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

[FrugalFashionista]

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!

The Sulwhasoo vitalizing mask sounds fabulous. I am so tempted. the Missha long name ampoule sounds very tempting too. I will wait though until I've depleted some of my other stocks. I have umpteen sleep pack bottles to get through, well three and a shed load of samples. I am also waiting (impatiently) for lots of stuff to arrive.

Some excellent stuff on Reddit again - a thoughtful discussion why products that work well on someone might not be great on someone else. So please listen to your skin, group hype is fun but it can be dangerous too, let's not get too carried away!!!

mowglik COSRX is the favorite AHA BHA product family among AB bloggers but not sure how easy it is to find in KL! Laneige, S:um and Sulwhasoo and may be smart purchases while travelling as the item prices exceed the VAT free limit for postal orders, but they are high-end products so it can get pricey quickly. Dr Jart and Mizon Good Night and Innisfree wine jelly and Sulwhasoo overnight and your Laneige do the same thing so you can cross them off your list! Missha, Mizon and Innisfree are are quite inexpensive by mail order. It might be smart to buy a couple of items while you are there and test them properly when you are back home to avoid costly mistakes. That said, I regret not buying some Laneige from Target while I was in the US. Enjoy your trip!

Oooh!! What an EPIC thread!

Finally got to the end and I want to buy so much! Seriously don't know where to begin though. I've been trying to work out what my skin needs the most and I've narrowed it down to treating the oilyness and clogged pores and also tackling dehydration under eyes. Skin is incredibly oily, blackheads, occasional spots and fine lines around eyes. Can be quite sensitive.

So, thinking CosRX may be a good start for pores. Not sure what else to try though... Also need a good cleanser. Not Korean but have been looking at CeraVe - I like a proper wash type cleanser. Any other wash suggestions?

This is SO much fun! I'm excited to order stuff

frugal thanks for your evaluation of my shopping list, I have cut out a fair few things now which helps! I have enjoyed using sheet masks so will try and get a selection of these as well as a few indulgent products and see how I get on with those

Frugal, no offence, but I'm not sure I could trust you to visit

Amazing and MrsGuy, I had the same sample, and I think its Missha Golden Snow Essence www.ebay.com/itm/MISSHA-Gold-Snow-Radiance-Jin-Essence-Samples-5-Pcs-USA-Seller-/121167038908

Brilliant LittleMys has it right, I've just had a chance to open the mystery sample and it feels lovely. It's such a good marketing ploy to give so many samples I wish western beauty companies were as free with them.

Sleep I've been following the CH thread and this one and have been doing the same as you, retin a every third night and alternating BHa/aha toners morning and night. My skin (combination & a bit sensitive) has struggled with flakiness and dryness, but almost six weeks in and I'm beginning to see a real difference. In the last couple of weeks I've put the acids on hold and added aquaphore half an hour after applying the retin a. The flaking has stopped and I don't feel as sore. I've also started to use Body shop Vit E moisturise toner in place of the acids, which is much more nourishing. I'd stick with the retin a and ditch the acids.

The Rosy lip tint did a sterling job and lasted from 10 till 5 before it needed topping up, which is much better than my usual chubby sticks.

Well sleuthed Moomin!

Is everyone else finding it easier to 'read' their skin? as in - easier to tell if it wants more moisture or is ok today, thanks very much sort of thing? Or easier to tell if things aren't right after using some products without plodding on regardless?

I never paid that much attention before but realised tonight that
I'm in need of some sort of extra hydration right now, have a sheet mask sitting next to me but really just want to go to sleep...

On a completely unrelated note...my bathroom sanctuary is looking lovely and I've been looking at little drawers to go in there for my bits and bobs and a nice new mirror for beautifying in front of

Morning!
Lucysmam loving your organized bathroom! I think I am definitely starting to listen to my skin. Last night my skin felt so happy and good after cleansing that I just let it be totally free until bedtime. Then, a layer of Laneige White Plus cream and some Mizon Good Night. Simple, and my skin loves them.

I've been reading some really good articles on the science of skincare. Not sure anyone is interested as some of these border on geeky but linking a few

Six Beauty Aids Science Says Really Work

The Cardinal Rule of Skin Care - Do No Harm

Moisturizers for Acne (a scientific paper)

I've also delved deeply into Cosdna trying to understand the active ingredients in my sunscreens. Smartskinscare.com has a really great explanations, it is really complicated, and it seems that getting the balance right between wide spectrum protection, chemical stability, an acceptable cosmetic feel and acne neutrality is really hard.

