CLEANSER

My current favorite cleansers

May 30, 2018

I thought I’d share a quick post about the cleansers I am using lately. Some of them such as the Chanel Cleansers have been holy grails for years. The others were the new releases that I have been testing out and I am very impressed with the Dr. Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel – it’s amazing. One of the biggest changes in my cleansing routine is that I have switched to milk or water-based products from cleansing oils. I much prefer the lightweight formula for the same result and my skin is definitely having less congestions in the pores and breakout.

Chanel Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes – Starting with my Holy Grail makeup remover. It is a beautiful milky cleanser with a soft floral fragrance that makes you feel instantly relaxed and pampered. I love the lightweight milky formula as it feels silky and spreadable and not greasy at all. You just need to massage it all over the face and it instantly dissolves all the makeup – same result as a heavy duty oil cleanser. Once you rinse it off with water, the skin feels very clean, supple and fresh. Chanel has recently released two new milk cleansers which will replace the old range soon. I have tested the samples already and I love them all. I feel they are very similar to the original version but it even removes stubborn waterproof eye makeup! If you have oily skin, I am loving the Le Lait Cleansing to Water that is even more refreshing. Whether you can still find the current one, or the new range I highly recommend to give the Chanel cleansers a try!

Chanel Mousse Foaming Cream Cleanser – This is another iconic and highly popular cleanser amongst the beauty lovers all over the world. I have been using it for years and there is no fault as a creamy foaming cleanser. It has the signature soft and soothing fragrance and it lathers up to the creamiest and dense milky foam. A little goes a long way and a tub in full size will literally last for a year! It makes the skin feel clean and fresh without stripping the moisture off. Even for my dry skin it doesn’t make my skin feel taut after using it, so it is suitable for both morning and night. Again I can see that the stores are rolling out the new version Chanel La Mousse that is very similar.

Dr. Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel – Loving it! It cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin that is soap and sulfate free. To my surprise, the gel formula of this cleanser feels so gentle and soothing on the skin. My skin looks more clear and brightened yet still feels hydrated after use. It is called pore refining because it has ingredients that deeply cleanses into the pores so they look more clear and refined over time. I bought mine here with international shipping.

ORIGINS Cleansing Makeup Removing Jelly – It feels ok to use but it’s not something that I would repurchase. The name is misleading because it doesn’t have a jelly texture. It has a balmy consistency that feels very rich and oily. The good thing is it does remove makeup thoroughly and doesn’t leave any oily residue on the skin. It is also almost fragrance-free which is good for sensitive skin; as for me having the right fragrance in a skincare product is really important that will elevate my user experience. If you are after a formula in between oil and milk, you may be interested in this product.

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Labels: CHANEL • CLEANSER • Dr Dennis Gross • ORIGINS • SKINCARE

Current Favorite Cleansers

October 12, 2017

Sharing some cleansers I have been using lately. As usual, I love to have a lot of products to choose from depending on my mood. There is a mix of Japanese skincare products in my routine now as I brought back a suitcase of them from my trip to Japan!

Shiseido ELIXIR WHITE Purify Cleansing Gel Cream – I really love this fresh gel cleanser in a clean white pot. It is a makeup remover that reminds me of the cult favorite Eve Lom, and it is best to be used together with a muslin cloth. The difference is that it’s much cheaper with a very lightweight jelly-like consistency. It applies like a creamy jelly – doesn’t feel balmy nor oily, but removes and dissolves the makeup including waterproof eye makeup thoroughly. It is ultra-gentle and feels very hydrating to the skin, and your complexion feels very clean, fresh and supple once it’s removed with a muslin cloth. Highly recommend it if you are after a non oil-based lightweight makeup remover but still does a good job.

Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lime – A luxury under-the-radar organic skincare brand. If you are into luxury spas, you will be quite familiar with ultimate heavenly Sodashi facials and treatments that are widely used in a lot of high-end hotels such as the Four Seasons Resorts around the world, and the Qualia resort in Australia. I couldn’t help but buy some products to try after having the Sodashi facial years ago. Since then I was hooked on the Clay Cleanser which I have repurchased over and over. It’s a luxurious, gentle cleanser with a milky clay texture. It cleans the face, helps to restore the moisture and balance, and the clay helps to calm and detoxify the skin. The amazing invigorating spa-like smell also instantly brightens up my mood when I use it in the morning. Totally love it.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser – Since I love their Exfoliating Treatment so much, I bought the cleanser version of it! It has a blend of AHA (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and enzymes that help to exfoliate and renew the skin mildly. It’s very gentle to my normal-dry skin, and doesn’t strip the moisture off. I love using it at night after removing my makeup. It has a creamy minty green clay texture that doesn’t lather much. Overall it brightens up my complexion after use and keeps the skin very clean and keeps the pores clear. Another big thumbs up from me!

