APPLICATION:Spreads easily but feels kinda greasy on your fingers.
FINISH: Satin type of finish.
FEEL:Light.
STINGS EYES?No.
WHITECAST?The tint is slightly noticeable on my skin but I definitely do not rely on this for coverage, just to make sure there’s no whitecast. Word of caution to the super pale: this WILL be noticeable on you. Opt for the untinted one.
WATER RESISTANT?40 minutes.
SKIN BENEFITS? Nothing overly spectacular other than sun protection.
UNDER MAKEUP: On par with how the Riversol SPF 30 Sunscreen performs. It Cosmetics CC Cream is able to blend evenly, but it’s not a lot of slip on the skin to help sheer it out like Elta Md SPF 30 Sunscreen.
I originally bought this on a recommendation from one of the workers at Shoppers DrugMart for Nick to use when he cycles. It is very light, so it doesn’t feel like he’s adding something difficult to use in the morning. The tint surprised him at first, but it doesn’t provide coverage and his skin looks like his skin. It’s a nice sunscreen for sure, but $34 for 50ml is on the more expensive side.
Thank you SO MUCH for sticking around for Sunscreen Week! Hope it helped you out in choosing a sunscreen.
APPLICATION:Easy to blend with no sign of pilling. I’ve seen suggestions on their website you don’t need to apply a lot to cover your face, which is the complete opposite of what I hear from dermatologists or skincare professionals…
FINISH: Glow up.
FEEL:Light.
STINGS EYES?No.
WHITECAST?I do notice the tint slightly, but over all it seems to mask the whitecast.
WATER RESISTANT?No.
SKIN BENEFITS? I haven’t been using it enough to see, but so far it’s performing well as a cosmetically elegant physical sunscreen that’s slightly moisturizing.
UNDER MAKEUP: Not as difficult to blend in as the Ordinary UV Mineral Filters, but not as easy as the other sunscreens I’ve reviewed thus far. Overall I think it’s good since I’m simple with my base anyways.
Riversol SPF 30 Lightweight Broad Spectrum Sunscreen * is one of the better physical sunscreens I have come across so far. What I like is that the tube is filled with product, no empty space to be found once you receive it. If I can’t get a hold of Elta Md at an affordable price I will definitely go back to this one.
By the way, I just got an email saying that if you purchase Riversol SPF 30 Sunscreen from their official website, you will get free shipping! It’s like a sign to try it, no? 😛
Thanks for sticking with me this far! One more to go!
ABOUT “CeraVe® AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is an ideal moisturizer for daily use, developed specifically for the face, which helps restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier while providing protection against the sun’s damaging rays.
The ceramide-rich formula provides essential ingredients to maintain a healthy skin barrier and also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which may help reduce redness due to dry skin. So, while CeraVe® AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is protecting your skin from the sun, it’s also rebuilding and restoring your skin’s protective outer lipid layer.”
APPLICATION:Spreads nicely, takes time to blend and could pill up around the sides of your face.
Notice the little white pills on the sides
FINISH
Slightly greasy after I massaged it in, but it goes away shortly on my dry skin. FEEL:Light. Skin feels dry to the touch. STINGS EYES?Yes. I feel it more near the end of the day rather than right after application. WHITECAST?No.
WATER RESISTANT?No. SKIN BENEFITS?
It is fairly moisturizing, although I don’t find it on par with the PM Moisturizer. My skin looks even tone when I use this, could possibly be from the Niacinamide low on the ingredients list. UNDER MAKEUP:
My It Cosmetic CC Cream is applied easily with this underneath and it doesn’t seem to compromise the finish. WHERE TO BUY: Well.ca
This is one of the better drugstore sunscreens I have tried. It’s not my favourite product out of Cerave’s line, but it does serve its purpose. Nick uses this on a daily basis as a moisturizer. He pretty much has perfect skin, so he doesn’t have any problems with this other than it stings if he applied it after he’s freshly shaven. I only use it when I’m going to the gym and I don’t want to use a more expensive sunscreen just to wash it off in an hour. Definitely give this a try if you’re looking for a hybrid, *fairly* affordable moisturizing sunscreen!
