Spring is here, which sometimes means naught in Chicago unfortunately. As the weather ping pongs around from warm with a perfect light breeze, to torrential rain, to right now as snow falls steadily outside my window...
As you already know, for most people, spring is a time when it's not as necessary to use heavier duty skincare products unless you're like me and trying to use up your winter product stash.
The Korean skincare routine usually includes two cleansers - an oil cleanser and a water-based cleanser to get rid of the residue if you're prone to breakouts but I have dry skin that rarely breaks out so I omit that step. Also, the last step of this routine is a bit much and not as appropriate as we approach the warmer weather but the rest of the routine works for me in the Chicago temperate clime.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which are marked with an asterisk. Purchasing through an affiliate link returns a small commission to me and is one way to support this blog. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
As you already know, for most people, spring is a time when it's not as necessary to use heavier duty skincare products unless you're like me and trying to use up your winter product stash.
The Korean skincare routine usually includes two cleansers - an oil cleanser and a water-based cleanser to get rid of the residue if you're prone to breakouts but I have dry skin that rarely breaks out so I omit that step. Also, the last step of this routine is a bit much and not as appropriate as we approach the warmer weather but the rest of the routine works for me in the Chicago temperate clime.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which are marked with an asterisk. Purchasing through an affiliate link returns a small commission to me and is one way to support this blog. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
1 Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil
A colorless cleansing oil, on the thinner side, and scented very slightly floral.
INGREDIENTS: Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, *Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, *Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, **Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, **Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, *Lactobacillus/Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Dandelion Leaf/Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, ***Fragrance
The cleansing oil reviewed first over at Vanity Rex is a nice blend of emollient oils that are considered to be beneficial to the skin. There are a few that are considered to be acne triggers - the olive oil, the jojoba oil, and the avocado oil. The caprylic/capric triglyceride is also coconut oil derived so it might be of concern to some.
According to Glow Recipe,
Whamisa utilizes a natural fermentation process to distill and preserve the potency of select natural ingredients. This mineral oil free Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil is formulated with a blend of botanical oils such as Hazel Seed, Olive Fruit and Avocado Oil that deep cleanses skin and declogs congested pores. Licorice Root and Chrysanthemum extracts leave skin soft, conditioned and balanced. BDIH certified. <-natural cosmetics certification
To Use: Apply a quarter size amount onto palms and apply on dry face to melt away makeup. Add water to emulsify the cleansing oil and rinse off with water.
Packaging: It comes packaged in a clear plastic cylindrical bottle with a white pump. The pump doesn't stick and the manufacturing and expiration date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Packaging: It comes packaged in a clear plastic cylindrical bottle with a white pump. The pump doesn't stick and the manufacturing and expiration date is printed on the bottom of the bottle.
Performance: Because of the thicker texture, it lifts away the makeup pretty cleanly - including some tougher waterproof eye makeup and mascaras and matte liquid lipsticks. I like the Whamisa because it feels/seems like a premium product - while I don't really go for premium cleansers that often even if the ingredients lists are great (since cleansers don't really stay on your face for too long, a tip picked up from the cosmetic chemists over at The Beauty Brains). I picked this cleanser up because I had some referral credits at Glow Recipe. I recommend it to those who like natural beauty products and lightly scented cleansing oils.
Rating 3.5/5
Available at Whamisa Korea for < 28000 KRW in different packaging, 150ml | Glow Recipe $38 150ml
2 Goodal Double Bright Toner
This is a milky toner, a bit more viscous than others I've tried, kind of more like an essence. The toner contains fermented paeonia japonica extract and arbutin for brightening and lemon extract and alpha hydroxy acids to tone the skin and strip away oils and dead skin.
