Product Review: Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion

I"ve been using Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel for my daily skin care routine. In general, it works fine, but the texture is too tacky for my liking. So I decided to go to the mall to hunt for a new moisturizer. I decided to go for a bit high-end type of product, so I chose Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion, which has many positive reviews across the net. However, the emulsion is supposed to be applied before the moisturizer, which is being sold separately. Knowing that Korean skincare routine requires tons of products (FYI, Laneige is a Korean product) as compared to my preferred routine, I neglected to buy the moisturizer as a combo to this. Instead, I would just use the emulsion as my sole moisturizer.

Product Name: Laneige Light Balancing Emulsion

Price and Availability: Php1,500.00/120ml (Laneige Philippines), Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propanediol, Pentaerythrityltetraisostearate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/ PVP Crosspolymracter, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Algae Extract, Glycogen, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dmethicone Crosspolymer, Lysine HCL, Magnesium Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Beta-Glucan, Zigiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract Lactobacillus / Water Hyacinth Ferment, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Mannitol, Serine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sucrose, Stearyl Behenate, Citrulline, Alanine, Arginine, Aommonium Acryloyl Dimethyltaurate / VP Copolymer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Carbomer, Threonine Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Polysorbate-20, Polysilicone-11, PCA, Histidine HCL, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate / Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Tramethamine, Fragrance

Remarks: Within the list above, Cetearyl Alcohol  scores 4 out of 5 in terms of comedogenicity.

Descriptions:

According to the label:

- Controls excess sebum and balances hydration for clear and transparent skin.

- Dermatologist tested

- For combination to oily skin types

- Made in Korea

Review:

Despite having one highly comedogenic ingredient in the list, I still decided to go for the product and see if it works for me. The emulsion comes in a large bottle with a pump and cap. I find the packaging very pretty yet simple. The bluish color of the bottle suggests the hydrating effect of the contents.

The emulsion is white in color with a runny consistency. It's very light when applied. The scent is very faintly floral, which I like. One to two squirts is enough for my entire face. It is very easy to spread and the texture is very slippery on the skin. The product is absorbed easily into the skin. It reminds me of my previous moisturizer Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, which works great but comes in a not-so hygienic jar. In comparison, both delivers well due to their lightweight consistency. I can use both as a primer to my BB cream. However, when it comes to the packaging, the easy-to-use pump from Laneige is the clear winner.

One squirt goes a long way..

A swatch of the product. It's really very runny.

Here's what it looks like when applied into the skin.

Is the emulsion enough as a moisturizer? If you have very oily face like mine, it is definitely enough. I even used this during the winter season in Tokyo, and I didn't experience any breakout, peeling, or windburn. Perhaps using it along with a sunscreen (I was using Alba Botanical Hawaiian Sunscreen at that time) had helped a lot.

Now that I'm back in Manila, and the summer has passed, I notice that I still do get breakouts (I use it at nighttime only during the humid months). During my last visit to the dermatologist, he suggested skipping the moisturizer in my routine or using it at least occasionally. I still moisturize though whenever I see a peeling from my acne medications.

To sum up, here's a rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

- beautiful and user-friendly packaging

- does not cause breakouts

- very lightweight

- a few squirts goes a long way

Cons:

- might not be as moisturizing to dry skin

- price

Verdict:

Will I buy this product again? Perhaps. The price may be a bit turn-off, but at least it would take months for me to finish up a bottle. If you have very oily skin like me and doesn't mind spending a bit more, then this product is for you.

Rating: 4.5/5

My New Dermatologist and Some Updates

Early this January, I decided to visit a new dermatologist. I had previous experiences with a dermatologist. Although I saw a lot of improvements after those visits, I realized how costly it could get for maintenance. Simply put, my original dermatologist caters to well-off patients. Each tiny bottle of skin care product costs 300-400 pesos. His cleaning sessions alone costs 800. I just didn't feel I was getting a great value for my money.

This time, I found a new dermatologist who doesn't demand much from my wallet. He doesn't require me to use his clinic's products. It's fine for him that I use my store-bought products as long as they work well on my skin. The only products I got from his clinic are skin medications that require prescriptions, namely: retinoic acid and clindamycin.

Meanwhile, I had promised in my earlier post (Acne, Air Pollution, Poor Diet, and Suggested Solutions) to give an update about the results of my new skin-friendly lifestyle. I would be lying if I said I strictly stuck to my do's and don'ts list. Taking care of the skin can indeed take a lot of effort! Despite not being strict down to the last letter of the list, I managed to see results on my skin health.