ABOUT “The Ordinary range of Mineral UV Filters formulas’ offer SPF protection along with antioxidant, hydration, and anti-irritant support.
The Mineral UV Filter formulas avoid the use of any nanoparticles. Instead, a refined dispersion of micronized ZnO and TiO2 in flexible, high-volatility, non-comedogenic silicones allows the formulations to remain extremely lightweight by optimizing the amount of the blocking agents. Our formulation uses mainly ZnO for its protective effects (because in addition to reflecting/refracting light, ZnO is actually also able to absorb UV rays without creating oxygen radicals) and the supporting TiO2 that it contains is only in rutile form (no anatase form of TiO2 is used at all since it’s an aggressive producer of free radicals).”
Price: $9.70 CAD Amount: 50ml / 1.7 fl Oz Protection: Their Instagram comments said they only did UVB testing; Haven’t checked for updates on this. Strength: SPF 30 UV FILTERS: Type: Physical
Zinc Oxide 14.03%
Titanium Dioxide 5.44% INGREDIENTS:
CONSISTENCY: Thick cream.
APPLICATION
Difficult. Takes a while for it to spread evenly on the skin.
FINISH: Matte – Satin on initial application, but then gets VERY glowy and stays tacky.
FEEL:
On the heavier side compared to other sunscreens I’ve reviewed. I can tell it’s sitting on my face. My skin is also very tacky for a long time. STINGS EYES? No. WHITECAST? Yes.
WATER RESISTANT? No (although with the way it feels, I’m surprised it’s not). SKIN BENEFITS?
Skin tone looks even, however my sebaceous filaments are more noticeable than usual. UNDER MAKEUP:
I couldn’t blend and sheer out my It Cosmetics CC Cream at all. It’s like wherever you apply your makeup, it will stay. For those who wear fuller coverage and you want it to last a long time, look into this SPF. But you may be using a bit of foundation. WHERE TO BUY: The Ordinary
It is unfortunate to say, the Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants is not a hit for me. It’s not a pleasant formulation at all and I really don’t like using it. It’s okay around my eyes, but I don’t like the extra tugging I have to do to get an even base. I had too high of expectations for this one, and I’d rather return this and pay more for a more cosmetically elegant sunscreen.
APPLICATION: Very easy to apply with the spray nozzle. Have to take time to blend it in.
FINISH:Not too greasy, not too dry, just right. (Right leg is where it’s applied).
FEEL:Light. Skin doesn’t feel dry or greasy.
STINGS EYES?
No. You can put this on your face if you just spray the product into your hands. I just don’t like how it feels on my face.
WHITECAST? Minimal. It looks slightly ashy now that my skin tone is around medium. I noticed if you don’t blend it in properly it’ll cling to hair follicle areas. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed anything too drastic.
WATER RESISTANT? Yes. However when I went into water with this on, my body became patchy and sickly looking.
SKIN BENEFITS? None other than sun protection.
UNDER MAKEUP: Too uncomfortable to wear on my face. Kids probably won’t care or even notice.
Great body sunscreen for everyday use with a nice ingredient list. Not greasy at all and easy to apply with minimal ashiness (on my medium tone body). I’m personally not into wearing it if I swim. I find it a little pricey for a small size. I like carrying it in my purse when I’m out and about for reapplication.
Back in June, StyleKorean sent me the Troiareuke Aesthetic Start Kit to review for you all, and I’m ready to share!
The brand’s description from StyleKorean says it best:
“Troiareuke is a professional aesthetic skincare brand that aims to provide the perfect solution to your daily skin concerns.
Your skin changes on a day-to-day basis depending on a variety of factors. This includes the external environment, health status, emotions and life cycle. Thus, Troiareuke provides a customized 1:1 prescription system that will target your daily needs and concerns via a holistic means of Chroma, Aroma and Herb therapy.
