[ Review ] : Hada Labo Oil Cleansing, Purito Toner, Beauty of Joseon Bubble Toner, make p:rem Dark Spot Serum

 

Stylevana reached out to me for a collaboration more than a month ago. Based in Hong Kong, Stylevana is an online Asian beauty and skincare shop selling the most popular skincare and makeup brands such as Laneige, 3CE, Purito, Benton, Isntree, Biore to name a few. You can use my discount code INF10RG for 10-15% off your orders ( except for instant deals and weekend deals )! 

Here's what I received - Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing (Japan Version), Beauty of Joseon Bubble Toner (Green Plum + AHA), make p:rem Poncirus Trifoliata C Dark Spot Serum and Purito Centella Unscented Toner (New Formula). 

Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing (Japan Version) is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and concentrated Olive Oil to effectively rids skin of impurities and even waterproof makeup while being gentle and non-abrasive. Free from artificial colorings, mineral-oils, alcohol and fragrance.

How To Use :

1) Recommended to use on dry skin.

2) Take 2-3 pumps and gently massage over the face to dissolve the makeup.
3) Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, followed by face wash.

Hada Labo is one of Japan’s best-selling skincare brands. Created in Japan by Rohto Pharmaceuticals in 2004, the brand promises highly effective skin care, while eliminating all unnecessary ingredients and additives. Hada Labo’s Gokujyun line harnesses the powerful moisture-locking abilities of Super Hyaluronic Acid to instantly deliver intense hydration to skin.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing comes in a 200ml plastic bottle with a pump dispenser. Just 2 pumps are sufficient for me to slather the oil on my face ( dry skin, please ), massage well and then rinse off with water, followed by the usual cleanser. 

Review : Hada Labo Cleansing Oil with High Purity Olive Oil

Product Description
With High Purity Olive Oil for powerful cleansing and Super Hyaluronic acid for moisturising, even waterproof mascara can be removed with ease while being gentle to the skin. The water soluble Cleansing Oil also washes away easily without any greasy residue, stickiness or dryness.

With a "Perfect X Simple" philosophy, Hada Labo uses only the purest, finest and effective ingredients that are beneficial to the skin, with no unncessary additives that burden it. It is free of fragrances, mineral oil and colorant. Skin PH balanced. Low irritation.

I have a sachet of this cleansing oil which enabled me to use it for 3 days. I am not a fan of cleansing oil and this product still did not win me over, unlike Shu Uemura cleansing oil ( it contains mineral oil so it is out of my list ).

This cleansing oil is their latest product and is touted to be effective and hydrating. The texture is similar to most cleansing oils and is supposed to be used on dry skin first before emulsifying and all make-up gunk will be cleansed off, once it comes into contact with water.

The scent is abit pungent to my senses and the cleansing oil, surprisingly, left my skin feeling taut after every cleansing session. I did not use it on the eye area so I cannot comment on its effectiveness for eye make-up.

 
Although this product does not work that well for me, it may work for others.

Review : Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion

Product Description
Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening range is its triple times of the hydration power!

Key Ingredients :
Arbutin – Natural plant extract that enhances skin fairness and fight against dark spots.
Vitamin C – Repairs dry and dull skin that has been through sun damage.
Hyaluronic Acid – Provides and retains intense moisture to the skin, keeping skin well-hydrated.

I redeemed a 20ml sample from its facebook page in November and have been using it as a toner for the last couple of weeks.
Hada Labo is famed for its products with Hyaluronic Acid that do not contain unnecessary addictives, colourants, alcohol, fragrances and mineral oil. This whitening lotion has the same philosophy.

Note that there is a new formula with Nano Formula indicated on the retail size however, my 20ml size does not have the fonts, so I am uncertain if its the same product. However, based on my understanding, the Nano Formula product can be redeemed on its facebook page from 1st November and I redeemed mine on 9th November, so logically, it should be the same product.

