[Review] AXIS-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash-Off Pack

 Mugwort has become the hot ingredient of this year and for a good reason too, How else were we going to calm out makne covered faces ? This mask has been around for a few years and it is a cult favourite too but because of the current situation it took me a long time to get my hands on this. 

AXIS-Y Mugwort Pore Clarifying Wash-Off Pack is the solution for Maskne. With the constant mask wearing there has been a rise in mask wearing induced acne, so AXIS-Y decided to formulate a mugwort mask pack which would solve this issue. This wash-off pack is enriched with 61% Mugwort Extract to soothe irritations, unclog pores and cleanse skin. Use this 2-3 times a week to keep the inflammation away, so you can wear your face mask without worrying about another acne breakout.

I love the compact plastic tub. I like the size and how the mask is filled to the very top

This also comes in with a spatula. Mine was tucked in side the lid

This has a nice pleasant herb scent to it. 

Unlike many clay mask I have tried in the past, the texture is very creamy and easy to blend. There are soft rounded Adzuki beans which not only are a lot smoother and safer for skin but also 100% biodegradable which it safer for environment. The ingredients list is pretty long but it contains tons of anti oxidants and skin calming ingredients

Ingredients

Artemisia Princeps Extract, Kaolin, Dipropylene Glycol, Bentonite, Betaine, Phaseolus Angularis Seed Powder, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Chromium Oxide Greens, Charcoal Powder, Water, Beta-Glucan, Polyquaternium-51, Fructooligosaccharides, Allantoin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil

While we are discussing textures, it is worth mentioning that the green color is obtained from the plants used in manufacturing this product. It washes of easily without much effort and I haven't noticed any residual oil film on my face post application.

My Experience:

Normally I love to apply a generous layer of Aloe Gel to my irritated skin but now this has bagged that number one spot on my skincare shelf. I have been applying this twice a week on all the angry red spots and this works like a charm. I have noticed visible reduction in redness on face, my skin feels a lot more clearer , pores look smaller and my skin feels soft and smooth. Just 10 mins is all you need to have better skin. 

I will be stocking up more of these Amazing wash off masks because it is not easy to come by wash off clay masks that are non drying, makes the skin soft and smooth and helps with soothing irritated  skin

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[Review] BADSKIN Hyaluronic Deep Pore Cleansing Oil

 I got this from Jolse last year but because I had so many oil cleansers in rotation at that time. So I kept it in my closet for later use. This is one of the # 1 Trending Cleanser at Hwahae App. Director PI has also mentioned it one of her skincare videos for blackhead removal

Features

Deep cleanses makeups and pores, eliminating sebum and blackheads without stimulation.

Triple hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin along with other mild ingredients that comfort the skin.

The fresh and light cleansing oil dissolves blackheads, whiteheads, sebum, and dead skin cells smoothly.

The packaging as you can see reminds one of hair dye bottle specially the nozzle design. If you study the bottle carefully you will notice that a lot of thought was put into creating a spill free/ leak free bottle. There is a rotate mechanism on top which controls the oil. Very smart and creative

The oil is designed for dry skin types and I can clearly understand why? ( I will explain that part in a bit) the texture is surprisingly very thin. It almost feels like mineral oil . This spreads very easily and you dont need a large amount to dissolve makeup. I usually take a dime size amount in my palm. And them spread it evenly across my face. It barely takes a minute to emulsify makeup, sunscreen, mascara and lipstick. 

It washes of easily with water but leaves a slight layer of moisture to the skin which prevents the skin from drying out. I have oily skin but as currently I am on tretinoin my skin very dry. This doesn't strips the moisture from the skin and keeps it soft post wash. 

For my blackheads. I give myself a deep 5 minute face massage with this oil every week. This way all the stubborn sebaceous plugs, grit and dirt gets removed from my face. And I don't get clogged pores that often. 

If you have dry /normal skin or you are on topical/oral retinols this is going to work pretty well for you. 

