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Obsessed with Asian/Korean stuff - taking your skincare to the next level!

999 replies

FrugalFashionista · 08/05/2015 18:45

Asian and Korean skincare products seem to be a big thing in skincare and beauty right now.

Interested in the following?

  • finding a great sunscreen
  • tailoring a multi-step ritual to your skincare needs
  • talking about geisha beauty rituals
  • learning what snail slime, bee venom and starfish have to do with beauty
  • plumping up your skin with sheet masks and sleeping masks
  • experimenting with essences

Please come here and share your questions, experiences, links and best shopping tips!

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Thread gallery
14
FrugalFashionista · 01/06/2015 07:34

Finding the best sheet masks involves some trial and error. Here is a huge comparison post from Color Crush.

50 Shades of Snail reviews the worst sheet masks here! I've tried a few of them and they were deeply meh but not unpleasant. The Missha aloe mask was quite nice and soothing.

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Sillybillypoopoomummy · 01/06/2015 11:39

Thank you Frugal
I am going to try them all one by one and see what happens - in the interests of science you understand Grin

ChocolateIsMySleep · 01/06/2015 12:53

Hello all, blimey I'd never even heard of all this stuff before I started reading (this thread keeps showing up in my active!) and now I think I need it all! But don't know where to start!

I have pale, dry and very sensitive skin - I'm currently using Avene lipid replenishing oil cleaner and moisturiser along with rosehip oil (ahem, another MN recommendation that I immediately went out and bought! But I'm not too sure about it, mostly as it seems to smell a bit fishy to me?!) and their extremely gentle cleanser in the evenings.

However, my skin is still dry (and possibly also dehydrated?), prone to a few spots and blackheads under my cheekbones and around my mouth/chin and liable to flare up into redness and soreness on my cheeks so its clearly not working that well for me!

I'm most excited about the SPF - I absolutely hate wearing thick, gunky, white suncreens!

Questions - where is the best place(s) to buy stuff? I've seen some amazon.com links - do they ship to the UK? Is the Biore on Amazon UK not OK?

Can anyone recommend how to start building a regime? I read the reddit article and think I need an oil cleanser and possibly a different one and I'd also like something more moisturising to go under my moisturiser (IYSWIM!) and take it from there - I'm a bit scared of acid toners/glycolic pads in case they make my skin freak out!

Thanks very much in advance!!

FrugalFashionista · 01/06/2015 14:44

Choc the beauty of Asian routines is that you can choose freely, there is no obligation to use anything, acids are used as a chemical exfoliant but you can also use gentle mechanical exfoliants or skip the step altogether.

It sounds like you might need some humectants in your routine - see this handy diagram. I recommend intro kits (scroll this thread back for links) as they have a variety of products so that you can find during a brief trial what works best for you - some are more liquid and serum like, others are creamier. Some sheet masks and products that have hyaluronic acid are also intensely hydrating.

I got a parcel from Japan - the Hada Labo lotion is here!

The bad news: I also got a letter that said that my Jolse order is stuck at customs in Milan. They sent me four pages of paperwork for a 'sanitary inspection', I also have to include the original receipt and copies of two IDs so have to sit down and start scanning them

Silly good luck with the research! Wink

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lucysmam · 01/06/2015 15:44

Hmmm, my spot patches have arrived...I have no spots to test them out on & can't decide whether I'm happy about this or a little bit disappointed Confused

Frugal that sounds extreme - do they just pick random parcels to check?

ChocolateIsMySleep · 01/06/2015 16:34

Thanks Frugal, that's really helpful! Sorry about the customs hold-up, what a pain.

I'll have a look and see what I can find earlier in the thread - I got slightly lost amongst all the links although I spotted one for a Mizon starter kit - but was gutted to see it had a wait list!

I'm also very tempted by the sheet masks 'cos they look a bit technical and I'm easily pleased! and sleeping packs.

Has anyone got the Biore watery essence sunscreen from amazon? Is it as good as it looks and sounds?

TheWombat · 01/06/2015 16:39

Chocolate I have the Biore sunscreen. It is totally fabulous- the first sunscreen I've ever used that doesn't completely break me out. I am totally converted now to wearing it every day. So far of everyone whose bought it from this thread, I haven't seen a single person who is disappointed. I would say, if you buy one thing from this thread, make it that sunscreen!