MrsGuy I read somewhere yesterday that dermatologists tend to advice people to take a break from chemical exfoliants when first introducing retinoids to minimize side effects. Your approach sounds really smart!

Slouchie welcome! Lots of AB bloggers use Cerave face wash and COSRX is also getting a lot of love atm. Enjoy your explorations!

Hi all,

Frugal, thanks so much for the layering link! The last two days I've swapped round so apply moisturiser first (which has a high water content) then rosehip oil and its really made a difference to how moisturised my skin feels! D'oh - I've clearly been doing things wrong for years! .

I've had to actually write a list of what I've ordered so far as I got a bit lost amongst the many many eBay shops!

So I'm very impatiently waiting for:

Biore sunscreen (UK amazon so hopefully not that long?!)
Mizon hyaluronic acid essence (think its an essence, still find that a bit confusing
Benton snail sheet masks
Holika red wine sleeping mask

And today's purchases of
Mizon all in one snail repair cream and ampoule

On the basis that although I should introduce things one by one, they're going to take flippin' weeks to arrive anyway - especially as I had one email this morning informing me that there is a holiday in Korea and so the sleeping mask isn't going to be dispatched until next week

Now I need to step away from the computer....

So excited to try the sheet masks and sleeping mask though - I may have to take myself to M&S and get a couple of the maskerade ones mentioned upthread!

mrsguygarvey Glad to hear you have got used to your retinA. I'm surprised my skin is so sensitive to the Redermic because its an off the shelf retinol so can't be too strong, and I've been using boots protect and perfect for years which although much weaker is still a retinol product so you'd think I'd be used to it by now. I do feel that the acids have had a really good overall effect though so I think I'm going to scale them back, so just once a day rather than twice, alternate days Aha/Bha - do you think best to do this AM or PM? - see if my skin settles down again, then retry introducing the Redermic in a couple of weeks? Does this sound like an ok plan? I think I might carry on with my protect and perfect too as I know I cope with that.

Last night I went all out on moisture and now I have spots. I don't get spots - well only once a month and I'm still breastfeeding so haven't had a period for two years now. But I have spots. Three little pin prick pimples on my chin. Last night after my double cleanse/BHA toner, I used an Etude House Green tea sheet mask (lovely) followed by snail gel followed by Good night mask. I wonder if theres something in the mask my skin doesn't like. I really hope its not niacinimide as I'm banking on investing in more products with it in to help fade old spot scars on my chin (my worst place really).

Also my eyes are super super sensitive to eye creams but are really dry and my concealer is just caking around them and in the fine dehydration creases so I would like to find a super hydrating gentle eye cream - any tips?

Lucysmam you'd have thought by now I would be able to listen to my skin but I really have no clue! I'm still winging it and not really getting very far!

I forgot to ask a Q. Do many asian brands use retinol ingredients? Because I haven't seen much mentioned but I did read in Skin & Tonics review of the Missha longer name ampoule that it contains retinol. I'd been tempted by that one, maybe order a few samples, but if it contains retinol I presume I should not use it along side any other retinol products. Someone on here has tried it I think but I can't remember who!

Ilovetosleep I get spots from really many skincare products. What I have learned after years of acne hell is that it is a good idea to add new products one by one. I usually get whiteheads or acne cysts very quickly after trying the wrong product (overnight, or within 24 hours) so that is my frame of reference - if my skin becomes irritated, I know what is new and can backtrack. I also sometimes reintroduce a product to a limited area on one side of my face for a few days. Sleeping masks contain occlusives (usually silicones - cyclomethicone, dimethicone in Good Night) and they may be problematic for some people. Mineral oil is a commonly used occlusive in Western products, I get major acne for Nivea blue pot so cannot use it as a night cream. Niacinamide can irritate some people too.

I have the eye serum version of the Longer Name ampoule. I think it contains homeopathic doses of retinol (last ingredient?) as I don't notice it at all, but I do get a slight plumping effect and it does not irritate. I get milia and/or stinging eyes from eye creams so they are not really my thing, but this seems gentle. I've been using it only little over a week, so these are still first impressions. I've also used a couple of Longer Name ampoule samples, no irritation.

Choc I'm glad the lasagna layering thing was helpful to you! It has been a revelation to me and figuring out how to stay hydrated has helped my skin so much!

