Review: Etude House » Moistfull Collagen Cream, First Essence, & Enriched Cream

May I just mention that Etude House's name was inspired by Chopin? I don't know about you, but to me that's pretty enchanting! Their Moistfull Collagen collection is another reason I love this brand, and as it's one of Etude's most popular lines, I can't wait to tell you about it!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Etude House
Product » Moistfull Collagen Cream, First Essence, Enriched Cream
Size » 50ml, 100ml, 50ml
Cost » $20 USD each (prices vary)
Website » www.etudehouse.com
Would I purchase the full version? » Yes :)

♡Moistfull Collagen Cream♡

Etude's Description: Fight for dryness!! Firming moisture cream with baobab tree and collagen extract improving your dermal structure leaving tight and moist skin.

The Moistfull Collagen Cream has one of the more interesting scents I've experienced in skincare products. To me, it smells like a combination of orange peels, jasmine, and a hint of allspice. It's a strange mix, but I do enjoy the scent! It isn't strong smelling and it fades as the cream absorbs. This is thick enough that if you turn the container upside down, the cream will stay in place.

The texture is smooth and light, but it isn't watery like some creams. After a minute or so, the cream fully absorbs to leave your skin with a velvety smooth surface. The effects are immediate and leave your skin with a noticeable layer of moisture.

Ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, water, butylene glycol, cyclopentasiloxane, adansonia digitata fruit extract, glycerin, cyclohexasiloxane, glyceryl polymethacrylate, hydrogenated lecithin, cetearyl alcohol, hydrolyzed adansonia digitata extract, betaine, cetylethylhexanoate, glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, stearic acid, pca dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclomethicone, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, silica, dimethicone, polyethylene, sodium polyacrylate, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, hydrogenated polydecene, peg/ppg-20/15 dimethicone, phenyl methicone, ethylhexylglycerin, ppg-5-laureth-5, carbomer, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, yellow 5 (ci 19140), red 33 (ci 17200)

♡Moistfull Collagen First Essence♡

Etude's Description: moisturizer maintains 90% of Hydrolyzed Collagen content to tighten and moisturize complexion while strengthening skin structure to prevent aged look.

This is the first step in the 7 part Moistfull Collagen skincare system. The smell is nearly identical to the cream, but I would say it leans more toward a citrusy scent. This glides effortlessly onto the skin in a consistency slightly thicker than water. As the essence is absorbed, the texture turns from watery to something familiar to a lotion, becomes slightly sticky, and finally the stickiness fades completely, leaving your skin looking instantly more youthful and revamped.

This makes me feel as though a layer of clouds has landed on the surface of my skin and are awaiting the arrival of more moisture! It takes around 3 minutes for the first essence to fully absorb. It seems to rest beneath the surface and preps the skin for the addition of another moisturizer to fill in the gaps, but it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and soft from the get-go.

Ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, alcohol, adansonia digitata fruit extract, hydroxyethylcellulose, butylene glycol, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, benzophenone-5, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, ci 19140, ci 17200, fragrance

♡Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream♡

Etude's Description: Enriched texture forms protective, moisture binding barrier to keep skin smooth and soft. Contains baobab tree seed oil for moisture retention and collagen for elasticity care.

The Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream can be used interchangeably with the regular Cream. The scents are nearly identical, if not the same. The textures are similar as well, but I would say the enriched cream is slightly heavier than the regular cream. "Barrier" is the word to focus on here, as it really does seem to create a shield of moisture on the surface of the skin that the regular cream does not provide. The regular cream does give a layer of moisture, but I would say that the enriched cream is a little more heavy duty and aids more with elasticity. Neither one is better than the other, they are just different in my opinion! The enriched cream takes around 5 minutes to fully absorb.

Ingredients: water, hydrolyzed collagen, glycerin, butylene glycol, hydrogenated polyisobutene, cetyl ethylexanoate, adansonia digitata fruit extract, phytosteryl/behenyl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, hydrolized adansonia digitata extract, sodium hyaluronate, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, ethylhexylglycerin, carbomer, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, peg-60 glyceryl isostearate, dimethicone, tromethamine, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

It was only after continued use that I began to see why this collection is loved around the world. To be honest, although my skin did feel moisturized on the first day, I didn't think the Collagen Moistfull Line was all that special right away. However, after a week of applying the first essence, followed by the cream in the morning, and the enriched cream at night as a sleeping pack, I have noticed a huge difference in the quality of my skin!

