Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask and Overnight Vitalizing Mask

I rarely use any mask this days, mostly because I’m too lazy for whole process. I hate to go washing my face just for back and wash my face again. But it turns that Sulwhasoo got a hype for their Clarifying and Overnight Vitalizing Mask which i think would be amazing for my skin condition. And by that, here’s my skin condition :

• Occasional break out
• Normal-oily on most part, but crazily dry on eyes area.
• Acne scars (red mark, bumpy skin)
• Redness
• Large pores

I bought both product on sample size (largely available on ebay, amazon, tester korea, qoo10, Korean depart, etc) because at first, I’m not sure where I’m jump into and full size product would hurt my wallet badly.

 Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask, 50 ml size (full size is 150 ml)

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask 30 ml (full size is 120 ml)

Both are in plastic tube that really looks like full size product. While Overnight Vitalizing Mask 100% like full size tube, Clarifying Mask in sample size is a tad different. Make sure you get the original one.

What Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask claims to :

• This unique honey-textured treatment is formulated with Solomonseal Powder to absorb impurities
• Japanese Honeysuckle hydrates, smooths, and brightens
• Powerful blend of Korean medicinal herbs exfoliates and purifies for a clearer complexion

What Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask claim to :

• Walnut extract creates an essential moisture layer on the skin, promoting optimal absorption of nourishing ingredients
• White mulberry extract minimizes redness and irritation
• Hyaluronic Acid promotes long-term hydration, restoring and revitalizing skin overnight

The Beauty Wolf has stated that how her skin get much better with these two use in a row. Basically, you do double cleansing, put moisturizer, continued with Clarifying Mask, let it stay for 30 minutes then peel the mask off. After that, apply Overnight Vitalizing Mask. According to the website, both are meant to use at night time.

product fresh from tube

spreaded

As I stated, Clarifying Mask is peel-off mask.

The one that you put in your face, let it dry and peel them off. I saw many girls successfully peel the whole piece all together, but it never happen to me. That’s still okay though, you get no score by that, ha! *sorry for my competitive self*

Before application, do your usual skincare basic with toner and moisturizer. Wait them to dry first, then continue. When applying, make sure you put lots enough. Too thin application makes it hard to peel but thicker application means more product to use. Told ya it’s not cheap, and using more doesn’t mean you’d get better result.

Like any other sulwhasoo products I’ve tried, it has Sulwhasoo’s trademark herbal scent. I love this scent, found it enjoyable and relaxing (I even think it smells like Satay sauce the first time). If you don’t like it, then it might bother you the whole time because it’s stay long.

The texture is much like thick Honey. It is thick and kinda fast drying. I suggest to apply it fast, using no more than 2 fingers because it would stick.

While peeling of, try to peel from your forehead, down to your jaw. It suppose to make sure it does picking your pores problem. As opposite, after cleaning up, massage your face downside up. 

ready to peel..

peeled off

Result after application :

• Right after application, my skin just feel okay. My pores seems kinda smaller and I’m paler by application stage. Nothing marvelous.
• The next morning (whether using Overnight Treatment Mask after or another product, usually moisturizer) my skin seems GREAT. My pores sink, my skin seems brighter and my acne scar less, much less scary. The effect last 2-3 days.

Have I told you this product is my new holy grail? No? IT IS!

Overnight Vitalizing Mask, in the other hand, is a creamy sleeping mask.

The kind that you put after all skincare regime to seal, and left it for a whole night long. My tour guide in Korea told me it was invented for lazy Korean. But some said, it just another name for night cream. Whatever.

Normally, I’d use Overnight Vitalizing Mask with Clarifying Mask. I use it in several ways :

• First, in eye area before Clarifying Mask, after toner, moisturizer and eye cream. So it’s like adding extra moisturizer to eye area. In other parts, I put it after peeling off my Clarifying Mask and left it til the next morning.
• Second, in some confuse days, it added after Paula Choice 2% BHA Liquid (or Clear Regular/Strength Exfoliant, whichever you prefer to). I’d wait for 20-30 minutes til my BHA “works” then add Overnight Vitalizing Mask. Actually, I think it’s unnecessary in normal days, but in drier days, I prefer this way.

