THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment Review

March 30, 2023May 9, 2023 admin2 Comments

I have had more than enough time to try out all the products from my Niche Beauty Lab haul back in 2022. In today’s post, I’ll be doing a dedicated review of the much anticipated THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment. It is an over-the-counter Azelaic Acid product at 15% concentration! The last time I used Azelaic Acid in my skincare routine was back in 2019. I used up a full tube of Finacea (15% Azelaic Acid) and I also tried the Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster + BHA.

THERAMID AZID piqued my interest because the concentration of Azelaic Acid is equivalent to what is given in prescription form (i.e. Finacea). Intrigued, I decided to make a purchase when Niche Beauty was having a sale on their site. I have been rotating THERAMID AZID in and out of my skincare routine ever since. I am now near the end of the bottle, so I thought it was about time I gave a review!

UPDATE 27/04/2023: The rest of the Niche Beauty Lab skincare products have been reviewed:
Niche Beauty Lab Haul Update – Reviewing Purchases 8 Months Later

General Information About THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment

“An intensive multi-action treatment with Azelaic Acid to effectively treat and reduce spots, calm redness and unify skin tone and texture. A unique formula for the daily care of reactive, redness and acne-prone skin resulting in a more uniform, smooth and rejuvenated skin in just one step.“
– Niche Beauty Lab website

Price: €34,95
Packaging: Red glass bottle, white plastic pull-off cap and pump
Amount: 30ml
Where to Buy International: Niche Beauty Lab *
* This is an affiliate link. If you click on this link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Thank you for your support!

THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Azelaic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Carnosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Cell Culture Lysate, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Callus Culture, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid

INCIDecoder

Highlighted Ingredients

15% Azelaic Acid – anti-acne, anti-rosacea, anti-inflammatory, lightens pigmentation like PIH and melasma.

1% Carnosine – peptide naturally occurring in the human body. The form in THERAMID AZID is synthetic. Manufacturer studies in-vitro that it has anti-glycation, collagen boosting, protects against infrared radiation. May have antioxidant and wound-healing properties.

1% Colloidal Oatmeal – Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour in the INCI. Has skin soothing, protecting and antioxidant properties like the extract.

I have used a prescription strength Azelaic Acid in the past and at the time it served my skin needs well. It worked well with Differin in keeping my skin clear of active acne. I noticed a brightening effect and my PIH almost never formed.

I’m very skeptical that carnosine is doing anything in this formula. All the benefits are from the manufacturer’s studies A.K.A. biased studies. While a nice-to-have ingredient, it’s most definitely not something I’ll bank on doing anything for my skin.

A soothing ingredient like colloidal oatmeal is always lovely to see in anti-acne actives. When I was younger, I tried washing my face with oats to soothe my very inflamed skin. To my surprise, it helped!

Additional Ingredients

Glycerin – skin-identical humectant.

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 – peptide that may stimulates skin’s immune defenses, helps skin regenerate.

Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP – skin-identical lipids found in the waxy parts that make up the outer layer of our skin.

Gallyl Glucoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside – antioxidants, soothing.

THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment Application & Texture

After cleansing, before moisturizing, I dispense 2 pumps of THERAMID AZID, and spread it evenly across my face. The texture is a thin, opaque white milky consistency with no fragrance. When I first started using THERAMID AZID, I applied it on a nightly basis to maintain a bright and even complexion. I then reduced the usage to an as needed basis.

My Experience Using THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment

THERAMID AZID on Active Acne

Back then, and still to this day with only a handful of pumps left, I am unable to tolerate THERAMID AZID on a nightly basis. I had to reduce the usage to an as need basis when I was experiencing breakouts. I found THERAMID AZID to be the most helpful on mild acne. A couple of applications did the job at reducing any minor breakouts.

However when it came to active acne cysts, my skin seemed to struggle longer than I’d like. I’m used to Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) doing the job quickly and effectively – lower inflammation, size, kill the acne bacteria with ease. I found with use of THERAMID AZID, it was almost as if it was teasing the acne cyst. It would calm it a bit, but inflammation would creep its way back. The acne cyst would make it’s presence known, sending an inflammatory message that it would return. This constant tease of inflammation would only stop once I went in with the big guns – BPO and a cica product.