TheWombat · 01/06/2015 16:41

*sorry, awful grammar in that last post! Blame it on sunscreen related over excitement!

LittleMysMoominMamma · 01/06/2015 17:27

And to add to the Biore love, I tried it for the first time today, under my newly beloved Holika Holika Jelly bb.

It is most definitely the most fantastic sunscreen texture and finish wise that I have ever used, its weightless and has absolutely no shine, no tacky finish - 1000 times better than the expensive Heliocare and the extortionate Cane & Austin and Skinceuticals sunscreens which I previously thought were the best of a bad bunch Cake Star Cake

I went for the watery gel rather than the watery essence (I can't even remember why), but I want to order ten tubes now. Well, I would order 10 tubes if I hadn't spent the weekend ordering more Korean skincare than I can bring myself to list... Grin

bigbuttons · 01/06/2015 18:13

biore rocks doesn't it?!

ilovetosleep · 01/06/2015 18:31

I am beyond excited, two of my purchases have finally arrived - the insanely awesome biore watery essence sunscreen, and mizon good night sleep mask.

Am assuming it's genuine as it came from beautynetkorea, but there was no box and so no English instructions. Also, I know I can't compare to western brands, but the tube seems really cheap and unimpressive. But that's no reflection of what's inside, I'm very excited about using it! frigal you have this one don't you? What do you use under it? I was thinking my usual boots serum and ren moisturiser, which I will replace with mizon starfish when it arrives. And maybe a missha snail product, I need lots of non oily moisture I have concluded these last few weeks,

XiCi · 01/06/2015 19:23

Quick question about sheet masks
Are you all just using on clean skin or are you doing cleanse, acid tone/ serums first then sheet mask?

TheWombat · 01/06/2015 19:32

XiCi I tend to cleanse and then stick the mask on. I see no reason why you couldn't acid tone first, I just don't because I acid tone in the morning and tend to use sheet masks in the evening.

I am battling a painful breakout at the moment - really wanting it not to be the sheet masks Sad Suspect it's stress related. On an upside, Lucysmam I can happily test the acne patches for you!

My parcels from Seoul have still not arrived, sigh. Am imagining humungous customs bills!

TheWombat · 01/06/2015 19:34

Frugal thank you for the handy link about humectants, emollients and occlusives. I will be giving this a lot more thought... Wondering if occlusives are likely to be most problematic for me.

lucysmam · 01/06/2015 19:34

XiCi, I've been doing cleanse, acid tone, moisturise then sheet mask.

Not 100% it's right now you've asked so will have a google and see (unless Frugal gets to it first - she always has interesting links Grin ).

FrugalFashionista · 01/06/2015 19:44

How exciting!!! We have a thread favorite
Listen to Bigbuttons, I think it was her recommendation originally, she really knows her stuff!

I have tried the Hada Labo Gokuyun lotion tonight. I'm branching out to Japanese drugstore products Wink Very fluid, almost like water, slippery texture, absorbed quickly. Well that's what my essences and treatments do too, nothing new here, so whacked an Innisfree sheet mask on top (read on Reddit that Hada Labo really boosts masks, and that's why I bought it). Now my skin is sticky with blackberry jam (Innisfree) and plump and glossy (Hada Labo, I think). My science homework is to learn more about hyaluronic acid, starting here Wink

Ilovetosleep you can pair the Good Night with pretty much everything: serum, essence, lotion, your favorite moisturizer, after a sheet mask. I've been testing different combos like a mad scientist and here are my favorites
Serum + essence/treatment + sleep mask
Sheet mask + sleep mask
Cream + sleep mask

Use it like a night cream or a final layer after letting some more liquid products absorb - it is quite close to Cerave PM in texture and feel. I've also paired it with Eucerin 5% urea cream and that worked too, but I would not pair it with very rich creams or mineral oil based creams like Nivea as they already have excellent occlusives. The sleeping mask acts as a final occlusive layer to prevent moisture loss. Good Night is not very hydrating on its own so I prefer to use something under it, but anyone with oilier skin might disagree. You could start with anything you have at home. Here is a review.

