#n like the toner and moisturizer I’m using is still the cheap drugstore stuff the only difference is Expensive Korean Cleanser

[flashhwing]

a little bit mad that the Expensive Korean Skincare Product I purchased on a whim is actually making my skin noticeably clearer. me insisting for years that skincare is a sham and cheap facewash and moisturizer is all you need and now look at me. it comes with a tiny little shovel to scoop out the correct amount. I feel like an annoying YouTuber every time I wash my face. my face which has never felt better because of this stupid Expensive Korean Skincare Product

[onsometime]

cleanout haul+review

under cut = some skincare products i’ve finished for a long while and am finally tossing

seeing used up products is so satisfying. i’m going to keep holding on to stuff when i (finally) finish using them to keep doing these mini post-use haul reviews, before recycling.

HADALABO Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion

i’ve been using this (recently repurchased) as a toner. its a popular basic, cheap drugstore product that hasn’t necessarily proven to be particularly helpful, but definitely hasn’t shown any adverse effects so far either. it’s a little on the heavy side, and can take a sec to really absorb (a pet peeve of mine but 🤷🏻‍♀️ ). i’m hoping to give japanese softeners a try after this, instead of using any kind of toner (esp. astringent ones) so if you have any recommendations esp. for sensitive skin, pls drop by my inbox.

Laniege Water Sleeping Mask

i really only imagine this being particularly helpful for people with normal to dry skin, less prone to acne. it didn’t work well for me (felt like it sat on top of my skin, even if i was wearing it to bed, and didn’t necessarily wake up to particularly soft skin). for other skin types, i could see it absorbing better without having to use too much product/it can go a long way. 

Egg Pore Pack

a cute little novelty looking product packaged in the shape of an egg with a uniquely fluffy whipped texture. it was nice to use a few times with noticeably cleaner / softer skin afterwards, especially in my t-zone area where my pores are noticeably larger and more prone to clogging. i wouldn’t say this is a staple or particularly helpful after the first few uses, at least for my skin. but its a fun, cheap, n cute lil mask that might be nice to buy on a whim.

Dr. Jart+ Water Drop

the first time i had used this product a few years ago, it felt like a game changer. it felt cooling, absorbed quickly, wasn’t greasy or oily, and was the perfect consistency. time had passed and i repurchased during a winter season again, and it just didn’t feel the same. my skin has generally gotten older, oilier, and dryer, and this product doesn’t work the same way it used to for me. it just wasn’t hydrating, lasting, or absorbing enough anymore and for it’s price point, i wouldn’t say it’d be worth repurchasing even if i tweaked with my skin routine to add hydration in other steps. 

neutrogena hydroboost water gel

this brings me to the current moisturizer i’ve been using for months now. i don’t like the finish as much as i did when i was first using higher end stuff like dr.jart, but it gets the job done, doesn’t make me breakout, and is cheap (although i swear it’s price is going up as it rises in popularity). its a bit on the thicker side and you can also buy it in its gel-cream form (which i honestly could not tell the difference, having tried both). its an alright product, but i still feel like i could use a pinch more hydration, and its thickness/time it takes to absorb isn’t so satisfying. 

heimish All Clean Balm

i bought this to try just before Banila’s Clean It Zero balm (which i had been using prior) reformulated and stopped using mineral oils as an alternative. its only negative selling point had to be its very strong scent, im assuming because of its papaya ingredients which are supposed to help work as natural exfoliators. i’m now back to using clean it zero as i believe it is cheaper (currently using the nourishing formula, but i enjoyed the subtle and vague fruity smell of the original formula) and i can’t say i see/feel a noticeable difference. if anything i’d give heimish a leg up for it’s packaging as it has a built in place to leave your spatula separating it from the product. also fair warning with any balm product, if you get this stuff in your eyes, your vision is going to be blurry for a minute until youre done with your routine.