Shortly after starting my new regimen, I went to Tokyo for a vacation. The cool and dry weather there had immediate results on my skin. My pimples dried up and my Alba Botanica sunscreen provided ample protection against the weather and the sun. My skin loved the Tokyo environment and during my week-long stay there, I noticed my skin to be slowly clearing up.

It's quite funny that it was after that period that I decided to see a dermatologist. Well, I wanted to maintain a clear skin, especially since it's already a new year. Here's a rundown on his treatment:

He gave me a cleaning, that is, he manually pricked my pimples. He told me that I inherited my oily skin from my dad, and so it is expected that my acne will flare up again. I can visit him once a month for a cleaning session, to maintain my skin. He told me that my problems are mostly the whiteheads and blackheads. He told me I could keep using my facial wash, and gave me a toner with clindamycin, which I should use twice daily. He also gave me a retinoic acid cream which I should apply every night after cleansing and toning.

Do you visit a dermatologist too? How was the treatment?

Product Review: Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel

I had been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream for several months already, but decided to buy a different moisturizer before setting out for a December trip to Hong Kong. The reason was Kiehl's product is lightweight and moisturizing enough only during high humidity days. I was afraid that it wouldn't be enough to protect my skin from the harsh cold wind of Hong Kong.

So I ended up buying Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel. I made a quick research on the Internet and saw that it fared well on ratings from different sites such as TotalBeauty, Amazon, and MakeupAlley.

The product caught my interest because of the high concentration of Aloe Vera and it's affordable price tag.

Product Name: Jason Natural Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel

Price and Availability: Php 225.00 (Healthy Options) / 113g (4oz), Amazon

Ingredients:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Aqua (Water), Carbomer, Gluconolactone, Potassium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Arginine, Allantoin, Panthenol, Menthol, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, AMyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum)

*Certified Organic Ingredient

Remarks:

Possible irritants include potassium hydroxide, menthol, and fragrances. All ingredients are noncomedogenic according to cosdna.com database.

Description

"This concentrated, non-oily daily moisturizing gel naturally delivers instant dry skin relief. Aloe Vera soothes dry, irritated, sun damaged or newly shaven skin while a boost of nourishing Allantoin and Vitamin B5 replenish and recondition. With use, skin is calmed, balanced and nurtured back to its healthy-looking best." --- Jason Natural

Review:

I mentioned in my previous post that I use a sunscreen during daytime and a moisturizer during the night. Which means I only use this moisturizer gel from Jason Natural once a day. 

A glob of Jason Natural moisturizer.

The first thing I noticed from the product is it's super sticky texture. The consistency is very thick and the color clear. Applying a thick glob of this product over my face isn't exactly a pleasant sensation to me. I can still feel the tackiness after allowing the gel to be absorbed onto my skin.

Applying a bit more leaves my skin feeling cool, a result of the menthol ingredient found in the formulation. I like that sensation, but I had read that some users find the product stinging their skin. So, I don't think this is something that the sensitive skin will like.

Though I don't like the sticky feel, I like how it moisturizes my face. I used this in Hong Kong, where the temperature had plummeted to as low as nine degrees Celsius. The moisturizer prevented my skin from peeling (an incidence I had experienced during my earlier visits to Hong Kong).

However, when I started to use this product twice a day, I started noticing my acne to be flaring up. I assume that this is due to the irritating ingredients found within the tube. Irritation is one factor for acne to develop.

Pros:

-no parabens, sls, and pthalates

-contains high concentration of aloe vera

-affordable

-noncomedogenic

-moisturizes without the greasy appearance

Cons:

-contains irritants that may not be suitable for sensitive skin

-sticky

Verdict:

I love the soothing effect of aloe vera, but the irritating ingredients seem to cancel out the good effects. I will still keep using it though until I find a more suitable moisturizer. If you decided to purchase this product, use it only once a day.

Rating: 3.5/5

Facial Cleansers for Oily Skin

Cleansing the face is an essential part of your skin care routine. Even if you spend a fortune on the best creams or serums in town, you wouldn't get the desired outcome without proper cleansing. Cleansing removes excess oil, makeup, sweat and dirt. If you have oily skin, it is a must to prevent breakouts.

