skincare

Skincare Review: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF20

by PJ on Saturday, December 5, 2009

in -Clinique, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(image from www.clinique.co.uk)

Clinique‘s Even Better range is one of the brand’s latest ranges of skincare and foundation products. It aims to help create a clearer, brighter and more even skin tone. Today I am reviewing Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20.

The moisturizer has a creamy consistency that is not overly thick, and it feels quite emollient on the skin. (It is more emollient than Clinique’s Youth Surge SPF 15 that I reviewed earlier.) Some of its moisturizing ingredients include octyldodecyl neopentanoate, myristyl myristate, and butylene glycol.

It contains butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) as the anti-UVA ingredient. This makes it a suitable moisturizer to be used for daytime.

It features a nice array skin-benefiting ingredients, which are mostly antioxidants. They include (in the order which they are listed on the ingredient list) ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), betula alba (birch) bark extract, scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap) root extract, curcuma longa (turmeric) root extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), linoleic acid, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C). Skullcap root extract and linoleic acid also have anti-inflammatory properties.

It also contains cucumis sativus (cucumber) extract (listed right after betula alba (birch) root extract). According to Paula Begoun, the lutein component in cucumber “can have an effect on suppressing melanogenesis, or the process that leads to skin discolorations”. (Please refer to this link on Paula Begoun’s website for more information.)

There is very little silicone in this product, which might please those who are looking for moisturizers that don’t contain silicones as major ingredients.

It doesn’t contain alcohol, parabens, or fragrance. One ingredient that may be a skin-irritant is sodium sulfite. (But It is further down on the ingredient list.)

Overall, this is a competent daytime moisturizer. It would be too emollient for most people with oily skin, and it should suit those with normal-to-dry or dry skin.

(The product featured in this review is provided by Clinique.)

Daytime Moisturizer Update: Olay Complete Care

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

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Skincare Review: RoC Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion

by PJ on Sunday, October 25, 2009

in -RoC, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(images from RoC)

Many of you who read my blog probably already know my view on moisturizers which carry anti-aging (or anti-wrinkle) claims. (You can see some of my related posts here.) In almost all cases, I review them simply as moisturizers just like any other moisturizer (because this is simply what they are). Today, I am reviewing two of the latest products from RoC.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Serum (pictured above)

This is quite a heavily silicone-based serum that has a slightly thick consistency. On the ingredient list, after water, the next five ingredients are all silicones.

Some of the emollients it contains are stearyl heptanoate, strearyl caprylate, caprylyl glycol, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. It also contains retinol, which, according to Paula Begoun, is a cell-communicating agent (which is able to work at the cellular level) and an antioxidant. It is not easy to say whether there is enough retinol in this product to really bring significant benefits to the skin, but, at least, for the amount that this product does have, RoC tries to keep its efficacy by packaging the product in a opaque container with a pump dispenser. (Retinol can lose its efficacy when it is in contact with air or sunlight.)

The product is alcohol-free and paraben-free.

As with most other silicone-based serums, it leaves a silky finish on the skin. The silicones that it contains can temporarily make the skin look smoother and more even. Personally, I think it feels a little too filmy on the skin.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Cream

This is a relatively light-weight nighttime moisturizer that has a lighter consistency than that of the serum reviewed above. Also, it contains less silicone, and the finish is less filmy.

Some of its moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, butylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid. Like the serum, this product contains retinol, and the description of the product above regarding retinol applies here. Again, the opaque tube with a pump dispenser is an ideal packaging in terms of the attempt to preserve the efficacy of retinol and other skin-benefiting ingredients.

I feel that the texture and emolliency of this product do suit my Type-4 skin (oily but dry underneath). It moisturizes my skin effectively and the skin feels smooth and supple (not filmy or greasy). I think one of the reasons for this ideal level of emolliency for my particular skin type is that the product doesn’t contain many occlusive moisturizing ingredients, such as mineral oil, shea butter and other plant oils (like jojoba oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil). Even though these non-fragrant occlusive emollients are generally good for the skin and are unlikely to cause skin irritation, skin that tends to get oily doesn’t really need too much of occlusive emolliency.

The product is alcohol-free.