Experience the self-spa cosmetic prescription brand that’s favored by even skincare professionals and aestheticians.”
The Troiareuke Aesthetic Start Kit contains the following:
While browsing the main page of this product, it advertises this kit like an at-home spa treatment, especially for those with acne-prone, sensitive skin. I decided to rotate it every-other-night from my PM Skincare Routine, following StyleKorean’s guide to using it. I pulled descriptions of each product from BeautyTap – they have a more eloquent way of describing the products 🙂
Step 1: Weak Acid Cleansing
“The Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing is a carefully balanced facial cleanser that addresses the needs of oily, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. A clear gel that contains zero oil, thanks to its microemulsion system, this cleanser contains antibacterial soapwort extract, a natural surfactant that walks the fine line of cleansing without stripping or irritating skin. Papaya extract exfoliates dead skin cells, while portulaca extract soothes and calms skin irritation.”
Trial Size: 55ml Regular Size: 120ml
Main Ingredients: Papaya extract – have papain enzyme that exfoliates the skin
Portulaca oleracea L – skin-soothing; antioxidant
Aloevera extract – skin-soothing
Selemix An – I have no idea lolol
This cleansing non-oil has a liquidy-gel type texture with a bit of a scent to it, and contains a minimal, yet recognizable list of ingredients. The Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing is so light, it really thins out as you massage it into your skin and dries up quickly. Despite this, it quickly broke down my It Cosmetics CC Cream by the time it dried. I rinsed it off with lukewarm water, and followed up with a soaked cotton pad of Too Cool For School Cleansing Water to make sure there’s nothing left. The Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing does not completely remove everything, so be sure to not skip your double cleanse! I actually don’t know if this is supposed to be for first or second cleanse, because it’s a non-oil cleanser that removes makeup! Aside from that, this gel-type cleanser feels very nice on the skin, and it’s very suitable for those who do not like cleansing oils out on the market. If I were to purchase the full size of anything, I would choose the Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing!
Step 2: Tight Skin, Ampoule + Toner
“The Healing Cocktail of the Skin Complex Formula and Anti Trouble Formula ampouleare made to go together to create a synergistic toner that specifically addresses irritable, reactive skin. The hydrating Skin Complex Formula calms inflammation, fights free radicals, and infuses skin with a boost of moisture. With antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory pycnogenol from pine bark extract and 18 other botanical extracts, the toner relieves oxidative stress and strengthens the skin barrier. It can be used on its own or mixed together with the Anti Trouble Formula ampoule, which is formulated with 12 botanical extracts and hyaluronic acid to calm irritated skin. The Anti Trouble ampoule can also be used on its own or mixed into your favorite moisturizer.”
On its main page, the combo of the Skin Complex Formula and the Anti-Trouble Formula Ampoule is supposed to help with dehydration and calm the skin. Having said that, you most definitely should mix the two because the Anti Trouble Formula Ampoule has Alcohol high on the ingredients list. The Skin Complex formula bottle isn’t even full with product and there are a lot of hints you should mix the two.
I like that the Skin Complex Formula has a blend of recognizable skin-friendly ingredients such as Glycerin, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Chamomile, Sodium Hyaluronate, Calendula, with some added exotic plant extracts such as Pine (antimicrobial, antioxidant), Hibiscus (skin-conditioning) and Honeysuckle (skin-soothing) (these are near the top of the list). The Green Ampoule however is concentrated with a lot of exotic plant extracts I haven’t seen in my skincare products before, some of which are skin-conditioning: Lotus, Gnaphaliumleontopodium, Madonna Lily, Freesia.
I shake up the bottle and make sure I spray my face evenly and under my jaw where I also breakout. I’m surprised this spray actually delivers light hydration and leaves a bit of tack on the skin, but nothing too heavy. Even as I leave it on my skin, I never feel like I’m getting dried up. For such a light, watery formula, it really does leave a pleasant, non-irritating feeling on the skin!
