Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel

Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel

I bought this acne clearing gel during August because my face was breaking out here and there especially my forehead. I had a big one at the tip of my nose, a dozen of small pimples on my forehead and some huge red ones near the temple of my forehead. August in NYC is no joke... It is VERY hot and painfully humid.  I went to Sephora, hoping to find a product that will clear up my acne and prevent dark sports from forming and this was recommended for me. 

Description: 

Maximum strength salicylic acid 2% acne treatment that clears up acne, blemishes & blackheads. Helps prevent new breakouts with anti-aging glycolic acid 10% complex. Helps minimize the look of acne marks and residual discolorations.

Oil-free, fragrance-free deep pore clearing gel. An advanced formulation to clear up whiteheads, acne blemishes, blackheads, refine pores and help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne marks and residual discolorations.

Key Ingredients & Benefits: 

2% Salicylic Acid: a BHA, clears up active acne blemishes and prevents from returning.

10% Glycolic Acid Complex: an AHA that helps to exfoliate dead surface skin cells and stimulate cellular turnover. 

Aloe: soothes and hydrates and protect the skin from irritation.

Retinyl Palmitate: a form of Vitamin A which is an effective wrinkle fighter that's more gentle than retinol.

Licorice: a natural plant extract that has anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Arnica: a natural plant extract that has been known to help reduce inflammation.

Credits to http://www.peterthomasroth.com/p-78-ahabha-acne-clearing-gel-34-oz.aspx

What do I think about the product? 

I LOVE IT. I love the ingredients in it and it's paraben free! The gel texture feels cool on my face and I like the smell too. It has a medicine-y hospital smell which might be a turn off for some people but it makes me feel like I invested a $200 acne ointment but instead I paid for $54. For my forehead, it was a blessing that I bought it. The next day the pimples turned from bright angry red to a light pink skin color. If you touch or rub the affected area, there will be some dead skin rolling off thanks to the Glycolic Acid. It's a great product to invest and it really helps get that junk out. It helped ease the blackheads out and help exfoliate around it. 

Now the negative side to this product is the stinging sensation. Some people love it, some people don't. If you put a lot of it on your affected area, it will hurt and sting like crazy especially on bright red pimples. Start with a little bit and then increase the product. I only recommend using this product when you have moderate to severe acne. I find that using the gel when my face has almost cleared up didn't do much. So I left my pimples alone and let it breathe. In the end, I only use this product when my pimples are becoming severe. It fights well against acne!

PROS

-very soothing for the pimples

-minimize redness 

-healing 

-deeply cleans the pores

-exfoliates well 

-the ingredients are amazing and powerful!

CONS

-burning/stinging sensation if you put too much

Rate 9/10          Purchase it via      Amazon   or    Sephora

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula 50ml

Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula 

This is actually a gift that came with the Mothers Day Smart Skin Clinique Set. I will be reviewing that set separately later on. Anyway, it's a sample size of 50ml which isn't that bad in my opinion. It's a good sample to test try and I've been using this once a week for about a month. As you can see from the image above featuring a brand new flower c:, there's still quite a lot of product left!

Description:
Dermatologist-developed exfoliating cream that deflakes and refines the face. It helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and clears the way for moisture. The product is suitable for all skin type.

Directions: 
-Massage gently over makeup-free skin
-Avoid eye area
-Do not use on active breakout
-Rinse with warm water or tissue off
-Follow with your 3-Step Skin Care System

What Do I Think About It?
The scrub cream is really gentle and that is a plus for sensitive skin. They claim it's gentle enough to use everyday hence the name 7 day scrub cream, but I don't want to try that. Using it once a week is enough for me. It is a white thick texture that has tiny microbeads in there. I wasn't able to see the actual beads, but once I started rubbing them into my hand, I can certainly feel the beads. I love the feel of it on my face, very gentle and there's no scent at all. No floral, no fruity, no scent. I have a dry patch around the tip of my nose and after using the product, the dry patch disappeared. *poof* 

It did not dry out my skin, in fact my face felt clean and smooth. My face wasn't irritated at all and I think it did a good job cleaning out my pores around my cheek. However it wasn't strong enough to deeply clean out my pores around my nose and blackheads. 