THERAMID AZID on Overall Complexion

As previously mentioned, to this day with little product left, I am unable to tolerate frequent usage of THERAMID AZID. Fortunately, my skin has been maintaining a nice complexion with just a simple skincare routine. When I did try upping the usage, my skin did look smoother. But I found it also looked more red. This again falls back to not being able to acclimate to it. I decide to cut my losses and just have THERAMID AZID on hand when I needed it – mild breakouts and bacne. Even with this once in a while usage, I find it leaves my skin feeling sensitized and irritated, rather than calming.

Final Thoughts on THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment

I appreciate Niche Beauty Lab offering an Azelaic Acid product at a fairly high concentration for those of us seeking alternatives to controlling our acne outside of BPO and tretinoin. All in all, my experience with THERAMID AZID 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment was alright. Sure, it helps with mild breakouts and bacne, but I have other products that do the same thing – and do not irritate my skin. Unfortunately, my inability to acclimate to THERAMID AZID and not seeing results different from current skincare I have leads me to not repurchase in the future. Very unfortunate, as I really liked the ingredients list and was hoping to get a similar result to when I used Finacea in the past. I’ll be very jealous to hear from those of you that got on well with THERAMID AZID! I still think it’s a great option on the market for Azelaic Acid. It meets the concentration similar to prescribed products and has a many additional skin-friendly ingredients.

That’s it for this review! As always, I hope you find content like this helpful and informative.

xo, M

SKIN UPDATE #5: 0.04% to 0.1% Tretinoin, 6+ Months of Spironolactone, Professional Microneedling

January 5, 2021 admin4 Comments

My last skin update back in the summer 2020, I was using 0.04% Retin-A Micro for 1 month, and started taking Spironolactone. Since then, I have done 3 professional microneedling sessions for my acne scars, got prescribed the highest strength of Tretinoin, and have experienced a few side effects from Spironolactone.

For further context, please check out previous posts!

ACNE – 0.1% Tretinoin, 6 months of Spironolactone

As mentioned in my previous skin update, I noticed a huge improvement in acne control since upgrading to 0.04% Tretinoin from 0.3% Adapalene. A lingering pimple on my cheek finally disappeared, if I breakout, it’s not as inflamed and disappears very quickly. I’m now at the highest strength of 0.1% Tretinoin, and I did find my skin breaking out a bit from using it daily, so I cut back to using it 4-5 days of the week and it seems to be the sweet spot for my skin needs. Overall using topical prescriptions Retin-A Micro and Aczone have really boosted the clarity of my skin and I’ve been really happy with the results!

For Spironolactone, I experienced some annoying side effects the first 3 months of taking 4 tablets of 25mg. I was very dizzy for around two weeks, to the point where I had a few close calls of fainting. The second most annoying side effect was spotting. I’m not talking one week (which did happen), I’m talking an entire month. AN ENTIRE MONTH OF SPOTTING! I really wanted to give up at this point lol. However I stuck through it for 3 months, got my blood tests done (all good), and have currently found my sweet spot dose of 2 tablets daily. I noticed when I tried to go down to 1 tablet and I carb cycled that week, I would get breakouts – albeit not as large or inflamed as they used to be! With 2 tablets I notice I rarely break out and my skin has not felt uncomfortably inflamed from active acne in a long time! Overall Spironolactone is helpful at controlling breakouts particularly when I have too much carby foods, but other than that my skin seems well controlled with my regular eating habits plus the use of Retin-A Micro and Aczone.

SCARS – Microneedling Treatments

Yes, I FINALLY got professional microneedling done! I did all 3 sessions and plan on writing up a separate post on what both the medical esthetician and I have noticed prior to the treatment.

For those of you who have read previous skin updates, I mentioned that I would be getting treatments at my dermatologist’s office. However I went with the medical esthetician who’s certified in microneedling because I know her personally, and she has been in this profession as an educator and consultant for decades. Having said that, it also didn’t cost me $1525, but I saved up expecting to pay a high amount either way!

PLAN OF ACTION

Continue taking 50mg of Spironolactone – I have been thinking of discontinuing because I know how my eating habits effect my breakouts, this has just been a bandaid for my indulgences.
Use 0.1% Tretinoin forever – Seriously, I have the peak of its strength, my acne is under control, and all I can do at this point is be patient and consistent for well aging benefits.
Still apply Aczone (5% Dapsone) day and night – I’ve noticed this year using it consistently has greatly contributed to my acne control. So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Since I have completed 3 sessions of microneedling, I was told to wait 8 months to do more if needed. In the meantime, I can do other treatments (not like I can anymore).

