So right now, on my bedside table, I have a trio of products from my summer 2016 haul, stacked on top of one another, waiting for me to declare my official verdict on them. Which I will do, with much gusto, smacking my gavelin (read: empty skincare bottles) at the end of each paragraph. JK.
Each of these products today I could easily do a full, detailed long-form review on, only in the interest of time, I've consolidated everything into mini-reviews. So let's dive right in.
Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream
Purpose My initial thought was that a watery cream probably contains a higher proportion of humectants, which would help to rehydrate my skin which would be battling the dehydrating effects of the sun and heat along with the dry air present in highly air-conditioned environments.
Product This is a cream that looks semi-solid or flan-like in the tub, but once applied on the skin immediately transforms into a watery cream. It's very hydrating and seems like it gets into the skin, hydrating it from within. At least that's the way I would describe how this cream hydrates. I use it in the day as a final layer of skincare before sunscreen, and at night as the layer just before my sleeping pack.
Scent Lightly green tea-scented, also eau de cosmetic is included.
Star Ingredients 100% Fermented green tea combines the antioxidant power of green tea with increased absorption due to the fermentation
Ingredients Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclomethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysilicone-11, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ariba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Lemon (Lemon) Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts None according to CosDNA which of course is not infallible
Packaging A bit on the bulky side and very cheap plastic. I tend to give it a pass because of the low price. There's a lot of overage with the packaging as the top part of the cap doesn't even house anything, it just sticks out for the sake of sticking out. The product comes with a plastic seal and the manufacturing date is printed on the bottom of the tub.
Value Less than $15 for 60ml of product (30ml usually lasts about 1 month)
Results This cream really does what it says it will which is hydrate my skin. When I apply it my skin feels like it's saturated with water and moisture and the next day the skin looks radiant, plump, and happy. If you don't mind the initial texture of the cream when it's semi-solid in the tub, which is the only thing I think might be off-putting about this product, then I would say give it a go. It's not too heavy for oily skin types and it provides satisfactory moisture to dry skin types.
Repurchase I would in the summers. I probably won't need to this year, but I would consider going back to it next year.
Find it at Jolse $12.78 | eBay $13.76 | Amazon $21.99 plus free shipping*
Primera Alpine Berry Watery Cream
Purpose Similar to the Tonymoly watery cream I just discussed, I thought that this cream would be a nice, light moisturizer for the summer season. However, the name 'watery cream' for this particular product is a misnomer and it's much more just a regular medium-weight cream.
Product This is a medium-weight cream that can be used as a day cream or a night cream with a sleeping pack over the top.
Scent The product smells fresh and herbal, but it seems 'unscented' for the most part.
Star Ingredients The label boasts rich hydration provided by alpine strawberries and aloe vera. The skin is to be revitalized with papaya fruit extract which contains vitamin C and keratinoids. To me, I'm also equally enthused about the squalane, an olive-derived oil that mimics naturally occurring oils on our skin, and the fact that there are so many nourishing botanical extracts that serve to moisturize the skin.
Ingredients Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl ether, BIS-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose Polystearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Urea, Cyclohexasiloxane, Myristyl myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Leaf Extract, Aminobutyric Acid, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera (Brussels Sprouts) Extract, Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Mentha Piperita (Pepperint) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tapioca Starch, Lactobacillus Ferment, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts Myristyl myristate has a high propensity to cause breakouts according to CosDNA. The cream also contains low but common acne triggers in cetearyl alcohol and stearic acid. Cetearyl alcohol ad myristyl myristate also are low irritation triggers.
Packaging Is veyr high quality, a heavy plastic that looks and feels expensive. The cap fits perfectly and twists on and off very securely. (Compared to the cheap Tonymoly packaging this cream's fittings are like a Rolls Royce). There's an inner lid to keep the cream covered and fresh, and I recall the cream having a plastic seal when new. The expiration date is printed on the bottom.
Value Around $35 for 50 ml of product. It's a mid-tier product.
