 2016 14:02:32 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I hope so!  My first order with sokoglam should be here tomorrow.  

I should clarify IME, the shops based in Korea send lots of samples, the US based ones vary in sampleage . I've bought from sokoglam a few times and they give 2-3 samples. I hope you enjoy your new stuff though! What did you order? The good thing about the US based shops is they are fast!

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vit C serum and a few sheet masks.  Vit C seemed like a good place to start with the actives.  

[pantsparty]

Feb 9, 2016 13:58:53 GMT -5 greeneggs said:

Feb 8, 2016 11:59:57 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Interesting read about pH-adjusting toners. I wonder if this is skin dependent. I ran out of my COSRX AHA/BHA toner and although I have been using witch hazel, I noticed my skin is breaking out more. Although this may have to do with the COSRX toner specifically, not necessarily the pH-adjusting nature of the product. YMMV and all.

I think a lot of it is YMMV but after just a week of cycling my actives and only using one at at time at night only has made a big difference in how my skin feels. I had a small purge happen around my mouth but after a few days to settle onto my routine things have gone back to normal.

I wonder if it's the witch hazel itself that's breaking you out. Every time I use a product with a lot of it my skin goes bananas.

I just wish my skin would tell me what it needs!!!!! LOL.

[pantsparty]

Feb 9, 2016 13:16:18 GMT -5 maryanne said:

A new beauty boutique opened up in my neighborhood so I checked it out briefly. They're selling the Su:m37 Rose cleaning stick for $43!!! That's almost criminal lol.

OMG! Robbery!

[pantsoffdanceoff]

Just a follow up on my purchases. I've been using these products for 2 weeks now and the first week my forehead broke out (which I was expecting) but other than that I've been really happy and notice my skin is a lot more smooth and less congested. I'm going to try and list them in the order in which I use them.

Day Routine:

1) Rinse face with cool water

2)Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist - I will be replacing this with the Lumene Bright Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Essence for the mornings.

3) Moisturizer with SPF - I am waiting for Biore UV Acqua Rich Watery Essence - SPF 50 (this won't get here until mid-February at the earliest)but in the meantime I am using Cerave SPF 25


Night Routine:

1) Ponds cold cream to remove makeup. When I am done with this I will be purchasing Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil. Mostly I'm just sick of having to get a wash cloth dirty every night and I won't need one with the cleaning oil.

2)Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick - love love love! It leaves my face feeling clean without feeling tight and dry

3)Biologigue Recherché Lotion P50 - Burns a little at first; kind of feels like a bunch of tiny pin pricks, but I think this is what has removed the congestion from my nose and cheeks. I leave it alone for about 20 minutes.

4)Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner - This feels nice after #4, I just pat it on. I'm not entirely sure what it does, but I like it anyway.

5)Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist - This really just leaves my face feeling moisturized and soft.

6)Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule Serum

7)Shea Terra Organics 100% Pure, Cold Pressed, Certified Organic Lesotho Rose Hips Oil - I've loved using rose hip oil for the past year.

8)Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream - With this item, just a dab will do ya! I think it's the perfect ending to my night routine. Just leaves my skin feeling so soft.

[NewOrleans]

Feb 9, 2016 11:48:28 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

I've fallen hard down the rabbit hole! I need help!!! Please send free samples....maybe I can staple them together and climb out. Or just stay down here and use them all - lol.

I know, I know!!  So much with the products.  ALL THE THINGS

[NewOrleans]

Well, I'm updating as well because I started this thread!

So far, this is what I have tried:

1) added an oil first cleanse. I used Garnier oil cleanse sample packet for a couple days and now have a Burt Bees sample from Birchbox that will last a while. When that is done, though, I already bought Banila sherbet thing.

2) added wait time after my PC BHA.

3) added AHA a couple times a week. I bought a small bottle of Recherche Biologique P50v. It smells so, so bad! I am uncertain if I will/should build up to every day. No acne, just aging. It does not seem to bother my skin. (use wait time when I use it)

4) opened a bottle I've had since summer of Sunday Riley Juno oil. It is GREAT. It is a drier oil. Very, very fast-absorbing. Softening, silkening effects. I use it at night, after my usual PC Resist replenishing toner.