And that’s it for this update! It’s probably the quickest one I’ve ever done, but I guess that’s a good thing – less things to complain about and pay attention to lol. I have to say, with a shit show of a year 2020 has been, at least I’ve come to the point where I am quite content with my skin – at age 30!

Rovectin Cica Care Line Review

November 26, 2020November 2, 2022 adminLeave a comment

Rovectin seems to be the new kid on the block in the K-beautysphere. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this Korean beauty brand was originally created for cancer patients who experience irritating, skin-drying and barrier deteriorating side-effects from the treatments. Knowing this, Rovectin primarily focuses on providing skincare products to those with the most sensitive skin types – effective, gentle formulations to promote skin health.

I’ve been sent the following products to test out from Rovectin’s Cica Care Line:

Rovectin Cica Care Purifying Toner
Rovectin Cica Care Balm
Rovectin Cica Care Sleeping Pack
Rovectin Cica Care Dr. Mask Cica

The Cica Care Line focuses on irritated skin due to acne. Cica – Centella Asiatica – is the key ingredient in this line, alongside Calamine – remember the pink stuff we put on bug bites as kids? I’ve been rotating these products in my skincare routine for the past couple of months and I am ready to share my experience!

I am acne-prone, normal to dry. My skin gets easily sensitized to drying products and environments. I have been using topical prescriptions for my acne daily for almost 3 years such as Vitamin A and Aczone.

Products were sent to me for review purposes, however this in no way effects my opinion of them. My opinions are honest, always *casts doe patronus*

ABOUT ROVECTIN CICA CARE LINE

Cica Care Line for soothing and calming your irritated skin – acne-prone, hormonal breakouts and dark spots. Calamine and Madecassoside work day and night to revitalize your sensitive skin.
– Rovectin.com

All products are cruelty-free
Some products are vegan friendly
All products contain fragrance – I believe the fragrance component has been updated but the overall formula and performance is the same
Price point in my opinion is mid-range $$

Not a skin expert in any way, just a passionate skincare enthusiast! For the highlighted ingredients below, I listed the ones I thought were important and their basic function for convenience.

ROVECTIN CICA CARE BALM

Price: $26 USD
Amount: 40ml
pH: 6.5 – 8.5

Highlighted Ingredients:

Trehalose – humectant sugar molecule
Calamine
Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside – wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and have antioxidant benefits
Glycerin – skin-identical humectant
Betaine – humectant sugar amino acid derivative

Swatch of Rovectin Cica Care Balm after being squeezed from the tube.

A thin, slightly pink gel-cream, I tried the Cica Care balm in 2 ways – spot treatment and all over moisturizer. As a spot treatment I thought it performed decently, it’s definitely a more “supportive” product (as I like to call it) when used alongside my anti-acne prescriptions – helps keep the effected areas calm and moisturized, to prevent any side effects such as irritation and dryness. As an all-over face moisturizer, it’s definitely not enough for my dryer skin type in the winter time in Canada, but I can see this being a good stand-alone moisturizer if I were to live in a more humid place. Paired with the Sleeping Pack, I did find my face comfortably moisturized all through the night.

ROVECTIN CICA CARE PURIFYING TONER

Price: $24 USD
Amount: 260ml
pH: 5.25 – 5.75

Highlighted Ingredients:

Glycerin – skin-identical humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside – wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and have antioxidant benefits
Panthenol – humectant with soothing and wound healing benefits
Houttuynia Cordata Extract – traditional Asian plant extract high in flavonoids that show antioxidant, soothing, and antibacterial properties
Ceramide NP – skin-identical waxy lipid (I guess an emollient?)
Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract – an antioxidant, helps with pores and antibacterial
Amino Acids – Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Lysine, Alanine, Threonine, Proline – skin-identical humectants

Swatch of Rovectin Cica Care Purifying Toner after application.

I opted for this toner as a “morning cleanse” – it has the right pH, moisturizing ingredients, and is quite watery, so I didn’t really classify it as a hydrator in my skincare routine. I’d saturate a cotton round and wipe my face and neck from a night’s sweat and fluff. The big standout of this toner is the fragrance – it has quite a deep Lavender scent to it; I have mixed feelings about it – sometimes I don’t mind it, other times it’s just too strong. I believe the fragrance component in this Cica Care Purifying Toner has been updated so it may not be as strong for some of you considering this.