The product also claims to minimize the appearance of fine lines and I can't really verify that... I don't have major fine lines on my face so I have nothing to say about that claim.

PROS
-Gentle enough for sensitive skin
-Keeps face clean and smooth
-Exfoliates well 
-No fragrance 
-Dermatologist approved 

CONS
-Wasn't strong enough to get rid of blackheads or white heads

Rate = 7/10

Where to get this product?

 Sephora         OR        Clinique

*Note that I only got the sample version (50ml) as a gift, but the actual size is 3.5oz or about 105ml for a price around 20-21 USD*

                                                                                                                           

Innisfree Soybean Energy Essence Light 150mL

Innisfree Soybean Energy Essence Light 150mL

This was my very first essence that I have bought from oo35mm which is a small beauty shop in Chinatown. You've all heard about SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and other powerful essence dupes such as Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence, Tony Moly Intense Care Galactomyces First Essence and Secret Key Starting Treatment Essence. Originally I wanted to get my hands on Missha's essence, but unfortunately it was sold out... Sigh. Anyway I really wanted an essence especially for the Summer and this was it or so I thought! 

What is it?

-A skin activating essence with 94% fermented Jeju soybean extract that makes the skin smooth, clean and clear.
-Skin-activating ingredients created during the fermentation process purify dull skin and help restore firmness to sagging skin.
-As a watery type essence, it absorbs lightly and quickly into the skin. Energy essence best suited for the summer, or for oily and combination skin who needs enhancement in skin tone and texture.

Directions
After face wash, soak a cotton pad with the essence and wipe off along the
skin to remove sebum and dead skin cells.

What do I think? 

I have been using this product for about 3 weeks and it was okay. Maybe I have to use it for a longer time period? I did wake up to a brighter face and it did sooth some of my redness around my forehead, but that's pretty much it. The product is really light and watery that was hard to grasp. I suggest using a spray bottle to spray it around your face, but I didn't feel like it moisturized my face. It was just too light for my taste. It's best suited for oily skin type. I do agree that it's great for the Summer and I do feel myself reaching to it whenever it's in the 90's in NYC. 

PROS

- Odorless

- Great for oily skin - light 

-The bottle isn't made of glass so it's easier to carry

-Brightens face

CONS

- Not an immediate result 

- Not moisturizing if you have dry skin

-Not good for year long 

Where to get it? 

81 Mott St 2nd Floor   Check out their website to see their beauty products. 
New York NY 10013    http://www.oo35mm.com/

How would I rate this product? 6.5/10 I have to get my hands on Missha's essence. 

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The FaceShop Chia Seed Watery Toner - 145ml

Image belongs to sunnanz.com

The FaceShop Chia Seed Watery Toner

Can you tell I am obsessed with the FaceShop Chia Seed Line? Once again, the saleswoman from the Chinatown FaceShop suggested this to go along with the cleanser and I have been using this product for about 5 months. I am still using this product and I will definitely go back and re-purchase this toner! 

What are Chia Seeds?
-"Magical moisture seed from South America
- Absorbs moisture 10 times its own weight and forms a natural film of jelly moisture
-A natural seed filled with not only moisture but also nearly all nutrients required by the skin." 

Description: "A moisturizing toner for hydrating inside the skin with organically grown chia seed.
-A moisturizing toner that instantly hydrates the skin.
-Tones dry and patchy dead skin cells and moisturizes the skin as if water is absorbed.
-A natural moisture drop absorbing moisture 10 times its own weight.
-Chia seeds carrying moisture and the Moisture Hug System adjust the skin into an optimal state to fully retain moisture. 
-Contains 100% chia seeds water instead of water. 
-Chia seeds water is extracted within 24 hours via the Fresh method, instead of water delivers the vitality of the highly pure chia."

