Sep 29, 2014

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam | Review

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam


As mentioned in my previous post on my review of the Innisfree Super Volcanic Ash Clay Mask,  I managed to receive some decent sized samples from their volcanic ash line. After a slightly disappointing experience with the clay mask, I admit that I had no expectations for this. To my surprise, I really enjoyed using this product. In fact I think that this cleanser is the best out of the set of cleanser, toner and mask!


It's promise:


A pore cleansing foam with Jeju volcanic clusters to attach to sebum and purify pores.




Directions: 


Apply an appropriate amount onto wet hands and work into rich lather. After massaging, rinse off with lukewarm water.

The product itself: 

 - Tube packaging

 - Has a subtle scent, which is both fresh and pleasant, without being overpowering

 - Consistency of the cleanser is thick
   ( Similiar to that of the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Face Wash)

 - has 'scoria beads' aka. volcanic ash for light exfoliation

 - Lathers up to a nice thick foam

What I like about it : 


Deep and thorough cleanse:

This cleanser is really nice because it is thick and lathers really well for a thorough cleanse of the skin. I especially like it for days where my skin is overly oily or if I've had a 'heavier-than-usual' make-up day. I also liked that I could easily control the consistency of this cleanser where I could have a 'light' cleanse by adjusting the amount of water I mix it with. This makes it totally skin friendly for day-to-day use.


My favourite way to use this product is to spend  a good 5 minutes massaging this product into the skin, making sure it gets right down into the pores. I would then proceed to shower and only rinsing off the cleanser only at the end. I found that it was gentle enough to leave it on my skin without getting that stinging sensation some cleansers provide. My skin then felt so clean and smooth at the end without feeling overly dry.

Ingredients : 


It has been a habit of mine to check the ingredients list of the products before I use them. To my surprise, the ingredients of this cleanser fares well. Not only does this have fruit and plant extracts, it has little or no alcohol content as well.

They don't publicise this, but the fruit and plant extracts includes: Green tea ( camillia sinesis ) , Satsuma orange (citrus unshiu), Japanese camellia ( camellia japonica), Prickly pears ( opuntia coccinellifera)  and Orchid. I can't say the same for the fragrance in the cleanser though. Considering the price of this product at SGD $13 for 100ml, this is a good and afforadable cleanser.

Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, PEG-32, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Hydrated Silica, Lauryl Glucoside, Volcanic Ash (Jeju Scoria), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Lauramide DEA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Silica, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance

The Bad:

Exfoliation: 

I found that the 'scoria beads' disintegrated before it had time to exfoliate my skin. So I wouldn't recommend this product if your sole intention is the physical exfoliation.


Oil control : 


With the volcanic ash in the cleanser, I expected some form of oil control with this product. Innisfree have heavily marketed it's volcanic ash line as one which is effective in this area. Yet it failed to deliver on this aspect.


Who will like it :

-Generally, I would have to say that those with combination to oily skin would really enjoy this product. As deep of a cleanse this provides, it could possibly have that 'tight and dry' effect on those  with normal to dry skin if used on a day to day basis. Otherwise, I can see it being used as an occasional heavy duty cleanser for those with normal skin. As for those with dry skin, I wouldn't recommend this at all.


All in all, I really enjoyed using this product. Sadly, I've just finished my 30 ml sample after a good 3 months of thorough usage. I do look forward to purchasing a full size in the future.


If you want to read more about cleansers and which other products I recommend to clear any breakouts you can check out: Clear skin: It All Starts With The Cleanse


-C

Sep 28, 2014

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask | Review



Innisfree has seen a huge success since it opened its stores in Singapore in November 2013. Needless to say, I only first heard of them when I went to the hairdresser's in April. As they fussed with my hair, I picked up one of Her World's Magazines and stumbled upon this volcanic ash mask. I was immediately intrigued. I mean, I've never heard of any volcanic ash mask before that day. I didn't even realise how big this product was internationally, until I was watched a YouTube video of the New Zealand Youtuber, Shaanxo, give this exact same product to ItsJudyTime when they swapped products. I remembered thinking: did the hype seriously reach all the way to New Zealand?

Well, apparently so.

With all the hype going on about the Jeju volcanic ash line, I couldn't resist getting my hands on it any longer. Thankfully for me, there was a promotion going on at that time with the Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask. It came in a 'Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Set' along with samples of Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam (30 ml) and its Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner (70 ml) for the same price! Score!