A good facial cleanser should be sufficient to remove grime without harshly stripping the skin's top layer. It's a challenging task for cosmetic chemists to acquire since there must be a balance between having enough cleansing power and being gentle to skin. I've recently written a primer about facial soaps and cleansers in general. If you're interested, you may visit this page to read a more in-depth discussion.

In this blog post, I've listed some of the facial cleansers for oily skin that have garnered good reviews from different sources, namely, makeupalley, totalbeauty, paulaschoice, and amazon. I've included the price and ingredients list with my own remarks about the formulation. In addition, I've also gathered links to different personal reviews from other bloggers, and if you happen to have your own review regarding any of the products listed, do inform me so I can include your link. I will keep on updating the list for your reference. In the meantime, I hope this list will help you find the right cleanser for you.

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Sodium Lauroampho PG Acetate Phosphate, Fragrance, Tetrasodium EDTA, C12-15 Pareth-2, Quaternium-15

Remarks:

This water-based cleanser deserves merit for being able to remove makeup effectively without leaving the skin feeling tight. It contains sodium laureth sulfate yet is still gentle enough even for the sensitive skin type.

Reviews:

http://drugstoregal.blogspot.com/2013/01/clean-clear-essentials-review.html


Basis Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability:
Amazon
Ingredients:
Water (Triple Purified), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Glucoside, PEG 7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, PEG 8, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG 200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Dimethicone Copolyol (Silica), Butylene Glycol, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Schoenanthus) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Spearmint (Mentha Viridis) Extract, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile, Fragrance
Remarks:
Oily skin love the rich lather this product produces. It gently removes makeup and contains plant extracts that doesn't irritate nor clog the pores.
Reviews:

http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/basis-cleaner-clean-face-wash-a-drugstore-gem/

The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Facial Wash

Price and Availability: 
Php 700 above (TBS Philippines) / 125ml, Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Tocopherol

Remarks:

Contains high concentration of aloe extracts that is very soothing for sensitive skin. Basic make-up removal is fine, but for waterproof mascaras, additional cleansers are needed.

Reviews:

http://allaboutjyl.blogspot.com/2011/03/bodyshop-aloe-calming-cleanser-and-aloe.html

Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability: 

Amazon

Ingredients:

Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate and PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Sodium Chloride, Phytophingosine, Citric Acid, Edetate Disodium, Dihydrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xantham Gum

Remarks:

This formula will definitely attract consumers who avoid sulfates in their wash. Despite having no "soap" in the formula, it removes light makeup easily without stripping the skin.

Reviews:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/skin-care-finally-tried-cerave

http://juletsheeeh.blogspot.com/2013/07/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser.html


Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

Price and Availability:
Php 1,400 above, Amazon
Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylate Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Distearyl Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Laureth-2, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Sodium Methylparaben, Squalane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
Remarks:
This one is not only suitable for oily skin, but to all skin types as well. A pea-size amount is enough to produce a lather while gently removing makeup. However, it contains pH adjuster triethanolamine that some may find irritating.
Reviews:
http://www.askmewhats.com/2012/12/amw-reviews-kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser.html
http://corallista.com/2012/01/18/skincare-wednesday-kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser-review-photos/
http://lesleykim.blogspot.com/2012/07/kiehls-ultra-facial-cleanser-beauty.html

Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Polyquaternium-10, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Glycol Distearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide MEA, Laureth-10, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin

Remarks:

This product works fine for those who wear little to no makeup. Contains comparably lower concentration of SLS but beware of DMDM Hydantoin (that is, if you're highly allergic to the formaldehyde it produces). Acne-prone skin types love this for its noncomedogenic formula.

Reviews:

http://makeupandbeauty.com/olay-gentle-foaming-face-wash-aloe-review/

http://www.beautyfrontline.com/2012/10/olay-gentle-foaming-face-wash-review.html

Clinique Wash-Away Gel Cleanser

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Tea-Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Chloride, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Polyquaternium-6,Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA-Copper, Blue 1, Yellow 5

Remarks:

Many have noted how it wasn't able to remove the waterproof mascara. But if you wear little makeup, this product will be sufficient for you. Contains no sulfates, which is a plus for SLS haters.

Reviews:

http://lifeofcyndez.blogspot.com/2009/05/review-cliniques-wash-away-gel-cleanser.html

http://shimmerstewsandstreets.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/beauty-review-clinique-wash-away-gel-cleanser/

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

Price and Availability: 
Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-8, Coco-Betaine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Zinc PCA, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance

Remarks:

An effective makeup remover that is very gentle on the skin. This product is a plus for paraben-haters. Results in cosdna.com database shows one irritant though: Sodium Hydroxide. 

