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!

Particular thanks for anyone who posted links to affordable alternatives! The beauty of this thread is that you get to play with high quality stuff that doesn't cost the earth! I'm trying to control my spending too, focusing mostly on trial sizes and samples, so will go easy on the links. The goal is not to bankrupt anyone.

And please be careful when you are testing stuff! Patch test first and avoid sensitive areas like eyes, nostrils and the corners of your mouth! Korean products tend to have very long ingredient lists, so if you are allergic, sensitive or have raw skin, rosacea or acne, err on the side of caution! Going slow pays off!

Wow, that snow girl/woman has A LOT of free time! and clearly no children

Thanks M0gz, I'm not sure where to start really!

I have quite oily skin, prone to cystic acne around my chin area. Also have large pores which does my nut in a bit - I'd like lovely, smooooth, skin like my 8yo has

Any suggestions would be good really so long as they're not incredibly pricey. (it's my turn for 'pocket money' on Tues so I'll have a tenner ish for myself. Not much but maybe enough for a couple of bits to try out).

for anyone who wants to buy sheet masks you should have a look at MaskGenie, It is run by Eugeine and she is based in Hong Kong. she sources really good masks that are more difficult to buy out of Asia. I have found some really nice masks by using her mask subscription service.
The best thing is that you don't have to have a running subscription you just place an order when you want and you will receive that months pouch. You can find her on Facebook with the name MaskGenie or on her website skinilove.com
If you have any allergies to any ingredient you can let her know and she will make sure you don't receive it in your pouch.

The wombat I have seen these boxes but for me as they are naked boxes and I can see what's in them it takes the surprise factor away. Also with them prices I will have to pay custom fees so it works out better to make smaller orders from free postage sites. Now if they ever did a lip product box I would be buying that as I love Korean lipsticks and lip tints.

lucysmam the snail gel or repair cream seems like a really good place to start as its less than £4 delivered on eBay for the gel and some reviews I have seen have had positive results with acne and pores :) as I have dry skin I tend to go for things more moisturising which may not help oily skin.

The Bb cream I use by holika does have a clearing one that is meant to be good for pores and spots and is less than £4 so it may be worth a Google for reviews and to check if the shade will suit you.

If you have a 99p shop close by get some clearasil pads - not Korean but I started using them thanks to the CH threads and they are brilliant. I think someone mentioned some Japanese skincare products in the 99p shop as well?

Next on my list oh wise ones (and prompted by the amazing faces thread) is there a miracle dark circle product I should be trying? Preferably one that makes them disappear overnight

I used to use a Korean bob cream from eBay which was brilliant, but I stopped using it because I was worried it might be tested on animals.

Does anyone know what the deal is with animal testing on cosmetic products in Korea?

Thanks M0gz.

I've just been reading the Reditt link again & think the snail cream sounds like a good place to start.

I've just bought a new sunscreen from Superdrug so will use that up and then that will be the next thing on my list.

I spied the mention of some things in the 99p shop upthread so will go back and have a look for that post so I can nip in on Tuesday.

I might have a look for a sheet mask as well (I really just want to see what the girls' reaction to that is cruel mummy ). Are there any I could pick up in Boots/Superdrug type places?

A selection of products not tested on animals. Another list here.
It seems that South Korea is right now introducing legislation that is phasing out animal testing by 2017. The tricky bit is that products sold in China are required by law to be tested on animals.

This thread is fascinating. When buying creams from ebay, do you not worry that they might not be the real thing?

M0gz hydrogel eye patches might help and offer a temporary fix. Lots of different types available, your mileage will vary, some reviewed here. My daughters want me to buy this product because it is so cute

Bloggersnetwork I do worry about fakes and that's why I tend to buy from the brands directly or from reputed stores. My Mizon stuff is sealed with tiny holograms. Wish more brands opened English-language global stores but start with Innisfreeworld.com or Missha Germany. You'll pay more and sleep better

I've found this thread at just the right time. I am off to Singapore tomorrow and I think I'll be taking a closer look at the skincare products over there.

I'm looking for a good sunscreen to use on my face. I have oily skin and last time I went on holiday I broke out in the most horrendous spots all over my forehead and chin. There were so many in close proximity that a few of them merged together. It was so painful. I think it was definitely a reaction to the sun and sweating so anything that prevents that would be great.

Someone really must take t'internet away from me! I spent all last night (slight exaggeration) mooching about Pinterest/amazon/ebay and following various links to products to see what they are for.

