Sk2 whitening source derm-brightener

Claims: a moisturizer with whitening ingredients that help restore fairness and clarity leaving skin soft, fair and more radiant.

ingredient:Cyclopentasiloxane, Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate**, Glycerin, Aqua (Water/Eau), Polyethylene, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Allantoin, Agarum Cribosum Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Dna, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Metabisulfate

Niacinamide( vitamin B3) helps in revitalizing the skin and targeting uneven skin tone . High concentration of ascorbyl glucoside(vitamin c) is potent enough to perform anti-oxidation and targeting dark spot as well as uneven skin tone. Thanks to the anti-oxidation property, day time usage of this cream can protect the skin from free radical which can speed up the aging process of the skin. Panthenol (vitamin B5) helps in hydration of skin. Titanium dioxide provides an instant brightening effect to the skin after application, but it does not bring any bad effect to the skin, it is considered as a safe ingredient. Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate( vitamin c ester, more stable and potent), tocopherol ( vitamin E) and  Beta-carotene(the only vitamin A derivative poses anti-oxidation property) are the 3 types of effective antioxidant, but the concentration is too low. Other than that, most of the other ingredients are safety formulation ingredients and will not clog pore-silicone base, except propylene glycol and the negligible corn oil.

When you look at the moisturizer, you may think it is a very thick and creamy moisturizer, you are totally wrong! Don`t judge a book by the cover is applicable to this moisturizer. Try to dot the moisturizer on the 5 spots of your face (forehead, 2 dots on cheek , nose and jaw) and spread it out , you will experience the miracle easy-absorb and silky texture of the moisturizer without any greasiness. The moisturizer is kept inside a sealed jar , you have to turn the cap in a clock-wise way to get it. 

The sealed packaging can ensure the vitamin C would not be oxidized . Only a pea size is required for the whole face because it can spread out smoothly on the face and ensuring a full coverage of every part of the skin .It has no any unique smell, but what I like the most is the effect. After application I notice the skin is properly hydrated and soothe. The next morning, after washing my face, the natural glow of my face is noticeable. Days by days the skin becomes brighter and healthier. I even notice my dark spots are lighter and I have to really focus in front of the mirror to point out the dark spots. =) I neither experience any clogged pore nor sensitivity. Highly recommend for all skin type. Day time usage can protect the skin from free radical, whereas night time usage is like an intensive whitening treatment to improve the effectiveness of your whitening essence/serum.

Conclusion: I have nothing bad to say about this moisturizer, I will consider this as a perfect moisturizer. Personally, in compared with all the other sk2 moisturizers, this is the only one that I will consider as a perfect moisturizer.

After washing the face, toning the skin with lotion and applying beauty essence, place an adequate amount on the palm of your hands, spread over the entire face and let it blend into the skin.

Available in all sk2 counters ,RM 419 for 75 ml.

Can last for a very long time. Daily twice a day application can even last for 6 months. =)

Sk2 facial treatment clear lotion

Claims:PURIFYING - the path of purity. Clear Purifying Lotion. For perfectly conditioned and ultra-fresh skin

Ingredients: Water, Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene GlycoI, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-150, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid.

Again the main ingredient is pitera, which can regulate the normal cell turnover process. A combination of citric ,lactic , malic and salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the dead cells gently, the concentration is gentle enough to use daily .

The main worry of this product for me is the preservative(disodium EDTA and methylparaben), they are located at the middle of the ingredient list so they may concentrate enough to sensitize the skin. Sensitive skin should be more careful.

before

after.Notice some grey residue on the cotton pat even I had done my double cleansing

A transparent watery fluid without any awkward smell like FTE ,it is like water completely.

I still remember my skin reacted badly with this toner at first .My skin turned red after wiping my skin with this toner.