Step 3: Problem Solver, Recovery Cream
“The [Acsen]Recovery Cream helps heal and hydrate acne-prone, sensitive skin with portulaca extract and Malaysian Centella asiatica extract, the highest quality of its kind. Great for use on trouble spots, acne scars, dry patches, or redness, this cream accelerates skin recovery with calendula extract, while salicylic acid speeds cell turnover and removes excess sebum.”
The Recovery cream uses Madecassic Acid, and ingredient derived from Centella Asiatica to help with wound-healing; In this case, to help heal up a popped spot. There is also Salicylic Acid (unknown %) and Beta-Glucan on the list that also help with reducing and soothing blemishes.
This is a good light lotion type of moisturizer. For my skin-type, I notice my skin feels dry shortly after I apply the Recovery Cream, even applying my Hada Labo Perfect Gel prior. My face doesn’t feel tight, but I personally do not feel moisturized enough. Even so, I’d recommend using it in specific areas where you either have open wounds from popping a pimple (bad!) or dry spots. Face moisturizers usually come in 50ml packaging minimum, so using this 25ml as a face moisturizer would go to waste quickly.
I noticed when putting it on a rather inflamy spot that the pain died down pretty quickly and the redness subsided quite a bit.
Final Thoughts
PROS:
– Lightweight
– Gentle; Non-sensitizing
– Little amount needed
– Effective
– Decent amount of product for a Trial Kit
CONS:
– Price; More expensive than other popular products at full size
– Fragrance; Potentially irritating for those with very sensitive skin
The Troiareuke Aesthetic Start Kit is perfect for who its main clients are – oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin. All products contain botanical, skin-soothing ingredients that are very light in consistency, non-sensitizing, and very approachable for individuals that don’t want anything feeling heavy on their skin with a lot of residue. Despite the price point, a little goes a long way when you use the products, so you will see some skin benefits while using it.
I wouldn’t fully knock this off the list for those who are dry however; I still noticed it did something for my skin despite how dry I am. Instead of using it on its own, I incorporated it into my current skincare routine with other hydrating and moisturizing products and it worked fine.
Typically when I start testing a lot of products and don’t maintain consistency with my routine I notice breakouts galore, but none of that has happened while using the Troiareuke Aesthetic Start Kit! All the products were very gentle and I never got a sensitized feeling. Despite my normal to dry skin, I still benefited from each product if I included it in my usual skincare.
If you are interested in trying Troiareuke products, but do not want to invest in the full size, definitely opt for the Aesthetic Start Kit (especially with the deal going on). It’s quite an expensive brand from the KBeauty world, so you want to make sure you like it! I’ve invested in skincare for around $200 before, so it’s not entirely unreasonable. This kit also contains the essentials of a good cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer (spot moisturizer), all necessary steps in your skincare.
I recommend looking at COSDNA’s list on Troiareuke ingredients. It just gives the list of ingredients of whatever product and its function. VERY useful if you’re overwhelmed with the list of exotic plant extracts and just need to know what something does!
All in all I enjoyed the products and were well incorporated in my skincare routine.
INGREDIENTS: I’ve heard that the ingredients list is not in the proper order, so the ingredients at the top may not indicate this product has a lot of that ingredient. (Let me know in the comments if this is correct)
CONSISTENCY:Fluid cream
APPLICATION:Very easy to blend in and cover a lot of skin.
FINISH:Glowy. Could be borderline greasy if you’re not into very moisturizing sunscreens.
FEEL:Light and Moisturized. Doesn’t feel like I have anything heavy on my face.
STINGS EYES?Yes.
WHITECAST? Minimal. I don’t notice it if I were to wear it on its own outside. However when I was at the gym, it was a tad noticeable that I was a lot paler than my body under false lighting.
WATER RESISTANT?No.
SKIN BENEFITS? Gives my skin extra moisture and I don’t feel as dehydrated by the end of the day.
Note: My boyfriend applied this to his freshly shaved face and it stung him a bit.