Overall, these two products are well-formulated and well-packaged. The serum should particularly suit those with normal or normal-to-dry skin, while the night cream should suit those with normal, normal-to-dry or normal-to-oily skin.

(The products featured in this review are provided by RoC.)

RoC Hydra+ Bio Active Anti-Oxidant Moisturising Cream SPF 15

Amatokin Emulsion for the Face

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream & Oxygenating Night Cream

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Skincare Review: Chanel Ultra Correction Lift & Line Repair

by PJ on Friday, October 9, 2009

in -Chanel, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(images from www.chanel.com)

Chanel currently features a variety of skincare ranges with anti-aging claims: Beauté Initiale, Ultra Correction Line Repair, Ultra Correction Lift and Sublimage. Today I am reviewing products from the Ultra Correction Lift and Ultra Correction Line Repair ranges.

Ultra Correction Lift Lifting Firming Day Cream SPF 15 (pictured above)

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, glyceryl stearate, shea butter, cetyl alcohol (fatty acid/ emollient), caprylic/capric triglyceride and jojoba esters. The product also contains canola oil, which, according to Paula Begoun, has barrier repair and anti-inflammatory properties.

The cream has a densely creamy texture and feels very emollient on the skin. It is certainly too emollient for those with combination or oily skin, but for those with dry or very dry skin, it can potentially be an effective daytime moisturizer. (It is too emollient for my facial skin, which can get quite oily. I have been testing it on my neck, which is quite dry, and it leaves my neck supple and moisturized without feeling greasy.)

This product is alcohol-free. The anti-UVA ingredient it uses is butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone).

Ultra Correction Line Repair Anti-Wrinkle Day Fluid SPF 15

Compared with the Ultra Correction Lift day cream reviewed above, this product has considerably more silicones, which help create a smoother appearance for the skin. Some of the moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, pentylene glycol, cetyl stearate and butylene glycol.

Like the Ultra Correction Lift day cream, this product also contains butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane to protect against UVA rays.

It has a creamy lotion consistency and a silky finish. It contains alcohol, which is fifth on the ingredient list. It could create a subtly tightening effect and may temporarily help reduce the appearance of wrinkles to some extent, but it may also be a skin irritant for some people. Without alcohol, this moisturizer could suit those with normal, slightly dry or slightly oily skin.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Chanel.)

Chanel Holiday 2009 Makeup Collection

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Clinique Youth Surge SPF 15

Olay Complete Care Daily Sensitive UV Fluid SPF 15

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Skincare Review: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator

by PJ on Sunday, September 6, 2009

in -Elizabeth Arden, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(image from Elizabeth Arden)

Elizabeth Arden‘s Ceramide line is certainly one of the brand’s most noted ranges. The Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator is among the range’s latest products. It is claimed to give skin a gentle deep cleansing and to leave the skin smoother and plumper.

The product uses polyethylene as the exfoliating agent. When finely ground, this synthetic ingredient is often used in facial/body scrubs. The base of the scrub (which holds the exfoliating agent) is very emollient, as coconut oil and shea butter are second and third on the ingredient list. Not surprisingly, the scrub has a rich and creamy texture.

I feel that this is quite a heavy-duty facial scrub, as the base is densely filled with the polyethylene beads. The scrub doesn’t feel harsh on the skin, but the exfoliating beads are definitely working very hard. The scrub does leave the skin polished and conditioned, and it rinses well enough so that it doesn’t leave the skin filmy. However, personally, for my oily skin, I prefer facial scrubs with a less emollient base.

Overall, I would recommend this product to those with dry skin. It is able to create a smoother appearance for the skin while the occlusive emollients are able to condition the skin. For those with oily skin, gel-based scrubs should be more ideal.

Crème de la Mer The Refining Facial

Chanel Huile Confort & Lotion Confort

Nude Skincare Cleansing Facial Oil

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Newsflash: Pola & Lunasol Fall 2009

by PJ on Friday, July 31, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, -Pola, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

– On October 3rd, Japanese beauty brand Pola will be releasing a limited-edition item, B.A The Cream Edo Kiriko, to commemorate the brand’s 80th anniversary. (Edo Kiriko is a form of traditional Japanese glass craft.) The 30ml cream will retail for 207,900 JPY (about 2,196 USD). (B.A is Pola’s most top-end line, with a face wash (Wash B.A Extra) retailing for 12,600 JPY (about 133 USD).)

