Showing posts with label bha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bha. Show all posts

Sunday, October 9, 2016

#Cosrx AHA & BHA Toner & Liquids Review

Chemical exfoliation is a game changer - bringing acids into skincare tackles skin imperfections like nothing else. AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHA (beta hydroxy acid) are most commonly used in skincare, and of course Cosrx has some great options to start with.

Friday, March 25, 2016

#Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Cream #FirstImpressions #Review

If you follow me on Instagram, you guys know I love Cosrx. My love for them started out slowly when I simply tried one product and was so impressed, I started testing new items as I ran out of what was in my current stash. Not all their products are golden for me, but a majority of them are - so I get really excited when I see new products emerge from their brand.
This cream was available for preorder from Jolse on March 4th, shipped out via EMS (for free as a special promo with the preorder) on the 7th, and I received it on the 11th. I've been using this cream daily for two weeks and feel like I'm ready to give my initial thoughts on it.

The Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Cream is designed to promote smooth skin - comparing it to that of a baby. It also claims it can unclog pores, reduce redness, and improve skin tone and texture.
This cream contains 4% betaine salicylate - which is a more gentle form of BHA than the more commonly used salicylic acid. The interesting thing about this moisturizer is that it not only contains BHA, and supposedly has a pH of 4-5, but it is also contains many hydrating and healing ingredients - and that's what is so unique about this cream compared to others.

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Panthenol , Dimethicone, Betaine, BeesWax, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Elaeis Guineensis(Palm) oil, Elaeis Guineensis(Palm) Kernel Oil,1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.
Key:
Healing & Calming ingredients
Emolient & Moisturizing ingredients
"Active" ingredients (not acidic, but target something specific)
Potential irritants/acne triggers

Do not use this cream if you are sensitive to cetearyl alcohol, dimethicone, beeswax, betaine salicylate, niacinamide, aspirin, or any of it's other ingredients.

The BHA Blackhead Power Cream comes packaged in an aluminum tube with a plastic screw-on cap. The cap has a "poker" on the outside that you'd traditionally use to piece a foil seal on aluminum tubes like this, but because of the plastic threading and opening, the tube actually does not have a seal and the "poker" is just an... interesting part of the design.

The cream itself it white in color and has a mild scent - it smells of tea tree ever so slightly, with a hint of centella. The scent lingers for a short time on the skin but disappears within a minute or so.

This has a thicker consistency, but it's very creamy. It spreads easily onto the skin, and absorbs easily, but seems to leave a light film on the skin, which helps with hydration, but can end up being greasy for oily-skin types like myself.
After absorption - can you see the slight sheen on my hand?
Cosrx actually warns that because of the slightly acidic pH (which I couldn't verify because neither of my pH strips could absorb this cream) it may tingle slightly. When applied to my hand for photos I felt no tinlging sensation, but sometimes I do feel this sensation on my face - especially when I use it in a shorter routine with an aha. This makes me wonder if a lower pH on your face does influence how well this cream works, but I've actually noticed no difference the following morning one way or another in terms of texture or reduction in acne or blackheads.

Speaking of blackheads - this cream unfortunately did nothing for mine. After two weeks of nightly, and sometimes daily use too, my blackheads on my nose stayed about the same. However the overall texture of my skin does look and feel better - my pores seem smaller on my cheeks and forehead and my skin does feel softer. I've noticed clogs in my cheeks pop out easier while oil cleansing as well, which is a plus for me - but just no difference on my nose...

I think the biggest question I've been asked about this cream while testing it out is "Where do you use it in your routine?" and after playing around I can safely say the best place for this cream is at the end of your routine. The directions indicate you should use this after toner, then apply spf - but that leaves a lot of open steps in between.
When used after a toner, the rest of the products in my routine had trouble absorbing and my skin ended up very greasy - this is much better suited as a moisturizer at the end of your routine. I had a small amount of luck applying my Innisfree Eco Safety No Sebum Sunblock over this during the day without any pilling but a small amount of greasiness, but when using the EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen it couldn't "set" on my skin and just smeared away after an hour or waiting. So this is very tricky under sunscreen, as it seems too occlusive to allow anything to really settle on top of it.

Personally I would recommend this for all skin types for night-time that are looking for an improved skin texture and/or tone. I feel like dry skin types, or anyone who feels the BHA liquid is too harsh or drying, will really appreciate how moisturizing this cream is. I honestly don't like the idea of this during the day, unless you can find a good sunscreen to play nice with this.

I purchased product from Jolse, but you can also find is on Memebox USA*.

TL;DR: This is a very hydrating cream that contains BHA. The combo of BHA and moisturizing ingredients gives your skin a soft and smooth texture. I do not personally feel it is effective enough to remove or reduce blackheads, but it does seem to make larger clogs and blackheads come out easier during oil cleansing. I would recommend this for anyone who cannot use the BHA liquid because it is too harsh, or would like a moisturizing night cream that can smooth their skins' texture.

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Natural AHA Peeling Giant Cotton Swab from Lucy Beauty Market #Cupidrop #Review

In one of my recent blog posts I shared with you all how much I've neglected my skin this summer, but rest assured I'm making a come-back! One of the biggest steps I'm taking right now is finding good "actives" to purge all the grime I've let build up in my skin, and help speed up my skins' turnover to fade dark spots and scarring. Cupidrop recently sent me a couple products to try out, and one of them was an acid!
Who/What is Cupidrop?
Cupidrop is an online Asian beauty retailer based in New York City, offering products from Korea and Japan to help with most any beauty solution to fit your needs. They offer products that fit the latest trends and innovations of the Eastern beauty realm, which is what really made them stand out to me. They offer free US shipping on orders over $50, and currently are offering 10% off your order of $30 or more with code 'HOTSUMMER'.

Today I'm going to share with you the first of two products Cupidrop sent to me, which is the Miss Wang Peeling Bong swabs from Lucy Beauty Market. Cupidrop names them the Natural AHA Peeling Giant Cotton Swab on their website, because personally, if I saw Miss Wang Peeling Bong, I wouldn't know what to think. So - now that we've established what these things are for, lets look a little closer at them!
These swabs (despite the translated name) contain both AHA and BHA. They do contain both lactic and glycolic acid, but they also contain manuka honey as well as many plant and fruit extracts.

Ingredients:
Purified water, lactic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric acid, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Kiwi Extract, Honey Extract, Blackcurrant Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexandediol, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Western Dandelion Leaf Extract, Evening Promise Seed Extract, Western Canola Sprout Extract, Rose Mallow Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
*CosDNA analysis*
The swabs come individually packaged in a foil envelope. This may seem impractical for daily use, but these are very handy when traveling. These are definitely a new favorite when I'm staying the semi with the hubby. They are very easy to use; just tear the packet open, remove the pre-soaked swab, and gently swipe across your face and neck after cleansing and toning. The swab is essentially an oversized, single ended cotton swab with a plastic wand. I give my face and neck a once-over, but go back and rub the solution onto my nose and chin a few extra times since they are my real problem areas. Afterwards I simply just toss it in the trash.
Even after washing my face, I can see all the extra grime these swabs are picking up and cutting through on my face. After use I allow the acids to go to work by letting them sit for 15 minutes before continuing with my skincare routine. But I can tell my face is smoother and looking brighter after each use. With a pH of 2~3, these swabs really do a nice job of exfoliating.

Overall, I think the Miss Wang Peeling Bong cotton swabs are a very easy way to exfoliate your face - whether you're looking for an occasional at-home treatment or for an option while traveling. You can find these peeling swabs on Cupidrop.com for $2 each.

Connect with Cupidrop: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram & Pinterest.

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.