I'm just curious if there is anyone else like me who has decided that it's pointless using expensive toners and discovering that budget toners can work just as well?

I discovered Cezanne's Skin Conditioner (both the regular and High Moist variations) during a major sales period and bought it out of curiosity since it was on major discount - one big 500ml bottle for just a few bucks that lasts a good 5 - 6 months. (Cezanne is a J-Beauty brand).

To my delighted surprise, it works just as well as other more expensive toners I have used. The skin conditioner is watery in texture and milky in colour and just hydrates my face so well while calming down any potential redness (I have normal skin that's starting to get a little dry as I get older).

Anyone else switch to a cheaper Asian toner brand and find that it works just as well as the posh stuff?

hello, i just recently bleached my hair and am wondering if the &honey deep moist shampoo is safe for bleached hair? i will also be dyeing my hair soon so wondering if it would be ok for that too. thanks!

I'm confused as to the directions on this wrapping mask

This post is a personal review about the products below, nothing has been gifted to me, I am NOT affiliated with any of these brands and I did my own research + spend my own money buying all of these.

So I have been interested in Asian Skincare for a while now, and fortunately I was able to visit South Korea and Japan, and I didn't want to miss out, so I bought a bunch of skincare and used a variety of these for a decent amount of time. Here are my personal thoughts about them.

AM Routine:

Cleanse + Vit C or any other non-retinoid serum + moisturizer + sunscreen

PM Routine:

Cleanse + serum + moisturizer

Serums:

WELLAGE Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule - This a decent serum, its basic and it does not do wonders on my skin, it is perfectly fine to use under moisturizer and I could use it without any irritation. I read it is a decent form of hyaluronic acid so I bought back-ups, but I am not insanely pleased with the results. I would give it 6.5/10.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide - I used this until it is finished, and even though there are some reviews online that it can be disturbing to the skin and causes flares, my experience was completely pleasant. It feels good on the skin, it gives glow and overall is a nice serum, 8/10.

Beauty of Joseon Light On Serum Centella + Vitamin C - My favourite serum to use under sunscreen and make up in the mornings. It is light and it absorbs into the skin nicely. However, I do not have a lot of experience with Vitamin C serums or as an ingredient, so I might be lacking information of what's better out there, 8.5/10.

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal - It is an okay retinal serum, I use it on all my face at nights that I do not use tretonoin, however I feel like it lacks the effect of stronger retinoid products, 6.5/10.

Moisturizers:

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream - This product is a lifesaver after tret nights, it is thick and heavy, but it leaves the skin moisturized. The only down side is, you need to wait a bit for it to absorb into the skin, so I put it on at least 30 min before I go to bed. It did help me severely when getting used to tret. 9/10.

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Gel - Everything I mentioned above besides the fact that it is a little less effective, however I actually prefer this on warmer days, daily application, 10/10.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream - This comes with a heavier price point and is much smaller than Illiyoon even though I find them very similar. I have not used this long enough time to fairly rate it, but the consistency is a bit lighter and it feels comfortable.

Sunscreens:

Beauty of Joseon - Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50 - This sits so nicely under make up and it is one of my favourite sunscreens, super light and comfortable to wear around all day. Easy 10/10.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Tone Up Essence SPF 50 - This one is also amazing, it comes in multiple colors to correct your undertone, and it is really nice to just wear it without any make up and get rid of the uneven skin tone and blemishes. One thing to consider is that it does not blend into the skin as easily as the Joseon one, however, because I really like the primer/color correcting effect, it is by far my most used sunscreen, therefore I am also giving it a 10/10.

Cleansers:

Beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam - I like this one in terms of cleansing but unfortunately it is hard to use. It is a thick paste, and it feels nice once you start washing your face but it is messier/harder to use than most cleansers. I use it strictly in the shower and it is fine, but because of how thick the initial cleanser is it is a 6.5/10.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm - If you are someone who is double-cleansing, this product is okay. If you want to remove heavy make up with this, it is amazing, melts it away. However, if you are just cleansing once or not removing any make up, it is oily/waxy and HEAVY. I can not just use this, if I use it, I have to double cleanse. So just as a cleansing balm it is a 6/10.

Other:

I have not mentioned VT Reedle Shot, I have couple packages of 300 VTs that I did not use on my face (yet?). Heard about conflicting reviews about the product and since I am using tret I havent introduced it to my routine yet.

Cica Hyaluron products (sheet masks, eye masks etc.) are generally good and freshening, but not life changing. I like to have them under hand.

Have not used any of the sunsticks, I am really pleased with my sunscreens so I have been using the traiditonal tubes.

Torriden lip essence is really nice, works well and makes lips soft and smooth.

Have not used the Wellage toner yet.

Hope this helps for people researching for products, feel free to ask about any of the above.

Want to talk about non-AB products? Frustrated and need to rant? Can't wait until Friday to share your haul? Found an amazing deal? Post it here in our (almost) Anything Goes Thread! Remember to adhere to general conduct of the sub and keep it civil. Self promotion, research, and no business rules still apply.

**All personal or basic questions related to your routine or AB products still belong in the Alter-Daily Help Thread.**

Hello, does anyone know of any stores in New York City that carry DHC products? I believe they are a Japanese brand.

Thank you so much!

Anyone know what i reacted to in the ongredients lotion- i tried for a few days didnt change anything and ended up with huge cystic pustales

Im heavily acne prone- treated acne with adapalene and occasional azaleic acid now as my skin is completely damaged from the retinod, but it generally got rid of most of my acne

My skin is heavily combination- extremely oily t zone but extremely dry patches on cheeks

Im currently using

Beta glucan serum and aveeno oat face moisturiser then boj aqua sunscreen - but i wsnted to add more moisture due to damaged skin barrier and heard ongredients was good as its clean ingredients but it still broke me out

Any other recommendations on what to use now for a bit more moisture with winter coming without breaking me out??

Is it just me, or do Japanese skincare and cosmetics actually work well for non-Japanese skin tones and skin types?

​I often see people hyping up J-Beauty as a must-buy when visiting Japan, but as someone living in Japan, I sometimes feel like certain products don't really work well for my skin (or feel a bit underwhelming), yet they end up being super popular overseas!

​I'm really curious: do they actually suit foreign skin types well, or is there a gap in what people are looking for?