5) I have used a couple sheet masks: Dr. Jart water something and TonyMoly hydrogel snail that origami talked about. I liked that one a lot and ordered a 10 pack from Korea. The other one was fine but I want to try all the things so I won't buy it again.

Upcoming new additions for me into my routine (almost, almost out of a several products, so going to use the **things I've had stashed in place of them in addition to my other products)

Morning
1) Skinceuticals feurelic + C (serum?)**
2) Kate Sommerville super light something 50 PA++++ sunscreen moisturizer**
(I have 2-3 other steps)

Night
1) Skinceuticals cleanser**
2) Skinceuticals retinol**
3) Miss Flower and Mr. Honey essence
4) Miss Flower and Mr. Honey cream
(I have a full 5 other steps!)

Extras (I could easily use a sheet mask every night)
Ordered 3 different types of My Beauty Diary sheet masks
Ordered 3 different types of Karuna sheet masks
Ordered PC weekly resurfacing treatment to work in once weekly instead of regular AHA

I love it I love it I love it!

[NewOrleans]

And my wish list? Lol, don't get me started!

eta here it is:

Rose cleanser stick
su um secret repair essence
su um programming essence 
sulwhasoo revitalizing overnight mask
sulwhasoo ginseng renewing cream
Annie's way snail repair jelly mask
Annie's way deep moisturizing honey mask
cosrx 96 snail jizz
Shara shara honey ampoule
akin food strawberry mask
hada labo hyaluronic toner lotion
whamisa flowe deep rich essence toner
bentom snail bee sheet mask
But I really don't need multiple open things, so I will just get through my bottles one at a time. Except sheet masks, which I can have as many as I want of because yeah.

[greeneggs]

Feb 9, 2016 21:33:42 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

And my wish list? Lol, don't get me started!

I've started a pinterest board just to keep track of all the things I want.

My routine has changed since the beginning of this thread and it just keeps getting longer.  I think my husband is starting to get worried because Sephora boxes were something he understood but mysterious boxes from Korea might be a little too much to explain.  I'm still deciding if I hate sheet masks in general or the Tony Moly I'm Real line just sucks because I see no benefit other than scaring the shit out of DH.  

AM: This is my ideal but I'm lazy as fuck in the mornings and take a swim class twice a week so my routine is a mess.

Simple Micelluar water or S:um 37 Rose stick* on pool days
OST Original Pure Vitamin C20 Serum (just arrived, will start tomorrow)
Benton High Content Snail Bee Essence
DermaE Hylaronic Acid Serum (will replace with Hado Labo toner when empty)
CeraVe PM moisturizer
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence
MAKEUP!!!!!

PM:  I'm getting my active game together but need to work on my treatments
Shea Moisture Peace Rose Oil Cleanser (meh, will replace when empty)
S:um 37 Rose stick*
A complicated rotation of Mizon AHA Peeling serum, PC Resist 2% BHA, Pixi Glow Tonic, and PC Resist 4% BHA (will replace with one AHA and BHA each from Cosrx when empty)
Goodal Waterest Lasting Water Oil*
Benton High Content Snail Bee Essence
DermaE Hylaronic Acid Serum
CeraVe PM moisturizer
Mizon Snail Recovery Gel

[NewOrleans]

ESF , this must be how you felt when you started the first makeup thread 2 years ago!  

[greeneggs]

Feb 9, 2016 22:49:02 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

I mean, since we're all doing it, here's my routine now:

AM
Simple Mircellar Water
Benton Snail Bee Essence Serum
Skin Food Peach Sake Pore Serum
Biore Aqua Rich spf50

PM
Usually cleanse in the shower with cetaphil bar or St Eve's apricot scrub
The Face Shop Rice Water Cleaning Oil
Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Mizon Snail Recovery Gel
Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
CerVe in the tub

I've tried out a bunch of Tony Moly sheet masks and I've liked them all but the red wine one, it made me chin FREAK OUT. I don't think I'm going to try any actives, simply because I'm super lazy and don't want to add another 20 mins to my routine. I do have a scrub and a peeling mask that are on the way and I'm really excited to try them. I also made a drunken order on memebox and I honestly don't even know what's coming in it besides some hair thing that looks interesting. I'm having tons of fun trying everything out!

