Best products from r/AsianBeautyAdvice

It's not a ceramide lotion, but there are tons of ceramides you can order off amazon, so what's even the point of wasting such a great opportunity, but I've always really really wanted to try this product:

https://www.ratzillacosme.com/skin/zettoc-style-yukikko-all-in-one-gel/

It's good enough that Ratzilla herself keeps it in her routine, and this is the best part--it's not sold outside of Japan as it was created to help raise money for tsunami recovery. Like, you can get it from Amazon Japan, so it's not impossible to see again if you love it, but you're getting a personal delivery from Japan, so why not get something really special?!? And the ingredients look frigging awesome!

This is another super sexy non-ceramide one that is hard to source because I can't figure out to use Rakuten because I'm a moron but the ingredient list gives me a lady boner: https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/cosmebox/item/j4580152383542/
I mean, fullerenes and EGF in a honey lotion for less than six bucks?!?!? Who does that?!!?


Another thought is the bunch of ceramide products that have come out recently and will be easy to get soon, but not so much now. Like this from Cezanne https://www.ratzillacosme.com/skin/cezanne-all-in-one-gel/ looks amazeballs, is full of ceramides and amino acids and costs less than $9, but because it's new, the only seller on amazon is trying to get over $25. And slappychan's life-giving new release Monday posts have been especially full of ceramides lately, so definitely check those for stuff that WILL be in the US soon, just not yet unless you're dying to pay a 500% mark-up.

This one https://www.ratzillacosme.com/body-care/carecera-baby-face-body-milk/ just came out and is literally a ceramide lotion for babies that boasts of a new and improved type of ceramide no one else has. It's from Rhoto so it might already be in your local Chinese market.

The ceramide product I personally vouch for and dream about and write love notes to is the Mochitto one, but as I said, it's easy to get in the US, so kind of a waste of luggage space. I found it here https://www.ratzillacosme.com/skin/mochitto-kansou-shirazu-face-lotion/ when I was looking for a lotion that had ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and ferments together in one formula, and it is truly a holy grail product that has dramatically improved the health of my skin. It even has ascorbyl tetraisopalmate, it's gentle as fuck, it's a routine in a bottle (my morning routine literally consists of two+ layers of this then either squalane or sunscreen), it's perfect for traveling, and my first bottle lasted six months of heavy facial use. In fact, I owe this sub a full review as I promised I'd write one when I emptied it. Spoiler alert, it's the first product I've ever stockpiled in all my 45 years of having skin. And thank dog, it's available here https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRRPP8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for $18 which includes free USPS priority shipping, they ship literally as soon as they get your order, and they even include free samples!! Like, "here, try some Canmake Lip Stay most popular lip product in the world" samples. And they're official US Amazon distributors for Canmake, Ishizawa Labs, and some other brands. The mark-up on the product is actually cheaper than the shipping cost!! This product is marketed as gentle enough for babies, and I believe it. There are no acids, everything is rice-derived, it NEVER hurts to put on no matter what stupid thing I've done. It is perfect for fixing mistakes with actives and immediately restoring skin. I've never put it on a cotton pad because that would be a waste of cotton, and the bottle is designed to be stable and the pump works perfectly. There's no scent.

As a product, it's literally perfect. I wear at least two layers just because I love it so much, the consistency is called "lotion in emulsion" and is not sticky. For my night routine I put it on after watery stuff and before oils and creams. I actually did seven layers of it once after a bad sheet mask left me with tiny red dots all over my face and it healed my skin by the next morning. I have used in on my body but I don't usually wear body lotion because I'm lazy. I'm probably going to start because winter and perimenopause, but just one layer takes away the tightness and itching that layers of thick lotions can't cure. Not kidding, If I won the Mega Millions lottery I would buy this by the pallet, have them add some coq10 and create a spraying stall like they use for spray tanning and hose myself down with this after every shower.

So, yeah, get this, but if somebody is willing to bring you skincare from Japan, OMG, have them bring you stuff that's way marked up here. Pola has super expensive shit and it's sub brands, don't forget makeup like the Shiseido Japan stuff. Integrate, Maquillage, Majolica Majorca, even if you buy from a Japanese site they'll mark it way up. I love to browse this site https://www.alphabeauty.net. Kanebo and DHC (which has whole lines not sold in the US), Cosme Decorte and the super high end lusty AQ MW, Kose are all really popular. And for some reason, many of these brands sell smaller sample sizes for prices that are WAY lower than the full size price. And I don't mean foil samples but legit half the full size for like 90% off. I assume it has to do with the prestige of owning the overpriced full size?? There are also tons of marketing tie-ins for Disney, etc. that would make great gifts if you know people who are big fans of things like that. Plus many brands have special holiday collections out right now. I don't know what kind of arrangement the traveler from Japan is willing to make, but don't forget duty free swag!! Have them Skype you from the duty free shop! Lol.