Directions: Every morning and evening, after applying an essence, dispense an adequate amount on the hands or a cotton puff and apply to the skin and tap lightly for full absorption. Gently press the skin with both palms to finish.

(*Soak a cotton puff and place on a dry part. Remove the puff after 30 seconds for long-lasting moisturization.)

As you can see, there is a pump which makes it 100% easier to use and is hygienic. Some people opt out for the spray version. What I personally do is pump once into my scoop like hand and by using my other hand, I dip in my fingers and pat my face around gently. The key is to pat your face GENTLY in circular motions to massage the face. Do not forget about your neck! The toner is a clear watery substance with a soothing fragrance. I repeat it is like a WATERY substance. Very watery! I apply this right after I cleanse my face using the chia seed foaming cleanser. 

It has definitely moisturizes my face and is great for the summer. Very light, but moisturizing. I used it during the winter and I received no dry patches or breakouts. It helped brighten (yessss), moisturize and soften my face. 

My number one issue regarding of makeup and skincare are the ingredients. But the Chia Seed Watery Toner is a formula WITHOUT 7 ADDITIVES such as Parabens which is a wonderful bonus for me! 

145ml is a good amount to use long term. Lasts around 6-8 months. 

                PRO                                                                               
-moisturizes and hydrates skin                                          
-not a strong fragrance                                              
-easy to use
-formula w/o 7 additives 
                
               CON
-n/a

Where to get it? Manhattan FaceShops       OR    eBay   OR   Amazon
-Chinatown                                              Koreatown,Midtown West
6-B Elizabeth St                                       32 W 32nd St
New York, NY 10013                              New York, NY 10001

How would I rate this product? 9/10! Will repurchase.                           

The Face Shop Chia Seed Fresh Cleansing Foam - 150 ml

The Face Shop Chia Seed Fresh Cleansing Foam - 150 ml

I bought this product during the winter of 2014 when I had troubled and sensitive skin. According to the sales woman, Chia Seeds are perfect for sensitive skin and to lock in moisture. The product is 150ml which is a generous amount of product and will last for a long time. You only have to use a pea size amount and lather it. It lathers quite well! 

Description- "Foam cleanser that deeply cleanses your pore."

Directions- "Dispense an adequate amount and lather fully with water, Massage gently onto the entire face and rinse thoroughly with clean water."

The foam cleanser has a floral scent that isn't too overwhelming. I personally like products that have bits of fragrance in them. It is a liquidy milky-white like substance that foams up once you start to lather it. It cleared up most of my makeup except for waterproof mascaras and eyeliners. Those were hard to remove, but it did remove my Etude House Precious Fit BB Cream, lipstick, blush and eyebrow tint. After washing my face with it, I noticed it was drying at first which I soon realized that using a pea sized amount will be good enough. However the foam cleanser certainly made my face feel really smooth and clean. The price was around 10-15 dollars (sorry I forgot!) which is a decent price for a 150ml product. No sudden breakouts and it removed a fair amount of oil. It didn't remove any blackheads, but the FaceShop has separate lines for blackheads and acne. 

PROS                                                                                     CONS
-floral scent                                                                          -can be drying if you use too much
-sensitive skin/ no breakouts                                                -limited FaceShop stores around you        
-makes face feel really soft                                                   -does not remove blackheads
-A LOT of product  
-comes with other FaceShop samples

Where to get it? Manhattan FaceShops                     OR  eBay  OR  Amazon
-Chinatown                     - Koreatown, Midtown West

6-B Elizabeth St                32 W 32nd St

New York, NY 10013         New York, NY 10001

How would I rate this product? 7/10! 
I'm still going to use this until I find a better cleanser :)