Reviews:

http://whichhazel05.blogspot.com/2013/03/100-amazing-la-roche-posay-effaclar.html

http://viewsfromatinbin.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-roche-posay-effaclar-purifying.html

http://andlaughatguildedbutterflies.blogspot.com/2012/08/la-roche-posay-effaclar-purifying.html

Last Updated: July 29, 2015

Product Review: Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash

Also available from Amazon.

If you're like me who's been reading a lot of articles and forums posts about skin care, you may encounter some product ingredients that we should avoid. Parabens, silicones, and sulfates are some of them. While some warnings may be based on facts, most of them aren't conclusive yet. Majority of these hype remain highly controversial. That is probably why a number of people get turned off into buying drugstore brands, because even though they cost less, they contain certain ingredients that majority of internet articles warn us against using.

Ingredients-wise, this facial cleanser from Clean & Clear is no different from other drugstore brands. It contains parabens that many women try to avoid. I must admit I had avoided drugstore brands before because I also became suspecting against certain ingredients and that's why I had refrained from using them for some time. In my previous post: What are Parabens: The Highly Controversial Substance, I've mentioned that I wouldn't be completely avoiding parabens anymore, especially if the product is a cleanser (something that would be quickly rinsed off anyway). 

I decided to buy Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash after reading from Paula Begoun's website that it removes makeup effectively. Unfortunately, the Essentials Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin isn't available in my country, and so I had to give the non-sensitive formula a try, which is, according to online reviews, similarly effective for removing makeup.

Product Name: Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash

Price and Availability: Php 73.75 / 50 ml (Watsons Philippines), Amazon

Ingredients: 

Water, Triethanolamine, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Lauric Acid, Lauryl Phosphate, Triclosan, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Benzophenone-4, Pentasodium Triphosphate, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methlparaben, Ehtylparaben, Butylparaben, Proplyparaben, Isobutylparaben, Fragrance.

Remarks:
Based on cosdna.com database, ingredients with comedogenicity rating of 3 and above out of 5 scale: myristic acid and lauric acid. In addition,triethanol amine scores high in irritancy scale. 

Review:

Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash is liquid in form, and little amount is needed for foaming to occur. It has no noticeable smell, and the color of the formula is translucent orange. After using the product, I've noticed that it dries out my pimples quickly. I've also tested skinacea.com's advice: In order to find out if your cleanser is effective, apply toner with a cotton/cotton pad after washing with your product, and check if there are makeup stains. If the cotton appears clean, then your product should be adequate for makeup removal. 

Following skinacea's advice, after removing my BB cream using Clean & Clear, I applied toner using a cotton. I'm pleased to find out that the cotton was stain-free. No need for shelling out extra cash for expensive makeup removers. I only need this facial wash for cleansing my makeup.

On the downside, I noticed this cleanser to be too much drying. I have oily skin, so somehow it's balanced. Yet I can still feel the tightness after using it twice daily. Applying a heavy duty moisturizer is a must after using this cleanser. 

Here are the pros and cons of Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Wash:

Pros:

- dries out pimples quickly

- removes light makeup effectively (haven't tried this with heavy makeup)

- very cheap

Cons:

- contains parabens that may be a turn off to some consumers

- contains triclosan that may be too harsh on skin

- may be too drying to some skin types

Verdict:

It works well for removing my light makeup. No need for me to spend a lot of bucks for other makeup removing products (Hooray!). I will continue using this but only at night to remove light makeup or sunscreen for the meantime. I would gladly trade this for Essentials Foaming Facial Wash Sensitive Skin once available in my country.

Rating:

4/5

Product Review: Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Green Tea)

If you have read the About page as well as my dermatologist experience, you probably already know that the only skin care routine I had adopted in my younger days was cleansing the face. As a teen, I used to just wash with a bar soap - any bar soap that I was using for my body. Pretty economical, yet a major facial skin care flop. Then, I somehow upgraded to a bar soap especially made for the face. It was good enough to deal with my acne, but it became too effective for fighting off my zits that my skin became overly dry. 

A few years more, I upgraded my cleansing product again. This time I switched to a facial cleanser. It was a big improvement because my pimples didn't have to experience getting accidentally squished by a hard bar of soap. Later on, I followed my cleansing with a toner and moisturizer as additional steps to my skin care routine.