However, after 1 year I gave it a try again, this time the result is completely opposite. I use this after washing my face with a foaming face wash, my skin becomes so so so ...clean but not drying or redness at all! Then I will continue with my FTE, the absorption becomes so much better. The following skincare products can be absorbed into the skin instantly! I can notice some grey residue stick on the cotton if I did not clean my face properly before that. I will fold the cotton into a smaller piece and wipe gently the area around mouth and nose in a circular movement to exfoliate the skin around that area.Sk2 does not sell any scrub or exfoliator. Sk2 encourages their users to remove the dead cells daily, that is why this toner appears in their skincare range as the first step after cleansing. Personally I like this concept so much due to a few reasons .Normal exfoliation twice a week will cause:

11)    redness and not comfort after exfoliation(if wrong product)

22)dry skin for the next morning and the skin needs extra hydration so skincare steps are required to modify.

33)   dead cells cannot turn over daily for optimum skincare product absorption .

soak a cotton pad with clear lotion .Gently wipe over T zone ,then U zone and neck 

Avoid eye area. I will use it at night, but not every night .If I notice my skin is drier in the morning, I will skip that at night to prevent excessive moisture loss.

Pros: ensuring the cleansing is complete, improve skincare product absorption, highly recommended for oily skin or those with redundant dead cells

Cons: prone a risk to sensitize the skin

Available in all sk2 counters, RM 189 and RM 235 for 150 ml and 215 ml respectively.

Neogence hyaluronic acid hydrating oil-control water gel

Claims: sebaryl keeps skin balancing ,strengthen skin barrier and helps locking water ,moisturizes and strengthens skin protection ,gel texture leaves skin hydrating and oil control

ingredient:Aqua, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-15/15 Butyl Ether Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Propylene Glycol, Zinc Gluconate, Caffeine, Biotin, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Mannitol, Sodium Citrate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone.

 Oleo Europaea fruit oil traps water in the skin and nourishes the skin as well. In compared with synthetic lipid, this ingredient has lower risk of clogging pore. Tocopheryl acetate is an anti oxidant, application of this moisturizer during day time can save your skin from free radicals. Ammonium glycyrrhizate, zinc gluconate and calendula help in oil controlling and soothing the skin. Hyaluronic acid provides long lasting hydration for the skin. As most of the dermatological brands, the ingredients are excellent and free from some unnecessary allergens.

vacuum packaging ensures each pump of the gel is fresh and  clean =)

immediately after spreading out the gel

after 2 mins,it is fully absorbed

This is a gel texture moisturizer with no smell. I was attracted by this product is because of the extreme light weight, fresh and watery texture that can be spread out easily on the skin without any feeling of suffocating the skin. It is very ideal for warm weather especially in some tropical countries such as Malaysia or Singapore. It will leave on the skin a thin shield of protective layer and the moisturizing effect can last for a long time except in an air conditioning environment you may need a thicker layer of the gel. I have combination dry skin .I experienced a little bit of dryness on the check area if I sleep in an air conditioning room for a night, therefore I will put on another layer of cream on the check area to equalize the oil-water balance of the face.

After serum spread it on the face and massage it gently until it is being fully absorbed

Pros: suitable for allergic skin, oil controlling, fresh and light texture

Cons: a little bit dryness

Available in all sasa,Rm 80 for 50 ml

Kose sekkisei sun protector

claims :

Kose Medicated Sekkisei Sun Protector SPF50+/PA +++ gently envelopes your skin and saves your skin from the scorching sun.

This is mainly a physical + chemical sun block .Zinc oxide is the main ingredient for physical sun block .Zinc oxide is always a better sun protection ingredient in compared with the others due to the level of protection it provided as well as it is photo stable. Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and cetyl ethylhexanoate are the ingredients for chemical sun block. There are plenty of antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside,tocopherol and the plant extracts ) in this sun block to fight for the free radicals.

Alcohol is not the top 5 ingredients so we can try not to emphasis too much on the side effect of alcohol except you have a very sensitive skin. Mineral oil can clog pore, acne prone skin should take care of this ingredient.

