September feels like ages ago (well, it was a month, in fairness). In September I got promoted to Director of Engineering, which meant that I felt I had less time to do skincare, and I also went to Japan for a week and a half, which also made me focus on more travel-friendly skincare (note: there were a couple moisturizer minis I opened in September, but given I’ll be reviewing them in my next post for October empties, I skipped them here).

Ampoules

🍋 Missha Vita C Plus Ampoule Stick

I picked up the Missha Vita C Plus Ampoule Stick on a whim when ordering directly from their site (they do sales A LOT — lovers of their First Treatment Essence, take note). I’ve never tried an ampoule stick before (though I love sunscreen sticks!) and thought it might be convenient for my trip to Japan. Because this is a stick, there’s no water in it, giving the ascorbic acid less opportunity to oxidize. In addition to ascorbic acid, this has two vitamin C derivatives, sea buckthorn oil and water, and eight peptides, including copper tripeptide-1. The intent is to use this as a spot treatment, and given its high oil, wax and dimethicone content, it makes more sense that way than as an all-over treatment. That said, I’ve totally used it as an AM moisturizer on occasion by rubbing it everywhere and then tapping it in — though I wouldn’t recommend that approach for oily folks.
Price: $38 USD / 10g

🐝 COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule

You know her, you love her — it’s the COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule. This is not my first time using this ampoule (I’ve written about it at length previously in Face Off of the Propolis Serums: iUNIK vs COSRX vs Beauty of Joseon). This ampoule’s high percentage of propolis (83.5) gives it a syrupy, gel-like texture which has a lot of slip to it. Outside of the propolis, this is a pretty stripped down formula, making it one of the better propolis options for those with allergies (but it is still a bee product, so, you know, patch test). I love propolis for how lightweight but moisturizing it is, as well as the glow that it gives. This serum is fine to use AM or PM.
Price: $28 USD / 30 mL

Sunscreen

🌤️ SKIN 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum

The SKIN 1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum came highly recommended, but also with the caveats that it might not be great for dry skin — so I wanted it for our Japan trip, when I knew I would be in a humid, warm environment. The weather was a big bamboozle generally, going from Denver to Tokyo, but the difference was extreme with this sunscreen: in Colorado, it didn’t feel moisturizing at all, whereas in Japan it felt positively thick upon application, though it dried down nicely. As the name implies, this has Skin 1004’s Madagascar centella, as well as several weights of hyaluronic acid. In classic k-beauty sunscreen fashion, this includes several plant extracts to amplify the antioxidant benefit. This is a chemical sunscreen, using the new generation chemical filters.
Price: $19 USD / 50 mL

🌞 Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Lotion SPF50+ PA++++

I couldn’t go to Japan and not get some skincare. What I didn’t really expect was to pick up the Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Lotion SPF50+ PA++++ at a 7-11 on the peninsula of Izu before heading down to the ocean. This is an incredibly watery formula — indeed, it’s the sort of sunscreen that I would recommend applying in two light layers, rather than going for two finger-worth all at once. It also has some noticeable fragrance to it, but that dries down quickly, just like the sunscreen itself. We had no issues with sunburn when using this, though like any sunscreen it is important to give it about 20 minutes before hitting the water. Given the price, I can see why this is such a popular option.
Price: $13 USD / 70 mL

Other

🍃 DEWYTREE Cica 100 Essence

I’ve tried the DEWYTREE sheet masks, so I was curious to try the DEWYTREE Cica 100 Essence. This essence is 100% centella asiatica extract (and preservatives, of course). It feels a bit like a “full fat water” — not as thin as the Cosrx Pure Fit Cica Toner, for example, but lighter feeling than the Klairs Supple Unscented Preparation Toner that I rereviewed in my last post. This makes it still quite soothing, but perhaps not as deeply hydrating. It still layers nicely, however.
Price: $31 USD / 160 mL

😴 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Sleep Mask

Sulwhasoo is generally a higher price point than I’m interested in paying, but the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Sleep Mask mini is a steal. Notionally, the. hero ingredients in this are pomegranate extract and jujube extract (yes, they’re apparently not just a stale candy — who knew?) — with the former providing a lot of antioxidants and the latter providing barrier support. Given that it’s a sleep mask, a lot of the goal here is moisturization, which comes from squalane, shea butter, dimethione, various fatty alcohols, and honey. This does have some fragrance to it, but it’s faint and pleasant.
Price: $6 USD / 35 mL