INGREDIENTS: WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, NIACINAMIDE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRYGLYCERIDE, POLYGLUTAMIC ACID, PAEONIA LACTIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT, PORTULACA OLERACEREA EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, ANGELICA KEISKEI LEAF/STEM EXTRACT, TRICHOLOMA MATSUTAKE EXTRACT, ARBUTIN, SODIUM LACTATE, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PCA, GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, MALIC ACID, PYRUVIC ACID, TARTARIC ACID, GLYCERIN, CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT, CAMELLIA JAPONICA FLOWER EXTRACT, MAGNOLIA LILIFLORA BUD EXTRACT, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETEARYL OLIVATE, POLYSORBATE 60, SORBITAN OLIVATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, SORBITAN OLIVATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, SORBITAN STEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, POLYACRYLATE-13, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE, POLYISOBUTENE, CARBOMER, POLYSORBATE 20, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, TROMETHAMINE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, FRAGRANCE [INGREDIENTS ANALYSIS @ COSDNA]
The ingredients list on this toner is why I picked it up - the niacinamide (a brightening, anti-aging antioxidant) and polyglutamic acid a humectant for hydration were enough to pique my interest. Additional claims of the product are that it is exfoliative, which may be true as the pH of the product is 4.
To Use: Apply on a cotton pad and swipe across the face or apply direct onto the face.
Packaging: The toner is in a frosted white bottle with a twist off cap, very sturdy and not prone to spills.
Performance: The toner is quite different from others I've used, it's less cosmeceutical-ly like the CosRX and more substantial, well-suited for dry skin. The only drawback is the strong floral scent for some. It temporarily brightens the skin and it reduces redness. I tend to use it without a cotton pad, without the light physical exfoliation it's difficult to tell if it actually smoothes the skin out.
Rating 3.5/5
Available at Koreadepart $13.89 | RoseRoseShop <$16 | Club Clio $24 | w2beauty $27.79 | Amazon $24 + 5.95 shipping** | Soko Glam $30 | Ulta $30
3 Curology
A dermatologist-prescribed treatment/lotion with retinoic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate) - the three most well-studied anti-aging ingredients and a staple in my routine for the results I've seen so far especially for pore care. Full review of the prescription and service here..
The Blithe I use both day and night, see the full review from my recent A.M. skincare for dry skin post above.
See the full review at the link above.
See the full review at the link above.
The Papa Recipe Bombee Lotion is also something I reviewed in my recent A.M. skincare for dry skin post, linked above.
The Kicho as well is also something I reviewed in my recent A.M. skincare for dry skin post, linked above.
8 Goodal Firming Sleeping Pack
This is a thick, rich sleeping pack that contains fermented acacia honey, propolis, and royal jelly. It's very thick, gloopy, and sticky, so a little much for oilier skin types but it helped me fare the Chicago winter.
INGREDIENTS: WATER, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII SHEA BUTTER, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEESWAX, HONEY, LACTOBACILLUS FERMENT, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, PROPOLIS EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED GINSENG SAPONINS, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, DIOSCOREA JAPONICA ROOT EXTRACT, NATTO GUM, THEOBROMA CACAO SEED EXTRACT, STEARIC ACID, PEG-100 STEARATE, PALMITIC ACID, GLYCOL STEARATE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, XANTHAN GUM, POLYACRYLATE-13, TROMETHAMINE, POLYISOBUTENE, LAURETH-23, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, ADENOSINE, POLYSORBATE 20, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, BENZOPHENONE-5, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CI 19140, FRAGRANCE [INGREDIENTS ANALYSIS @ COSDNA]
The pack came heavily recommended for dry skin on the Asian Beauty subreddit and by Jude of Fiftyshadesofsnail, when Club Clio Korea had a 1+1 sale I just pulled the trigger. The ingredients contains many dry skin helpers like shea butter, fatty alcohols, caprylic/capric triglyceride, and beeswax. The feature ingredients honey, propolis, and royal jelly are humectants and good for adding hydration back to the skin plumping up wrinkles etc. as well as antibacterial/antifungal etc.
To Use: Apply as last step of nighttime skincare routine. A little goes a long way.
Packaging: In a large round plastic jar with a spatula and a separator. The separator/inner lid comes with a handle
Performance: The sleeping pack is super thick and gloopy. Depending on how much you use, sometimes it doesn't even absorb all the way before going to bed. One drawback of this sleeping pack is that it's so sticky it requires hand washing after each use. Well worth it in my opinion as it's super moisturizing and the next day my skin looks brighter and more even.
Rating 4/5
Available at Club Clio $18 | Target $22
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which are marked with an asterisk. Purchasing through an affiliate link returns a small commission to me and is one way to support this blog. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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