This light-textured lotion is water-based and colourless. Its not runny like water but still fluid enough to able to be patted onto the skin to get it absorbed. It does leave a slight stickiness immediately after application which took awhile for it to get totally absorbed.

Initially, I do feel that my skin is well-hydrated, almost bouncy and keeping my skin fair but after more than 2 weeks of usage, the effects were not that apparent and almost nonexistent. It feels like a regular toner.
Still, I have to say, my skin was not flaky during the time I was using this. The fairness was well-maintained but it did not provide me with the glow and radiance that I was expecting.

Despite touting the product as having 3 times of hydration, the ingredient is found near to the bottom of the list, so it seemed abit misleading to me.

It retails for $22.90 so its a value-for-money product if it works for you, especially with hydrating and whitening benefits together. Its not easy to find something that brightens and hydrates in a product, at least for my skin type.

This product scored 3.3 from 17 users on Makeupalley with some users encountering little red bumps on their skin.

Review : Hada Labo UV Moist Emulsion SPF50+ PA+++

Product Description

This is a 3 in 1 sun protection product which offers high sun protection while caring for the skin. It is also known as Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing UV Milk

The 3 in 1 benefits are
- UV Protection
- Hydration
- As a make-up base

 

After using up Sunplay Water In UV which I bought from Taiwan, I decided to look around for a body sunscreen that is not greasy and sticky as Sunplay Water in UV has been discontinued.

I have heard good reviews on this Hada Labo UV Moist Emulsion so I decided to get it when it was slightly cheaper in JB sometime back. It is touted to be gentle on skin as it is free of artifical ingredients such as fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

I have been using this sunscreen, mainly for the hands ( from arms to wrists ) on a daily basis, before I left for work. I have learnt to be disciplined with body sunscreen ever since I discovered lots of red tiny spots on the arms which are slowly turning to little moles.

Hada Labo range of packaging is minimalistic as you can see from the design in all their products. It comes in a white bottle with a slight shiny surface. Containing a ball bearing in the bottle, it sort of give a gentle reminder for you to shake before use aka a correction tape.
With a squeeze pressure, the runny lotion dispenses from the small tip easily although on most times, I can just tilt the bottle and the contents ooze out easily.

There is a slight sunscreen scent which is hardly detectable unless you put your nose near it. Milky white in colour, the texture of the moist emulsion is runny and fluid-like.
The texture is not as good as my favourite Sunplay UV in Water because its slightly sticky which took some time for it to disappear and its slightly drying as well.

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Zinc Oxide work together to give UVA and UVB protection which are the 3rd and 4th ingredients respectively. However, the 3 types of Hyaluronic Acid are found right at the bottom of the list, which meant that the concentration levels are quite low.

It scored 4 from 4 users on Makeupalley.

Source : Mentholatum

Review : Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Milk

This is the last product from the Hada Labo trial pack and I am glad that I was given a chance to try it, before investing in the full retail size. It has taken me a while to post both reviews on the lotion and this hydrating milk because I had zits from both products and I needed to take a breather, before re-using it, just to confirm the findings.

The hydrating milk is something that I needed some adjusting to, because other than using a cleansing milk as a make-up remover, I don't really use it in other forms of skincare. Cleansing milk tends to leave a film on the skin which I rather do without.
My first contact with a cleansing milk during my teenage years was from the brand named "Freeman". I had gone through several tubes of cleansing milk before I finally switched to other types.

This Hada Labo hydrating milk is just what the name implies, white with a milky consistency. It has virtually no scent. However, it leave a sticky feeling on the skin. When I paired both the hydrating lotion and hydrating milk, it hydrates the skin much better than each product alone. The moisture retention ability is remarkable, minus the sticky tacky feel. In its place, you feel smoother, hydrated and bouncy skin.

As what I have experienced with the hydrating lotion, I also encountered breakouts from this hydrating milk.
I have since reduce the usage to once a week, anything more, I will be creating havoc on the skin. On bad days, I get zits even with just 1 time usage.