WHAT I BOUGHT (AND TRIED) THIS WEEK COMBO REVIEW

Product: OHUI Miracle Aqua Skin Set

Seller: My local Lotte Plaza Market, ~$129 with taxes (~$115 before?)

Purpose: Hydration line for oily/dehydrated skin

Place in Routine: Steps after cleansing and actives, before sunscreen or sleeping pack

Testing schedule: This week morning and evening

List of products: Contains toner, essence, emulsion, gel cream + travel size of each

Reasons why products were bought: I've been looking for hydrating products while trying to decrease oil production/help my grease pit of a face. I was only seeking to buy the toner, however at the market the OHUI lines were sold as sets.

Seller Experience: 10/10. I love going to the counter at Lotte. The same 2 women are always incredibly helpful and I ended up with about 30 samples for purchasing the set from shampoo to sheet masks. The associate there helped me pick the right set for my skin type, and wasn't disappointed.

1st Impressions: I'd been eyeing the OHUI Miracle Moisture toner for my oily dehydrated skin for a while now, but was holding back on the ~$45 price tag at the online retailers. The associate at Lotte recommended the Miracle Aqua line since it was for oily skin (vs the Miracle Moisture set for dry), and buying the set at ~$120 was a deal compared to buying each item separate. I haven't figured out all the ingredients yet (still waiting on LG to respond), but it does boast having 3 kinds of hyalauronic acid.

The products have a mild "clean scent". Like the rain scented air fresheners you can buy at the store. The containers have pretty decorated tops for display. Only the toner comes in a glass bottle, while the rest are a sturdy plastic. There is a spatula for the gel cream so no fingers to be used.

I was really impressed how my face went from using blotting sheets several times a day to none. My skin feels soft all day, stays a semi-matte to semi-dewy look, smooth with no flakes. Usually I have the eye boogers in the corners of my eye from my eyeliner or mascara running by mid-day since I'm so oily, but not now. I haven't tried it out with foundation yet, just sunscreen.

It keeps it's look even with work and exercise. I've gone for 5+ mile runs (cooler weather though, will re-eval during summer), heavy lifting at the gym, spin class, etc and my skin still feels and looks great.


I will definitely continue to use, as I really like what I've seen over the past 5 days as far as oil control and skin texture. I think my skin still needs more than one toner for hydration. My skin absorbs the OHUI with no effort, so I'm afraid to use it up too quickly lol. I'm thinking that might be the benzoyl peroxide I'm using 2x a day contributing to the dehydration. By mid day as well my skin bounce is less apparent and my pores more noticeable, so I'll continue to experiment with other toner ratios, water spritzing, etc to supplement. I tried a 3 skin with OHUI and Hada Labo on top this morning.

Hoo, boy, this is a tricky one. Also, if you've looked at my Instagram lately, you'd probably know that I just had an epiphany -- a legit I-have-now-seen-the-light, movie-worthy moment -- about my own moisture barrier: namely that it had been suffering quietly for decades under the tyranny of unsuitable cleansers. So pardon me if my confidence in giving advice about moisture barrier health is at an all-time low.

Regarding product breakouts, may I know which Dr. Ci Labo product that you have tried? I know that Rosette Ceramide Gel has macadamia nut oil in it, which is why I can't use it (mild allergy; it gives me the itch). I would be more worried of things like nut oil than squalene, since the latter is also produced by our skin cells, making a reaction to it less likely.