A milky, light sun block with a lovely herbal smell which is the same as the other products from sekkisei range, a very classical sekkisei smell .It can be spread out evenly on the face and leaved your face a very natural , radiant glow .The effect is close to an excellently foundation ~! It also provides a noticeable concealer effect on these imperfections. At the end of the day, my skin is still smooth and moisturized. The oil control effect is also awesome. My T-zone only a little bit oily in the evening.

The only thing I do not like on this sun block is the cleansing process .This sun block cannot be removed with normal cleanser. Cleansing water cannot clean the residue completely except bioderma micellar water(base on my experience). Normally I will clean this off by using shu uemura cleansing oil.

Spread it all over the face at the end of your day time skincare. Take care of the consequent cleansing step in the evening. =)

Pros: excellent texture, foundation effect, oil control, antioxidant, hydrate skin

Cons: cleansing step has to be more careful

Available in all kose counters, RM 58 for 25 ml

Kose seikisoh cooling cleansing gel

Claims:Extremely gentle oil-based cleansing gel thoroughly and speedily removes makeup without any oily after- feel. Easy to rinse off too.

Ingredients: TRIETHYLHEXANOIN, WATER (AQUA), GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE, MINERAL OIL (PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM), DIGLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE, CHAENOMELES SINENSIS FRUIT EXTRACT, COIX LACRYMA-JOBI (JOB'S TEARS) SEED EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ACRYLATES/STEARETH-20 METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, ALCOHOL, CAMPHOR, CHOLESTERYL HYDROXYSTEARATE, CHOLETH-10, DISODIUM EDTA, MENTHOL, PEG-10 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, SODIUM METHYL STEAROYL TAURATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) 

Glycerin helps in trapping moisture within the skin without stripping off moisture during the cleansing process .Job`s tears extract helps in whitening of the skin .Surfactant (sodium lauryl sulfate) is low in concentration, therefore there is no worry about stripping off the skin`s moisture. Preservative (disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol ) and fragrance have a low concentration as well.

My main worry about this product is the mineral oil in this product. Incomplete emulsification will lead to clogged pore .This is why every oil base makeup remover always encourage their users to tap some water on the skin after using the cleansing products and massage gently and carefully until all the oil have turned milky white COMPLETELY before washing off with flowing water .You will feel the oil becomes sticky n stick on the skin, which is difficult to rub off if you do not emulsify the oil completely. Besides, menthol provides a cooling sensation after the cleansing step, but it may trigger allergic reaction in sensitive skin individual. Other than that are all safe formulation ingredients.

emulsification is fast,but I do feel some sticky feeling after wash off with tap water

This is a fresh, gel like cleansing products with a classical sekkisei smell which makes you indulge in the cleansing step. The emulsification is moderate, if you have tried out shu uemura before, shu uemura is definitely better in emulsification. After cleansing, you will feel the skin is soften and brighter, not drying .The cooling sensation will subside awhile after the water have dried up. The cleansing efficiency is poor, even water-proof sun block also cannot remove completely in once, so for those apply mascara I will recommend you to buy another eye-lip makeup remover.

Apply with dry skin and palm. Massage gently on the skin then tap some water on the face to massage until all the gel has turned milky white, finally wash off with flowing water.

Pros: not drying, nice smell

Cons: pore clogging if emulsification is not being done properly, poor cleansing efficiency

Available in all kose counters, RM 85 for 120 ml.

Chanel UV essential

Claims:

• Skin’s guardian angel provides invisible daily protection against environmental aggressors. A free-radical and anti-pollution shield with a Vitamin E derivative and plant extracts empowers this oil-free, lightweight formula to safeguard skin against environmental pollutants. Licorice Root Extract and a highly effective combination of UVA and UVB filters help diminish and prevent the appearance of dark spots and signs of premature aging.

 This is ranked as the top sun block in makeupalley( a skincare review website),that is why it really attract me to try it out.