Please note that Overnight Vitalizing Mask is HEAVY. The cream took time to sink in, and feels heavy on skin *its heavy heavy on my normal-oily skin* and suggested to use only twice a week. It has Sulwhasoo’s trademark scent but less offensive than Clarifying Mask.

At first, I think it’s a cheaper option for my expensive Ginzeng Renewing Cream (haven’t write about that, sorry!) but hell, no. Ginzeng Renewing Cream is much better. It can be use anytime, any place, with better result and less allergic problem. My skin literally glowy and seems healthy with Ginseng Renewing Cream. Perhaps because it’s reNEWing while the other is VITALIZING.

Here I’m not doing Sulwhasoo’s suggested way of applying mask (which include some mandatory massage and a lot of circling) because my skin hate to be touch. It’s went angry red and itchy. I just applied it like moisturizer and that’s it.

Result after application :

Well moisturized. Better result achieved if used together with Clarifying Mask. No extra glow here, and pain in face if applied wrongly.

It’s not a holy grail, and I don’t think I’d ever repurchase til I missed it.

Do you have some suggestion for me, which other sulwhasoo does amazing job? I already tried Herbclinic too (not really great) and Harmonizen (burning my face) and their basic toner and moisturizer. Oh and First Treatment Essence too (good but not extra ordinary).

Thank you for reading, hope my post help you to decide ^___^

ps. if you need ingredient list, please go ahead to Sulwhasoo's official website. I am refering to us.sulwhasoo.com here because it's simple and done in English :)

pps. if you're wondering why i dont put Overnight Vitalizing Mask's result up there, because i can't wait whole night long with mask in my hand LOL. And no, no just wake up picture for blog. Thank you!

instagram @taniaasvs

and i'm selling beauty stuff and everything in between @Primafacie_Corner

MY ACNE-CARE ROUTINE

Battling with acne? You might want to read this.

My favorite (and so far, best) weapon to fighting acne are exfoliants. I usually do a round of BHA - AHA – Sulwhasoo Clarifying Mask to keep my skin clearer (though I am still having some minor acne, but it much much better) and in addition, using Benzoyl Peroxide in spot(s).

My favorite brand of course, Paula Choice, followed by Sulwhasoo and La Roche Posay. Their product mostly suit me, and by that means causing less trouble to my skin.

According to Paula Begoun (Paula Choice’s founder), use whatever cleanser that works for you. For me, it’s usually Himalaya Neem Facial Wash or Foaming Facial Wash. It’s supposed to help with acne, but not too necessary. I like how my skin feels after using them, but if I can’t have it then it’s okay. I currently have none of them (so no picture), and using Garnier Rice Facial Wash and Charchoal Soap Bar instead. Both works just fine.

Okay, first, EXFOLIANT.

It’s necessary to help your skin. I am not using scrub and physical exfoliant, they causing me break-out. I am not trusting gel exfoliant too, so yeah skip on it.

As seen on picture, I’m using Paula Choice 2% BHA Liquid and 8% AHA Gel. Paula Choice Clear Anti Redness Exfoliating Solution (Blue bottle, currently empty) is basically the same with 2% BHA Liquid, so I bought 2% BHA Liquid because it’s cheaper.

BHA (Salicylic Acid)  is most likely used by oily and acne prone skin because it’s ability to get through oils that clog pores, and normalizing the lining of misshapen pores that creates acne. BHA also has anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial properties that suit acne prone and sensitive skin well.

I usually applying BHA after toner (if I’m using one) or right after cleanser using cotton pad. Some might not agree with my method, but I think it works better to me that using with bare hand. Perhaps cotton pad provides some extra exfoliating properties?

However, sometimes, after applying BHA, my skin feels so dry and uncomfortable. If it’s happen, then I’ll take my Evian Facial Mist and spray all over my face. It solves. 

Function :

Creates radiant, even toned skin

Reduces redness and builds collagen

Unclog and diminished enlarged pores

Prevent breakouts

Assist skin healing

Treats acne

AHA (Glycolic Acid) usually works better on dry skin. Because while exfoliating, it doesn’t drying and added moisture content to your skin. BHA only might be enough for Acne, but I think AHA will help to improve my skin texture and acne scar. And sometimes, my skin doesn’t really feels oily.