Personally, the thing that has made the most difference to me in terms of moisture barrier health is the switch from a foaming to non-foaming cleanser, but I remember you saying that the Naturepeau really agrees with you, so perhaps that's not the problem. (Come to think of it, I think I have samples of the Naturepeau cleanser....) In terms of things that I own that has had a positive impact on my moisture barrier, in one way or another and in varying degrees, are:

• Mochitto Mochi Mochi Face Wash,
  
  
• Mochitto Mochi Mochi Face Lotion: just like the cleanser, except it stays on my face instead of getting rinsed off,
  
  
• Tunemakers Ceramide 200 booster: I mix this with the Liquorice Extract, Aloe Vera, and Honey to get a soothing and barrier-repairing mixture,
  
  
• shiro Oatmeal Lotion: the skin becomes slightly but perceptibly bouncier and more supple, but this thing is pretty expensive for what is basically oatmeal extract (Edit: This is also the only oat-based product I've seen in Japan, so if you're hell-bent on getting oats locally, this might be your best bet.),
  
  
• Plaskin Essence: various types of ceramides sitting pretty high up on the ingredient list, but this is expensive and contains placenta extract and some fruit extracts. (Edit: Oh, and it contains guaiazulene, if you're curious about that ingredient! It's moderately soothing.)
  
  Since I found out that I had been abusing my moisture barrier, I, too, have been researching about ceramide-rich products to try out. These are the stuff sitting in my Amazon Wish List. You might want to check them out, both the products and the brands (no affiliate links):
  
  
• Kanazawa Cosmetics
  
  
• Kiso
  
  
• Derizum, but this one has plant extracts,
  
  
• Edit: Duplair -- this one looks especially promising, but it does contain various plant extracts (supposedly soothing).
  
  Curel also has a ceramide-heavy face cream, but something in Curel's formulation turn me into a literal tomato, so I can't comment on the efficacy of that.
  
  Ceramide is classified as simple sphingolipids, so if you see products claiming that they contain rice-derived sphingolipids, they probably have some barrier-protecting ability. (As a bonus, I find rice soothing.) My personal rec would be Kuramoto Bijin Hakumai Hakkou Milk, but I have also been curious about Keana Nadeshiko rice line.
  
  Also, calling the other Japan residents, since this is the type of question that will benefit from having more people sharing their experiences: /u/2catsinjapan /u/urbanflora /u/itzmizzy /u/StrangerClegane
  

haha! I guess I can tell you a little....>.< It's a paranormal romance (again, never thought I would say that xD). I haven't written/worked on the synopsis, so bare with me ...

Mara, daughter to the Iron Peaks Alpha, is kidnapped after discovering two unknown werewolves on her father's territory. Unable to escape, she soon finds herself face to face with the most dangerous Alpha alive - Trever Axton. A ruthless and volatile wolf who also happens to be sexy as hell. Seeing the Black Valley Alpha in person should make Mara cower in fear - but it doesn't. Instead, she feels a powerful pull towards Trever like nothing she has ever felt.

But Mara is Unfated - a werewolf born without a mate. What does this mean?

Trever has long accepted he was never meant to find a mate and only wants to do what's best for his pack - until he sees a gorgeous female werewolf snarling in his kitchen. At first he's determined to make things right, but then it dawns on him that he can use Mara to his advantage. However, time is running out and the fate of the Iron Peaks Pack might rest in his hands. On top of it though, strange feelings are brewing inside Trever, hinting at something he never thought possible.

As for fantasy books, I loved A Song of Ice and Fire Series - George RR Martin needs to get that 6th book out though >:/

I also liked The Wretched of Muirwood by Jeff Wheeler. I have not read any other books in this series, but it I plan to!

I think my favorite book would be Abarat! omg, it's soo good and the author draws all of the art in the books/covers. Seriously they are amazing. I have not read the 3rd book T-T It's on my need-to-read list!

What books do you like? Do you have any suggestions? Also, what have you been reading lately?:D

When my skin is chapped/raw/peeling vs just dry:

• Starting with the only AB product on the list: Moksha (Dear.) Shea Butter Sheet Mask: This is a sheet mask with a cream essence and no drying alcohol, and my skin seems to bounce back a few hours after using it, every time. I always treat sheet masks like wash off masks, because my skin will just stop absorbing the product and get sticky otherwise, but that doesn't seem to impact how well this mask works for me. I've used other masks in this line, but none of them work as well as this... though don't ask me why based on this ingredient list.
  
  I used to get this mask at althea for $1, but of course they've discontinued selling the entire line, as well as the Torriden products we were discussing in last week's thread. For some reason this particular mask is a bit hard to find, but I did see these masks on beautytap for only a bit more (+ an option to get as a 10 pack), and a bulk option on amazon. The full ingredient list is posted on beautytap's site if you're curious.
  
  
• La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5 - this is basically a diaper cream you can use on your face, so it's really great for creating a healing, occlusive layer. Some people find the zinc in this product drying, but I've found layering it over an oil or emollient product solves that issue. There's only two real downsides, in that it doesn't layer well with products that're even a tiny bit sticky, and that the zinc content will leave a white cast unless you're really light skinned.
  
