Obsessed with Asian/Korean Beauty Products Vol 6

[FrustratedFrugal]

Past volumes here.

I tried to post on the previous thread and realized that it was full.

Anyone still around?

I have a parcel from Korea waiting for me at the post office. Can't wait.

Interesting to note that the risks are allergy related and there are, I think, no claims that is it "dangerous" or unhealthy per-se.

The EU is pretty focused on sensitising agents (which is really positive not focusing on the largest population only, a stance I wouldn't see the US counterpart taking which is industry regulated ) and endocrine disruptors.

It's not really a list of 'dangerous' ingredients, a lot simply fall under the legislation as a medicine (Retin-A is on there for example). Lots of colouring agents, petrochemical derivatives, and heavy metals though. I did find some additional amendments which I've copied in so it's as up to date as can be now.

I'm looking for some advice for my DS's Christmas present. She is late twenties with extremely dehydrated, dry and sensitive skin and she is always looking for new products. I was thinking of putting together a hamper of Korean products for her as she has mentioned trying them before but never gotten around to researching them. Could anyone suggest anything for me?

bertie what a lovely idea!! What is she sensitive to?

Yes what type of sensitivities? Fragrance, silicones, and mineral oil are quite common in Korean skincare unfortunately. Budget would be useful too and it might be an idea to get her a whole load of deluxe sample sized things which are easy to source and wouldn't be such a waste if she doesn't get on with it. Add in a few sheetmasks and you'd have quite a nice selection of things.

Thanks for responses .
I actually don't know what exactly she is sensitive too; sometimes products don't suit her, but now that I think about it, that's mostly body products, her face isn't overly sensitive, just very dehydrated and quite dry.
I'll definitely get the smallest size I can in anything I buy in case she doesn't get on with it. My budget is about £70.

That's odd most people sensitive on the body tend to be even more sensitive on the face. Do you just want products for the dehydration/dryness or set up a whole (miniature sized) routine?
So that would be:

oil based cleanser
low ph cleanser
fte and/or hydrating toner
serum and/or ampoule
moisturiser
possibly a treatment oil

and then a selection of sheet masks?

Also, realistically if she gets on with things well, what sort of price range would she be paying for products? It's lovely to get her a lot of luxury samples that she then loves but I wouldn't want it to then be something out of reach iyswim.

I agree with bo re getting samples of stuff she would later be able to buy and use. You can get sample sizes on eBay (buy from a top seller) or from the various AB web shops like BeautyNetKorea.

I think the Benton Snail Bee essence is quite safe, hydrating and inexpensive (to use as serum).
If the main problem is dehydration I would go for a hyaluronic acid serum, like the non-Asian new The Ordinaries HA serum.
A nice night pack/ over night mask could also contribute a lot in terms of hydration. Have a look at the Etude House Moistfull line. A lot of ppl seem to like the Laneige mask. I haven't tried it myself (I think it does have silicones or parabens or both) but I know you can get small sample pots of that very easily.

Throw in one of those cute Tony Moly hand cream pots and it'll look fab!

Also saw some very very cute AB Barbapapa make up somewhere

That list looks great, I think I would set her up with as much of a routine as I could for my budget, rather than just focusing on dehydration/dryness. Could you suggest any specific products?

Good point re not buying her products she wouldn't stretch to normally; last year I got her to send me a wish list of products she wanted to try as the rest of the family always ask me what to get her. Ideas from the list included Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (£38),
Clinique Take the Day Off Balm (£25)and First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (£25). She also loves a good bargain find!

Going by her previous wishlist she is most definitely sensitive skinned, so I'd suggest going the mineral oil-, fragrance-, and silicone free route for this. The moistfull line from Etude House and Laneige mask are sort of out of the running as a result.

Oil cleanser - I'd go for the Heimish all in one balm, it's somewhat similar to the EH Cleansing Balm, samples here but you can get the whole product for not much more here.

Second cleanser- If you can splurge a bit I think the Su:M 37 Rose Cleansing Stick is probably a good one for sensitive skin lowest price I could find it, full size not a sample to be found. Someone else may have a better suggestion, but I have had a hard time finding a nice one without SLS and fragrance that isn't completely utilitarian and a bit boring.

Hydrating serum- Mizon Hyaloronic Acid Serum on ebay but also available at Jolse if you prefer to shop in as few places as possible (with slight price increase but Jolse flood you with free samples). Full sized product again as I can't find a sample version.

Essence- Benton Essence (+ a cream) as Aurora mentioned, both look good for sensitive skin.

Moisturiser- there's a moisturiser in the Benton offering but my sensitive skin really responds well to this Japanese lotion and it also looks beautiful in its packaging (much better than on the pics), it sits somewhere in between a moisturiser and hydrating essence and makes for a great layering product for a moisture boost, but again no samples so stretching the budget a bit here.

I'll have to get back to you on masks, the fragrance free ones are difficult to source per piece at the moment. I was going to suggest the Missha FTE but it's been reformulated (for the worse) so I'll have to think of a suitable alternative.

bo what about the Cosrx rice or honey overnight masks? They have dimethicone but not high on the INCI. I was thinking of getting the rice one myself until you convinced me to get the Naruko

The DHC cleansing oil could also be an option.

I really would not invest in the EH cleanser. It's OK but I was not super impressed. Invest in something that stays on your face and Clinique TTDO has plastic in it.

Oh thank you both so much for those recommendations, and for the links too, you have made this so much easier for me . I really appreciate it, DS will be thrilled with a stash of new products to try

Yes, aside from the dimeticone (the least problematic silicone) the CosRx overnight masks might be an option too (in place of the Japanese lotion). DHC also a good choice, found a baby one here.

Found an alternative FTE here, but the full size again isn't all that more expensive here.

Masks are still difficult but I've found a few as singles:

CosRx Holy Moly Snail Mask

Secret Key Masks - these contain alcohol though.

Magnolia Brightening Firming Mask - this is a bit of an odd listing though.

NARUKO AMPM Skin Care RX10 Peptide Firming and Repairing Mask - contains dimeticone.

Also, forgot to mention it but Jolse offer free shipping (takes about 2-3 weeks) no minimum spend and when you sign up you get a credit bonus of a few $.

OMG that baby DHC oil is very very cute

It's adorable isn't it. I've actually become quite intrigued by the Benton Steam cream that comes with the essence, it has a really great clean non irritating INCI with peptides and EGF. Found a good review on it from Skin & Tonics, I usually bypass steam creams due to mineral oil but this one sounds great for winter, but I have to get over my snail trepedation... Also eyeing up the CosRx newly released snail mask with similar snaily fears and intrigue.

Yeah the INCI list looks lovely! Very "clean", same as the essence is a way. That is why I ordered that essence back then without checking further or understanding much... and re the snail mucin, if it comforts you you can think you are indirectly providing work for indigenous women in South America, who grow the snails and take care of them
Can't find that Mr Naruko video anymore....