Kanebo SUISAI Beauty Clear Powder – These cute little tiny pots of powder cleanser is trending everywhere in Asia now. It’s very affordable and I love the packaging which is very convenient for traveling. One pot lasts for two uses for me depending on the condition of your skin. The powder is quite grainy, and it lathers up mildly and cleans the skin thoroughly with a mild exfoliation effect. It is gentle and non-drying to my dry and sensitive skin. It makes a great and affordable dupe for the cult Dermalogica daily microfoliant.

Kose SEKKISEI White Powder Wash – I am going through a powder cleanser phase, so I also picked up this product to give it a try as well. This powder feels quite different to the Suisai Beauty Powder above, as it works like a typical Japanese foam cleanser that lathers up to an ultra-rich creamy foam, and deeply cleanses the skin with a squeaky clean feel. If you have combo to oily skin, you will like this one. I personally find it too strong for my dry skin during the cold days.

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Labels: CLEANSER • KANEBO • Kate Somerville • KOSE • SHISEIDO • SHISEIDO ELIXIR • SKINCARE • SODASHI

Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil 2016 Review – New Formula

September 2, 2016

It doesn’t matter how many new and innovative makeup removal products I try, at the end of the day I always go back to the most trusted makeup remover – the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. This year Shu has released a new reformulated cleansing oil – the Anti/Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil (bought here in Australia) and as I was in the need for restocking, I decided to give this new formula a try.

A quick rundown on my experience with the Shu Uemura cleansing oils. They have lots of different oils for different skin types, and I have pretty much used most of them. Prior to this, my favorite was the Blanc Chroma (the purple oil) as it felt refreshing and I liked the slight brightening effect after washing. As far as I know, their best seller last year was the Ultime8 which I found to be too rich for my skin so I did not repurchase (but it is really great for dry skin).

I have been using the new formula for about a month now, and it is now my favorite cleansing oil. It is formulated with green tea extracts along with other anti oxidant ingredients for a more clear and radiant complexion. The main differences in this new formula

no mineral oil
can be used with wet hands
suitable for removing lash extensions! (which doesn’t really apply to me)
more powerful removability

This oil lives up to my expectations. I am not the biggest fan of using cleansing water for removing makeup on a daily basis as it can be a little too scrubby with the use of cotton pads, and I feel it is pulling my skin too much. With cleansing oil it is lubricating enough to not cause any friction to the skin. The consistency of this oil is lightweight and doesn’t feel greasy, and it emulsifies (turns into milky lotion) really well as soon as you add water to it. Takes less than a minute to completely dissolve the most stubborn makeup including liquid eyeliner, waterproof mascara, long lasting foundation and liquid lipstick. It makes the skin feel supple, smooth and refreshing, and leaves no oily film and residue to the skin. Of course second wash is recommended! It doesn’t clog the pores nor cause breakouts for me.

The new formula also promises to give you an extraordinary cleansing experience with a blend of essential oils that invigorates your senses while washing. To me it mostly smells like strong green tea (more like Matcha) with a hint of lavender and wood. It is quite an interesting stimulating scent, but not blowing me away.

Overall I highly recommend this oil. It comes in 3 sizes – 450ml (as pictured), 150ml and 100ml (good for travel). A bottle of 450ml normally lasts more than 6 months with daily use.

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Labels: CLEANSER • Shu Uemura • SKINCARE

Clé de Peau Beauté cleansing foam review

September 28, 2015

The Clé de Peau Beauté cleansing foam is one of the best foaming cleansers I have ever used which deserves a proper review post. This is the cleanser that would testify ‘good skin begins with good cleansing’. I have been using this on and off for the past 10 years, and every time I go back to it , I always feel my skin’s condition is improved.