Over the years, I never seemed to get contented with a single facial cleanser. I would switch from product to product to see which works best. In the midst of my experimentation with my face, I found this product from Etude House. What I liked about this is the very affordable price tag. It's Php 148.00 price tag is equivalent to a huge tube of facial cleanser. Not bad.

Product Name: Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Green Tea)

Price and Availability: Php 148.00 (Etude House), Amazon  / 150ml

Ingredients: water, glycerin, potassium stearate, potassium myristate, peg-30, myristic acid, hydrated silica, potassium laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, camellia sinensis leaf extract, lauric acid, disodium edta, peg-100 stearate, benzoate phenoxyethanol, ci 42090, ci 19140, fragrance (Note: According to cosdna.com database, myristic acid and lauric acid have comedogenicity scale of 3 and above out of 5.)

Introducing, Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam - Green Tea:

Review:

The consistency of this product is very very thick. During my stay in Singapore, I brought this along with me. I needed to transfer some amount in a smaller bottle for portability. I had used a hard clear plastic bottle with a screw-on cap, and got a very difficult time to dispense a small amount whenever I washed my face. In fact, even if I flipped the container upside down overnight, the cleanser barely got influenced by gravity - that's just how thick the consistency is. 

Yeah I know, the container I used was a wrong choice. Good thing that the original container is a squeezable tube, take note though that as the content becomes less, squeezing becomes more difficult as well. I just hate to see the cute plastic tube become deformed.

Before buying this product, I've already read a few reviews. According to these bloggers, they need only a few amount of the product for each wash. It's very economical that way. For me, for some reasons, I needed more squirts in order to get the desired result - as much as the amount I used in a toothpaste (How many pea-sized amount is that?). Later on however, I used less and less amount. I realized that I just needed to mix in a little water with the cleanser for foaming to occur. I wish I had learned that earlier because my product is already running low.

I had expected a green tea scent, which should have been very soothing. But no, I did not smell anything of that kind, but the fragrance ain't that bad anyway. I like the idea of green tea taking it's action for fighting bacteria and stabilizing the free radicals on my face. Sadly though, the green tea I love is way below the ingredients list, meaning it is only used in small concentration within the formulation. The product did perform a good job in removing grime anyway. I notice my skin brightening up immediately after every wash.

While using this product, I still get breakouts every now and then, and more often around my period. I presume this is hormonal and has little to do with the cleanser itself. Happy Tea Time is not a drying formulation. It did not dry out my existing pimples which other cleansers are good at.

Overall, still, this is a pretty good cleanser for me, only because I don't put heavy makeup on my face. I am using a BB cream, but not daily, and I'm not confident that this product alone is enough to remove any BB cream residue. Whenever I use this to wash off my BB cream, I would still find some brownish stain from the tissue I use to pat my face dry. Without my makeup, I do think though that the cleanser is mild enough to effectively clean my oily face.

So here are the pros and cons to summarize everything about Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam:

Pros:

- mild yet removes grime

- cute packaging

- economical

- doesn't give me breakouts

Cons:

- contains fragrances that sensitive skin might not love

- product is very difficult to dispense

- might not be effective to remove makeup (using additional makeup removers is a must)

Verdict:

The verdict? I will buy this again especially when I'm on a tight budget. I will skip using this though on days that I would wear makeup.

Rating:
3.5/5

Also available, Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (Aloe):

How about you? Are you using this product? What do you think of it?

Product Review: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

I've never tried anything from Kiehl's before. The first time I entered their shop was during my search for a hair product. I got turned off immediately because of the expensive price. However, during my trip to Singapore with friends, I found myself again inside a Kiehl's store. My friends highly recommended their products, and so I got convinced to buy my first Kiehl's item - a Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream for SGD 48.00.

(See more updated reviews below.)

Product Name: Kiehl's Ultra Oil-Free Gel Cream
Price and Availability: Php 1700.00 (Kiehl's Philippines) SGD 48.00 (Kiehl's Singapore) , USD 28.48 (Amazon)
Ingredients:
aqua / water, glycerin, alcohol denat., propanodiol, glycereth-26, isononyl isononanoate, ammonium polyacryldimethyltauramide / ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, imperata cylindrica root extract, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, propylene glycol, potassium sorbate, sodium hyaluronate, pseudoaltteromonas ferment extract, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, carbomer, biosaccharide gum-i, panthenol, cucumis sativus juice / cucumber fruit extract, acrylates /c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer

Analyze ingredients here. (Copy the list above and place it inside the site's text box.)