Update (20th Feb 11) :
I have been using both this hydrating milk and the toner for more than 2 weeks without any problems. No zits. So by being persistent at times, it does reward a person too.

Source : Hada Labo

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Review : Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion

Despite raves about their star product, The Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) Hydrating Lotion with one flying off the shelves every 9seconds, I found it tough to like this product.

I have breakouts on the T-zone, each time I used it. Its totally frustrating. I have since reduced it from daily morning usage to once a week, morning usage.
Hada Labo products subscribe to the Japanese philosophy of beauty - simple, minimal and fuss-free, hence there are no unncessary additives such as alcohol, colorant, fragrances and mineral oil in their products.
Their star product, the SHA Hydrating Lotion, contains Super Hyaluronic Acid which is an excellent ingredient to provide hydration to the skin, due to being able to penetrate the skin, locking in the moisture and forms a barrier to prevent the loss of it. ( SHA has twice the moisture retention capacity of Hyaluronic Acid as 1 gram of hyaluronic acid can retain up to 6 litres of water )

The SHA Lotion mimics skin's natural moisturising ability to enhance water retention, and preserves skin's optimum moisture balance. The end result is a skin surface that stays hydrated for longer, softer and more supple.

A friend had helped me to get the $15.90 travel-sized package when she knew that I have been looking high and low in various Watsons outlets.
I had posted my reviews on the make-up remover which I did not like, due to its smell and the facial cleanser which was not suitable for my skin type.

The hydrating lotion is a clear liquid with a slight sticky and thicker than water texture. It didn't sit well with me initially because I didn't like the sticky sensation on the skin after application.
Despite that, my skin feels bouncy, softer and hydrated after the patting motion. I appreciate the efficacy of the lotion when my skin was flaky and dehydrated. Just remember to do light patting on the skin while its damp ( rub it gently on both palms before patting motion )

I experienced zits since the first day. Occasionally, I get lucky with no breakouts, but more often than not,
I do get a zit the following day.
I have read somewhere that its recommended to continue patting until the lotion gets all absorbed into the skin but due to time constraint ( I used it in the morning, before work), I never follow thru this step.
For those who are interested in this lotion, you probably can try this method and see if it removes the tacky sticky feel and makes a difference to your skin.

Note that even though it does hydrate the skin, but using the lotion alone is just not sufficient because it is afterall, just a lotion and not a moisturiser. Personally, I have tried using it alone just so, to check the hydrating retention ability (if any) but the effects did not last till the next morning which is understandable.

It retails for $22.90 for the full original size. It scored an impressive 4.5 from 41 Makeupalley users. 90% of them would buy again.

Update (20th Feb 11) :

I have been using both this hydrating lotion and the hydrating milk for more than 2 weeks without any problems. No zits. So by being persistent at times, it does reward a person too. :)


Source : Hada Labo

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Review : Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Make-up Remover

Product Description
Gently and effectively removes all traces of make-up, dirt and impurities while preserving skin's natural moisture. Water based formula leaves skin clean without greasy or tight feeling after use.
Hydrates as it cleanses leaving skin feeling silky smooth.
Skin pH balanced. Low irritation. Free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

Hada Labo is one of those brands that I wanted to try, mainly because it contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA in short).  I was not aware that the range contains make-up remover so when it comes with the trial kit set, I was pleased that I was able to try it. Initially, it was my intention to review their star product ( the lotion) and the moisturiser but my skin seems to have some breakouts after using them and hence I am still monitoring my skin condition.  Its only fair to give a more accurate review.

In the meantime, I have been using the 30ml make-up remover for more than a week. Am I glad that its just a small bottle, because it stinks. It stinks like glue, which I used to use in my art class. I absolutely hated the scent.

It does not quite work on cotton pads since its not supposed to be used that way. There is no slip and its difficult to glide and wipe on the face, with the cotton pad.

The best way, is to use it like a gel cleanser but on dry skin and it does remove my light to medium make-up effectively without leaving any undesirable residue. The texture is abit oily, even though the colour looks clear.