– If you are interested in swatches of the Star Shower Eyes palettes and Star Dust on Eyes from Lunasol’s fall 2009 collection, please take a look at this post on Taiwanese blogger Tingjp’s blog.

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Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Sofina Hada.ka

by PJ on Friday, July 31, 2009

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Kao, -Sofina, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(image from www.sofina.co.jp/hada-ka)

After I posted about Sofina’s Beauté skincare line, one of my readers, Ming, requested that I write about Hada.ka, one of Sofina’s other skincare lines. Here is a brief overview of the line.

Hada.ka was launched a few years ago and is available at Sofina counters in Japan and Hong Kong. The line is targeted at consumers in their twenties with unstable skin conditions due to various factors such as lack of sleep and stress. The key product of the line is Deep Boost, which is used after the cleanser and before the toner. It is supposed to facilitate the absorption of the toner and whichever is applied afterwards and to help the skin stay optionally hydrated.

(Some other Japanese skincare brands/lines also feature products that are used before a toner. (I call them pre-toners.) Most are for deep hydration and some (infused with ingredients such as AHA or BHA and used with cotton pads) are wipe-off exfoliators.)

Here is the current lineup of Hada.ka (with notes on whether a product is for morning/night/both):

– Makeup remover:
Skin Reset Oil Cleansing (night)

– Face wash
Skin Reset Washing Foam (morning/night)

– Massage serum
Refining Massage (night)

– Skin softener/texturizer (used before toner)
Deep Boost (morning/night)

– Toner
Aqua Charge Lotion (morning/night)

– Moisture serum
Night Moist Solution (night)

– Emulsion
Deep Moisturizer (night)

– Emulsion/sunscreen
UV Protect Moisturizer (morning)

(Aqua Charge Lotion and Deep Moisturizer are available in two versions for different skin types. Also, UV Protect Moisturizer is available in two versions, one with SPF 24 PA+++ and one with SPF 50 PA+++.)

Prices of Hada.ka’s items are similar to those of Sofina’s other skincare lines. For instance, Deep Boost (180ml) retails for 2835 JPY (about 30 USD).

I have not tried items from Hada.ka yet. If you have, do please let me know your thoughts on them. Thank you very much!

From My Treasure Chest – Sofina Aube Rouge Dressious

Sofina Aube Couture Fall 2009 Collection

Sofina Primavista Powder Foundation Moist Touch

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Daytime Moisturizer Update: Olay Complete Care Daily Sensitive UV Fluid SPF 15

by PJ on Wednesday, July 29, 2009

in -Olay, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others, stash focus

In May 2007, I posted about Olay’s Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Fluid SPF 15. It was my daytime moisturizer/sunscreen product for about two years. It is a nicely formulated product and I have recommended it to some of my readers.

Earlier this year, I was looking through the ingredient lists of some other daytime moisturizers from Olay in my local Boots store and I decided to try Complete Care Daily UV Fluid SPF 15 (for Normal/Oily Skin) and Complete Care Daily Sensitive UV Fluid SPF 15 (for Sensitive Skin). After using them for several months, I can say that I am very happy with both.

I was very pleased with the Multi-Radiance moisturizer, which is a competent sunscreen product (with ingredients to protect against UVA and UVB rays) that contains niacinamide. It was moisturizing without being greasy, it didn’t cause breakouts or irritation, and it worked for me all year around.

However, there are two ingredients the product doesn’t need to have. One is citrus nobilis (mandarin extract), which can be a skin irritant. It didn’t irritate my skin but I thought it would be nice to use a product that doesn’t contain this. The other is mica, which is one of the ingredients in makeup products that create shimmer. It is usually used in skincare products to create a subtle glow for the skin. (It doesn’t have skincare benefits.) Even though it didn’t make my skin look too glowy, I’d prefer skincare products with fewer ingredients whose effects are merely cosmetic.

