the way of yin: July 2017

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

[Review] Kose Sekkisei Sun Protect Essence Gel SPF50+ PA+++

Hello everyone,

I've got about 20+ product reviews that are in my drafts, so I'm going to be trying to publish a new product review every week! Though, now that I'm active on YouTube (check the end of this blog entry for direct links to my social media platforms) I've been trying to make cosmetic product reviews on that platform too, so look into both for more reviews.

Enjoy the product review!

Kose Sekkisei Essence Gel SPF50+ PA+++

Product description: Quickly absorbs into the skin with a pleasant sensation.

A lotion-type sunscreen gel with oriental herbal extracts that protect the skin from damage due to UV rays and environmental elements, keeping it beautifully translucent.
SPF50+/PA++++, the highest possible ratings in Japan. Offers solid protection from photo-aging caused by UV-A rays (gradually reduce resilience and elasticity) and UV-B rays (burn the skin causing redness and inflammation), and prevents age spots and freckles caused by sun exposure.
Contains Smooth Gel that forms a thin veil and holds moisture within the epidermis while keeping the surface silky-smooth.
Infused with oriental herbal extracts that preventsdullness and skin troubles caused by dryness, and maintains a supple, translucent complexion.

How to use: Apply evenly over face and body before sun exposure.

Product price: This product comes in two different sizes, I bought the mini which was about $14 USD.

Scent: There's a hint of oriental herbs, though the majority in my opinion is the alcohol that cannot be masked by other fragrance.

Product period use: 3 months - not ongoing (stopped using after testing period)

Personal experience: I purchased the three products shown above when I went to Japan for the first time. At the time, I wanted more than anything to offer more content on my blog for you all. To do this, I had to first do research of some of the "big" brands and the most "popular" (advertised, lol) products in Japan. One brand in particular that I kept running into was this particular one, Kose. I thought from my first impressions that the packaging was quite nice, in my opinion it's quite simplistic and at the same time it embodies a bit of elegance. I was at a massive mall (honestly, I can't remember which one it was), and I was asking the sales clerk about this line. It's meant for whitening/brightening, and at the time I wanted to brighten up my dull skin from some mild acne scarring. I purchased a medium size of the Medicated toner (first product to the left), mini sun essence gel (center), and of course I wanted to also try the essence milk on the right. Unfortunately, it wasn't until later I did more research and discovered that I didn't understand the ingredients in these products. I've seen that this product has been effective for some, while others have felt it wasn't worth the purchase.

The sun essence gel has a watery texture, but it's still a bit thick in consistency, it applies easily (unlike the essence milk) and gives a moisturized appearance. For me, I felt that this was too heavy, thick and it became an oily mess on my skin. Granted, I have oily skin so this is a bit more difficult to review, however it would be more suitable for a normal skin type. I don't think it would be suitable for dry skin, as many claim would be good, as dry skin tends to have a "sensitive" aspect to it too.

I felt it brightened a little bit, but I just didn't enjoy the greasy feeling it gave my face and could not stand the ingredients list. I believe this line has so much potential, but that they should take away the ingredients that don't benefit the skin in any way, shape or form.

If you've been reading my blog entries for a while, I use to always highlight the ingredients that
I was not a fan of in all my product reviews. However, so many brands these days aren't revealing their ingredients list as easy (not on the box, nor online), however for this particular product review I wanted to make it a point since I find it contradicting of the designated product gain/effect.

I know all the ingredients and why I consider those in red troublesome, if you want a full explanation of why I marked it, leave me a comment on and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions/concerns.

Rate: 2/5

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Polysilicone-15, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Akebia Trifoliata Stem Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Prunus Persica (Peach) Leaf Extract, Acrylates / C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, BHT, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone / Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-30 Phytosterol, PEG-5 Phytosterol, Potassium Hydroxide, Silica, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Talc, Vinyl Dimethicone / Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Zeolite, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Mica, Titanium Dioxide

Sunday, July 2, 2017

[Review] Skinfood Freshmade Lemon Mask

Hello everyone,

To be honest I was working on this product review in Seoul and I just forgot to publish it, until now. . lol

Skinfood Freshmade Lemon Mask

Product description: A wash-off fruit mask with a moisturizing gel containing lemon extract from North Africa for brightening effect.

6-free formula: Mineral Oil, Silicon Oil, Talc, Sorbic Acid, TEA (Triethanolamine), and Benzyl alcohol.

How to use:

1) After removing make-up and cleansing the face, apply generously around the entire face avoiding the eyes and lips.

2) After 10~15 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water.

Product price: $11.00 USD, at least when I bought it in Japan a while ago.

Scent: Citrus, definitely has a tart scent of lemon that some may or may not like.

Product period use: 1 year on and off - ongoing

Personal experience: I bought this product after discovering a Skinfood on Yelp (Japan) during my first week in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan. I've actually been a long time user of Skinfood products, though I must say just like most brands, it's usually a hit or miss product!

I was so enticed by the concept of this item, since this was the freshmade line and it offered quite a few more options too. At the time, I really wanted just the Pineapple (Peeling mask w/ PHA) as I've never (to do this, actually. .) used a product with PHA in it. Although, at the time, it was completely sold out when I had talked to the employees. It was the best seller of all the available freshmade mask, so I ended up just buying the lemon one on a whim.

I have to say the scent for the majority of the line had a very pleasant scent! This product in particular smells of fresh lemon, though I could see why some wouldn't be a big fan as it's a bit on the overwhelming side.

After cleansing the skin, apply the mask and wait about 10-15 minutes . .

I continued to do this for a few months, three times a week . .

Though I felt there was a fair amount of moisture on my skin afterwards, I didn't notice a brightening effect that was significant. . bummer.

I still have the product to this day, barely any of it has been used and I don't really find much of a use for it. But, along with another product (Missha Milk Pack) similar to this, I've just decided to apply it as a wash-off mask on my body instead of just having it thrown out.

I'm a bit disappointed, but that's fine because there's been quite a few products that have been more on the underwhelming side these days. A part of being a "beauty" blogger is sharing my genuine experience with you all, whether sponsored or not . . I will always stay true to my honesty when it comes to product reviews.

I love innovative products, as well just trying out anything new that catches my eye or is the current "hype" to really debunk if it's effective or not.

That being said, just because I wasn't a fan of this product, doesn't mean Skinfood carries nothing that is effective! Trust me, there are effective products, I've just had my fair share of products from them that are good and bad.

Rate: 2.5/5.

To my blog readers: Thank you so much for all your continued support, below are my social media accounts and my YouTube channel has a ton of new videos (daily vlogs in seoul + tokyo), so please subscribe to that channel if you may.

Additionally, I want to apologize for the lack of content on my product review blog. Recently, I've been offered a few sponsorships because of it and I'm not only very excited. . but, very grateful towards all of you!

When the time comes, I'll be putting a review for a sponsored product on this blog, so please look forward to that too.

I am in the midst of a lot with school, and if all goes as planned, I'll be moving out on my own attending university! So, I will keep you all updated. . Of course, that'll be via my YouTube channel.