  
• I use straight shea butter (specifically this one) or straight cocoa butter - pretty much any nut butter would do, as they'll have different vitamins, omega/fatty acids, etc. compositions that both soothes/heals the skin and will act as an occlusive layer. If you're curious about what's out there, ingredient suppliers will have breakdowns of the different types of butters/compositions. Some people will break out from the heavier butters - I can't use shea butter on my nose/forehead, but I can use cocoa butter there with no issue, so it's hard to know what your skin will like until you try it out. To use, I typically take a small amount, emulsify it to an oil between my hands, and then pat that into my face... and then I repeat that on areas that need more.
  
  I love talking about products/sharing things that work, so hopefully this can help you some!

SKIN TYPE & CONCERNS
Extremely dry and dehydrated. I also struggle with cystic acne. I have hypothyroidism hence my skin gets very very dry. Oh and very sensitive which is probably because there is so much going on! 😢

SKINCARE GOALS
Baby butt smooth, even and hydrated skin

CLIMATE
California - gets very hot and dry

CURRENT ROUTINE

AM

▪️ Face wash - First Aid Beauty Cleanser

▪️ Toner - Mario Badescu Keratoplast Toner

▪️Serum - I alternate between several

Skin Actives Cranberry Serum || The Body Shop VIT E Intense Moisture Serum || The Body Shop Oil of Life

▪️Face Cream -

The Body Shop Oils of Life Day Cream || The Body Shop Aloe Vera Cream Mask

▪️SPF Creams

Origins A Perfect World SPF 40 || Just started using this recently Evercalm Global Protection

PM

▪️Face wash and Toner same as above.

▪️Night Serum - Boscia Tsubaki Oil

▪️Night Cream - I have used several and alterenate

Just finished the Boscia Tsubaki Sleeping Mask || Started Origins Drink Up Overnight Mask

Also, this garbage dries me out but it's too late to return it Oil of Life Revitalizing Sleeping Cream

...

Aside from these, I use my Clarisonic once a week. I do like to wear a lot of makeup. I usually use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil as makeup remover. Before I used to use the Neutrogena Hydrating Makeup Wipes, which I highly recommend anyone with dry skin. As for makeup primer I use First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothing Primer

QUESTIONS

1. After using all of this, my face is still dry!?!? What am I doing wrong? Am I using too many products? Too little? Would you recommend take something out of my routine?
   
   
   
2. Please help me and suggest products that I can use to counter all my skin concerns. You don't have to have hypothyroidism but even other dry skin condition such as eczema/psoriasis related products are good!!
   
   
   
3. I am on the hunt for a good non-drying cleanser, day cream and a night cream. What do you recommend?
   
   
   
4. I stopped exfoliating because it turned out to be too harsh for my skin. I now resort to my clarisonic once a week. How do you guys feel about clarisonic?
   
   
   
5. What about chemical peels? I did use the First Aid Beauty Intensive Peel. IT BURNS!!! Should I be using chemical peels? I did try a sample of the Caudalie Glycolic Peel. I liked it. What do you guys think? Is there any other chemical peel you might recommend for my skin type?

WHAT I (both) BOUGHT AND TRIED THIS WEEK

Seller: Amazon US Prime overnight

Experience: Arrived as promised, overnight in well-wrapped packaging.

Product: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Moisture Watery Cream for Dry Skin (Pink jar). Reasonably priced at $14 USD for 80g.

Reasons why product was bought: I'm on the search for a summer, low/no sticky moisturizer and this had no glycerin (which is odd, for the "dry skin" one in their line). Testing against my CeraVe Baby Lotion, my best (so far) non-sticky am moisturizer for summer.

Purpose: To lightly moisturize, and Hopefully be silky and not sticky on warm/hot days.

Place in Routine: After Kiku toner and right before sunscreen, to be used in am only on humid/wet days.

Testing schedule: Did 24 hour patch on arm etc. Used 2 mornings on forehead only and will continue this for 2 weeks. There's this preservative (MI) that can cause allergic reactions in some, and while I have very tolerant skin and have used products with MI in it, I'm putting it on the most tolerant part of my face for 2 weeks first.