Even if you don't understand Korean, this video is cute!

My favorite thing about the Moistfull Collagen line is that it has made my skin extremely soft! The shocking thing is the softness actually remains even if I stop using the cream for days! Nothing lasts forever, of course, but I am not used to softness lasting so long from using a product. What's more, I can actually feel that my skin is firmer from the inside out and not just on the surface. These have most certainly helped with elasticity! I have even noticed a slight diminishing of fine lines and tightening of pores. 

I was worried that these creams would be a little too heavy for my combination skin, but I am pleased to say that I have never experienced any negative reactions to these products and recommend them for all skin types. In fact, my skin has been recovering from a string of stress related breakouts and these have helped to speed up the healing process! I've only tried these 3 items from the Moistfull Collagen collection, but I wouldn't doubt the effects are even greater when all 7 steps are used. Overall, these leave my skin looking and feeling much healthier and even give my skin a natural glow!

xo,

Review: Tonymoly » Red Appletox Honey Cream

Yet another adorable apple from the Korean brand TonyMoly! Their Red Appletox Honey Cream comes in a kawaii red plastic apple shaped container that is quite similar to their Appletox Peeling Massage Cream, which I've also reviewed here. The containers might be similar, but the Red Appletox is an entirely different product! The Honey Cream is an excellent moisturizing cream perfect for morning or night that I'm so happy I found!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » TonyMoly
Product » Red Appletox Honey Cream
Size » 80ml
Cost » $10 USD
Website » www.etonymoly.com
Would I repurchase? » Yes, yes, yes!

Although I have an obsession with cute packaging, I totally understand the hesitation that some people might have that the product inside isn't actually good and the packaging is just a trick to get you to buy. However, adorable packaging aside, the Red Appletox Honey Cream is a truly wonderful moisturizer! The cream itself is definitely not as thick as our normal idea of a facial cream and I would describe it as being a little...juicy, or more of a gel cream. It smells just like a fresh tart apple with a hint of honey, which I love.

The top screws off to reveal a tiny spatula used for dipping into the cream and a plastic lid to help keep the cream from spilling over the edge and also to keep dust and germs out! The cream actually pours quite easily and you only need to dip the spatula to provide enough cream for your entire face! Perhaps if your face was extremely dry it might requiring scooping, but I've always found that to be way too much.

Notable Ingredients:
Manuka Honey Extract » from the wild trees of New Zealand. Antibacterial and immunity effect.
Royal Jelly Extract » cools down skin troubles.
Black Honey » rich in minerals and amino acid. Moisturizes and nourishes.
Apple Acid » smooths skin.
Propolis » provides antioxidants.

How to use: Apply an adequate amount day or night after cleansing. Gently pat your face to help the product absorb. Use 1-3 times a week.

Although it says to use 1-3 times a week, I have used this every night for weeks in a row and have never experienced any irritation with my skin. I think you need to get a feel for your own skin and if it is screaming for moisture I don't see a problem using it every night/day, although a couple times a week works great too! I personally only use this cream at night, because I use my Hadalabo during the day, but I honestly really love it as a sleeping moisturizer. The cream is supposed to increase elasticity, and I would agree that the Red Appletox Honey Cream certainly performs. Every morning I wake up after using this, my face feels softer and firmer!

The Red Appletox Honey cream is immediately soothing. I've used this when my face felt irritated or flushed and when I apply the cream it has an instant calming effect. The texture is different from most creams, but I find it light and comforting. Even though I don't use this in my morning routine, I think the texture would be great for use under your base makeup! The Red Appletox Honey Cream has worked well for me both when my skin was looking flawless and when my skin felt sensitive or irritated. Those with acne might also find this cream to be beneficial as honey naturally contains antibacterial properties, which I feel adds to its calming effect.

The only downside to this cream is that it didn't come with a full ingredient list. I've been searching for one and if I come across it I will update this post.

