This is possibly an empties record, which is easy to set when your skincare life practically revolves around minis: two cleansers, two masks, one toner, one serum, one moisturizer, one facial oil and one first essence. Products are listed in the order that I finished them this month.
Shamanuti Activated Charcoal Cleanser
I bought this before I really got into skincare per se, and I don’t actually think I made a bad choice. This cleanser left my skin very soft, and since I only used it in the shower, I didn’t use it so frequently that it left my skin feeling stripped. It DOES have quite a few fragrant components, but it almost smelled more like carrots than anything else. It’s a bit pricey for what you get, and I feel like there are better cleansers out there for my skin type, but if you’re looking for a cleanser for normal to oily skin types that checks a lot of boxes (anti-inflammatory, emollient, anti-oxidant, etc), give it a try — just don’t expect much out of the “activated charcoal” claim.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $36 USD / 177 mL
Biossance Squalane + Tea Tree Cleansing Gel
This cleanser was quite stripping, which is why it took me quite a few months to get around to finishing it (I received it in April 2020). I had initially tried to use it over the summer, and it left my skin too squeaky clean. This winter, since I’ve really upped my hydration game since then, it worked significantly better for my skin, but still wouldn’t be my first pick. I could definitely see this working well for combination to oily skin types, though, especially for those that don’t bother with a double cleanse in the evenings.
Rating: 4/10
Price: $29 USD / 50 mL for the full size, shown here in a promotional size
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
All I can say is thank goodness for minis — if I had dropped $60 on the full size of this, I would have been sooooo mad. The tube shown had enough for about three masking sessions. The first time, everything was fine. The second time, however, it tingled so badly that I had to wash it off — a first for me. The third time it also tingled, but I was able to just rinse it off my cheeks and leave it on everywhere else. I think it being an “enzyme” mask might fool some into thinking it’s gentle, but the Peach & Lily Super Reboot Mask and Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask are both far gentler while being more effective, in my opinion.
Rating: 1/10
Price: $60 USD / 150 mL, shown here in the “Masking Mini” kit size
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask
Every time I used this, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel that I used on sunburns when I was a kid — the color and consistency is exactly the same. This mask has gotten such rave reviews by so many people, and hydrating/soothing wash-off masks are so few and far between that my hopes were high for this one. I will say, I did enjoy using this immediately after the PTR Pumpkin Enzyme Mask and the PTR Irish Moor Mud Mask to calm things down and re-hydrate. Compared to the other hydrating masks in my collection, though, this seemed like a lot of hype and expense for something not super exciting.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $55 USD / 150 mL, shown here in the “Masking Mini” kit size
Cosrx Propolis Synergy Toner
I’ve talked about this toner before and I continue to adore it. Someday I’ll get around to getting the full size, I promise!
Rating: 10/10
Price: $22USD / 150mL, shown here in travel size from their Holiday Toner kit
iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum
Call me a sucker for branding, but “Black Snail” had me imagining magic. Black snail, black beans, black rice, black sesame, kelp and eggplant, what’s not to love? But despite this having ALL THE INGREDIENTS, it felt like a pretty generic snail serum — hydrating, but no wow factor. Maybe I’m spoiled by the Benton Ultimate Snail Bee Serum? Quite possibly. I’m glad that I gave it a try, but I’m also glad I just got the mini.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $15 USD / 50 mL for the full size, shown above in the $8 USD per 15 mL mini
Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream
I’ll admit, I wanted this because of the hype and James Welsh’s recommendation. Because of the hype, my expectations were pretty high, and I’ll admit that at first I wasn’t sure if this cream lived up to them. But by my last morning using it, I was sold. It has a nice pudding-ish texture, a lovely lavender color, and a nice but not overwhelming fragrance. While for the most part I don’t know as I saw any increased glow, I do think this would be a good shortcut to dewy skin for those without elaborate routines. It made a great AM moisturizer for my dry skin, but I could see it being a great night cream for normal to oily skin. There’s a good chance I’ll be rebuying in the future, despite the cost.
Rating: 8/10
Price: $68 USD / 50mL, shown here in the small size that came bundled with their cleanser
Chiasm Skin Horizon Oil
This bitty oil came with my shipment of Wild Being, and I’m so pleased that I decided to open it up when I did. Despite squalane being the third ingredient, it doesn’t have that heavy, impermeable feeling that squalane oils can. Rather, it’s a super lightweight oil, and absorbs beautifully, even as the last step of my fairly extensive PM routine. The month that I was able to use it for was too long to truly tell a difference, but I will say — if you’re afraid of oils yet wanting to try one, get this! You’ll love it. As long as you like herbaceous smells, that is, as this definitely has a strong aroma.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $56 USD / 30 mL, shown here in a 2 mL sample
Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence
This was my second bottle of this first essence. I love it. It’s a super thin texture, making it ideal for layering — which heaven knows I do. While my first bottle I treated like liquid gold (so it lasted from June to October), I’ve gotten significantly more cavalier about slathering this on my face. I tend to use it AM and PM, and sometimes do a couple layers before going onto my toners. I am, however, wondering if it’s time to move on after the bottle that I just opened (yes, I had one in my stash) — I’ve been using it for long enough that I’m curious what my skin will do without it, and am interested in trying Missha’s red algae or artemisia first essences.
Rating: 10/10
Cost: $20-$55 USD/150mL, depending upon retailer
Lisa Loves Skincare 