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask




Its promise:


'Jeju volcanic scoria intensively absorbs sebum and clarifies pores'

Directions :

After cleansing, apply skin toner to refine skin texture and gently smooth entire face, avoiding eye and lip area. After 10 minutes, roll using fingertips and rinse off with lukewarm water.
( 1-2 times per week) 

How I applied it :

I found that applying it direct didn't work for me at all. It didn't cling on nicely on my skin and some even landed on my sink. So what I did was that I placed a thumb size amount on my palm and made a paste with tap water. After spreading evenly around my T-zone area, where I get the oiliest, I let it sit for 15 minutes. Then washing it off and following it up with my regular cleanser. This is just a precaution to remove all traces of the mask on my face.



First Impressions :


  • Jar packaging; which isn't very hygienic
  • a pleasant scent
  • more 'moist' than an average clay mask
  • yet quite dense; some clay masks I've used was lighter in consistency than this one
  • No visible effect on my pores and oil control from first time usage
Now on to the actual review. I tried these products thoroughly for a little over three months now, and I can only conclude that it wasn't able to live up to its hype. Before I explain why, here are some of the commendable aspects of the product that I found.


-made a nice dent in it after three months-

The Good:

- A little goes a long way:  the method where I mixed the mask with water meant that this product would last me a long time


- Considering how long a 100 ml jar would typically last, at SGD 21,  this is a very affordable product


-  I like that there are lactic acid in the ingredients. Lactic acid is a gentle alpha- hydroxy acid ( AHA) which is a chemical exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin cells on your skin, without having to use harsh exfoliating beads. (Major plus points!) It's good to note that AHA's are commonly used in anti-ageing products to improve the appearance of wrinkles as well.

The Bad : 


Oil control :

This product has been heavily marketed as one that absorbs sebum. Like many ladies out there with oily skin,  I use clay masks with the intention of easing oil production throughout the day. This is especially important if there's an important event the next day and I want to feel confident without having to worry if my face was getting shiny. After multiple use of this product, it is safe to conclude that this product does not help with oil control at all. This is strange because even though I wasn't too sure of the abilities of the volcanic ash,  I was so positive that the kaolin clay added to it would have helped to control sebum. The fact that it didn't meant that you might want to have a go at other masks in the market for the ladies out there with combination to oily skin.


Tightening of the pores:

Enlarged pores typically comes with oily skin, and I am no exception.  I had high hopes for this clay mask, especially having seen reviews where some ladies swears by its ability to slough off their black heads. However, it did not clear out my pores nor did it tighten it. 


The packaging:

It is a typical jar packaging which I do not like for hygiene reasons. Constantly dipping my fingers into it meant that it could potentially introduce bacteria to it. I also don't like that I have to use my fingers to scrape out the content of the jar, which by the way, gets harder when the product gets drier over time. ( I do know that Innisfree sells a plastic spatula for SGD $2, however it's too large to fit into the jar, which in my opinion, makes it no different that a plastic spoon.)

Also, it isn't exactly air tight as well - this means that even after two months ( well, in my case ) ,  it would significantly get drier. Not a good sign of a good mask if you ask me.


To conclude : 


Being one of the first few to introduce a volcanic ash mask into the mass market, I can understand the reason for the hype behind the Innisfree Super Volcanic Ash Mask.

Another possible reason for its popularity are the ladies with dry to normal skin who wants a clay mask that isn't too drying. Such that it does not give the 'tight and dry' feeling that some clay masks provides. This sensation is typical for oil absorbing products and would explain the lack of ability to control oil. On this aspect alone, this mask would be an enjoyable mask to use for many.

All in all, I guess it all boils down to your skin type and your preference. As for me and my oily skin, I would give it a miss. I believe there are better clay masks out in the market for me. My favourite clay mask that I would recommend to those with oily or acne-prone skin is the Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure mask that I mentioned in my post : Clearskin: Exfolation Is Key ( Salicylic Acid).


On a side note, I have found another Korean brand called PureHeals that sells Jeju volcanic ash products in Sephora. It's interesting to note that it's Volcanic Pore Refining mask are of the same price range as Innisfree ( retails at Sephora for SGD 24)  Curious if any have seen and tried it? Let me know in the comments section down below,  I would love to hear from you!

-C

The start of Claudlyy

Hello there!

I finally decided to start my own blog about all things skincare and makeup. Why you may ask?
Because I cant stop talking about it. Makeup and skincare is such a big passion of mine, and I want to share it with others who too, have this same passion.

You know, I never realised this, but my friends would swear that I could go on and on in detail about products and brands and more products. They were the ones that suggested I turn to social media as an outlet to satisfy this passion I have. Though, I kind of suspect that they just want to finally have some peace.

Regardless, I hope that you'll embark on this journey with me, as I learn the ropes of delivering beauty content to you. I also hope that you'll guide me along, with your comments on what is good and bad, or share the content that I post if you thought that it was helpful. Finally, a big thank you to all who are reading my first post.

  -c

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