I also used it on a wet face, with not much problems, just that it felt less oily.
That said, please note that it does not really remove my eye make-up thoroughly, especially waterproof eye make-up, eyeliner, etc.
Its not exactly a big issue to me, since I usually use a separate eye make-up product.

I am glad that because of its Super HA, there was no tight feeling and skin feels fresh and clean. I still follow up with my cleanser thereafter. Since it does not contain colourants, fragrance, alcohol or mineral oil, I supposed that it may works well on sensitive skin. 

In conclusion, I will not get this again, because of its stinky gluey smell.

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Review : Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Wash

Product Description
Hydrates as it cleanses. Helps restore and preserve skin's natural  moisture, leaving it silky smooth. Skin ph-balanced, low irritation. Free of fragrances, mineral oil and colorant.

After all the hype surrounding Hada Labo products, I just have to give it a try, especially since I have an obsession with hydration. Made in Japan, its retailing at $12.90 for a 100ml wash n Watsons and its pretty affordable for the masses. Mine was a 20g cleanser as part of its trial kit retailing for $15.90  I love such trial kits as it gave me a chance to try their products before investing in their original sizes.

If you know me by now, you would have realized that foaming cleansers are not suitable for my sensitive and sometimes dehydrated skin so I was pleasantly surprised that I have no issue with this during my first 2 usages. It foams very well and has an addictive scent which I like.
After each wash it left my skin soft and smooth. Totally unexpected for a foam cleanser so I continued to use it as a night cleanser. Its easy to rinse off and there is no greasy or sticky after-feel. And because it foams well, I just need a pea-sized of the cleanser for the face. A little goes a long way.

However on the 3rd and 4th tries, it started to leave a slight taut feeling on the skin which goes away after a while. Even though its not a big issue but I simply did not like having an taut and dry feeling on the skin as I believed its bad for the skin in long term usage.
Considering that it contains super hyaluronic acid, I was expecting it to be hydrating on the skin but it just doesn't work quite well on my skin after awhile.
But then again, probably its just my skin. You may have better luck with it than me, who knows?

Source : Hada Labo

Review : Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Mask

Hada Labo came onto Singapore shores with a big bang, claiming that their lotion is the number 1 seller in Japan. My interest have been piqued but I was not that keen on its lotion, instead I bought their face mask in Japan. I cannot remembered the price now but I reckon its slightly cheaper.

Hadalabo is a newly mutually-developed brands operated by Rohto (Japan) and Mentholatum (USA), with the concept of 'Perfect & Simple’. They bring you a series of skincare products with the highest purity of ingredients under strict quality control.


HadaLabo GOKUJYUN Mask contains super hyaluronic acid which deeply penetrates into skin, accelerates the absorption of essence, softens skin, and enhances skin’s water-binding ability, leaving skin supple, smooth and radiant.
Touting to be free of unnecessary additives, colorant, fragrance and mineral oil, its also pH balanced with low irritation.

Super hyaluronic acid has twice the moisture retention ability than hyaluronic acid hence its supposed to be even better in hydrating the skin. Made in Japan, I have a high regard for this mask. The sheet material is slightly thinner than expected and contains a slight alcohol scent which caught me by surprise. I thought it was alcohol-free? So maybe I am mistaken?
Its pretty wet but the cut of the mask goes on well onto the skin and I had it for 30minutes before removing it. Even then, its still pretty wet with essence.
Face is quite sticky and if I just washed it off with water, the hydrating ability is not that obvious but if you quickly pat it into the skin, you can feel that the face is smooth and soft.

Surprisingly, the hydrating capability is medicore in my standards because it did not remove the flakiness on my nose. It delivers best on optimal skin condition but thats not why I bought it in the first place, its supposed to hydrate my skin to the maximum but its not.
In Watsons, its retailing for $21.90 for 4 sheets.

Source : Blingkiss , Hada Labo