UNDER MAKEUP: So far my favourite to use under makeup. My skin is nice and smooth after I use it, so adding my CC Cream on top adds to the healthy look my skin is showing.
WHERE TO BUY:
I got mine at Amazon.ca for $32, but the price fluctuates. However, their other sunscreens seem to be around $40 as I write this. Dermstore for Americans
This is my favourite sunscreen I have EVER purchased. Love the amount I get and how cosmetically elegant it truly is! I definitely want to repurchase it, but it’s very difficult to buy for Canadians. I may need to hunt for a different staple that’s easier to buy, otherwise I would definitely repurchase an Elta Md sunscreen!
The more I delve into the realm of skincare science, the more I get into sunscreen. As much as I love being outside in the warm weather, you should always be on top of your sun protection game. While the sun is a life giver and healer, excessive sun exposure guaranteed causes burning and DNA damage. Depending on your genetic makeup and which part of the world you live, there is a unique balancing act we all have to play, but sunscreen should ALWAYS be applied well and reapplied.
Being exposed to the Asian Beauty industry and wearing their SPF products is what really begun this desire for constant sunscreen application. Undoubtedly the industry has many a comfortable and cosmetically elegant sunscreens on the market!
I’ve made quite the collection of sunscreens since and I thought I’d do some simple, but hopefully easily understood reviews on these sunscreens if you’re considering purchasing them!
QUICK NOTES: Skin Type: Acne prone, dry Shade: Light-Medium, Medium Undertone: Neutral, leans to yellow or olive (mixed Asian, I am confused about this lol) Application Amount: Nickel-size Photos: Natural light, taken right away
Make P:rem Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++
FEEL:Very light. Not tacky and doesn’t feel like it adds moisture
STINGS EYES?Yes.
WHITECAST? No.
WATER RESISTANT?Unknown.
SKIN BENEFITS?
Skin is very healthy-looking and even tone throughout the day; more in-the-moment type of effects rather than long term. Don’t really feel the “cool down” from infrared, but my skin is never irritated when I have sunscreen on.
GOOD UNDER MAKEUP? Yes (It Cosmetics CC Cream). CC Cream is able to glide on my skin very easily and doesn’t disrupt its finish. Both products have a glowy finish, but I’ve used many different types of complexion products with this sunscreen to know it won’t make your makeup overly glowy.
Jolse, another online Asian Beauty Retailer that offers worldwide shipping on Asian skincare, makeup, and other cosmetic products! They sent me the Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel * to review and I’m ready to share my thoughts with you all!
I’ve been using the product for about 3 weeks now, about 3-4 times a week.
I’ll say it right now, I loved it after the first time I’ve used it.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
Features (as listed on Jolse)
Lemon water, lemon extract, and carbonated water eliminates skin wastes.
The mild peeling gel tends the skin with a moist and fresh finish.
Natural ingredients provide moisture and soothes the stimulated skin.
Price: $9.65 USD Amount: 120ml Texture: Thick gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
Citrus Lemon Fruit Water (90ppm = 0.009%) and Extract (10ppm = 0.001%)– Contains a high amount of vitamin C, but there are only extracts so we don’t know if it’s even a decent amount of vitamin C to have a long term effect, but it can impart a brightening effect. Carbonated Water (47ppm = 0.0047)– The idea behind this is that it washes your face better than plain water. The bubbles deliver oxygen to your skin, helping to wash away dirt and dead skin buildup. Also claimed to help with puffiness, as well as firming and plumping the skin and controlling oils. Washing your face with carbonated water is a technique originally hyped up and popularized by Japanese women.
Other Notable Ingredients (listed by basic functions (some are repeated)):
Skin-Conditioning: Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract (also could be sensitizing), Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Hydrolized Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Rice Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract Skin-Soothing: Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis, Veirginania (Witch-Hazel) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract Antioxidant:Camellia Sinsesis Leaf Water (47ppm = 0.0047%): Antioxidant, Witch Hazel Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Algae Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract Exfoliant: Carica Papaya Fruit Extract (possible exfoliant properties)
Very awesome that the ingredients list are mostly that of skin-soothing and skin-conditioning! (I found the basic functions from various websites like EWG, Paula’s Choice, Special Chem. Feel free to correct anything if the basic function is not accurate).
