SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Korean Skincare Line

August 28, 2023

Hi again! Had to come back on my blog and share a newfound love for a Korean skincare brand! SKIN1004 has entered the chat and I have nothing but good reviews of their skincare products. The Madagascar Centella skincare line is made of minimal essential ingredients for gentle but effective skincare, while excluding unnecessary harmful preservatives or chemicals. The brand’s core ingredient - Centella Asiatica is harvested from Madagascar which is the origin of the preservation of pure plants for hundreds of years or in their words, “the untouched nature”. Continue reading to discover some of my favorites from SKIN1004!

AMPOULE

A soothing ampoule that helps calm and restore imbalance in the skin caused by harsh environments.

LIGHT CLEANSING OIL

A lightweight, oil-based cleanser that gently melts away makeup, dirt, oils and sunscreen without stinging the eye area.

PROBIO-CICA ENRICH CREAM

Firms skin texture and strengthens the skin barrier by cloning the lamellar structure of skin barrier cells, the healthy foundation of skin lipids. Contains skin-friendly seed oils that enhance absorption of highly nutritious essence to soothe dry skin. This high-concentration cream is with an advanced formula that gently adheres to the skin and leaves a silky finish.

CLEANSING FOAM

A rich, foaming cleanser with the ideal pH level of 5 effectively removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin.

PROBIO-CICA TONER

Soothes blemishes and reduces excess oil production, diminishes the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, provides deep hydration, and strengthens the skin barrier. This toner has hydration like no other.

PROBIO-CICA AMPOULE

A highly concentrated ampoule, which has the nutritional and efficacy of fermented centella, takes care of the skin healthily with quick sedation on irritated skin.

LOVE,

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Purito Skincare Favorites

October 4, 2020

PURITO SKINCARE PRODUCTS: DEEP FOAMING CLEANSER | CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL UNSCENTED SUNSCREEN | CENTELLA UNSCENTED TONER | BOOSTING ESSENCE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY PURITO BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

There are some skincare rituals that are not just a must, but imperative to long-life healthy skin! One of these is sunscreen. I’ve been testing out several different ones during the summer, and finally found, ‘The One.’ Yet there are other essentials to achieving glowing skin. Essence water is literally essential in my skincare regimen as well as a good foaming cleanser. I’m a big supporter of Korean beauty skincare products - been using them since I was a little girl with my mom. In today’s post, I’m sharing a really great K-Beauty brand that has a great line of skincare products, especially their top-selling sunscreen. Continue reading to learn more about these products along with where you can find them!

FERMENTED COMPLEX 94 BOOSTING ESSENCE

The Fermented Complex 94% highly concentrated micro-particles, which are designed to help ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. This essence has a light and clear texture that help to revitalize dull skin. It contains skin lightening ingredients such as Niacinamide and Adenosine to increase skin elasticity and improve its texture. This product fills the skin with moisture and keeps skin hydrated for a longer time. While toner hydrates the surface of the skin, facial essence adds moisture to the skin from deep within. Traditionally, an essence is used as the first step in treatment. I always apply essence before serum to help better absorb the serum into skin. Definitely gives that bouncy, supple and dewy skin. The boosting essence is a great addition to any skincare routine.

CENTELLA GREEN LEVEL UNSCENTED SUNSCREEN

If you couldn’t use sunscreen because you were put off by its strong scent or because your skin doesn’t take well to natural essential oils, you should try the new PURITO Centella Unscented Sun. Use the highly concentrated super centella and enjoy cica-care with an increased content of madecassoside. The new cica-care enhances the skin barrier to provide better protection from strong ultraviolet rays and external stimuli. The product contains mild and safe ingredients that are EWG Green Level Grades 1 and 2 to avoid side effects of the existing chemical sunscreens such as eye and skin irritation. It doesn’t cause any discomfort, even when applied to sensitive skin. If applying sunscreen before makeup was a burden because of the white cast and the stifling feeling, this sunscreen is the solution for that! Highly recommended for all skin types, but especially sensitive skin.