ROVECTIN CICA CARE SLEEPING PACK

Price: $34 USD
Amount: 80ml
pH: 6.3 – 6.5

Highlighted Ingredients:

Glycerin – skin-identical humectant
Betaine – humectant sugar amino acid derivative
Panthenol – humectant with soothing and wound healing benefits
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract – humectant/emollient with soothing properties
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate – humectant with soothing properties
Allantoin – soothing
Bioflavinoids – soothing

Swatch of Rovectin Cica Care Sleeping Pack squeezed out of the tube.

My favourite product out of the bunch! I suspect it has quite a bit of Glycerin in the formula, because it immediately reminded me of La Roche Posay Cicaplast Mains which is 30% Glycerin. I like using sleeping masks over my moisturizer, for I don’t find it performs that well on its own for my dryer skin type. The next morning after using this mask, I was always pleased at how well it retained moisture in my skin – comparable to more affordable occlusives found at the drugstore!

ROVECTIN DR. MASK CICA

Price: $20 USD for 5
Amount: 25ml/sheet
pH: 4.3 – 5.3

Highlighted Ingredients:

Glycerin – skin-identical humectant
Arginine – skin-identical humectant, wound-healing benefits
Centella Asiatica Extract and Madecassoside – wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and have antioxidant benefits
Sodium Hyaluronate – skin-identical humectant
Trehalose – humectant sugar molecule
Betaine – humectant sugar amino acid derivative
Calamine
Houttuynia Cordata Extract – traditional Asian plant extract high in flavonoids that show antioxidant, soothing, and antibacterial properties

The Cica sheet mask is a cotton material, was nicely drenched in a more viscous serum, and fit my face well. I specifically used this sheet mask on a day I was experiencing a breakout (not that inflamed) from the It Cosmetics Foundation + Skincare to test out how much it can help my sensitized skin. It hydrated my skin nicely, didn’t irritate my acne spots, but it didn’t really do much to lower the size of them either. I have used sheet masks that are able to reduce the size of breakouts and redness, so I know those claims can be true.

Note on the packaging of the box I have, it says there is salicylic acid in the formula for exfoliation – there is no BHA in any form in it. I don’t know why they would advertise it :\ But just know this is why it’s always important to look at the ingredients list to make sure they have something to match their claims!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON ROVECTIN CICA CARE LINE

Rovectin’s Cica Care Line performed nicely. I like how their formulations cater to sensitive acne-prone skin, nothing stripped or overly sensitized my skin while rotating the products in my skincare routines. Keep in mind my skin is not impaired and I don’t have a lot of inflamed acne, but I still found them to be good supportive products around the actives I do use to help control it.

The one major standout con was the heavy fragrance in the Cica Care Purifying Toner, but as I have mentioned at the beginning of this post, Rovectin has updated the fragrance component in some of their products, I believe this toner included. This is where the major pro comes in – Rovectin shows they listen to their customers and continue to grow their brand based on their feedback. Overall I find this line more suitable for those with normal to oily skin types because majority of the products have a light consistency, but any skin type can make them work in a skincare routine.

WHERE TO BUY:
Wishtrend*
Use “MICHXMASH15” for 15% off your order
Yesstyle*
Use “YESMICH“* for 5% off your first order, 2% off 2nd+ orders

As always, I hope you found this review helpful and informative!

xo, M

REVIEW: COSRX AC Collection

February 23, 2020November 2, 2022 admin1 Comment

In today’s post I will be reviewing 5 products from the new COSRX AC Collection! For those of you who don’t know, COSRX is a low to mid-price K-Beauty brand that focuses on skin’s health with good ingredients – I find it a mix between science-backed ingredients as well as the trendy ones like Snail, Propolis and Galactomyces, to name a few. Based on their website, the COSRX AC Collection in particular is meant for those whose main focus is on pore, sebum and/or acne trouble. I tested them out on my acne prone, normal to dry skin and I’m ready to share my thoughts!

These products were sent to me by StyleKorean for review purposes. That in no way effects my opinion on these products. My reviews are honest, always *casts doe patronus*

This post also included affiliate links. If you click on the link to make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Thank you if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

About the COSRX AC Collection

Their newest line for pore / sebum solutions
Tea Tree Oil (I assume Essential Oil) is the main acne treatment in the leave-on products in the line
- Soothing
- Antibacterial
- Shown to be as successful as Benzoyl Peroxide in same percentages, but it may take longer to see results
All products contain Centella Asiaticas main constituents, which are wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and have antioxidant benefits –
- Asiaticoside
- Asiatic Acid
- Madecassic Acid
Products are made in Korea
Cruelty-Free
$-$$ pricepoint