Results Like I said, the strength of this cream is not in its hydrating abilities but more in its moisturizing capability due to the high number of emollient plant extracts present in the cream. In real life, it feels like a very nice, medium-weight cream that is easily spreadable and leaves the skin feeling protected and full of moisture. It does leave a tiny bit of a film but that will disappear overnight (in fact this absorbs more than the Tonymoly). I wake up with refreshed, still moist skin in the mornings so I don't complain about the film. This cream is a little heavy for those with oily skin at least in the summer months, but might be a good option for oily-skinned people in winter. This is a perfect summer cream for my dry skin, and would do well in helping me transition into the Fall as well.
Repurchase It's a little expensive for what it does, which is moisturize well. I'm not apt to repurchase this as it's just a competent moisturizer and doesn't really bring much else to the table.
Find it at ibbi $27.53 | Amazon $30.95* | Memebox $35* | ShopatKorea $38.50 | ViaSeoul $39
Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Cleansing Water
Purpose It's a cleansing water, intended to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, sebum, and other impurities from the skin, all while conditioning the skin with its 100% fermented green tea, and other good-for-you ingredients.
Product This is a pH 4.5 cleansing water that is an effervescent, clear, watery liquid.
Scent Smells like a mixture of citrus, green tea, and spices.
Star Ingredients 100% Fermented green tea combines the antioxidant power of green tea with increased absorption due to the fermentation
Ingredients Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethanol, PEG-7-Glyceryl Cocoate, Green Tea Extract (10000 PPM), PEG-32, Lemon Seed Oil, Rosewood Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts None according to CosDNA which of course is not infallible
Packaging Tonymoly gets it right with this sleek, functional green bottle. I have no complaints. It doesn't leak and it's not too heavy. The manufacturing date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Value Less than $10 for 300ml of product
Results This is fast becoming my favorite cleanser of the summer. When I can't be bothered to go the full double-cleansing mile with a cleansing oil AND a foaming face wash, I turn to this guy, which I can rely on to wipe off all my makeup including my waterproof mascaras and eyeliners (I use it on a cotton pad - it takes about 3-4 to do the job), and it leaves my skin feeling really nice and moisturized, very Chok Chok, according to its name. I love that it doesn't irritate my skin and that it's at a skin-friendly pH of 4.5
Repurchase Absolutely. It's rare I find a cleansing water that's effective and gently formulated at such a great price.
Find it at eBay $8.99
So those are my summer finds. What about you? Any new discoveries this season?
Each of these products today I could easily do a full, detailed long-form review on, only in the interest of time, I've consolidated everything into mini-reviews. So let's dive right in.
Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
Purpose My initial thought was that a watery cream probably contains a higher proportion of humectants, which would help to rehydrate my skin which would be battling the dehydrating effects of the sun and heat along with the dry air present in highly air-conditioned environments.
Product This is a cream that looks semi-solid or flan-like in the tub, but once applied on the skin immediately transforms into a watery cream. It's very hydrating and seems like it gets into the skin, hydrating it from within. At least that's the way I would describe how this cream hydrates. I use it in the day as a final layer of skincare before sunscreen, and at night as the layer just before my sleeping pack.
Scent Lightly green tea-scented, also eau de cosmetic is included.
Star Ingredients 100% Fermented green tea combines the antioxidant power of green tea with increased absorption due to the fermentation
Ingredients Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclomethicone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polysilicone-11, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ariba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Lemon (Lemon) Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts None according to CosDNA which of course is not infallible
Packaging A bit on the bulky side and very cheap plastic. I tend to give it a pass because of the low price. There's a lot of overage with the packaging as the top part of the cap doesn't even house anything, it just sticks out for the sake of sticking out. The product comes with a plastic seal and the manufacturing date is printed on the bottom of the tub.
Value Less than $15 for 60ml of product (30ml usually lasts about 1 month)
Results This cream really does what it says it will which is hydrate my skin. When I apply it my skin feels like it's saturated with water and moisture and the next day the skin looks radiant, plump, and happy. If you don't mind the initial texture of the cream when it's semi-solid in the tub, which is the only thing I think might be off-putting about this product, then I would say give it a go. It's not too heavy for oily skin types and it provides satisfactory moisture to dry skin types.
Repurchase I would in the summers. I probably won't need to this year, but I would consider going back to it next year.