The main advertising points on Jolse.com are in Korean, so I don’t know what all the claims are and how hyped up other ingredients may be.
MY EXPERIENCE
Scent: Fragrance is listed in the product. It smells like a dish detergent, but not in an overly chemical way. It’s very light, so it doesn’t bother me much. I was expecting a strong, artificial, citrusy sweet type of scent. I’m pleasantly surprised how gentle and natural it actually is!
Application: Spreads well without pilling immediately. Pilling is not as chunky, it looks thinner. You can lightly massage your face for a decent amount of time without feeling the product dry up too much.
Instant Benefits: Face does not feel dry or like it was even compromised negatively from any product. Skin feels very soft and smooth, looks even tone and slightly brighter.
Shizzle from my face. I used to get more when I started using peeling gels!
Long Term Benefits: Helps prevent skin congestion and gets rid of any rough feeling on my face. I use it in the morning and it has never sensitized my face. The feel of my skin is well maintained when I use it consistently.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel has become an instant favourite. I was expecting a cheap, conventional peel that would just do the basics of exfoliating with no additional skin benefit. This peeling gel does what it says and I am surprised at the quality. There is a lot of product that contains a bunch of skin-soothing and conditioning ingredients, making it gentle on the skin and leaving baby soft results. Because of this, I don’t know if we could say the lemon-derived ingredients or carbonated water are the true keys to making this product so good. Either way, my skin has only been benefiting!
I saw it being sold on Amazon.ca for $20, whereas on Jolse.com it’s $9.65 USD (right now $7.24 USD because of a sale)! To find a skincare product that works well, is affordable, and has good ingredients is a rarity, so I’m glad I got a chance to try it. On that note, I’ve barely been touching my current peeling gel, Dr. G. Brightening Peeling Gel (but I will definitely finish it up).
You can buy Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel at Jolse.com
Hope this review helped you out! Is washing your face with carbonated water really that awesome? Also, did you like how I listed the ingredients by their basic function? Let me know your thoughts, that way I can tweak upcoming reviews to your preference as well.
Mentholatum Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun Perfect Gel – My skin may not be perfect, but it’s looking and feeling a lot better since I’ve incorporated this as the humectant-type moisturizer to my routine. My skin feels softer and smoother and more plump in general. It must be working at keeping all that hydration in!
Levi’s 501 Shorts – I can’t stop wearing these. They fit me so well and make my butt look really good.
Boo Bamboo Natural Sunscreen Mini Spray SPF 30* – I take back what I said in my Green Beauty Products I Don’t Like vid. My boyfriend wanted to use it up instead of giving it away, and I’ve come to like it. It’s spreads nicely, doesn’t feel thick on the body, no whitecast when you rub it in and wait, and is a dry finish without drying your skin. I still stand by what I said before though, don’t use this if you plan on going in any water. It got really patchy on my body and it was not a pleasant site!
The Face Shop Orchid Hand Cream * – I love the scent of orchid, so this hand cream was pure bliss when I used it; I preferred applying it at nighttime to relax me. The the finish is light so it won’t leave your hands overly greasy. At the same time, I don’t find it overly moisturizing, but it does enough. This is the second tube I’ve used up and I’m definitely considering having it on my nightstand again.
Weleda Everon Lip Balm– Best. Lip balm. EVER! It’s one of the more pricier lip balms I’ve purchased, but it lasts a long time both in my purse and on my lips, and it leaves a comfortable moisturized finish.
Not a lot of favourites this month, but I’ve also been testing out new products like crazy. You may see them featured in my next roundup since I didn’t use them enough to give a mention in this month’s. Either way, I’m happy I emptied a handful of products!