That's why I hate sheet masks.  I don't mind the 20 minute wait time for my actives because I can still do things like tidy the house, sew, or have a glass of wine but the TM masks feel so unstable on my face that I don't like to so much of anything with one on because they start dripping and/or sliding off.  While I don't mind the 30 minute break to read a book it's still a PITA on the regular.

I'm slightly in awe of the bloggers who use multiple actives or a sheet mask every day.  Ain't nobody got time for that!

[NewOrleans]

greeneggs , I think the TM "real" sheet mask line sucks from what I can tell in reviews. The special TM snail one I liked,though: juicy and plumping.

I use them as I lay in bed reading, which I do every night without fail. I have a skii on my face right now, actually.

eta: and I'm doing the actives at night with wait time. I just start as soon as I come in from my kids' activities, by washing my face. Acid 1, half hour while there's homework. Acid 2 while cooking. Then the moisturizing products. Then sheet mask in bed some nights. Then Retinol moisturizer as I turn off the light.

[NewOrleans]

Feb 9, 2016 23:15:11 GMT -5 loonylunalovegood said:

Yeah, I can't really tell any difference in my skin with the TonyMoly real masks besides the red wine one that was bad news bears. I want to try the Mizon snail ones. ALL. THE. SNAIL. THINGS.

Snailsnailsnailsnailysnail

[vanlatte]

OMFG, I knew there was a reason I hadn't read this thread. I'm so deep down the rabbit hole right now, I'm going to be up all damn night. 

ETA: greeneggs or anyone else who has a Pinterest board with all the things, please feel free to share your board!

[waffletime]

Feb 9, 2016 23:42:53 GMT -5 vanlatte said:

OMFG, I knew there was a reason I hadn't read this thread. I'm so deep down the rabbit hole right now, I'm going to be up all damn night. 

ETA: greeneggs or anyone else who has a Pinterest board with all the things, please feel free to share your board!

Same. On all points!

[maryanne]

I love that you guys are so into snail from the start. Go snail or go home, lol! I've found snail products to be so helpful with healing acne and calming irritated skin. Right now my fave snail is the Scinic All in one Ampoule. Love! I still like my Benton Snail Bee essence, too. #moarsnail

I have 2-3 bottles of essence that I want to use up but I feel lukewarm on them. I bought some Selena multi layer cotton pads to make my own sheet masks. I may add in some Missha serum that I also felt meh on.

[MrsAxilla]

Feb 10, 2016 0:35:01 GMT -5 maryanne said:

I love that you guys are so into snail from the start. Go snail or go home, lol! I've found snail products to be so helpful with healing acne and calming irritated skin. Right now my fave snail is the Scinic All in one Ampoule. Love! I still like my Benton Snail Bee essence, too. #moarsnail

I have 2-3 bottles of essence that I want to use up but I feel lukewarm on them. I bought some Selena multi layer cotton pads to make my own sheet masks. I may add in some Missha serum that I also felt meh on.

Oh, I will be ALL OVER the snail mucus as soon as I run out of moisturizer and eye cream.  I really wish I had some now.  My toddler tried to scratch my face off and I have a wound that looks like a pimple I couldn't stop picking (not that I've ever done that ).  It's awful!  I'm using neosporin now, but I'd love to see what snails' regenerative qualities would do.

[MarmeeNoir]

I can't with snail mucus. Blowing my own nose makes me gag. No thanks, I'm good..

[maryanne]

Since we're sharing routines, here is mine for tonight. A mix of Korean and Western brands.

-Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser
-Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick
-NIOD CAIS 1%
-Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
-Scinic Snail AIO
-Holy Snails Shark Sauce
-Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum
-Nuxe lip balm
-Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream. Light application on dry areas

[NewOrleans]

Snail snail snail the snails
Snaily snaily snails
Snailiness snailiness snailiness snailiness
Snails upon more snails

(Sung to the tune of Row Your Boat. Let's do it in rounds. Everyone now!)
(I am delirious because I have gotten no sleep in days. Days!)

[NewOrleans]

Feb 10, 2016 2:05:32 GMT -5 MarmeeNoir said:

I can't with snail mucus. Blowing my own nose makes me gag. No thanks, I'm good..

