Category: Asian Beauty

Etude SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner Review

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This winter has been particularly dry and after trying the Pyunyung Yul Essence Toner (click for my review), I decided to try the Etude Soonjung Relief Toner because it doesn’t have any silicones and has a nice low, acidic pH level. I was looking for something to replace my P50W at night because of the low humidity. And also because I’m a little tired of waiting for 15 minutes between P50W and tretinoin.

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Mia’s review: 

I don’t have anything bad to say. But I’m not raving about it either. The toner isn’t drying but I also Continue reading →

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Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner Review

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Because this winter has been so dry, I wanted to stop using Biologique Recherche P50W during the day and replace it with something more hydrating. And also because I was a little tired of waiting for 15 minutes between P50W and my Curology serum.

I decided to try the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner because I really like their Nutrition Cream.  And, if you google it, you will find that the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner has a lot of good reviews from bloggers and YouTubers.

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Mia’s review: I have mixed feelings. I think this is a good essence toner but it just isn’t for me. I like the ingredients and I like the texture. I also didn’t find this to be drying at all and my face felt soft immediately after using it. I put it on a cotton pad and used it as a toner rather than putting some in my palm and patting it on like an essence.

The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner includes a silicone ingredient that is water dispersible which I think is better than ordinary silicones…but I’m not sure. A few years ago, I didn’t use any products with silicones at all (except shampoos/conditioners). Now, I use some moisturizers and creams with them but try to keep my serums silicone-free. I don’t think this toner caused any problems with my skin. I didn’t have any breakouts or redness. And even though I think my silicone aversion is unfounded, I just couldn’t continue to use it.

If this would’ve done something amazing like make my skin glow, I would’ve kept using it, but I didn’t notice that. I think this is a great choice for someone looking for a lightly hydrating toner/essence to help with the pH of their skin after cleansing.

pH Level: 5.5

Ingredients*: Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine

*THE INGREDIENTS LIST MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCURATE DEPENDING ON THE SOURCE OF THE LIST AND MANUFACTURER UPDATES/CHANGES.

make p:rem Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam Review

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Because I’m a fan of their in-shower mask (click here for my review), I knew I would love  the Make P:rem Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam. I’m still on my first bottle but have already purchased a second one so that I can be certain I won’t run out. [Update Jan 2019: The packaging has changed to a softer looking plastic tube since I wrote this review. I’m still using older bottles so haven’t had a chance to try it yet.]

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Mia’s review: I have combination skin with cheeks/chin that can be quite dehydrated. So I’m always looking for a cleanser that is creamy looking rather than clear. I don’t know why but I assume Continue reading →

make p:rem In-shower Mask Review

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I’ve been using sheet masks for a decade and can’t make myself use them regularly. I just don’t like sitting around with something on my face for 15-20 minutes even if all I’m doing is watching TV. I love the results (i.e., glow-y skin) of using a sheet mask but that still isn’t enough to get me to use them regularly. This is why I thought an in-shower mask would be prefect for me.

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Mia’s review: I love the make p:rem in-shower face mask! It makes my skintone look more even and Continue reading →

Sunscreen Review Part III: Japanese/Korean Chemical Sunscreens

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**Updated on 8/14/2018 to include a review of Isehan Kiss Me Sunkiller Perfect Water Essence Sunscreen Gel Spf 50.

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This should be my final “off topic” post (i.e., not about pH levels of products).

I decided to try a few Japanese and Korean chemical sunscreens because they include sun filters that aren’t FDA approved. They are, however, approved in many other countries and much better than what we have in the USA. Also, they offer great UVA 1 and UVA 2 protection.

I chose Asian sunscreens because I wanted to avoid Oxybenzone but it also seems to be one of the few chemical sunscreens that provides UVA 2 protection. And I also want to avoid octocrylene but it seems to be necessary to stabilize the very common chemical sunscreen Avobenzone. The Asian sunscreens have tinosorb and uvinul as their filters.

I applied the Asian sunscreens in the same way as I applied the physical (mineral) sunscreens I reviewed (Part I & Part II). Meaning, on top of serums, moisturizer, and eye cream. As a reminder, my skin is combination and I really find my cheeks dehydrated. My skin is tan and I’m a 2Y08 or 3Y07 using Sephora’s color IQ system. Also, I avoid products with coconut oil/caprylic capric trygrlycerides so there might be better sunscreens out there, I just can’t use them.

Sunscreen Reviews (in no particular order)

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Sunscreen Review Part II: Skinceuticals, Farmacy, Glossier, Dr Jart, Darphin

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This is part II of my review of (mostly) physical sunscreens. You can find Part I, here. As a reminder, I’m tan and a 2Y08 or 3Y07 using Sephora’s Color IQ system. I also wear sunscreen on top of moisturizer, several serums and eye cream. My skin is combination with oily t zone and dehydrated cheeks. I rarely wear foundation on top of sunscreen.
I also don’t/can’t use products with coconut oil or capric/caprylic triglycerides (i.e., fractionated coconut oil). So there are likely some other mineral sunscreens out there that are wonderful but I can’t use them.
[Note: I’ve also reviewed some Japanese and Korean sunscreens that use chemical filters.]
Sunscreen Reviews (in no particular order)
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COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser Review

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The COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser is my favorite cleanser right now! It’s a very popular cleanser with lots of good reviews. If you google it, you’ll see lots reviews from other bloggers as well. I’ve read varying pH values with some people finding a value of 5.0 and others finding a value of  5.5, and and others a value of ~5.0-6.0. So know that what I found is based upon using these pH strips.

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Mia’s review: I really like the COSRX low-pH cleanser and I’m on my second bottle.  I don’t find it to be harsh, irritating or Continue reading →