I was getting ready to recycle a few products that I used up this week, and I thought “products that I used up” might be an interesting blogpost topic. I admit that I have a difficult time throwing away products that I haven’t finished. Instead, they usually languish on my countertop or in the bin underneath my sink.
But today, I’m recycling 5 skincare products, and I have different feelings about each of them. Because there are 5, these will not be full-length product reviews but instead give you an overview.
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash
I discovered this product a few years ago from Jeff’s older daughter who has the most beautiful, fair, perfect skin. She left a bottle of this cleanser at his house when she went off to college. I was out of my cleanser so I tried hers, and I was instantly hooked.
Purpose is soap-free, hypoallergenic, doesn’t clog pores, and is recommended by dermatologists. It’s made by Johnson & Johnson. It won an Allure Editor’s Choice Award in 2008.
I like a cleanser that lathers because it makes me feel like it’s doing something. I’m old-fashioned that way. This one makes plenty of lather, but it doesn’t strip your skin at all. It is extremely gentle. That is very important for skin over 40. Even if you still have somewhat oily skin, you don’t want to dry it out too much.
You can buy Purpose just about anywhere. Purpose is a product that I always replace when I use it up. I bought it at CVS with a 30% off coupon. The larger size, 12 oz./355 mL, is priced at $10.75 at CVS, but I saw it at Ulta for $2 less! (Glad I had that coupon for CVS!). It also comes in a smaller, 6 oz. size. Try this product. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
episilk by hyalogic Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, and it works by helping your skin hold onto moisture. Back in January, I thought I should add hyaluronic acid to my skincare regimen. I researched it online, and I decided to purchase episilk by hyalogic from Amazon: 1 fl.oz. for about $40, I think. Actually I can’t remember what I really paid for it. Now, the price ranges from about $40-$47 depending on where you get it. It comes in a pump bottle.
The pure hyaluronic acid serum is a thick, clear liquid. I applied a small amount on my face, and I had to wait a few minutes for it to sink in/dry before applying moisturizer. It had a strange smell, like herbs or chemicals.
The serum definitely helped my skin feel less dry this winter. Since I used this bottle up a few weeks ago, I have not taken any action to replace it. The aesthetics of this product were a little off-putting: the scent, the fact that I had to wait for it to dry etc. A lot of skincare products have hyaluronic acid in them now, so I didn’t feel that I have to hurry to buy more. I was thinking that in the winter when I may want to use more of it than is in my moisturizer, I may try a different brand.
Missha Rose Water Softening Cream
If you’re not familiar with it, Missha is a big skincare and makeup brand from Korea. Missha products are very affordable but good quality. The products usually come in girly, cute packaging.
A few years ago, they opened a store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. One day when I was there on business, I wandered in and bought a few items to try: different soaps and a jar of Rose Water Softening Cream. The rose scent was amazing. I couldn’t resist. It’s a thick cream that I used when my skin was especially dry or when I just wanted to smell the roses!
Now, the Missha Rose Water product line is repositioned for combination and oily skin, and the Softening Cream has been discontinued. It has been replaced with Rose Water Controlling Jelly Cream that appears to be a lightweight gel moisturizer. I like gel moisturizers especially for summer, but I have dry skin so I don’t think it’ll work for me. Sad. I loved the rose scent. Oh well.
Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover
For years, and I mean lots of years, I never strayed from Maybelline’s oil-free eye makeup remover. But it was often sold out at CVS or Walmart, and the price really creeped up for a very small container of product. One day when the Maybelline remover was not available at CVS and I needed something immediately, I decided to try Neutrogena instead. I trust Neutrogena products.
This is the second bottle of Neutrogena I purchased and used up. My assessment is that it’s OK, nothing great. It claims to be “effective and gentle”. It is gentle. It claims “removes even waterproof mascara”. Well, technically it does, if you use lots of the remover and really tug at it. I find that Neutrogena leaves behind a lot of product. Usually, after removing my eye makeup with Neutrogena, I wash my face with Purpose and make sure I wash my eyes as well to get off what Neutrogena didn’t really remove.
Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover is widely available, and the price ranges from about $6-8 for 3.8 fl. oz/112 mL.
I did not repurchase the product this time. Instead, I bought Rimmel. Review coming soon.
Perlier White Almond Absolute Comfort Shower Cream
It is with great sadness that I finished up the Perlier White Almond Shower Cream that I got from iFabbo. I reviewed it in June, and you can read my full review on the White Almond and the other 3 scents of shower cream and body lotion that came in the Travel Kit.
Suffice it to say, I loved this product. So much so that I bought it…or I thought I bought it but didn’t. Instead, I bought Perlier White Almond Shower Cream and Rich Moisturizing Cream that came in aqua and white packaging and didn’t say Absolute Comfort. They are very moisturizing and have a lovely scent, but the scent is closer to Jergen’s original cherry almond scent than to Perlier’s White Almond Absolute Comfort Scent. The Absolute Comfort scent is hard to describe: it’s almond-y, but it’s a bit more medicinal but in a good way. It’s actually “comforting” rather than merely “sweet”.
So when I use up the Perlier White Almond products that I just bought, I’ll replace them with the Absolute Comfort version. Not a tragedy, but a disappointment.
Which skincare or makeup products do you always use up and replace? Please share because those products are always the best products!
As you may already know, Never Say Die Beauty is running a giveaway until August 15, 2013 in conjunction with sponsor, Midnight Velvet, a stylish and contemporary women’s fashion and home decor brand. The prize is a $50 Gift Card to spend via Midnight Velvet’s website or catalogue. Please enter the contest by leaving a comment on the blogpost, “Christmas in August“. (I do not share your email address.) I would appreciate your support on this so that Midnight Velvet will work with me again. Thanks in advance!
I love the purpose, too. It’s a dupe for Clinique’s facial wash.
Arielle recently posted…Battle of the Products: Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream v Maybelline Color Tattoo
I didn’t know that Purpose was a dupe for Clinique’s facial wash! I can only guess that the Clinique is more than $20. Now I feel even better about recommending Purpose!!