COSRX AC Calming Foam Cleanser

AMOUNT: 150ml
PRICE: $14.30 USD
WHERE TO BUY: https://bit.ly/2UJCewn
INGREDIENTS:

Highlight ingredients:

Glycerin – humectant and 2nd ingredient
Salicylic Acid – oil soluble chemical exfoliant that help to decongest the pores of excess sebum and dead skin
Centella Asiatica molecules

Surfactants/cleansing agents: Lauric Acid (also shown to be anti-acne), Myristic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Lauramide Dea, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoate

Fragrance: Lavandula Hybrida Oil

INCIDecoder

Experience:

Feels like a cream
Very dense foam once you lather
Lavender fragrance quite noticeable
After rinsing my skin feels slightly tacky, in an unpleasant way

COSRX AC Calming Liquid Mild

AMOUNT: 125ml
PRICE: $24.20 USD
WHERE TO BUY: https://bit.ly/31JDrFr
INGREDIENTS:

Highlighted Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water – the extract is an antioxidant, helps with pores and antibacterial, so for the water ingredient these benefits may be reduced. I’ve personally seen benefits from applied tepid steeped tea on my skin
Betaine Salicylate – combo of salicylic acid and betain, to make it a mild exfoliant
Gluconolactone – is a PHA, a gentler type of chemical exfoliant than AHA, also moisturizing
Panthenol and Allantoin for soothing
Arginine and Sodium Hyaluronate as humectants
Tea Tree Oil as active anti-acne treatment
Also has the 3 centella asiatica molecules

INCIDecoder

Experience:

Watery consistency with little residue
Smells like mint
Leaves a slight, refreshing sensation
Makes skin look slightly smoother
Most reached for product out of the 5

COSRX AC Blemish Spot Clearing Serum

AMOUNT: 40ml
PRICE: $27 USD
WHERE TO BUY: https://bit.ly/31JE4yN
INGREDIENTS:

Highlighted Ingredients:

Propolis Extract – base of the formula and is soothing
Niacinamide – best ingredient ever! In terms of acne prone skin, will help regulate sebum production and reduce the look of pores, it’s also supposed to help brighten any post-red marks
Allantoin for soothing
Tea Tree Oil as the active anti-acne ingredient
Sodium Hyaluronate, sunflower and macadamia seed oil as additional moisturizing ingredients
Ceramide NP and Niacinamide to help maintain skin barrier
Rh-Oligopeptide – Epidermal Growth Factor that is supposed to help with wound-healing and skin renewal

INCIDecoder

Experience

Slightly hydrating on my normal to dry skin, feels lighter than the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Face feels sensitized because the “refreshing” feeling takes a while to subside
A very light residue, barely noticeable and I still question whether or not the finish is the same as the Calming Liquid Mild

COSRX AC Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer

AMOUNT: 80ml
PRICE: $19 USD
WHERE TO BUY: https://bit.ly/38q1tb6
INGREDIENTS:

Highlighted Ingredients

Propolis extract, Aloe leaf water and green tea leaf water for soothing
Glycerin, Betaine, sodium hyaluronate, Arginine for moisturizing
Niacinamide – the all-rounder for skin health
Panthenol and Allantoin for soothing
Zinc PCA both for moisturizing and limiting acne bacteria
Tea Tree Oil for anti-acne
Centella asiatica molecules

INCIDecoder

Fragrance: Menthyl Lactate

Experience:

Smells like mint
Very nice light gel texure
Made my skin feel lightly moisturized and smooth, but not enough for my dry skin type – best used as a humectant before a more occlusive moisturizer
Face felt sensitized for 30 mins – 1 hour – I suspect it’s the Menthyl Lactate

COSRX AC Ultimate Spot Cream

AMOUNT: 30g
PRICE: $22 USD
WHERE TO BUY: https://bit.ly/2SBwfXD
INGREDIENTS:

Highlighted Ingredients:

Aloe Water for soothing
Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil as moisturizing
Calamine – pink substance that you use on bug bites and the sulfur based spot treatments
Tea Tree Oil as active anti-acne treatment
Centella asiatica molecules

INCIDecoder

Experience:

Quickly calmed any inflamed, sore feeling lesions
Brought the bacteria to a head
Did not sensitize my skin
Works like other ones I’ve tried on the market

Final Thoughts on COSRX AC Collection

Overall PROS:

All products contain Centella Asiatica constituents Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid
Leave-on products contain Tea Tree Essential Oil, a gentler anti-acne active
Impressed with the additional concoction of soothing, wound-healing, moisturizing ingredients
Pleasant light consistency that does not make you feel congested
Suitable line for oilier skin types with light to moderate acne
A good quantity of product in each formulation
Packaging is sanitary A.K.A. no jars

CONS:

Skin felt sensitized; I think it’s because the formulas are so thin and my skin drinks them up so fast; I imagine those with oilier skin types would experience something more gentle
COSRX is not the only K-Beauty brand at fault for this, but no indications of percentages for its actives
Not super sensitive-skin friendly – my skin is somewhat sensitive but the constant sensitized feeling on my skin after all products (except the spot cream) definitely makes me believe that those with known sensitivity will not like the Tea Tree Oil in these products

I can see how COSRX put in effort in the AC Collection to create gentle acne-fighting products to help those with troublesome skin. While not entirely meant for my skin type, I still noticed some of the products calmed my skin down from active acne lesions and made my skin look smoother.

Overall if you have light to moderate acne, check this line out! I used to use Tea Tree Essential Oil as an acne active back in my teens, and with proper dilution it definitely helped. However as someone who’s been through a vicious cycle of controlling acne in different ways, I advise you to buy ONE of the following reviewed products. I never got on well with my entire routine consisting of an acne-fighting ingredient, and it’s a very easy way to overwhelm your skin with actives (especially since the percentages are not listed).

Also the products in general were either a hit or a miss, so the one I recommend the most is my favourite product out of the bunch, the Calming Liquid Mild. It has Tea Tree Oil for treatment of active acne, (low %) chemical exfoliants to help speed up the healing process and slightly improve skin’s texture, and it’s a product I can easily associate as a treatment and use 1-2x a week.

I hope you found this post helpful and informative!

xo, M

REVIEW: By Wishtrend Polyphenols In Propolis 15% Ampoule

February 17, 2020November 2, 2022 admin2 Comments

Another week, another Korean skincare product to review for you all! In this post I’ll be reviewing the By Wishtrend Polyphenols In Propolis 15% Ampoule and how it performed for my acne prone, normal to dry skin. Believe it or not, I think the last time I tried any product with Propolis was the Egyptian Magic Cream.

Product is a PR sample and provided for review purposes.
All thoughts are my own, always *casts doe patronus*

CLAIMS

This ampoule contains Houttuynia Cordata Extract effective in soothing acne instead of water and 15% Propolis with powerful antioxidant effects. The product improves acne and sensitive skin through powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and immune system enhancement.

– Wishtrend

Price: $32 USD
Amount: 30 ml

Made in Korea
Made for all skin types
Cruelty-free
Free of ethanol, silicone, steroid, artificial colouring, artificial fragrance

INGREDIENTS

Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propolis Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Pantolactone

From my -skinthusiast- perspective…

Just like their Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream, I appreciate that the bulk of the product is not in a base of water! Houttuynia Cordata Extract has polyphenolic flavanoids (hence the name) which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. The extract also contains sugar molecules that serve as good humectants. Propolis Extract may also have soothing and antioxidant properties, so I can see how based on these ingredients alone that By Wishtrend claims the ampoule will help those with acne prone and sensitive skin.

Joining the moisturizing list is Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, both great humectants that are found in pretty much all moisturizing products these days.

Panthenol and Zinc PCA are also listed as moisturizing ingredients, but for acne prone skin are particularly beneficial; The former for being soothing and having wound-healing properties, and the latter to help reduce acne causing bacteria.

Admittedly the number of plant extracts overwhelmed me at first, but reading about them calmed my mind, for they all pretty much further contribute to the ampoule’s soothing and moisturizing abilities. Since Houttuynia Cordata and Propolis Extract take up the bulk of the formula, it’s highly possible that the additional extracts are in low percentages either way.

INCIDecoder Breakdown

EXPERIENCE

Packaging: Glass bottle with a dropper.

Usage: Morning and/or evening, applied after cleansing and/or before moisturizer.

Texture: Slippery.

Fragrance: None.

Finish: Light but moisturizing.

Instant Results: Skin feels surprisingly moisturized. If I were to measure based on previously reviewed products, it sits between the I’m From Rice Toner and Laneige Cream Skin Refiner.

