Reviewing New Products #6

 

Hi beauties!!! 

Welcome to the fifth installment of Reviewing New Products :) I've been trying and testing these products for the last 6 weeks. They've all got calming and soothing ingredients that help with inflammation and breakouts. Some have made a noticeable change in my skin and others have been less successful. It really is a mixed bag of results! Three of the products are Korean which are known for their innovative ingredients and formulas. Here are my thoughts and findings on these 4 products...

#1) Revolution Cica Serum

Reasons for purchase: I have to admit that the main reason I purchased this serum is because it was in the clearance sale in Boots for £5. However I had heard of cica (aka. centella asiatica) and its wound healing, calming and soothing properties. Also that it's good for acne prone and sensitive skin.

Thoughts (after 6 weeks): This serum is quite watery and spreads really easily over the face, as well as absorbing quickly into the skin. I haven't noticed any real improvements in my skin from it, however it does seem to calm down my skin after applying my chemical exfoliant. I'm not sure if it's helping clear up my acne or reducing inflammation though. I've ordered the Purito Centella Unscented Serum to try after I've finished this one, as I've seen really positive reviews for it on YouTube. Rating: 7/10

#2) Benton Deep Green Tea Toner

Reasons for purchase: If you've read my Battle of the Green Tea Toners post then you'll know that I bought this on impulse as I'd seen it mentioned on the Beauty Within YouTube  channel. I'd heard really good things about Korean skincare and liked that they were formulated with natural extracts, such as green tea. It claimed to control sebum production as well as calming and soothing redness/inflammation. However I then found another green tea toner with the same claims but with a higher percentage of green tea and in a bigger bottle.

Thoughts (after 5 weeks): I liked that it had no scent and a translucent yellow tint, compared to the yellow/brown colour of the Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner. At first I found that it wasn't hydrating enough with just one layer, however, I now feel like I don't need the extra hydration anyways. It controls my oil levels and soothes my skin which is more important as I already have a very hydrating moisturiser (Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel). I also like that it's formulated with Centella Asiatica and Willow Bark which are known for their soothing and astringent properties. Rating: 8/10

#3) Purito Comfy Water Sunblock SPF50+ PA++++

Reasons for purchase: I got this as an alternative to my Neutrogena Clear Face Oil Free Sunscreen SPF55. I found it to be very thick and greasy and it took awhile to work into the skin. Then I saw lots of good reviews on Korean suncreens, Purito in particular, and I had to see what all the hype was about.  

Thoughts (after 4 weeks): I had tried a sample of the Comfy Water Sun Block whilst away on a trip and had found it to be very light and moisturising. However, when the full size bottle arrived in the post I found that my skin would pill after applying it and it didn't sit very well under makeup. It's been the same every time I've used it, even when I wait 5-10 minutes for it to dry down. I then saw lots of good things on Skincare Addiction about the Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun and have ordered it as a replacement. Fingers crossed it doesn't pill! Rating: 3/10

#4) Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Reasons for purchase: I've been using the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for about 2 months now with no issues, however I wanted something that cleansed a bit deeper for the nighttime. I'd also seen good things online about this cleanser (Reddit and YouTube). I found it on Stylevana for about £6.75 which is half of it's normal price.

Thoughts (after 4 weeks): I decided to use this at night as I'd read on the Skincare Addiction subreddit that it's too stripping for the morning (ironic much?). Initially I loved the fine foam that it created when lathered and the subtle tea tree scent. It was such a nice experience and left my skin very soft afterwards. However you only need a pea size amount otherwise it can really dry out your skin. I do find that it does leave the skin feeling a tiny bit stripped but I only use it a few times a week and always follow up with my Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sleeping Cream. This cleanser is definitely not for daily use, even though it's gentle, as it's too drying. It contains both Betaine Salicylate and tea tree which have exfoliating and astringent properties. Rating: 7/10

Overall I have been quite impressed with these products as it's my first time dipping my toe in the Korean skincare world (minus the Cica Serum). I think I'm going to finish the Cica Serum before trying any new Centella Asiatica serums. I have the Purito Centella Green Level Buffet Serum but the essential oils put me off. In Hyram's videos on YouTube he's always saying how irritating essential oils are for the skin so I ordered the unscented version as well. I'm still undecided as to whether I should try out the Buffet Serum and risk irritating my skin. I think I might try it for a few days and see how my skin reacts to it, then decide whether to swap to the unscented version. I need to stop buying skincare on impulse and do my research first! In regards to the Purito Comfy Water Sun Block, I was very disappointed as I'd enjoyed the sample but the full size didn't meet my expectations at all :( Again this is a product I should've researched first because after I bought it a few Reddit users were saying how it made them pill and were singing the praises of the Centella Green Level Unscented Sun instead. Apparently it has chemical UV filters which reduce the white cast and help it absorb better into the skin. I had no idea there were so many different types of sunscreen! I thought they were all the same lol. 

The biggest surprise was the Benton Deep Green Tea Toner, as initially the packaging put me off as well as the 50% green tea extract (compared to the 80% in the Isntree toner). I also thought it was a bit dear for a 150ml bottle which would only last me a couple of months. How wrong I was! I realised that it also had 3 different types of green tea extract: root, seed and leaf water. Furthermore it contains Centella Asiatica (eighth ingredient) and willow bark extract (third to last ingredient), making it brilliant for soothing redness and controlling sebum production. I've already purchased a second bottle! I'm enjoying the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser but I'm wondering if it's too stripping for my skin. I've recently had about 4 breakouts in one week, which hasn't happened for awhile. I would say it's purging from TO Lactic Acid 5% but it's been in different areas. I might have to reduce my use of the cleanser to twice a week, as the Betaine Salicylate exfoliates as well. I also have willow bark extract in my Benton toner which could be stripping my skin even more. So maybe I'll cool it on the drying ingredients front!

Who Cares, We Care, Skincare :)