Find it at Jolse $12.78 | eBay $13.76 | Amazon $21.99 plus free shipping*
Primera Alpine Berry Watery Cream
Purpose Similar to the Tonymoly watery cream I just discussed, I thought that this cream would be a nice, light moisturizer for the summer season. However, the name 'watery cream' for this particular product is a misnomer and it's much more just a regular medium-weight cream.
Product This is a medium-weight cream that can be used as a day cream or a night cream with a sleeping pack over the top.
Scent The product smells fresh and herbal, but it seems 'unscented' for the most part.
Star Ingredients The label boasts rich hydration provided by alpine strawberries and aloe vera. The skin is to be revitalized with papaya fruit extract which contains vitamin C and keratinoids. To me, I'm also equally enthused about the squalane, an olive-derived oil that mimics naturally occurring oils on our skin, and the fact that there are so many nourishing botanical extracts that serve to moisturize the skin.
Ingredients Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl ether, BIS-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose Polystearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Urea, Cyclohexasiloxane, Myristyl myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Leaf Extract, Aminobutyric Acid, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera (Brussels Sprouts) Extract, Veronica Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Mentha Piperita (Pepperint) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tapioca Starch, Lactobacillus Ferment, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts Myristyl myristate has a high propensity to cause breakouts according to CosDNA. The cream also contains low but common acne triggers in cetearyl alcohol and stearic acid. Cetearyl alcohol ad myristyl myristate also are low irritation triggers.
Packaging Is veyr high quality, a heavy plastic that looks and feels expensive. The cap fits perfectly and twists on and off very securely. (Compared to the cheap Tonymoly packaging this cream's fittings are like a Rolls Royce). There's an inner lid to keep the cream covered and fresh, and I recall the cream having a plastic seal when new. The expiration date is printed on the bottom.
Value Around $35 for 50 ml of product. It's a mid-tier product.
Results Like I said, the strength of this cream is not in its hydrating abilities but more in its moisturizing capability due to the high number of emollient plant extracts present in the cream. In real life, it feels like a very nice, medium-weight cream that is easily spreadable and leaves the skin feeling protected and full of moisture. It does leave a tiny bit of a film but that will disappear overnight (in fact this absorbs more than the Tonymoly). I wake up with refreshed, still moist skin in the mornings so I don't complain about the film. This cream is a little heavy for those with oily skin at least in the summer months, but might be a good option for oily-skinned people in winter. This is a perfect summer cream for my dry skin, and would do well in helping me transition into the Fall as well.
Repurchase It's a little expensive for what it does, which is moisturize well. I'm not apt to repurchase this as it's just a competent moisturizer and doesn't really bring much else to the table.
Find it at ibbi $27.53 | Amazon $30.95* | Memebox $35* | ShopatKorea $38.50 | ViaSeoul $39
Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Cleansing Water
Purpose It's a cleansing water, intended to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt, sebum, and other impurities from the skin, all while conditioning the skin with its 100% fermented green tea, and other good-for-you ingredients.
Product This is a pH 4.5 cleansing water that is an effervescent, clear, watery liquid.
Scent Smells like a mixture of citrus, green tea, and spices.
Star Ingredients 100% Fermented green tea combines the antioxidant power of green tea with increased absorption due to the fermentation
Ingredients Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethanol, PEG-7-Glyceryl Cocoate, Green Tea Extract (10000 PPM), PEG-32, Lemon Seed Oil, Rosewood Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol [Cosdna Analysis]
Propensity to Irritate or Cause Breakouts None according to CosDNA which of course is not infallible
Packaging Tonymoly gets it right with this sleek, functional green bottle. I have no complaints. It doesn't leak and it's not too heavy. The manufacturing date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Value Less than $10 for 300ml of product
Results This is fast becoming my favorite cleanser of the summer. When I can't be bothered to go the full double-cleansing mile with a cleansing oil AND a foaming face wash, I turn to this guy, which I can rely on to wipe off all my makeup including my waterproof mascaras and eyeliners (I use it on a cotton pad - it takes about 3-4 to do the job), and it leaves my skin feeling really nice and moisturized, very Chok Chok, according to its name. I love that it doesn't irritate my skin and that it's at a skin-friendly pH of 4.5
Repurchase Absolutely. It's rare I find a cleansing water that's effective and gently formulated at such a great price.
Find it at eBay $8.99
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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