1st Impressions: Lovely package even though it's a jar. Thick cream looking but a gel application. VERY flowery scent that does not really go away, just on my forehead it really lingered (and I like scents, but jeez). What covered it up was the scent of another heavy-scented product, Cosrx Soothing Sun Cream. The NR applies very smooth and elegantly, and after drying, does not leave a sticky cast as I'd hoped it wouldn't, even over my sticky Kiku toner.

This is the first time a scent of an otherwise (so far) fine product has made me probably not want to repurchase it. I don't need to enter a room smelling like my grandmother's lingerie drawer. Regardless, tomorrow I'm going to put CeraVe Baby on the rest of my face (was testing against my usual CeraVe PM, which is too sticky for this time of year.) to feel the comparison.

Location: California, USA

Skin Type: Normal

Skin Concerns and goals Moisturize, glow, anti-aging

Allergies/irritants to avoid: High fragrance

Morning:

• Cleanse: Amore Pacific Illi cleansing oil and Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  
  
• Treat:
  
  • If I have pimples: Shiseido Anti-Shine Refreshing Lotion
    
  • Normal day: Hadalabo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion
    
  • If I'm going to use BHA: Cosrx ABA/BHA Clarifying Treatment toner
    
    
• Moisturise:
  
  • Mizon Snail Recovery Gel or Nutrogena Hydra Boost Water Gel or Shiseido Pureness moisturizing gel-cream
    
    
• SPF:
  
  • Kao Biore UV PERFECT Milk SPF50+ PA++++
    
  • Skin79 Super+ Beblesh Balm Bb Cream VIP Gold
    
    Evening:
    
    
• First Cleanse: Amore Pacific Illi cleansing oil
  
  
• Second Cleanse: Shiseido Fitit Perfect Whip Cleansing Foam
  
  
• Moisturise: Mizon Snail Recovery Gel or Nutrogena Hydra Boost Water Gel or Shiseido Pureness moisturizing gel-cream
  
  
• Treat:
  
  • If I have pimples: Shiseido Anti-Shine Refreshing Lotion
    
  • Normal day: Hadalabo Shirojyun Arbutin Lotion
    
  • If I'm going to use BHA: Cosrx ABA/BHA Clarifying Treatment toner
    
    Comments:
    This isn't really my core 4, it's just what I'm using right now... I have a backlog of products that I need to use. This also doesn't include my serums, sheet masks, exfoliants, etc either. I don't think I'm following the core 4 at all... LOL
    
    

I'm pasting my review of this cream from about two months ago:

Product: A'pieu Madecassoside Cream

Purpose: I really like the Cosrx centella cream for PM (as a penultimate spot treatment before my heavy night cream) but it does not play well with makeup or really anything else. Heavy white cast, pilling, ugh. I wanted a centella product for daytime use.

Skin type: Dry, sensitive, recovering from hormonal breakout. I attempted to introduce a retinoid a few weeks ago and my skin immediately reacted badly, so I'm focusing on products that promote calm and healing.

Place in Routine: I'm still working on this. It doesn't seem to matter if it goes before or after my hydrating step (Scinic honey) or if I mix it with oils (tea tree, neem, rosehip). The past few days I've been doing the following:

First cleanse - raw white honey mask + massage

Second cleanse - Cosrx good morning

Hydrate - liberal amounts of Scinic honey AIO

Moisturize - A'pieu cream + one drop tea tree oil

SPF - Olay complete SPF 30

Makeup - It Cosmetics CC+ cream

Testing schedule: Tested on wrist and neck AM and PM for three days, then half face for three days. Then I stopped use for two days just to see what would happen, and re-introduced. No signs of irritation, yay!

1st Impressions: The A'pieu cream is cheap, has an inoffensive ingredient list, and layers beautifully with my other AM products. It absorbs quickly, visibly reduces redness caused by dryness, and so far hasn't caused any additional acne. I think this is a slow worker. Hopefully with more time I'll see more exaggerated results.

Update: I finished the tube! This stuff is great. It mixes well with my oils (rosehip, EPO, neem) and doesn't piss off my sensitive skin. In terms of actively doing any work, it's middling at best. There were no dramatic results even after regular daily use for two months. I like this stuff, but I will not repurchase.

Not really AB or non AB, but really like nilotica shea butter, especially [this one](https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Shea-Butter-Fair-Trade-Replenishes/dp/B0732K9T9B/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=nilotica+shea&qid=1557344997&s=gateway&sr=8-1). I like it because hard texture like cold butter and then melts. Also like shea oil. I have really dry skin and eczema and it's been helping.

Amazon JP here

You can get it from Amazon JP here.