Like the Multi-Radiance moisturizer, both of the Complete Care ones are well-formulated sunscreen products (with butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane to protect against UVA rays) and both contain niacinamide. Neither of them contains citrus nobilis or mica. Compared with Multi-Radiance, both have a lighter texture. (The two are very similar in texture.)

At the very moment I am using the one for normal/oily skin, but I will be going back to the one for sensitive skin. It was the one I used first when I bought the two and it will become my staple daytime moisturizer. The main reason is that it is fragrance-free. (The other two contain fragrance.)

One thing I would like to point out is that all the three moisturizers, as well as many others from Olay, contain benzyl alcohol, which can be a skin irritant. But it is not among the major ingredients in any of the three and I haven’t had negative reactions to them.

On a very minor note, I wish the bottles (pictured above) would come with a pump dispenser.

Overall, both are nice products. They spread effortlessly, absorb easily and don’t leave a greasy film. Both work well under makeup too. I would recommend them (especially the one for sensitive skin) to those with combination and oily skin as a daytime moisturising/sunscreen product.

Other skincare products I am using at the moment:

Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream

RMK Cleansing Oil

Lancôme Tonique Douceur

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Lunasol Fall 2009 Eye Care and Base Makeup Releases

by PJ on Wednesday, July 22, 2009

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2009 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Lunasol will release items for the eye area in Japan on September 18th. Two new shades will be added to the popular concealer, Under Eyes Base N. (It currently features 3 shades.) The shade in Natural Yellow will help conceal brown-toned dark circles, while Natural Orange will help cover up blue-toned dark circles.

Also, the Eye Essence Kit will be launched. The Kit includes eye moisturizers for day and night. The night-time one can be used as an eye mask once a week.

Lunasol Eyeshadow Palette Swatch Galore

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Lunasol Layer Bloom Eyes in Purple Gradation

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Skincare Review: Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

by PJ on Monday, June 15, 2009

in -Olay, skincare, skincare - moisturizing/others

(image from www.olay.co.uk)

Olay is a solid skincare line that has many very well-formulated items. The fact that most of Olay’s products are on the affordable side (compared with all the high-end products) shows that we don’t have to spend a lot of money on quality products.

Olay’s Complete Care Night Enriched Cream has been my evening moisturizer for a couple of years, and I have recently switched from Olay’s Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Fluid SPF 15 to Complete Care Daily Sensitive UV Fluid SPF15, also from Olay. (I will be featuring this product later on.) Today I am reviewing the Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum.

This serum has more of a gel texture than a watery consistency. (It is one of the thicker serum-type products that I have come across.) It doesn’t have a lot of slip, but it does create a silky finish, which is largely down to the various silicone ingredients and the fact that cyclopentasiloxane (silicone) is the first ingredient on the list (before water and glycerine).

It has a very good mix of beneficial ingredients, such as carnosine (with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties), tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E, antioxidant), tocopherol (vitamin E, antioxidant), allantoin (anti-irritant), and camellia sinensis (green tea, potential antioxidant for the skin).

Also included in this product is niacinamide (vitamin B3). Paula Begoun mentions that the serum contains approximately 2% to 3% niacinamide and that, in this amount, “it can increase the skin’s ceramide and fatty acid content as well as have anti-inflammatory action” (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, April 2004, pages 88-93). (The three Olay products that I mentioned above also contain niacinamide.) For more information on all the potential benefits of niacinamide, please refer to the entry in Paula Begoun’s Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary.

Overall, this can be a good product to be used under the moisturizer for those with normal or dry skin or as a light-weight moisturizer for those with oily skin. For daytime, it can also work as a primer to help create a smooth texture for the skin in order to facilitate makeup application. (You can also see Paula’s review of this serum here.)

Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve

Amatokin Emulsion for the Face

Nude Skincare Review

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YSL Fall 2009 Makeup Collection

by PJ on Friday, June 12, 2009

in -YSL, 2009 Fall, makeup, skincare

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Here is a quick look at YSL’s fall 2009 makeup collection. I like the look of the eye palette below, but this might be an Asia-exclusive release as it looks slightly different from the palette posted at Temptalia.

The new items includes:

– Palette Y Face Powder (above, limited edition)

– Ombres 5 Lumières 5 Colour Harmony for Eyes (2 new variations)