I use AHA right after cleanser (or toner if I’m using one), without cotton pad, because mine is in gel form. It’s so much more convenient. I use it for my back acne too and it’s works great.

If I’m using AHA the night before, in morning my skin seems much more radiant and fresh. Perhaps its in collagen production or what. But as we know, it doesn’t help with acne at all.

Function :

Creates radiant, even toned skin

Reveals new, younger skin

Stimulates collagen production

Both cause me a little bit over IDR. 400,000 but a good thing, both just need a little amount each use. I think I’ve finished a 4 o.z BHA bottle in 6 month, used on daily basis.

Second, TREATMENT

How useful and amazing these stuff are!

Left to right :

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (5.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and 0.4% LHA), La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+], Paula Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment (5% Benzoyl Peroxide), and from local brand, Benzolac – CL (Benzoyl Peroxide 5% and Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%).

What? Do you think they are too much? Oops. Yes, you don’t need that many. Just one or maybe two, is enough.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (5.5% Benzoyl Peroxide and 0.4% LHA) is the first treatment I bought to solve acne. It’s the one that open my eyes too the wonderfulness of Benzoyl Peroxide and exfoliant world. It supposed to use on spot only, but I’ve tried to use it all over my face and it’s okay. I love it so much, but not the price tag. This one is American version, and cost me a good IDR. 450,000 for 40ml of product. Ugh. Sooo I move to local brand :

Benzolac – CL (Benzoyl Peroxide 5% and Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%), which also available in 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide version. It’s waaaay much cheaper at IDR. 32,000 for 10g of product. Yes. Works just fine, but I don’t think using Clindamycin phosphate on daily basis is a good thing (causing another trouble) so I just use it while travelling. Much smaller and cheaper, right?

Paula Choice Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment (5% Benzoyl Peroxide) is a part of Paula Choice Clear skin range, and I first tried it together with their BHA exfoliant. Price wise, it’s about IDR. 330,000 for 67 ml of product. Not cheap but cheaper than La Roche Posay one.

The only problem is, sometimes it’s feel a bit harsh on my skin, and a bit feels drying. No patch skin to show though. Just a tad uncomfortable for me.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo [+] is Europen version, which use no Benzoyl Peroxide nor LHA. It’s supposed to correct imperfection and reduce redness. No Benzoyl Peroxide here, but it has my favorite Niacinamide. It can be use all over face (not just on spot), leaves matte finish and even skintone. Feels so good on skin, and cheaper that her American version, but it’s harder to get.

This one cost me less than IDR. 300,000 for 40 ml.

In addition, MASK

A thing that bother me more than acne is acne scar. Yes, acne is disturbing but it’s scar is disturbing more, and last longer on you. No joke, I still have some from my High School era. UGH.

Paula Begoun has said that old acne scar are unable to be solve with products, you need to see dermatologist and take serious care about them. But I hate seeing dermatologist, and won’t take skin implant or what. NO.

I heard Sulwhasoo has something to reduce pore size and clean skin, Clarifying Mask. Been in so many blog to check reviews about it and everyone think it’s amazing. Basically it’s an peel-off mask to help you took away dead skin cell, reduce pore size and brighten your skin. Works better while combined with Overnight Vitalizing Mask. Both loaded of Korean Herbal Ingredient, which serve many Korean Royal before.

True, my skin seems much clearer in different way from BHA and AHA. My pores seem smaller and cleaner. My black acne scar which a got several days before first Sulwhasoo mask trial, been much thinner and brown after first use. After second use, it’s being red. Third use, it’s just another soft red spot. Nice!

Overnight Vitalizing Mask help to moisture, which I rarely do in my complex acne treatment. Feels a tad heavy on skin and uncomfortable at first. Leaving my skin plump and healthy looking.