This can be purchased from Jolse.com

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[Review] COSRX ONE STEP ORIGINAL CLEAR PAD

I was going through my blog posts archives when I noticed that I couldn't find a review of the Cosrx One Step Original Clear Pad so I decided to take pictures and post my review in time before it could end in my empties bin

This is the best selling pads from Cosrx. It has a been a cult favourite for years and has won several awards for its amazing performance. I have the green pads from the same line in my cabinet. (Read detailed review here )

The award-winning COSRX One Step Original Clear Pads are pre-soaked in betaine salicylate and willow bark water to chemically exfoliate without drying out your skin. Active ingredients penetrate deeply into pores to dissolve oil and dead skin cells, which help in controlling breakouts.

The first thing that caught my attention was the cute illustration of Mr Rx on the lid. I mean common how can you not love this cute and funny guy ? Anyways the pads are enclosed in a solid white tub. There are a total of 70 pads so even if you use one on daily bases . This will last you a solid two months. I would recommend partially opening the seal on top so that the solution does not dry out faster and there pads remain moist for long

These are dual texture pads. One side has an embossed pattern while other side has a smooth property to it. I usually swipe my face with the embossed side and then clean it off with the clear side . To me these pads smell like candy ( yum candy to be specific , my mom on the other hand thinks that the smell is close to floor cleaning solution)

I use these 3 times a week. I have noticed that with continuous use this clears up acne and refines skin texture. These have been around for several years but they haven't lost their popularity . Cosrx recently repackaged these to more serious/mature looking tub but the product is same. I would recommend these to anyone who has acne, clogged pores. It effective, easily available and affordable

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[Review] ONSAEMEEIN Aqua Deep Cleansing Gel

I picked this one up solely to deep cleanse my oily skin . But this surprised my tremendously in terms of performance and packaging

Features
The mild and moisturizing cleansing gel deep-cleanses the skin and makeups without stimulation. Watery and moist texture eliminates makeups, skin wastes, and dead skin cells freshly. Contains natural ingredients like witch hazel that protect and care the skin without oiliness

This comes in a huge 300ml Sea blue colored plastic bottle. I was very surprised by the quantity. I am very pleased that the brand packed this cleanser in a pump bottle. Makes it so convenient to use. This is isn't designed for traveling so you might have to pump the cleanser in a travel bottle

This brand advertises this as a mild gel that can deep cleanse. I personally was a bit confused to see the word mild and deep used in the same sentence as they are a bit of an oxymoron (opposite of each other) nonetheless on my first use. I did notice that the gel was indeed mild. It is mild to an extend that it didn't foam up at all. I initially was under the impression that I pumped inadequate amount on my hands but the subsequent attemps yielded the same results I realised that this gel cleanser didn't foam up.

The transparent gel is very runny and smells faintly of flowers. This may be a deep cleanse but to me it feels too mild to actually deep cleanse makeup. This can remove a light layer of makeup easily but cant do much when It  comes to waterproof base makeup it is pretty helpless. 

This is suited for dry skin, cold winters and people who have sensitive skin. I am for now going to place this back in my skincare cabinet and wait for the weather to become colder so I can use it on my flakey skin .

Edit: I used this during winters and I am currently very impressed how gentle and nonI drying this is. My favorite way to use this is to apply it to my dry face , gently massage for a minute and then wash it off with cold water. This really removes all the sebum, residual sleeping mask and grime off my face but does not feel stripping at all

ONSAEMEEIN Aqua Deep Cleansing Gel is available on Jolse.com

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[Review] Neulii BHA PHA 5.5 Peeling Pad

You must have read all my toner pads posts by now. You must be familiar that I totally adore the concept and prefer these over regular toner bottles. Several months ago I got this two tubs of this toner pads and I have been using these ever since

Features: 
BHA PHA 5.5 gently removes dead skin cells and skin impurities including excessive sebum from pores. Helps to refine skin texture and brighten up skin tone.
Builds a moisture barrier to protect and retain moisture in skin. With a mildly acidic formula and free of fragrances and essential oils.
Features 100% cotton pads for better infusion of essence and exfoliating effect.

Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone (5%), Glycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate (1%), Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Aronia Melanocarpa Fruit Extract, Methyl Cyclodextrin, Allantoin, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Disodium EDTA.

I have briefed about the functions of BHA in my previous posts. It is basically a chemical that goes deep into the pores to clear out sebum and gunk

The packaging is minimal. It reflects the fragrance free and minimal ingredients concept of the brand. The jar is not travel friendly but it is sturdy and holds 70 round /smooth cotton pads soaked in peeling solution

I anticipated some kind of embossed pattern on the pads but the dual smooth texture surprised me immensely. They have no scent. One thing I have noticed is that ths top pads tend to dry out faster as compared to the bottom ones. I usually place my jar upside down that way the peeling solution is distributed evenly and I get a soaked pad.

I have been using these for a long time now and I like how gentle yet eedctiveu these are. My skin texture improved with continuous use and my pores looked clean and somewhat small. These pads often go on sale at Jolse , RoseRoseshop and Yeststyle. I would RECOMMEND you to get these they are so effective and non irritating.

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[Review] COSRX BHA BLACKHEAD POWER LIQUID

I am posting a one year post usage update/review on this cult favourite product from Cosrx. I got this a year ago on sale for just 12$ from Jolse. For many people this a HG ride or die product

The packaging is simple. A slightly frosty tall plastic bottle with pump. The pump is pretty good and it doesn't spit out the product like many other pump bottles you get in the market .

Quantity: 100 ML

Features:

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid gets rid of dead skin cell and blackhead within the pores and prevents oxidized sebum from turning into blackheads. BHA Blackhead Power Liquid has mixed a natural BHA ingredient, Betaine Salicylate, at 4% and you can witness your skin get smoother and glossy as time goes by, as well as it light texture.

SO there are 3 popular chemical exfoliants Namely AHA ( Alpha Hydroxy Acids ) these work on the surface of the skin to remove dead skin cells. Then comes BHA ( beta hydroxy acids ) these can go deep into the pores to dislodge the stubborn /clingy dead cells. It also clears out pores and reduces blackhead formation. Then there is PHA ( and I honestly don't know much about it except for the fact that is the gentle one out of the 3 chemical exfoliants )

COSRX BHA BLACKHEAD POWER LIQUID contains BHA ( 4% Betaine Salicylate) mixed in Willow bark water. This looks water like in the bottle (the liquid is clear ) But once you dispense it on your palm . It feels a bit oily. There are two ways to apply this . Either pat this into the skin with your hands or pump the product onto a cotton pad and then swipe it across the skin .

I prefer the cotton pad method ( even though a small fraction of product is wasted on each application ) because I dont like this somewhat bitter smelling liquid on my hands.  Another point worth mentioning is that this  feels heavy/greasy on the skin so on a hot humid day you might not enjoy this on your skin for long.

I have tried using this is in smaller quantity but the greasy/sticky feeling remains. So i usually apply this to my face and leave it for 4 hrs and then wash my face before goinv to bed. I have noticed that this liquid with continuous use unplugs clogged pores. It also reduces sebaceous filaments and blackheads and regulates sebum production.

I have been using this for a solid 1 year now ( 3 times a week ) and this clears up congestion on my skin every single time. I have also read a very interesting article on fiddy snail blog on how to reduced black heads using this liquid along with a clay mask and I will testify that it is very effective ( you will have to check her post to know more )

Do I recommend this product ? Yes 100% . It is effective , it is affordable and the hype is real. You can buy this from Jolse here (COSRX BHA BLACKHEAD POWER LIQUID )

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[Review] Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

Today's review is on one of the revolutionary skincare product which has created quite a stir in the East Asia. Some By Mi is one of the popular brands in Korea and has won many awards namely Hankyung Buisness 2016 Brand Grand Prize winner, Money Today Customer's Satisfaction Grand Prize and Korea Media Network 2018 Brand Grand Prize Winner.