I would call this a deep cleansing cleanser for every day use as it does the most thorough cleaning job – it takes off every single trace of impurities and makeup, and it purifies to the bottom of the pores so it makes the them look very clean. Your complexion appears exceptionally clear, brightened and full of radiance after washing with this compared to the other cleansers. It comes in 2 variations – Gentle Cleansing foam that is designed for normal to dry skin, and the Refreshing Cleansing Foam for normal to oily skin. I am using the gentle version which works really well for my dry and sensitive skin. It makes the skin feel squeaky clean and refreshed without stripping off the moisture. It has a clean and delicate flora soapy scent, and has a creamy white paste texture that lathers up to the creamiest and most dense and emollient foam. The resilient lather feels uber luxurious and velvety against the skin. It is on the expensive side, but a little product goes a long way and this tube will last you a very long time.

The ingredient list

Bottom Line: If you are still on the look out for a perfect foaming cleanser, give this one a try! The Clé de Peau Beauté cleanser is available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and SAKS in the US.

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Labels: CLE DE PEAU • CLEANSER • SKINCARE

SkinMedica LYTERA Brightening Complex and AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Review

August 28, 2015

I have used tons of brightening products (some were really expensive!) in the hope of improving the appearance of the pigmentation problem on my complexion, but I hardly reviewed any on the blog because they never worked for me. You may have heard me saying some brightening products did improve the skin luminosity, but I would have never said that my freckles were faded after using them. So today I’d like to introduce you to an amazing and phenomenal product that really worked – the SkinMedica LYTERA brightening complex, which is probably the only product I have ever used that made a big difference in reducing pigmentation!

The SkinMedica Lytera was recommend by my dermatologist after I received several IPL sessions (see this post). Had he not introduced this brand to me, I would have never heard of it. I started using this product 6 months into having the IPL done when I noticed that my freckles had started re-emerging! I was very keen on seeing the result because I read so many great reviews about it on the internet and some have even described the result of using Lytera to be on par with the effect of having IPL. At first I was disappointed with the result as I didn’t see much of an improvement after a few weeks. So just like many other skincare products, I kept on using it without holding my hope high..and it was around the 2 month mark where the ‘transformation’ happened – my freckles were noticeably faded. The result was not as dramatic as if having a laser, but I do remember there was one morning I looked into the mirror and I could not believe how clear my complexion looked again. I even re-wiped my mirror just to double check!

The Lytera has a very lightweight gel texture that is absorbed into the skin immediately. It is slightly hydrating but if you have dry to very dry skin, you will need a better serum for hydration purposes. It doesn’t sting and nor does it make the skin red. One thing to note is that if you are using this product during the day, be sure to apply lots of sunscreen as it does make the complexion slightly more sensitive.

I have just finished my first bottle of Lytera which lasted about 4 months (one pump per application), and I am up to my second bottle. I didn’t see any further improvement after 2 months, so this is more for up-keeping.

Ingredient list

Also a brief review on the SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser which I also can’t stop gushing about. It’s a clear gel cleanser with micro-beads in it and I use it every night with my Clarisonic (reviewed here). It makes my skin very clean without stripping off the moisture, keeps the pores clear and makes the skin texture incredibly smooth. If your skin texture is looking uneven and feeling a little rough, or if you think your makeup is just sitting on top your skin (doesn’t sink in) then that is most likely because your skin is in need of a better exfoliation product. If it is still a mild case I highly recommend incorporating at least one product that contains BHA/AHA such as this cleanser into your routine. Using it in conjunction with the Clarisonic, they help to improve my skin texture dramatically and make a big difference in how good my makeup holds.

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Labels: CLARISONIC • CLEANSER • SKINCARE • SkinMedica

Best Cleansers for morning use

July 28, 2015

Morning cleansers play a very important role in my daily skincare routine. Not only do they have to gently cleanse the skin and provide skincare benefits, I also like them to be soothing and uplifting to make me feel better as I am just not a morning person. This is a review for some of my all time favorite cleansers for morning use, and they are all lotion/cream type as they are gentle enough for all skin types without stripping the moisture off.

Elemis Rehydrating Rose Petal Cleanser – I am a big fan of this luxury spa brand, and this is my favorite product from this line (my 5th bottle!). If you love rose scent, you would absolutely fall in love with this cleanser. It smells like the most delicate fresh roses just cut from your garden, and makes you feel so relaxed and pampered when you use this cleanser in the morning. It has a very lightweight milky texture, and feels very gentle on the skin and makes your skin feel silky and supple after use. It is not a heavy duty cleanser (not for removing full makeup), but good enough for taking away the oil and dirt build-up from overnight.

