Clinique: Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

Made in the UK 🇬🇧

This is my second serum product from Clinique. I really like the texture of Clinique’s serums however, the effectiveness can vary based on each individual.

This is a pore refining serum. So does it tightens and reduces the pores size? I have almost finished the whole bottle and I can say it does improves a bit but you can’t see a dramatic change. I found that the areas on both sides of my nose near the eyes, the pores look a little better.

The serum comes in a pump bottle, it is quite convenient to use, however, a bit challenging when you are finishing up the bottle.

The serum is light weight and easily absorbs on the skin. It feels very smooth after application.

Product Description

Lightweight, oil-free serum clears out pore-clogging debris and oil. Help skin create stronger and healthier cells with Clinique’s pore refining serum, the correcting solution formulated to gently clear out debris and dead/rough flakes allowing pores to snap back into shape, looking 58% smaller in just 2 weeks.

Ingredients

Dimethicone , Water\Aqua\Eau , Polysilicone-11 , Alcohol Denat. , Acetyl Glucosamine , Peg-10 Dimethicone , Butylene Glycol , Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract , Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’S Wort) Extract , Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract , Sea Whip Extract , Laminaria Saccharina Extract , Caffeine , Pantethine , Hydrolyzed Soy Protein , Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone , Algae Extract , Polysorbate 20 , Salicylic Acid , Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate , Tocopheryl Acetate , Caprylyl Glycol , Sodium Hyaluronate , Glycerin , Lecithin , Isohexadecane , Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride , Polysorbate 80 , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Polymethyl Methacrylate , Coconut Acid , Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract , Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid , Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer , Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer , Silica , Citric Acid , Hexylene Glycol , Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate , Sodium Hydroxide , Disodium Edta , Phenoxyethanol , Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499) , Mica

Palmer’s Cocao Butter Formula: Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil

Made in the USA 🇺🇸

I’m totally in love with this cleansing oil. It is very gentle on the skin and a beautiful soft fragrance that is quite relaxing. It leaves the skin feeling clean, soft and smooth.

Product Description

Infused with 7 pure oils and botanicals, this deep cleansing oil blend emulsifies with water on contact to remove impurities and leave skin soft and fresh.

Instantly dissolves impurities and all traces of makeup while maintaining skin’s natural moisture balance. Leaves skin feeling lightly hydrated unlike other harsh cleansing methods. Ideal for all skin types.

Ingredients

Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Polysorbate 85, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Sorbitan Trioleate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum), Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin.

Essano: Rosehip Oil

Made in New Zealand 🇳🇿

I have heard so many positive reviews on facial oils especially rosehip oil. So I went to get myself one to try. I chose Essano because I have used other products from this brand and quite like it.

The oil has a yellow/orange colour that comes in a droplet bottle. It has a strange fragrance that not to my likeness.

To be honest, face oil is not something I enjoy using but I was told by a friend that after using the face mask, you apply the face oil, go to sleep and the next morning your face will be radiant, smooth and beautiful.

I have only tried it a couple of time and it’s ok. But still not my thing. For a while I left it there unused. Instead of letting it go into waste. I decided to add a drop or two into my foundation and I found it works pretty well. My foundation is easier to glide on, not too dry and the oiliness also reduced. I found my skin glows better when I introduced this method into my make-up routine.

Product Description

Nourish your skin with the essential nutrients and antioxidants in Essano Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. This pure, natural and certified organic oil has been clinically proven to be effective in minimising the appearance of fine lines, scars, stretch marks and sun damage while helping to improve skin’s elasticity, tone and brightness.

Harness the unique healing power of certified organic Rosehip Oil, which clinical studies have proven to be effective in minimising the appearance of fine lines, scars, stretch marks and sun damage. 100% Natural + Certified Organic. You will love the way it feels on your skin. It is light, non-greasy and quickly absorbed.

Ingredients

Rose Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, EuterpeOleracea (Acai) Pulp Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E).

The Body Shop: Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion

Made in the UK 🇬🇧

So far this is my most favourite essence. Unfortunately, The Body Shop has discontinued manufacturing this product, although they still keep the Vitamin E line. Unlike Asian, the Australian may not be too keen to add on many steps in their skincare routine.

This essence is slightly thicker than the Korean essence. It has a mild scent with a pink colour texture. It glides on the skin smoothly and readily absorbed. I fell in love with it once I put it on my face. Hard to describe but my face feels hydrated and supple.

Product Description

This essence lotion is the perfect addition to your skin care routine – add this step in after cleansing. Lightweight, non-greasy and comfortable on the skin, this product’s gellified formula provides up to 48 hours of moisturisation, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth.

Skin feels instantly replenished with moisture
Skin feels softer, smoother and more supple
Penetrates quickly with a non-sticky feel
Antioxidant properties protect against free radicals
Paraben-free
Powered with Biofermented Hyaluronic Acid
Based on a self-assessed study on 108 women Learn more about the moisturizing benefits of Vitamin E for skin.