CENTELLA UNSCENTED TONER

This is an upgraded version of Centella Green Level Calming Toner that does not contain essential oils. I reviewed the scented toner last year, you can find the link here. This toner contains 10% Centella Asiatica Extract and Panthenol soothe and relieve irritated skin. Another ingredient in the toner is Sodium Hyaluronate that attracts moisture and penetrates deep into the skin due to its small molecular structure, nourishing rough skin. With a low pH of 5.5 and alcohol-free properties, this toner can be used on sensitive skin in the first step of your skincare regimen.

FROM GREEN DEEP FOAMING CLEANSER

This cleanser is formulated with natural ingredients and does not contain chemical surfactants such as SLS and SLES, which can cause irritation, making it great for people with all skin types including sensitive skin. It leaves the skin moisturized after cleansing and is great for morning and nighttime use. Keeping skin's acid mantle at the optimal pH of 5.5, this cleanser protects the skin barrier. Fine and rich foam removes impurities from the pores, and the Centella Asiatica Extract strengthens the skin barrier, hence resulting in healthy skin.

LOVE & XX’S,

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April Skin Carrot Line

September 25, 2020

APRIL SKIN CARROT LINE: CARROT ACNE FOAM CLEANSER | CARROT BLEMISH CREAM | CARROT BLEMISH SERUM | CARROTENE BLEMISH CLEAR VITA PAD

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY APRIL SKIN BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Is carrot the new K-Beauty go-to ingredient? Forget about apples, a carrot a day keeps the dermatologist away! Fight breakouts and acne by regulating excess oil, and strengthening the skin barrier with organic carrots packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A Korean skincare brand called, April Skin, has a carrot anti-breakout line that is perfect for the change of season! I tend to breakout when the weather transitions, so always come Fall, I have a few pop ups. In today’s post, I’m reviewing these products. Continue reading to learn more about these products along with where you can find them!

CARROT ACNE FOAM CLEANSER

The carrot acne foam cleanser has two hero ingredients: carrot seed oil and salicylic acid. Not to be confused with carrot carrrier oil, carrot seed oil is cold pressed from organic carrot seeds, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps calm inflammation and keeps the skin tone bright and even. The cleanser has a cream-like texture and foams up a lot. I’d recommend using a small pea-size amount when applying. Definitely gentle for both morning and night, with a deep-cleansing feeling that doesn’t dry up the skin. My face felt supple and hydrated after washing and have noticed after about ten days that my sebum oil build-up is much less. Retails at $20 for 120ml. Very affordable for its quality.

CARROT BLEMISH CREAM

The Carrot Blemish Cream is charged with natural carrot seed oil to supply rich antioxidants that protect the skin from photo damage and free radicals. While M-peptide speeds up the skin cell renewal cycle and strengthens the skin barrier to prevent future breakouts. The fragrance is not carrot-like at all, but more like medical cream, though the scent is subtle and not that bothersome. Like the cleanser, a dollop goes a long way. Definitely a great cream for those who tend to break out often.

CARROT BLEMISH SERUM

Powered by 100% natural carrot seed oil harvested from organic carrots, the Carrot Blemish Serum is a clinically tested non-comedogenic serum that harnesses the power of nature to banish blemishes and whiteheads from the face of…your face! This serum stops the acne cycle in its tracks and speeds up the skin cell renewal cycle instead, helping to heal your current agitated skin while also preventing future breakouts.

CARROTENE BLEMISH CLEAR VITA PAD

Infused with Vita 12 complex, these pads are infused with 12 types of vitamins - vitamin A, E, F, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C - that help to keep your skin healthy and skin barrier strong. I found the carrotene blemish clear vita pads great as toning pads - very useful for gentle exfoliating and for quick and easy toning. They’re also incredibly soothing for redness and irritation. Unfortunately they are sold out online, but I’m sure a restock will be up in no time!