Choc I have really loved the Missha Super Aqua Snail kit (hydrating, more lightweight, great for summer, from Missha Germany) and Laneige White Plus intro (creamier, a colder weather product for me) kits for my dry/normal skin. Although both are mini sized, there is plenty to play with (Missha is bigger).

Lucysmam I wonder whether you have just come up with a homepathic treatment for spots - the product on your shelf, your skin pretty and blemish free!

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XiCi · 01/06/2015 19:46

Thanks all
New parcel arrived today, the Mizon defence white capsule cream. Packaging is beautiful , cream is actually a gel consistency which I think will suit my oily skin. Can't wait to try it later .

I have seaweed sheet mask on as we speak Smile so cooling and relaxing !

bigbuttons · 01/06/2015 19:56

frugal (blushes) I don't know about that! Thank you anyway ( I'm learning to take compliments gracefully!)

I have the had hada labo that you have. The trick I've learned is that less is more. Too much and it can get very sticky. It is the main ingredient for the Japanese lotion mask. My bottle will last ages. I hope you carry on liking it. x

JetJungle · 01/06/2015 20:15

My DS made me roar today:

You see, my parcel arrived this morning and he was fascinated with the contents. I explained to him that the mizon all in one snail was made from 92% snail extract.

His face face was like this Shock when he saw the sample of Panda's Dream.
"Is this one made of Pandas?" he whispered. Grin

The things that my DS thinks I'd be prepared to put on my face ....

Obsessed with Asian/Korean stuff - taking your skincare to the next level!
lucysmam · 01/06/2015 20:18

I've had a bit of a mooch about t'interweb re. where the sheet mask should go.

It would seem there are no rules as such; some say after lotions/serums/whatever else you use, others after cleansing and acids then carry on your routine if you feel you need to, others suggest suggest after serums but before emulsions/creams/sleeping packs.

So pretty much what works for you by the sounds of it.

XiCi · 01/06/2015 20:25

Ooh that's good lucysmam , that's what I've just done, after serum . Was a bit more tingly than when I tried it just on clean skin though - don't know whether that's good or bad!
Off to try my Mizon defence capsule cream now

FrugalFashionista · 01/06/2015 21:50

Wombat very sorry to hear about your breakouts. I do believe that major stress can cause skin symptoms. I got perioral eczema (sometimes a cortisol side effect, stress hormones are cortisols) after a massively stressful year at work. But maybe it is smart to retreat to your safest products for a bit just to be totally sure... Just hoping it's not your sheet masks. I believe that people can have highly individual sensitivities, so proceed with caution!

XiCi, I cleanse, do acid pads, wait for half an hour, then a sheet mask, but just like Lucysmam said, there are many ways to do it, some people like sheet masks as a morning ritual! For me, it is definitely an after-work thing.

Jungle Grin - my DC are mildly curious sbout snails, and DD1 said out of the blue, if starfish lose a limb, it will grow right back

Moominmamma lovely to hear about Biore gel and also curious about your shopping list.

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Misssss · 01/06/2015 21:56

Ok I'm a long time lurker, thanks to this thread I'm now skint. Really enjoyed reading about the stuff. I wish there was a shop to go and sample away though. I've ordered lots of stuff that's been recommended and can't wait for it all to arrive mainly the biore sunscreen and 1001 sheet masks. Mega bundle coming from eBay. Does anyone use the Monagene Juenesse (sp) ones? I don't think they're Korean but they used to do a vitamin c one that was amazing. In the meantime I've bought some sheet masks from superdrug, own brand cheap and a bit meh. I've also used a few of the m&s ones which are great but pricey at £5 each. There is a lot of product on them though so I've started to put them back in the packaging and wrap them in cling film so I can use twice.

LittleMysMoominMamma · 01/06/2015 22:01

Ok Frugal, you did ask... Laneige Water Sleep Pack EX (replacement as I got nowhere with the Amazon seller), Water Bank Gel Cream EX, a Laneige BB cushion and some Sulawhasoo samples.

Yes, I went a bit mad, I blame the Wine and a nice quiet weekend Grin

Must stop now... Blush

FrugalFashionista · 01/06/2015 22:22

Moominmamma can I come and visit you?
You have all my dream products...

Who was testing the Sulwhasoo vitalizing mask? I need an update! That is on my dream product list too!

Misssss'your masks sound lovely! I sometimes reuse them too.

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