It's been a long day... Feeling exhausted. I love my evening ritual so much, really looking forward to taking off my makeup and relaxing with a sheet mask and a good novel tonight.

What is your favorite part of the skincare ritual?

I have a package. Snail recovery gel which I used this morning. I suppose the packages coming in dribs and drabs means I introduce one thing at a time. Any reaction I will be able to pinpoint the culprit. I got some freebies too. BB cream sachet, panda hand cream and a water cream. Today I ordered an Innisfree sheet mask, the ampoule type for the red and ruddy of face. There was a spot one but my face is pretty clear right now so went for anti-redness.
Gel feels nice on the skin though DD is horrified by the whole snail thing :-)

Thanks for the links in your earlier posts Frugal

Thanks Frugal for the info on longer name products. I'm really tempted by both of them, I think I will order some samples. Nice to know that it doesn't sting your eyes!

I have been introducing products one by one, so I'm fairly sure that my dryness problem is caused by the retinoid combined with the acids - I was fine before the retinol so I don't know if the retinol would be ok without the acids if that makes sense. And I'm pretty convinced that these spots came about from the Mizon Good night, although I have never had a problem with silicones before so I'm still praying its not the niacinimide as I'm really looking for something to help fade these old scars on my chin.

About the lasagne layering article you linked to. It really made sense, but something confuses me. I have an oil serum - this one - which I am a bit scared of tbh as I think oils make me a bit greasy but never quite sussed that one out - and it says on it to use under moisturiser. Admittedly a lot of their moisturisers have a lot of oils/shea butter etc in them so maybe they are oily enough to pss the final layer test! Tbh I don't get facial oils. I don't know how or when to use them...

Ooh and as for your question - I love the way my skincare ritual spans my whole evening now! As soon as the kids are asleep I cleanse and acid tone... then after dinner I use a sheet mask which I love, then before bed I use my serum and cream. I really had high hopes for sleep masks but haven't got on with my first try so am hoping another comes my way soon!

ilove, does the oil serum have an oily texture or serum texture iyswim? I'd presume it isn't overly oily, or something to do with the type of oil maybe, with it saying to use under moisturiser.

No it is pretty oily and looks like olive oil! It is described on their site as an oil.

I had a look at the ingredients, I wonder if it is something to do with the type(s) of oil in there that affects how they absorb under the moisturiser.

Frugal, in answer to your question, my favourite part is probably the whole thing too. I enjoy taking off the day & spreading everything out over the evening while I mooch about here or with a book or whatever. Sheet masks are particularly enjoyable

I have no idea then Someone smarter than me will be along with (a probably simple) answer soon.

Is anyone else's DH thoroughly bemused by the delivery of several parcels from Korea in the mornings these days?

I love spreading out my skincare ritual too - tend to cleanse and acid tone when I get home, then use a mask or do a pore cleanse after dinner, then serum, then moisturiser before bed! I used my retin-a 0.025 for the first time last night, and woke up today to a significantly improved breakout. I doubt it could be the retinol really, but at least no obvious redness/flaking etc.

In a recent parcel I had a sample of a BB-CC-foundation hybrid by Tony Moly called 'BCDation'. I tried it this morning and was actually rather impressed - great coverage, dewy finish, really easy to apply with fingers and the shade (1, called 'bright pink beige, but it wasn't bright, pink, or indeed beige ) was spot on. It lasted all day too. It's this one

Am trying out the Mizon good night white tonight, slight apprehension as it does feel very silicone-y and I'm not sure my skin will approve. Have tested it on the (usually) 'safer' parts of my face and will see what happens...

Wombat my dp is indeed very at all the parcels I've been receiving lately! Gives me the same look when I sit with a sheet mask on or the under eye ones too.

Your BCD cream sounds interesting.

I've not tried anything new today...my little spots have mostly gone down now so may try one of the other samples I have tomorrow if they're completely gone.

My DH doesn't bat an eyelid, I've been a fan of Korean BB and CC creams for a while now. The skincare is the new one for me so it has increased somewhat. The raised eyebrows I get is from my postie. " Mate, what do you order from Korea?! " I told him skincare and he said I didn't need it, which is sweet and a blatant lie. That man has seen me sans makeup!

I'm liking the CosRx toner but a bit at it having a spray nozzle. Do I spray it on my face and leave it or wipe off with cotton wool? Ive tried spraying it onto the cotton wool pad and it didn't seem to wet it enough?