Clarifying Mask is IDR. 170,000 for 50ml and Overnight Vitalizing Mark is IDR. 150,000 for 30ml of product.

while using those steps, i also aware that :

• Wearing BHA, AHA and Benzoyl Peroxide causing skin sensitivity to sun screen. I always use SPF product at daily basis, and reapply every mid day. SPF 30 up is better, but if you’re stay-at-home or indoor kind of type, than below 30 is okay. Do not ever expose your skin under sun.
• At night, always do double cleansing. This is so important to cleansing from sunscreen and foundation residue.
• Don't ever use BHA and AHA and exfoliating mask at the same time. You can use AHA in the morning and BHA at night, but not both at night.

I know I spent a lot (A LOT!) in acne treatment routine, but skin is investation right?

I am happy spent a good amount of money in product that works, than in trial. So far, I have no regret for any of them. All are wonderful and works better than products I’ve tried before. And I think I’ve spent more on dermatologist before, which result me a good 6 month away from acne, but they’re still back and back and back.

Besides, I just tried to take Apple Cider Vinegar on daily basis orally. Some research said it’s help from inside.

Have you try any of these? Hope you love them as much as I do :D

 

instagram @taniaasvs
selling beauty stuff and everything in between @Primafacie_Corner

My Favorites in 2014

My blog was started in 2012, and since established, I haven’t do any real “Best Product of the Year” kind of post. Sorry for being late, but here it is :

Tania’s favorite Beauty Product in 2014!

Looking back, in 2014 my skin has up and down journey. Been sorrow and joy, these are my favorites :

SKINCARE

Holy Grail : Paula Choice Clear Anti Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid

My absolute favorites. DOES clean my skin and makes it way much much much better. Now I am just using it like 2-3 times a week to maintain the clearness. The only cons is just price. But well, I’d go for it.

Second, also from Paula Choice : Clear Daily Skin Clearing Treatment with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Hey, I’ve just said my skin is much much much much better, then why do I need another treatment? Because I still get acne during my period. Amount vary from 1 silent acne to 4 horrible acne. This product helps. Cons? Price and sometimes it’s sting.

Third is Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream.

Mine is in sample size (and I keep buying sample size because regular size cost a Fortune, no joke).

I have oily skin and mostly, cream moisturizer wouldn’t work. This one works, and could be function as moisturizer, night cream, eye cream (no cream bleeding) and has anti oxidant that help with spot.

Fourth, Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Foaming Face Wash (also the one in tube. I run out of it so no picture)

Thanks God I’ve found this. It’s considerably expensive compared to another drugstore brand here, but only fraction compared to Korean Facial Wash. Plus, it’s free from Parabens, SLS/SLES and Phthalates. It’s helps prevent acne and cleanse well. This one is my second foaming bottle and I’ve just finished my second tube.

Fifth, Evian Natural Mineral Water

I know it's said to be far less amazing than Avene Facian Mist, but it's far more affordable here in Indonesia and i think for me, it's done the job very well.

Last, also from Paula Choice is Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

It has Retinol and help to fade my acne scars. 2% salicylic acid does the job quite well but it works faster with SBSACS (gosh, what a long name!).

MAKE UP

 

Since I’m not wearing make up much, I only got 2 super-favorites :

Urban Decay Naked 3

No introduction needed, I guess?

Well, first I don’t think I could pull the Rose Gold theme but thankfully, it turn so good. I rarely wear my naked 2 now. Naked 3 ROCKS!

Coty Airspun Translucent Extra Coverage Loose Powder

Maybe it’s too fast to say it’s favorites in 2014, since I just bought it about end of November but I found nothing work as great as this one, even the ingredient is out of my usual picks, but still. I’m in love.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Body Polish

I’ve praised it so high in my review post (click here to read) and this one is my second tube of vanilla. Faves.

Nivea Daily Protection Sun Lotion Light Feeling SPF 25 PA ++

Remember how I always complained why there’s no good sun lotion? They’re always feel heavy on my skin. Those that lights, has no SPF. No wonder my skintone getting darker and darker.

However, thanks Nivea to bring this cute blue tube to Indonesia. It’s really feels like on my skin. And SPF 25 is enough too. Bought 5 bottles when it launching sale for IDR. 15,000/100ml each. CHEAP.

Have you tried any of these? Does them impressed you?

Check my instagram @Primafacie_Corner (selling beauty stuff, ready stock) and @taniaasvs for beauty reviews :)