Everything's so nicely packaged too! I want it all, all at once, just to look nice on my bedside table

Bloggersnetwork buying fakes is always a worry but I have had no problems using the ebay sellers Beautynetkorea and sing-sing-girl.

Frugal Etude house also have a global shop etudehouse.com

Has anyone bought from Beauty story shop (may have got capitals wrong there) on ebay? They have lots of sheet masks I've just been browsing, are uk based and seem reasonably priced (but I haven't paid much attention to skincare for a while so am well out of the loop ).

I'm back with another question (sorry this is all very interesting) a lot of the products say 'whitening'...will they make an already white user even whiter? Or would it be like erm...brightening?

I'm off to hoover & then do some more reading but if anyone knows I'd be greatful of a quicker answer than trawling through t'internet

lucysmam I think the 'whitening' means that it's intended to brighten, even out your skin tone and reduce scars/pigmentation, rather than lighten your skin all over. Whitening products usually include things that are intended to fade your imperfections (niacinamide, ahas, snail slime etc), I've noticed.

So I don't think they are supposed to bleach your skin!

Ah, thanks Wombat. I was just working my way through links to see if there was anything in them

I'm back again

I've spent the day reading & browsing products (in case everyone hadn't guessed that).

I'm wondering what cleansing oils/washes and toners you're all using if anyone cba to link for me to have a look

He he lucysmam! I must confess I haven't delved into Asian cleansers/toners yet because this is the part of my routine which is working for me! I'm basically following the Caroline Hirons routine, so in the morning I use

1. Alpha H balancing cleanser (so gentle, but not spot-inducing)
2. Clarins Exfoliating Toner (2x week)
3. La Roche Posay Serozinc (great for calming spots)
4. Oskia Super 16 serum (would not repurchase, ridiculous £££) OR Caudalie 5) SOS thirst-quenching serum (love this)
5. Mizon Starfish OR Mizon Snail repair cream (both lush)

And in the evening:

1. Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water (gets makeup off so gently, doesn't give me spots)
2. Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm (love both these cleansers)
3. La Roche Posay Serozinc
4. Alpha H Liquid Gold night serum (LOVE) OR La Roche Posay Redermic R (this is definitely working for me, it's impressive)
5. Clarins Blue Lotus Oil (2x week)
6. Mizon Starfish, OR Mizon Snail Repair OR Alpha H Liquid Gold night cream.

What about everyone else?

Wombat I think our skin types are quite similar. It sounds that almost everything in your routine (minus the oil) might work on me too! I have an Alpha H sample that I have been meaning to try. My skin is great atm so I am not going to change my routine a lot but will try a few different creams and sleeping masks and perhaps add an essence. Have also ordered a new cleanser.

Lucysmam I'm so happy you were able to find products that sound just right. And the cute/kitsch factor is definitely a big part of the appeal for me. My skincare is utilitarian and dull, so loving the product design and names. How cool is 'Too Cool For School' for example

I'm travelling, so missing my Asian stuff. The air in the far North is very dry, my skin in parched. Yesterday I used products that I have here, 2% salicylic acid Noxzema pads + Eucerin 5% urea cream + Mizon Good Night sleeping mask and woke up to fabulous, hydrated, silky skin.

StrawberryCheese Good luck with your trip and please come back and share what you found there! My DH just got a new job (starts in August) that means frequent work trips to Asia. He doesn't know yet that he will travel with very long shopping lists

My routine is, in the morning

1. Rose mine foam face wash (got it from Memebox)
2. Blithe patting water
3. Skinfood tomato toner
4. Aloe vera mist
5. Miss Age snail ampoule
6. Innisfree green seed eye cream
7. Lime Nature moisturising cream (memebox)

For the evening I have a few extra steps. I use Banila clean zero before my foam cleanser to really clean my skin. Also a couple of times a week I will use a sheet mask after using toner and sometimes I will use a sleeping pack as a last step, I also like using Tony Moly panda eye patch's when I can't sleep as they cover my whole eye so I have to close my eyes. The Kao steam eye masks are very relaxing also.

This all depends how my skin is if it feeling dry I will use the extra masks and packs.
Seeing it all written down it seems like a lot but my skin seems to drink it all up as I never have greasy skin.

And here some light & fun links to fuel your obsession: some stories that I loved and that help to get started

ITG story on Korean beauty routines

ITG snail slime story

Allure story on 11 great Korean products

The Memebox addicts group on Facebook is also worth a visit. Lots of opinions and product reviews . I have seen sheet masks in Superdrug. I think that the Asian ones are more fun!