Ingredients

Aqua/Water (Solvent), Glycerin (Humectant), Propanediol (Viscosity Controlling Agent), Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract (Skin Conditioning Agent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), PPG-26-Buteth-26 (Emulsifying Agent), Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent – Emollient), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil/Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil (Emollient), Potassium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (Emulsifying Agent), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emulsifying Agent), Betaine (Hair Conditioning Agent), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Sodium Hyaluronate (Humectant), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Controlling Agent), Isohexadecane (Emollient/Solvent), Carbomer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder (Skin Conditioning Agent – Humectant), Polysorbate 80 (Surfactant), Sodium Citrate (pH Adjuster), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance Ingredient), PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate (Emulsifying Agent), Trideceth-6 (Surfactant – Emulsifying Agent), Sorbitan Oleate (Emulsifying Agent), Benzyl Benzoate (Fragrance Ingredient), Hydroxycitronellal (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Biotin (Skin Conditioning Agent).

L’occitane: Immortelle Brightening Essence

Made in France 🇫🇷

I bought this product prior to the understanding of the use of essence. So when I received it, I didn’t like it because I thought it was too runny.

The essence has a yellowish gel like texture. It comes in a droplet-form bottle which is pretty convenient until you are finishing it up.

I have realised there is a bit different between Korean essence and other Western brands essence. The Korean essence are much thinner, while L’Occitane the or The Body Shop essences are much more thicker, more on the verge of serum.

The essence is easily absorbed on the skin, it has a mild scent. I cannot comment on the brightening effects of it. However it is a nice essence to use.

Product Description

Our new formula also includes Garden Nasturtium extract that helps smooth and even the complexion, stimulating the skin’s natural ability to reflect light for a more luminous, youthful glow. – Wintergreen leaf helps natural exfoliation and smooth skin L’OCCITANE’s Immortelle Brightening skin care line provides beauty benefits from the Mediterranean “flowers of light,” Immortelle and Bellis Perennis (Daisy). Immortelle is a golden yellow flower that never wilts or withers. Its essential oil is rich in active molecules with unique cosmetic anti-aging properties. The Daisy opens its petals each day with the sunrise and closes them at dusk. Its flower offers a brightening extract that contributes to regulated skin tone.

Brightening Essence combines the “flowers of light” – Immortelle and Bellis perennis- to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, to help even out skin tone and illuminate the complexion. The reformulated serum helps to diminish the appearance of wrinkles while making the complexion more even-toned and brighter thanks to its ultra-concentrated formula.

With use, a more luminous complexion emerges: skin better reflects light especially thanks to Wintergreen leaf and Garden Nasturtium extracts that help natural exfoliation and smooth skin micro-relief.* Tested under dermatological and ophthalmological supervision. Non-comedogenic.

A girl can never ever have enough…skincare routine

My adventure with skincare started a year ago after joining a beauty/skincare group. I am open to new discoveries and since learning about the Korean skincare routine, I have implemented into my own.

My skincare products change continuously as I explore new brands and options. Here is my current night time routine.

It may seem a bit excessive but it wasn’t that bad.

Cleansing:

• Facial wipes: Swisspers (best so far)
• Eyes & lips make up remover
• Micellar water: La Roche Posay (use sparingly)
• Cleansing oil: Palmer’s
• Cleansing water: Thank you Farmer
• Foam cleanser: Empassion Natural

Treatment & moisturizing:

• Toner: Guerlain aqua
• Essence: Innisfree soybean
• Ampoule: Missha Time Revolution
• Serum: Secret Collagen Night Serum
• Eye Cream: La femme actuelle eye cream
• Moisturizer: La femme actuelle Anti-wrinkle cream

Add ons:

• Facial Peel: L’Reve Pearl peeling gel (best so far)
• Serum: Antipodes protein rich night serum
• Sleep mask: Tonymoly sleep pack

I found that the combinations of cleansing steps remove my makeup completely and leaving my skin smooth and clean. I don’t have any outbreaks and no residues at the toning step.

The day routine is much better because we can eliminate the excessive cleansing step.

• Cleanser: Living Nature purifying gel cleanser
• Face prep: Jurlique hydrating essence
• Toner: Essano Rosehip mist toner
• Essence: The Body Shop aqua boost essence lotion (best so far)
• Serum: Clinique pore refining serum or Clarins shaping facial lift serum
• Booster: Clarins detoxifying booster
• Eye cream: Antipodes eye cream
• Moisturiser: Elizabeth Arden green tea cream
• Sunscreen: Elizabeth Arden sunscreen
• Lip balm: Burt’s Bees lip balm (best so far)

For individual product reviews you can find them in separate posts.