REVIEW: Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish

~MG~
Black sugar scrub is known to help remove dead skin cells and blackheads, exfoliate and moisturize dry skin, which sums up my skin type. I have oily skin with blackheads but I do get dry flaky skin on my face (due to the acne cream prescribed by my dermatologist). I wanted tor try the popular Skinfood sugar scrub but after reading and watching the good reviews of the Klairs'. Reviews said that Klair's Black Sugar Facial Polish is more gentle than Skinfood Black Sugar Mask. 

Bought it from Wishtrend for US$23 (S$31). This product won the 2015 best award on Wishtrend. It is alcohol-free and silicone-free which is great for sensitive skin. It has a sugar scent which I dislike because I do not prefer sweet selling scent especially for bodycare products.

Even though the name of this product has the word ‘polish’ in it which may sounds scary but it is actually very gentle, hence the name. The sugar bits is more fine than the skinfood black sugar scrub so it is more gentle on the skin. To use this product, cleanse your face and dry it. Then you will need to mix 2-3 drops of water onto an adequate amount of the product before scrubbing with a circular motion onto your face. You will continue scrubbing it until the sugar bits melts away. Then you will wash it off with water and continue with your skincare routine.

REVIEW: Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

 ~MG~

Ever since my university days in the US, I have been wanting to try this Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. It is one of the most best-selling serums in Sephora. However, I never bought it because of the price US$79 (S$105).

So after more than 7 years, I finally bought this serum last July in a pharmacy in Switzerland. My skin is prone to acne which will leave me with dark scars. That is why I am constantly on a hunt for the best brightening serum to combat the dark spots and uneven skin tone. This product is 0% parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, mineral oils, sodium laureate sulfate and free of animal ingredients.

The main active ingredient of this serum is a natural extract called Viniferine, which is from the grapevine sap. According to the Caudalie website, "during the olden days in the vineyards, young girls would applied grapevine sap on their skin to reduce dark spots and brighten their complexion since they are always out working in the sun. It said to be the most effective against dark spots and achieving a radiant complexion. Viniferine has been proven to be 62 times more effective compared to Vitamin C in lightening the skin.” 

NEW BUY: Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner - Aloe Vera Formula

 ~AG~

Bought this skincare's favorite, Thayer Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner Aloe Vera Formula, from iherb. It costs S$11.69 ml for 355 ml of product. An affordable drugstore toner that was highly recommended by one of my friends. Thayers Witch Hazel Toner also comes in other variety: Original, Lavender, Unscented and Cucumber. 

This alcohol-free toner contains rose water, aloe vera and witch hazel to soothe and cleanse the skin. Rose Petals are full of natural oils and and sugars to help restore dehydrated skin. The natural astringent properties of rose petals work together with witch hazel to tighten pores, control oil production, lock moisture in, and keep free radicals out. This toner is also full of Vitamin C, which is crucial for collagen production, strengthening skin cells, and fading blemishes and scars. Thayer Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner is suitable for those with normal, combination or sensitive skin type. 

You can apply with a cotton ball or soft pad to cleanse, soften, refresh and moisturize skin. Alternatively, you can use anytime throughout the day as a softening refresher.  

I cannot wait to try this Thayer Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner Aloe Vera Formula. Hope it will work for my sensitive, combination skin. Stay tuned for the review.

REVIEW: Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm

A jar of Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm

~AG~

The Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm comes with 15ml of product. It costs Euro 56 which is equivalent to S$90. Didn't realized it was that expensive! This product was recommended to me by the French lady at the pharmacy. She mentioned that this product will help my clogged pores and blemishes. She recommended that I use it once or twice a week on the T-zones and blemish areas.
This is a unique product which I have not seen elsewhere on the market - a mix of essential oils that target skin blemishes.

This Darphin Purifying Balm contains 12 Essential Oils from medicinal plants, spices and flowers to target skin imperfections. It contains: 1) apricot kernel oil, 2) sunflower seed oil, 3) rosewood oil, 4) grapefruit peel oil, 5) thyme oil, 6) lavender oil, 7) cinnamon bark oil, 8) germanium flower oil, 9) sage oil and a few more essential oils. This Balm clarifies pores and helps reduce imperfections. You are supposed to leave the Purifying Balm overnight to work on the skin. 

This Darphin Purifying Balm has been part of my skin care regimen for over three months now. I try to use it once a week, and apply it only to my T-zone areas. It has strong essential oil scent that is tolerable. Especially when I see visible blackheads and pimples emerging, I would apply this Darphin Purifying Balm before bed and leave it on overnight. The next morning, I do not see significant difference. Though I would say that my skin feels less congested. This product works more for a preventative measure. I think you have to use this product regularly to notice the difference that this Darphin Purifying Balm can make. 

Even though this jar only contains 15ml of product, it will lasts a long time. I have used it for three months, and there seems to plenty of product left. However, I would not repurchase Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm as it is expensive and the effect is not immediately seen. This product is not a must-have for my skincare regimen.

REVIEW: COS-RX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

 Picture credits: Soko Glam

~MG~

Bought COS-RX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser in Aland during my previous trip to Seoul last April. I heard so much rave about this cleanser online that I just had to get it. It retails for 8,500 Korean Won, which is approximately S$10. This gentle cleanser has a low PH formula, a PH value of 5, that would not strip your skin of its natural oils. It contain purifying botanical ingredients to gently cleanse the skin. 

This cleanser has a rather strong tea tree oil scent which reminded me of like the tea tree oil cleanser that I have used back in Secondary School. Users like it for its gentle BHA ingredient but I just did not see the exfoliating effect on my skin. I thought it would help to deep clean my pores and remove all the gunk, but I was sorely disappointed. 

The gel cleanser comes in a squeeze packaging with a cap. However, I have some issues with the packaging. The gel consistency of the cleanser is too liquid-y, thus it tends to squeeze out too much product. The consistency and packaging of the gel cleanser is problematic for a frequent traveler like me. Whenever I bring this cleanser on my trip, it leaks too much of the product. I brought this gel cleanser on three trips, on my last trip about half of the product leaked out of the packaging. I was so frustrated with that. 
  
I use COS-RX Morning Gel Cleanser twice a day, morning and night. It lathers too well, a first for me. The cleanser becomes too foamy. Sometimes when I wash my face, I can blow out huge bubble from my nose because the foam gets into my nose. Overrated, it is an average cleanser. I don’t understand the hype. Even though it contains 150 ml of product, it can only lasts me for a short 2 months because of the excessive leakage/spillage.  

I would not buy it again even though it is affordable because the packaging causes the product to be very wasteful. If you do want to try this product, I would recommend you to just leave it in your bathroom at home and not take it in the plane. But if you insist, for the safety of your wallet, fill it up inside a small travel bottle instead… save money and save space!