LOVE & XX’S,

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7 Favorite AmorePacific Beauty Products

July 18, 2019

AMOREPACIFIC BEAUTY PRODUCTS: TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM | TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES | PACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL | YOUTH REVOLUTION VITAMIN C RADIANCE CONCENTRATOR | THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID | TIME RESPONSE SKIN RESERVE CREME | YOUTH REVOLUTION RADIANCE CREME & MASQUE

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY AMOREPACIFIC BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Korean beauty’s innovative technology is upgrading our everyday regime, and being Korean, I also was blessed with a Korean mother teaching me the secret ways behind flawless Korean skin. From ‘slapping’ on toner to eight to 12 steps skincare steps repeated twice daily, the rituals may be time-consuming and a bit different, but the results are well worth the extra few minutes at the sink, along with spending a little extra buck to get what you’re looking for, in terms of your skin. Which is why I’ve rounded up 7 of my favorite products from fan-favorite brand AmorePacific to help you get started. Continue reading to learn more along with direct links to shop each product!

TREATMENT CLEANSING FOAM

Perfect for normal to oily skin, this foaming cream cleanser removes impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of vital moisture while helping to treat and prevent breakouts. Olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and mango seed butter cleanse the skin thoroughly without drying it out, while natural sugars hydrate and soften. As the cleanser is massaged onto the skin, micro-encapsulated vitamin E beads deliver a burst of antioxidant protection, leaving the complexion clean and refreshed. Sensitive to all skin types, it acts as a purifying antioxidant complex that also treats acne.

TREATMENT CLEANSING OIL FACE & EYES

This gentle cleanser for the face and eyes is a blend of botanical oils—including green tea seed, babassu palm, and coconut oil—that dissolves and lifts away impurities and makeup (even waterproof mascara) without stripping away skin’s natural moisture. Upon contact with water, the multitasking formula transforms into a silky, non-oily emulsion that also works to improve skin luminosity and moisture retention for a smooth, glowing complexion. It is further enriched with hydrating green tea leaf extract and a radiance-boosting blend of ginseng root and white birch extract.

TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL CLEANSING POWDER

Reformulated for daily use, this deep-cleansing exfoliator uses papaya- and green tea-derived enzymes to remove dulling residue without irritating healthy skin for a brighter glow. The water-activated, powder-to-foam formula leaves skin moisturized and primed to best receive ingredients to follow.

YOUTH REVOLUTION VITAMIN C RADIANCE CONCENTRATOR

This serum helps rid skin of Aging Dust™, preventing these damaging factors from accumulating on the surface causing dullness, uneven tone, and pigmentation. Its dual-chamber release combines two skin-brightening, antioxidant-rich formulas to address early signs of aging and boost radiance. Vitamin C works to even skin tone, while white peony helps with overall tone improvement and skin's firmness. Soothing green tea polysaccharides further work to brighten the complexion.

THE ESSENTIAL CREME FLUID

The Essential Crème Fluid offers the ultimate in green tea antioxidants for your skin. Each bottle contains 150 baby green tea leaves handpicked from the brand's green tea gardens. T-Essentials, a vital nutrient from green tea polysaccharides and green tea carotenoid, enhance and recover skin's moisture, texture, and flexibility. Neutra-Melting Emulsion Technology, the brand's exclusive technology, neutralizes oils from botanicals for all the nutrient-rich benefits in a silky texture. Micro Moisture Capsule Factor unlocks moisture deep within skin's layers and teaches skin to retain moisture more effectively.

TIME RESPONSE SKIN RESERVE CREME

This rich, anti-aging cream melts onto skin forming a lightweight protective layer to help improve the look of skin elasticity, hydration, and skin tone. This advanced formula contains AMOREPACIFIC’s highest-grade and most concentrated green tea to help visibly plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. I use this during the winter time in replace of the creme fluid, which I use during the warmer seasons.

YOUTH REVOLUTION RADIANCE CREME & MASQUE

This transformative formula suspends the aging cycle with 24-7 brightening benefits. Its versatile, sherbet-like texture absorbs effortlessly onto skin, allowing you to customize your results: one layer for morning moisture and two layers for nighttime nourishment. This multi-tasker calls upon white peony to help improve skin’s overall tone and firmness and green tea polysaccharides to brighten complexion. Truly a great creme, I love using this one as an overnight mask.