This is mainly a physical sun block .Zinc oxide(18%) and  titanium dioxide provide a long lasting ,photo stable ,complete sun protection .Physical sun block is always better for sensitive skin .It works by reflecting the sun ray ,meanwhile chemical sun block works by absorbing the sun ray to prevent the sun ray from penetrating the skin epidermis into the dermis and causing burning and aging .Without being absorbed into the skin ,this is the reason why physical sun block is better for sensitive skin type .Besides ,sodium hyaluronate hydrates the skin.

The formulation of this sun block is close to a Japanese sun block because it contains alcohol as a solvent .Alcohol is the fifth ingredient in the list ,which is potent to cause dehydration of the skin ,long term usage will speed up aging process also !Fragrance and preservative(methyl paraben ) are in the middle part of the ingredient list ,which will trigger allergic reaction .Ivy extract and licorice are good for antioxidant and soothing the skin, but the concentration is too low in the sun block .

before

after,I spread the sunblock on the right side of my hand ,the left side is without any product

This sun block has a milk ,light texture and can be absorbed easily into the skin .A very light floral smell that will last for quite a long time after application ,a very ‘’chanel’’ smell .I also found that the sun protection ability is very strong and stable ,even I stay under sunlight for a very long time the skin also would not be tanned at the end of the day .This is not a water proof sun block so it can be cleaned easily .The bad side for this sun block is that ,it is very hard to spread out evenly and it will leave your face a very obvious, unnatural white cast . This sun block is too dry for my combination dry skin. My jaw line appear some dry patches at the end of the day .Because of that, reapply the sun block becomes a difficult task and which is not good for the skin .I notice the skin will be drier if I reapply .Spraying spring water also cannot quench the thirst of my skin, probably due to the sun block cannot trap the moisture in the skin. I will more recommend this sun block for oily skin type.

Spread it all over the skin at the end of your day time skincare. If you are looking for a makeup base, there are 3 other makeup base choices from chanel .I will more recommend you to focus of hydration before putting on this sun block on your moisturize . I found that dividing an one day amount sun block into 3  then apply them by gently tapping all over the skin will make the looking more even and natural.

Pros: photo stable, excellent sun protection, light texture

Cons: drying except for oily skin type, leaving the skin unnatural white cast

Available in all chanel counters, 30 ml for RM 163.

Sulwhasoo overnight vitalizing mask

Claims: Replenish your skin as you rest with this hydrating overnight mask, formulated with Korean medicinal herbs to reawaken skin's natural glow

Excellent ingredients ! This mask contains abundant of plant extract in a high concentration. Shea butter is good for sensitive and dehydrated skin,which can repair and nourish the skin.Squalene is a lipid to hold the moisture and regenerate the skin,which can be found naturally in our body.Ginseng extract is proven to deliver regenerating  and anti oxidative effect for the body cells.Licorice extract is proven be able to soothen the skin  by reducing the inflammatory reaction within the skin.There are endless list of plant extract,most of them are for hydrating,soothing and anti oxidative purposes.

The only thing makes me worry is the cetyl ethyhexanoate in the mask.That is a synthetic  lipid poses the risk of clogging pore.

This is a cream mask comes with a ginseng smell.Nourish but not oily,yet it can hydrate the skin appropriately.Application of a thin layer over the skin is very good for those who sleep in an air-cond room.The next morning you will wake up with a energized and hydrated skin.However,repeated usage every night will reduce the effectiveness,that is what I had noticed.Overall, I think I more encourage this mask for those with dull skin and require a good mask to boost the radiance.

Pros:hydrating,nourishing,time saving,energize skin

Cons:risk of clogging pore,long term usage reduce efficacy

Apply a thin layer all over the face after moisturizer,as the last step of night time skincare.For those who are looking for a faster result,apply a thick layer and spread all over the face for 15 mins then wash away with water.

Available in all sulwhasoo counters.Online purchase is easier in some countries where there have no sulwhasoo counters,I got mine from Singapore Tangs orchard road Sulwhasoo counter,68 SG dolar for 120 ml.