THREE Balancing Cleansing Milk – Another heavenly scented cleanser that I am obsessed with. THREE is a luxury organic Japanese beauty brand, and this cleanser is made with a blend of premium skin nourishing essential oils and purified bamboo and rose flower water. It has a creamy milky texture, does a great cleaning job (can also be used as a makeup remover) that melts away all the dirt and makeup and replenishes the skin’s moisture at the same time. It is gentle but also has some purifying properties that help to balance the oil and moisture of the skin. My skin feels supple and hydrated after use. More information can be found on THREE website.

IPSA Premier Line Cleansing Creamy Paste – I love exploring premium Japanese skincare lines, and this is another luxurious cleanser that I splurged on. It is a lather free cleanser in an interesting creamy paste texture. Though this premier line targets at anti aging and face lifting, I find this cleanser to be very refreshing and hydrating. It feels creamy but light weight on the skin, and it has a slight minty sensation which helps to make me feel uplifted in the morning. It contains enzymes so it helps to dissolve dirt and provides a very mild exfoliation to the skin.

Antipodes Organic Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser – Last but not least, I wanted an affordable and readily available cleanser that is just as good as the expensive ones as mentioned above. After testing a whole bunch of them, my favorite is the Antipodes. It has this expensive invigorating aromatic scent, and it cleans and cares for the skin at the same time which makes it a great morning cleanser. This product is best to be used within 3-4 months, as with most organic products that have a heavy base of oil, the scent changes slightly over a period of time after it opens. This is normal (just like cooking oil) and is probably a good indication that this product is all natural and contains no preservatives! Currently 40% off in Australia here.

My other recommendations that are not shown in the picture include the Decleor Aroma Cleanse Essential Cleansing Milk and the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser. They all work very similar to the other ones – gentle, soothing, and rinse off without residue which is what I look out for in a good cleanser!

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Labels: ANTIPODES • CLEANSER • DECLEOR • ELEMIS • IPSA • SKINCARE • Sunday Riley • THREE

The COR Silver Soap Review

January 15, 2012

It seems soaps have become the “IT” facial cleanser at the moment. There has been a few brands of soap that have taken the beauty world by storm with raving reviews, so naturally I have to try one! I had a choice between the COR Silver Soap, the Penelopi Moon Faicla Cleansing Soap Junoa which has been voted the best facial cleanser by the Japanese @ Cosme Best Cosmetic Award 2011(the most trusted yearly beauty award in Japan), and the Gamila Secret Soap that has every Asian blogger talking. In the end I went for the COR Silver Soap as it has some anti blemish properties and so far I haven’t read a single bad review about it.

It retails for USD$125, very pricey for just a bar of soap isn’t it?! But the ingredient list might give you a good indication that it is not just an ordinary soap! The star ingredient of this soap is that it contains the patented formula of nano-silver with silica and they are derived from natural sources.

Silver: is one of the best antibacterial agents. It blocks the bactera’s ability to transfer oxygen through its cell walls. Silver also has healing properties and has been used by doctors to speed cell repair.

Silica: prepares the skin to accept the ingredients of Cor. The sponge-like nature of Silica draws the Silver and other active ingredients into its particles so that it can richly nourish the skin.

Other ingredients include:

Glycerin: derived from natural palm oil which is a renewable source of glycerin most often used in high end soaps.

Marine Collagen from Japan: Collagen starts to disappear at the rate of 1.5% per year in adulthood! Cor’s collagen can add a more youthful apperance to one’s face.

Sericin: is a natural, soluble protein made from silk. Highly moisture-binding and film-forming.

Chitosan: is a natural fibre that acts to even out skin tone, and helps to balance out the skin’s oil levels.

Pomegranate Extract: helps to reduce the effect of aging and fight free radicals.

How I use the soap: This soap develops into very dense, creamy and rich lather (very silimiar to the high end Japanese foam wash). The instruction recommends to leave the foam on your face from 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on your skin type, and below is the recommended steps to follow:

First week: If you have normal to dry skin, massage the foam onto your face for 30 seconds then leave the foam resting on your face for a further 1 – 2 minutes. For oily, troubled, acne prone skin, leave the foam on for 5 minutes.

Second week: start to reduce the length of time the foam is left on your skin

After second week: use daily as a normal facial soap.