LOVE & XX’S,

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A Slice of Summer Glow with These 6 Korean Beauty Products

May 21, 2019

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY GLOW RECIPE BUT ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

With our first official hot day here in New York City yesterday, I got inspired to write up a post on how to achieve that radiant summer glow when it comes to our skin. But sans makeup. Makeup can help achieve the ultimate sun-kissed bronzy luminosity - but for some makeup is a no-no during the warmer seasons. Especially heavier coverage such as foundation. I love to have my skin breathe during this time of year to keep it healthy and fresh, so in today’s post I’m sharing 6 amazing Korean skincare products, all from the same brand, that will definitely give you a slice of that summer glow we all want.

WATERMELON GLOW ULTRA-FINE MIST

This ultra-fine, hydrating, fog-like mist is designed for ultimate skin radiance and makeup enhancement. It’s uniquely formulated with hibiscus flower which naturally contains AHAs to smooth the look of skin, apple cider vinegar (ACV) which naturally helps balance oil production, and rice germ oil which helps protect against free radicals. I have used it before applying makeup and it’s great, but I literally spray this on my face all day long even without makeup on. It smells like watermelon, so good in fact, my husband secretly loves it too! Refreshing, travel-friendly with very cute packaging, it’s my new favorite mist spray for summertime.

BLUEBERRY BOUNCE GENTLE CLEANSER

This hydrating, bouncy cleanser delivers all the antioxidant-rich benefits of blueberries while refining pores with hyaluronic acid and AHAs. The ultra-gentle formula is packed with nourishing oils to remove makeup with minimal rubbing. Skin is clear, radiant, and glowing without feeling stripped. During the warmer months, I prefer a gentle cleanser as I don’t want to use something too harsh for my sensitive skin. This cleanser is really my jam, and I love using it while traveling too when skin can wreck havoc even during the simplest of trips.

PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM

Brighten up with pure pineapple juice, a potent, natural source of vitamin C, AHA, and bromelain enzymes. Blended with soothing chamomile, the serum retexturizes skin and evens tone. Glass Skin is the ideal skin look inspired by K-Beauty—so smooth and reflective that it looks like glass. Or that dewy glow effect. It’s the ultimate summer brightening serum - your face will literally look like a mannequin! But in a good way, ha ha! I also love how to chamomile is a red reducer - especially when it comes to breaking out. And how adorable is that bottle?!

WATERMELON GLOW PINK JUICE MOISTURIZER

This oil-free moisturizer calms, brightens, and perfectly preps skin for makeup, while antioxidants protect against environmental stressors to ward off fine lines and dark spots. Use day and night as a moisturizer for oily/combo skin or as a serum for dry skin. Its bouncy, gel-emulsion texture feels cool on contact and absorbs instantly. Perfect for the summer heat. It works best with the pineapple serum for that ultra glowing skin. Plus, the smell is intoxicating. It’s like your face guzzled down a glass of fresh watermelon juice!

AVOCADO MELT SLEEPING MASK

Intensely moisturize, firm, and brighten overnight. Oleic acid and linoleic acid-rich avocado helps to restore moisture and collagen in the skin, while the antioxidants and antibacterial properties of manuka honey refresh stressed out skin. PHAs provide a gentle exfoliation while you sleep. This avocado sleeping mask contains Kaolin Clay: This clay pulls impurities from the skin without causing redness or irritation; and absorbs excess oils, decongests pores, and diminishes shine. Skin is extremely smooth. Would recommend using only a little bit per use - in this case, less is more.

WATERMELON GLOW SLEEPING MASK

My favorite product out of the 6: It’s the first product I ever tried by Glow Recipe and I use it all-year round. This luxuriously bouncy, breathable sleeping mask refreshingly hydrates, smooths, and perfects skin overnight with a revolutionary pillow-proof, transfer-proof formula. The oil-free, lightweight, glow-boosting hybrid is formulated with ultra-soothing watermelon extract, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and gentle AHAs that work while you sleep to tone and clarify roughened, dull complexions. AHAs smooth the surface of the skin by banishing dead, rough surface cells, clearing the path for ultra-effective, lasting hydration, while hyaluronic acid binds moisture to the skin for an incredibly nourished complexion. Skin is baby-soft and bright in the morning, effortlessly.