Long-Term Results: Skin rarely feels rough or dehydrated.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The By Wishtrend Polyphenols In Propolis 15% Ampoule has performed well in terms of gentleness, adding additional moisture to my skin, and its antioxidant benefits. However when it comes to calming active acne lesions, this was not enough for me; I still need to use Aczone or Benzoyl Peroxide to really get the job done. With conversion to CAD it is a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way so if you’re interested in this ampoule, you’ll get a fair mileage. I appreciate the blend of science-backed and traditional ingredients being used in the formula, and they avoided including heavy fragrance and a high use of texture-enhancing ingredients – it’s not to say that these ingredients are bad, but it’s nice to know that the cosmetic elegance of the product is mainly due to a lot of the beneficial ingredients in the formula. Overall if you want to try a Propolis type of serum that is gentle enough to use on acne-prone skin, you may like this.

WHERE TO BUY:
Wishtrend
YesStyle

Links provided are affiliate links. This means if you click the link and use it to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thank you if you decide to use them! If you do not feel comfortable, feel free to Google a new link.

Hope you found this review helpful and informative!

xo, M

REVIEW: The New Banisher 2.0! | AD

November 19, 2018November 2, 2022 admin8 Comments

This post is sponsored by Banish Acne Scars.
Products provided for review purposes.
This post contains affiliate links / codes. This means if you use this link / code to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thanks for your support if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

Back in March I began using the Banish Acne Scars Banish Starter Kit in hopes of smoothing out my textured skin from the onslaught of cystic acne I suffered 5+ years ago, as well as controlling my hormonal acne breakouts. It was my first time microneedling, so I figured the selected products included in the kit would also help with my skin issues. To my surprise, microneedling wasn’t painful, and I saw results within 3 months.

The Banish Team saw both my First Impressions/Demo and Banish Starter Kit Review, and reached out to me and a few other “influencers” (I can’t take myself seriously calling myself that) to test their newly launched, limited edition Banisher 2.0!

I agreed to partner with Banish because:
1) I have already purchased and tried almost all of their products.
2) Daisy, the owner of Banish, experienced the pain of acne and acne scarring just like I, and many others are currently going through. Banish products were originally made for her personal use, until friends and subscribers started requesting them after seeing her skin’s progress in her Youtube videos!
3) Banish partners with influencers with similar skin concerns as ours, who could also benefit from their products and achieve similar results.

How the Banisher Works

Banisher 2.0

I’m happy to report that the Banisher 2.0 was created based on the questions and feedback received from customers, as well as Daisy’s personal needs. During her travels, Daisy always brought the Banish Stamp, but wanted a bigger surface area, clean it easily and store it securely in her bag. I’ts always a big thumbs up when companies revamp/create products based on customer input!

Features
Price: $69 USD
Needle length: 0.5mm
1. Cleaning cap acts as a protector, stand, and sanitizing container
2. Bristles are finer & sharper than current Banisher
3. Design more ergonomic; Better grip, provides a platform for even distribution of bristles into the skin vs. rolling.

banisher-improvements — Picture from Banish website

Angle of needle penetration is straight line as opposed to roller; less skin trauma, easier to work around pimples
4. Titanium needles coated in 24k gold to accelerate collagen production in skin
5. Lasts twice as long as Banisher – can use up to 8 times
6. Can be used once a week

Usage

Skincare
Since I already know microneedling works with the Banish Oil, I tested the first session with products in my current skincare routine: peptide serum, HA lotion, moisturizer with Niacinamide.

Cleaning Cap
VERY handy; Wastes less, and less annoying to disinfect.

Ergonomics
– Takes a tad longer to microneedle with the new design, but I don’t mind it if safety is considered!
– Easier to concentrate on specific red marks and large pockets of texture.
– Difficult to microneedle on the nose, the Banish Stamp is better for this.
– The handle has soft, grippy material with a wider body, felt secure to hold and easily rotate when I stamped.
– I felt the needles more, and my face became quite red! *beauty is pain* > . <

It’s Goooooold
I haven’t found anything solid to convince me that gold can indeed help induce collagen, but I haven’t read anything controversial to say it’s not safe to use; Gold mostly acts as an extra precaution against infection from microneedling.

Before & Afters

Time Period: 11/11/18 – 11/18/18; I had a short amount of time to review this. Since I already showed Before & Afters of texture improvements, the photos below capture the improvements of my red marks in a week’s time.

Note:
– It typically takes 4-6 weeks to see the most results, especially for texture. I’ll try to update as I continue using the Banisher 2.0.
– It was my time of the month when I tested this :\

Right; Marks closest to mouth on chin faded

Final Thoughts

Compared to the original Banisher, Banisher 2.0 is most definitely a fancy (and effective) upgrade! In my Banish Kit review, I mentioned how there was not enough information on using the Banisher safely. I appreciate that the Banisher 2.0 was created to ensure a safer and easier approach for beginners, with a less likelihood of problems (still use it carefully!). Another step I hope they consider in the future is making just the head replaceable, which will make Banisher 2.0 more cost effective.