Marketed as a AHA, BHA, PHA toner . A bottle of this goodness is sold each second ( explains the immense popularity and trust of the customers )

Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days miracle line contains total of 4 products : cleansing bar, toner, serum and cream.

30 Days Miracle Toner contains Real Teatree 10.000 PPM to soothe skin, control sebum production and relieve signs of inflammation.
The AHA, BHA PHA exfoliate skin surface, clean outs pores and strengthens skin barrier. This acidic toner preps skin for further skincare products.

• Skin exfoliating ingredients
• Formulated WITHOUT 20 ingredients
• Dual Functionality approved by KFDA
• Low Ph Toner

Packaging:
Pretty green plastic bottle with a secure black cap and a stopper mechanism to control product. This bottle holds 150 ml of products.

Product details:
This has a nice minty scent mixed in with tea tree. Personally I am fan of minty scents so this smells quite fresh to me. The toner is clear and has water like texture/ consistency. It spills easily so the best method of application is to use a cotton pad.

The brand recommends using this twice a day to see results. It has been almost 2 weeks since I started using this product. I apply this once in the morning and once at night before going to bed.

The toner feels hydrating without the heavy or sticky feeling. It absorbs quickly and brightens complexion. And controls sebum level on my face

Though I didn't have that many active pimples on my face when I started out with this toner. This toner prevented new acne from erupting. It made my skin texture smooth, made my complexion bright and healthy looking. I  enjoy using this toner because

• This smells nice
• Prevents acne
• Makes the PH of my skin acidic
• Contains anti bacterial ingredient Tea Tree.

I would recommend this to all skin types because despite the fact that it contains actives like AHA, BHA and PHA along with Tea Tree its not the slightest bit drying or irritating on the skin.

You can purchase this product at jolse.com here or find it at somebymi website

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[ Review ] Celimax Derma Nature Broccoli Spot Brightening Lip & Eye Remover

Hello, I am back with another Celimax Review this time it is the Derma Nature Broccoli Spot Brightening Lip & Eye Remover. I have been using this for a few months now.

Quantity: 120ml

Features :
A mild lip & eye remover that only contains safe and hypo-allergenic ingredients.
3 natural oil ingredients cleanse makeup powerfully without stimulating the skin.
Broccoli extract and argan kernel oil brighten and moisturize the skin healthily.

Recommended for :
Sensitive skin 
Dark Circles + Under eye bags
Deep Through Cleansing
Remove makeup without loosing eyelashes

Packaging:

A transparent purple plastic bottle with a white cap. Overall it is sturdy and leak proof
This is a biphasic makeup remover with the ration of 8:2 ( 80% micellar water and 20% Cleansing oil ) . You are required to shake the bottle prior to use this way the two layers are temporarily mixed .

My Opinion:

This smells good. Most of the times makeup removers are scent free but this has a nice fresh scent. Moreover it doesn't sting the eyes or cause irritation. I usually soak a cotton pad with this water and it is enough to wipe makeup from both of my eyes.

One of the problems I have faced with makeup removers is that I end up losing tons of eyelashes when removing stubborn waterproof eye makeup. My thin sparse  eyelashes are the proof to my claim. But this remover prevents loss of eyelashes.

 This is actually a really strong eye makeup remover. I removes 85% off the waterproof makeup in one swipe. You don't have to go over the same spot again and again. I usually place a soaked cotton pad on the eye for 10-15 secs and this totally dissolves the makeup . So when I swipe the cotton pad over my eyes. All the mascara + waterproof eyeliner comes off easily. The oil part also conditions the lashes at the same time and keeps them soft.  You just need a gentle cleanser and water and Viola your eyes looks clean

For just 10$ this is quite a steal. I have been using this for 3 months now and I have just used 1/3 . You can find this at Jolse. 

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