I think the Red Appletox Honey Cream is perfect for any skin type and has worked especially well for my combination skin. I'm surprised that the price isn't higher, but even if it cost more I would probably still buy it again. I don't wake up with my skin feeling oily and I've never had any breakouts from this cream. If you're looking for a moisturizing cream that is both comforting and gentle I would certainly consider this one. This little red apple is Beautiful Doki Doki approved!

Love,

Review: Hada Labo » Gokujyun Toner and Lotion

I hear that one of the Gokujyun Clear Lotions is sold in Japan every 4 seconds!! It's kind of crazy to think of it that way, but if that's true I can see why they sell that much! I stumbled upon the Hada Labo brand online some time ago and I must say that I have no regrets.

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Hada Labo
Product » Gokujyun Clear Lotion (Toner), Gokujyun Milk (Lotion)
Size » 170ml (Toner), 140ml (Lotion)
Cost » $19.99 USD each
Website » www.hadalabo.com.my/en/
Would I repurchase? » Absolutely yes!

First things first, if you're feeling confused by the multiple names for these products, don't feel bad because I'm a little confused too. The bigger of the two is the Gokujyun "toner", which is referred to as a "clear lotion". I use this one first. The small one is the Gokujyun "lotion" aka "milk". According to Hada Labo's USA website, the clear lotion isn't actually a toner, but rather a clear lotion used to prep your face for better absorption of other moisturizers. However, it can be used as a stand alone moisturizer as well. Not sure if the names have just been lost in translation, but for the sake of simplicity, I'm going to refer to the clear lotion as a toner and the milk as a lotion for the rest of this review!

Phew! Okay, now that that's settled let's get on with it. Hado Labo is a Japanese skincare brand that focuses on simplicity and doesn't use any unnecessary ingredients like colorants, fragrances, or mineral oil. Gokujyun is the name of Hada Labo's moisturizing care line (there are two other lines, but we'll get to that later), which contains super hyaluronic acid! What is super hyaluronic acid, you ask? Well, basically it's this amazing ingredient that attracts water from the air and helps it stick to your face! Also, in case the word "acid" sounds scary, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. Super hyaluronic acid has twice the moisture retention ability of hyaluronic acid. To summarize, it keeps your face moisturized ALL day! The way Hada Labo puts it is, "one drop locks up an ocean".

Ingredients : Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium Succinate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethycellulose, Methylparaben, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinic Acid

The Gokujyun toner looks like water in this picture, but is a slightly thicker consistency. Once it is applied, your face will become sticky, but that just means that the product is working! After a while the stickiness goes away, or if you apply the lotion right after or your BB cream (or whatever) the stickiness will disappear immediately. I almost always follow this with the Gokujyun lotion, but on days where my skin isn't feeling too dry, I've used the toner alone and it kept my skin sufficiently moisturized throughout the day!

Ingredients : Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-12 Olefin), Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Methylparaben, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Propylparaben, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Stearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine

The Gokujyun lotion is an added step of moisture to your routine. If your skin is easily dehydrated or extremely oily this is perfect for you. Many people think that if their skin is too oily, it means they are applying too much moisturizer. This isn't true at all. Your skin actually produces more oil when their is lack of moisture!

How to use: apply a small amount to your palm. Rub between your hands to "warm up" the product. Gently pat onto your face and neck until the moisturizer is fully absorbed.

Overall, I absolutely recommend the Gokujyun Toner and Lotion as I am in love with both of these products! As I mentioned earlier, there is also a whitening line that comes in blue packaging and a lifting and firming line that comes in red packaging. The price is amazing for these products because you only need a few drops of the toner and lotion to moisturize your entire face and neck so it will last a looong time!

I do suggest using these as a pair. Since I've started using the Gokujyun line the flaky bits on my face are hardly ever there and my skin is never screaming for moisture. It has helped control the oil on my face as well. Overall, there isn't much to say other than these products do exactly what they claim to do and I honestly don't think I've tried a better moisturizer before. The products are extremely gentle as they contain no fragrances or colors or harmful ingredients and are perfect for any skin type! I may have found some moisturizers for life!

Love,