Presenting, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream:

The product is contained in a jar, a rather inefficient choice by Kiehl's if you ask me. I have to really close the lid fast enough after every use because I wouldn't want the product inside to be exposed in the air and dirt for so long. I also dislike the idea of dipping my fingers inside, so I decided to improvise by using a mini plastic spatula (the one that goes with your grocery pudding or gelatin). But since the whole spoon tends to sink in this super lightweight formulation, I just transferred some amount into smaller container. That way I also get to prevent the rest of the product from oxidizing which may lessen it's potency.

I bought Kiehl's Ultra Oil-Free Gel Cream because it is a moisturizer that is recommended for oily skin. It is colorless, unscented, and does not contain any other fragrances (yes, there is a difference between unscented and fragrance-free), which is good for sensitive skin.

The texture is very runny. When applied to skin, it feels so lightweight as if it wasn't there. There is a rather unpleasant odor but it goes away quickly after application. Spreading out the gel is easy and fast, I didn't have to wait long for it to sink in.

I've been using Kiehl's for some time already, and to be honest, I didn't notice any major difference with my long-time moisturizer - Celeteque Facial Moisturizer - considering that it costs a lot lot more. My previous moisturizer was already very good (and highly affordable). It did not cause me breakouts. It is also colorless, unscented, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic, but has a slightly thicker consistency than Kiehl's (but still lightweight). The only reason why I ditched Celeteque is because it contains DMDM Hydantoin (a preservative known to release formaldehyde).

Perhaps despite the little difference between these two moisturizers, Kiehl's still has the upper hand with regards to the ingredients. Not only does it not contain DMDM Hydantoin, it is also free of the preservative paraben (a highly controversial ingredient that is said to disrupt the endocrine system and cause cancer). In addition, Kiehl's doesn't contain silicones as well, which is present in Celeteque. 

(Learn more about silicones and parabens.)

There is one thing that bothers me about Kiehl's gel cream's formulation though. It's the alcohol content. I know I have oily skin, but that doesn't mean I should expose my skin to the drying and possibly irritating effect of alcohol. But it also contains glycerin, and many other hydrating ingredients that may have countered the drying effect of alcohol. I guess as long as I didn't experience any dryness and irritation from the product, it will be fine to continue using it.

A note of precaution: If you are using chemical peels such as AHA and BHA, or other drying topical medications, you should really worry about the presence of alcohol in the products you are using along with your treatment.

My sister is using the same product with me, and her experience is far better than my so-so result. I noticed that her skin has become smoother and more radiant. She likes Kiehl's very much. And the high price tag is surely a no turn-off to her considering the benefits she's gaining. Well good for her!

So to wrap this post off, in a nutshell, the pros and cons:

Pros:
- No DMDM Hydantoin and parabens
- Unscented and fragrance-free
- No colorings
- Noncomedogenic
- Lightweight

Cons:
- Very expensive
- Jar container
- The not-so-sweet smell (though not a deal-breaker to me)

Verdict:

Will I buy this again? Until I cannot find a far better formulation with a lower price tag, I will stick with Kiehl's. If you are like me who have oily skin, you will surely love the feel of this moisturizer. I also recommend it to people who dislikes parabens and silicones in their products.

Rating:
4/5

UPDATE: June 6, 2013
I'm starting to like this product more and more. Despite the lightweight consistency of the gel, it is packed up with moisturizing power. It's gooey yet easily absorbed in the skin. I noticed my skin appearing a bit dewy, which I really loved (only that my skin becomes very oily during midday). I am yet to see this product's effect on me during the cold months (it's still very humid here). Keep posted for my furture updates.

UPDATE: July 17, 2013
I'm about to finish my tub of Kiehl's moisturizer, and so I have bought another spare. I really like this product. I was wrong to have compared it with my previous drugstore moisturizer as the effect it had on me was far better than my old moisturizer. I use Kiehl's as a night cream as well, and had noticed my skin looked amazing the next morning after waking up. My skin has maintained its smoothness even without applying the moisturizer. There was one time when I forgot to apply it before BB cream but I was amazed how the BB cream was gliding across my skin.

Sunscreens for Oily Skin

In my previous post, I've given out five tips when it comes to choosing a sunscreen, so if you have no idea on how to choose a sunscreen, you might want to check this blog post first.