My experience with the COR Silver Soap:

Prior to using this soap, I had always been using a very gentle, moisturizing cleansing lotion. The COR soap is on the other end of the spectrum, it deep cleans the skin and provides a squeaky feel to the skin. I tried to leave the foam on my face for 5 minutes during the first week of use, and it felt like a deep cleansing mask for me. Though my skin appeared noticeably more clear with refined pores, it also felt very dry and tight. Since then I reduced the length of time to 2 minutes as I didn’t have troubled skin, and my skin has been looking very good lately. It just looks brighter and much more clear, and best of all I only had one minor hormonal break out during the two month of use. My skin still feels a little taut after washing, but nothing can’t be fixed by my beloved moisturizer – creme de la mer which seems to work so well with this soap (and that’s going to be another review)

I have also used the COR Silver Soap on the back of my neck and shoulder (they have been suffering from little white or red bumps for years as I always wear my hair down), I left the foam on for 5 minutes and magically after three days it has totally cleared up the bumpy skin! Even my husband cannot believe for once my shoulder is as smooth as..his..haha! However as soon as I stop using this soap, the congestion problems seem to come back.

Bottom Line: Ever since I had the “break-out” attack a while ago, I always try to incorporate at least one anti-blemish product in my skincare routine. And I much prefer the COR Silver soap than the conventional AHA or BHA based products, as it is a lot less harsh to my skin. Even though it is still a little drying for my skin, it doesn’t make my skin irritated, red or peel like some other products do. Highly recommend for people who have acne-prone, oily skin. Dry skin ladies can skip this.

I bought the COR silver SOAP on skinstore.com with a 20% off discount code.

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Labels: CLEANSER

My Skincare Routine Part 3 – Makeup Removers

September 28, 2011

After I posted my basic skincare routine, I had a few people asking me what products I use to remove my makeup which I forgot to include. I wear makeup almost everyday, so finding the right makeup remover that is effective, removes makeup thoroughly yet gentle to my skin can be a little tricky. I go through tons of different brands and these are the products that I love the most.

If my makeup of the day is not too heavy I like to use my Bioderma Crealine H2O Cleanser – it smells and feels so fresh, extremely gentle to the skin and removes face makeup effectively. It is designed for sensitive skin as the entire product is water based without any alcohol and perfumes, so girls with sensitive skin can totally rely on this product. It is also excellent for removing eye makeup, but can take a while to remove waterproof mascara completely. It is also great as a last step cleanser. I know a lot of girls like to use a toner/astringent to remove the last traces of makeup, but this product does the same job without stripping moisture off the skin. My skin actually feels quite hydrated and fresh after using it.

On a full face makeup day, I opt for the Eve Lom Cleanser (Vogue call it “world’s best cleanser) to remove my makeup thoroughly. I know I have said it many time that this is my HG cleanser 😛 It has been doing a wonderful job to my skin so I just like to share my love of this product around! The concept of this cleanser is that it improves the blood circulation, opens pores, cleanses, exfoliates and tones the skin to achieve a perfectly clear and well balanced skin.

This product is made of different blends of aromatic oils with cleansing, decongesting and soothing properties. It has a lovely soothing herbal scent and a balmy consistency that is designed for massaging. By following the massaging steps provided in the enclosed pamphlet, it helps the lymphatic nodes to drain the congested areas and eliminate toxins. Then use the muslin cloth to remove the product in hot water to open the pores and cold water to close the pores. The result is instant – not only is the makeup completely removed, my complexion has a “just-had-a-facial” radiance and looks more lifted and toned. Over time I have also noticed a significant improvement in the clarity of my skin.

As you can tell from the size of the bottle, the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil is also my favorite. I am not using it now but I like to keep a back up of it. This product has received numerous awards over the last decade. Needless to say it is a superior product. I like to use a makeup remover that cleanses and treats my skin at the same. The entire cleansing oil line by Shu comes in many formulations for different skin needs and I have pretty much tried them all. My favorites are the brightening oil from the premium line and the balancing oil as pictured below. My least favorite is the enriched formula which feels quite heavy on my skin. There are a lot of cheaper cleansing oils in the market but I always go back to this one as I like the consistency of this oil and its wide range of options.

For my stubborn eye makeup, I like to use the Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover. It is a winner for me as I really don’t notice a difference between the expensive ones and the cheap ones. The Neutrogena removes the most stubborn waterproof mascara with one swipe, and it is not irritating to my eyes. Just like many other bi-phased removers, it leaves a slight residual film on the skin.

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Labels: BIODERMA • CLEANSER • Eve Lom • Neutrogena • Shu Uemura

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