If you want to give the Banisher 2.0 a try, they are currently selling it in a kit. Banish offers:
– Products made to order in the U.S.
– International Shipping on purchases $150+
– 30 Day Money Back guarantee
– Products only available on their official website.

Banish Acne Scars
Banish Kit 2.0
Shop all Banish products
Use code “MICH” at checkout to get $5 off!

If you want know more about my experience with Banish, be sure to read my Banish Starter Kit review. I post Before & Afters after 4 microneedling sessions and review every product in the Kit.

I hope you found this review helpful!

xo, M

REVIEW: Troiareuke Aesthetic Start Kit

July 16, 2018 adminLeave a comment

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:

1. TROIAREUKE Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing 55ml
2. TROIAREUKE Skin Complex Formula 60ml
3. TROIAREUKE Formula Ampoule Green 10ml
4. TROIAREUKE Acsen Recovery Cream 25ml

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 ampoule are 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.”

SCF Trial Size: 60ml
SCF Regular Size: 180ml

ATFA Trial Size: 10ml
SCF Regular Size: 20ml
Main Ingredients:
Kava Kava Extract – Calming, Soothing, Moisturizing

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.”

Trial & Regular Size: 25ml
Main Ingredients:
Centella Asiatica Extract: Skin-soothing, antioxidant

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.

FULL SIZE PRICES FROM STYLEKOREAN:
$38 USD – TROIAREUKE Acsen Oil Cut Cleansing 120ml
$100 USD – TROIAREUKE Skin Complex Formula 180ml + TROIAREUKE Formula Ampoule Green 20ml
$58 USD – TROIAREUKE Acsen Recovery Cream 25ml

TOTAL: $196 USD (before tax)

TROIAREUKE AESTHETIC START KIT FROM BEAUTYTAP:
Original Price: $139 USD
Sale (as I write this): $79 USD

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.

Hope you enjoyed this review!

xo, M

* This page contains StyleKorean affiliate links.
DISCLAIMER, PR, AFFILIATES

REVIEW: Banish Acne Scars Banish Starter Kit

May 25, 2018November 2, 2022 admin9 Comments

Products all purchased by me.
This post contains affilaite links / code . This means if you use this link / code to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thanks for your support if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

After years of ogling this product, back when I was a broke af university student, to my now somewhat adult self, I bit the bullet – I purchased the Banish Starter Kit.

Now for those of you who don’t know the brand Banish Acne Scars, it’s a skincare brand created by an OG acne-talking YTer named Daisy from the Acne Channel (formerly Perfect Beauty). Back when I was dealing with cystic acne, I found Daisy’s channel and saw that she too was going through the same journey to clear skin. Back in the day, not a lot of people showed their bare face on camera if they had really bad skin, so I was really happy to find a YTer I could connect to.

Fast forward to today, she has her own business called Banish Acne Scars, a brand that’s about:

“[Creating a] product line that gets to the root of problems, not just to cover them up temporarily.

Use fresh natural ingredients, sourced from the West Coast of United States .

Focus on the internal rather than external healing.”

I’ve been wanting to try her products for a long time, especially for my leftover scarring from cystic acne. The website has a lot of before and afters of customers that have been using her products, and that just made it more intriguing for me to try it for myself.

Glass Skin for the Unblessed: Skincare Focused, Minimal Makeup

April 24, 2018 admin6 Comments

What is Glass Skin? Glow Recipe Co-Founder Christine Chang describes it as “…when your skin is so healthy, even toned, and plumped with hydration that it’s almost translucent, like a shard of glass.” – Vogue Article

It was almost instinctive that I brush off glass skin to be something achievable for me. Why? First off, I still break out. Secondly, I’m still trying to heal the atrophic scarring I have from my cystic acne past. So I did what everyone else would do, watch perfect-skin looking YouTubers do it and enjoy the aesthetic vicariously. It actually wasn’t until I saw Edward Avila’s take on glass skin that I became inspired to try it myself. Edward is a KBeauty YouTuber based in Seoul and he has a considerable amount of texture from acne like myself. Despite the crazy glow mixed with texture, his skin overall looked REALLY good and in my opinion definitely achieved the look. To see someone with a similar skin-type as mine prompted me to try it for myself.