Once you get the general idea of the do's and don'ts of choosing a sunscreen, shopping for a sunscreen can become a breeze, especially if you have normal skin type. However, if you have sensitive skin, a closer look at the ingredients list is a must! You should know if the sunscreen contains physical or chemical UV filters. Certain ingredients may trigger an allergic reaction, such as fragrances and colorings. 

If you have oily skin type, you should watch out for comedogenic ingredients. For aesthetic reasons, you may also want a sunscreen which is less greasy and matte. It's a challenge as many sunscreens are greasy and sticky, some of the ingredients may also clog the pores and trigger a breakout.

If you want to learn about specific customer reviews, check out the Amazon links or see the specific reviews from bloggers that I will also include in the list. 
I myself have very oily skin. Though I would love to have a good protection on the skin, but applying a sunscreen on the face is a very unappealing sensation. It's sticky, greasy, and feels very heavy on the skin. It makes my skin appear oilier than ever, and worse, it leaves a white cast on the skin.

But thanks to the advancements of skin care science, more and more sunscreen products are coming out the shelves with better formulations for women with oily skin type. You can already find several of these with noncomedogenic formula that is lightweight and matte. Women with normal skin type can also benefit from a lightweight formula as it makes the skin more aesthetically appealing and agreeable to makeup.

Here, I've collected a handful of sunscreen products that are friendly to oily skin types. I have also included the ingredients of these products for your reference. Ingredients highlighted in RED have a comedogenicity rating of 3 and above out of 5 scale based on cosdna.com database (but may not necessarily lead to breakouts in the formulation's entirety, so I advise you to check each product review). 

Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+

Price and Availability: available on Amazon

Description:

- antioxidant Vitamin E to help prevent free-radical damage
- new optimized combination of sun filters for an even more lightweight, silky, non-greasy finish than before
- oil-free, fragrance free, paraben free, color free
- water resistant (80 Minutes)

Sun Protection: SPF 50 PA+

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%), Homosalate (15%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (5%) Oxybenzone (6%) 

Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denatured, Silica, Dicaprylyl Ether, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl Glycol, Methylparaben, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Disodium EDTA, Dodecene, Poloxamer 407

Remarks:

The formula is noncomedogenic yet contains a relatively high concentration of alcohol, which is an irritant.

Reviews:

http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2011/08/kiehls-super-fluid-uv-defense-spf-50-review.html

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea

Price and Availability: Php 375.00 (Healthy Options) / 113g (4oz.); also available on Amazon

Description:
- water-resistant for 80 minutes
- paraben-free
- non-greasy

Sun Protection: SPF 45

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10.0% (sunscreen), octocrylene 10.0% (sunscreen), ethylhecyl methoxycinnamate 7.5% (sunscreen), ethylhexyl salicylate 5.0% (sunscreen), titanium dioxide 2.0% (sunscreen) 

Inactive Ingredients: Aqua (water), glycerin, cetearyl olivate, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate SE, sorbitan olivate, dimethicone, VP/hexadecene copolymer, caprylic/capric triglyceride, aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, calendula officinalis flower extract*, camellia sinensis leaf extract*, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract*, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract*, sodium stearoyl glutamate, tocopheryl acetate, xanthan gum, alcohol, benzyl alcohol, ethylhecyglycerin, phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, citronellol, geraniol, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool and fragrance. 

Remarks:

It's water-based and oil-free. The inclusion of soothing Aloe and antioxidant Green Tea extract is a plus for this product. It also has other moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin. Ingredients to watch out for are: alcohol, fragrances, silicones, and the high concentration of comedogenic cetyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate SE.

My Own Review:

http://seriousskincareblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/product-review-alba-botanica-hawaiian.html

Reviews:
http://galelovescolors.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-alba-botanica-hawaiian-sunscreen.html

Eltamd UV Clear 

Price and Availability: Php 700.00+ (eBay) / 48g (1.7oz.); also available on Amazon

Description:

- lightweight and oil-free
- no parabens
- for sensitive and acne-prone skin

Sun Protection: SPF 46

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (9.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%) 

Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclomethicone, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Remarks:

It's water-based and has a impressive list of ingredients. It contains silicones though which may be a drawback to other people.

Reviews:

http://renata-skincare.blogspot.com/2013/03/light-moisturizer-with-sunscreen.html

Last Updated: July 28,2015