LOL. 

It it just feels like any gel product. Swearsies. At least the (totally totally soaked in it) sheet mask did.  There are some super 95% snail things, but most snail products from what I can tell seem to have other things going on in them (antioxidant potions and whatnot) that make them less... mucousy.

[mabillon]

I love this thread! I'm better at staying on top of skincare than makeup, for sure.

Am:
H2O
Étude house collagen toner
Missha the first treatment essence
Loreal revitalift eye cream
Hada Labo Aqua uv emulsion
Makeup (which includes Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer)

PM:
Either Banila Clean it Zero or .nature Republic chamomile cleansing oil
Cerave foaming facial cleanser (1x a week I use Skin Food rice wash off mask as a scrub instead)
Étude house collagen toner
Missha the first treatment essence
It's skin PO10 effector
Mizon snail repair ampoule
Loreal revitalift eye cream
Rotate: innisfree Jeju night cream versus the face shop's the therapy cream

As needed, I use nexcare acne patches on pimples overnight and they work a miracle. I tied and rejected a hada Labo aha/bha foaming lotion - too dry And made me break out. I want a new eye cream but haven't decided what to try when my revitalift runs out. I'll be looking here for recommendations!

[mabillon]

Feb 10, 2016 7:03:19 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Feb 10, 2016 2:05:32 GMT -5 MarmeeNoir said:

I can't with snail mucus. Blowing my own nose makes me gag. No thanks, I'm good..

LOL. 

It it just feels like any gel product. Swearsies. At least the (totally totally soaked in it) sheet mask did.  There are some super 95% snail things, but most snail products from what I can tell seem to have other things going on in them (antioxidant potions and whatnot) that make them less... mucousy.

It's funny you say this. I'm all about my snail ampoule and other testers I've tried but couldn't handle the snail mucus sheet mask. Maybe it was just the brand but...uck.

[origami]

Glad you are liking the snails NewOrleans! I accidentally bought an 18m supply of those masks because of a reading fail (thought they were $20. They were $200. *facepalm*) so I'll basically have to use them forever. So far so good though. I also liked the Sulwhasoo sheet masks but haven't tried the overnight ones yet. I also use the masks when I read at night. I thought I would hate having such a long routine but actually it forces me to put my laptop away and get ready for bed. I have a bad habit of staying up too late working so I need the motivation.

I see I need to research actives, PH stuff and acids now. The rabbit hole is calling...

[NewOrleans]

Feb 10, 2016 7:18:42 GMT -5 origami said:

Glad you are liking the snails NewOrleans ! I accidentally bought an 18m supply of those masks because of a reading fail (thought they were $20. They were $200. *facepalm*) so I'll basically have to use them forever. So far so good though. I also liked the Sulwhasoo sheet masks but haven't tried the overnight ones yet. I also use the masks when I read at night. I thought I would hate having such a long routine but actually it forces me to put my laptop away and get ready for bed. I have a bad habit of staying up too late working so I need the motivation.

I see I need to research actives, PH stuff and acids now. The rabbit hole is calling...

ooh, you're working there?! 

Also, I did not know Sulwhasoo had sheet masks.  Ehrmagerd!

[MrsAxilla]

Feb 10, 2016 7:18:42 GMT -5 origami said:

Glad you are liking the snails NewOrleans ! I accidentally bought an 18m supply of those masks because of a reading fail (thought they were $20. They were $200. *facepalm*) so I'll basically have to use them forever. So far so good though. I also liked the Sulwhasoo sheet masks but haven't tried the overnight ones yet. I also use the masks when I read at night. I thought I would hate having such a long routine but actually it forces me to put my laptop away and get ready for bed. I have a bad habit of staying up too late working so I need the motivation.

I see I need to research actives, PH stuff and acids now. The rabbit hole is calling...

You're in big trouble, too, because you can just walk down the street and buy all the things!  The rest of us get hung up with shipping.  

[calico]

I can't wait until my skincare goodies arrive tomorrow!!

[greeneggs]

Does anyone have a Memebox referral link they want to share? I've got a small order ready to go but I'd love 20% off if possible.