Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moist Essence EX

After recovering from a bout of hives and skin irritation, I was feeling a little taut and parched in the face. With the sensitivity going on, I decided to keep things simple for once and have been using this Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moist Essence EX to soothe and prevent any skin annoyance.

 

A basic hydrating serum that plumps out dehydrated skin with Super Hyaluronic Acid. It’s free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant (sensitive skin types rejoice).

So yes, it’ slighter thicker and viscous in texture (somewhere in between mucus glue and jam) and compared to the lotion. But I seriously enjoy patting this in as it puffs out my once dreary and sunken skin to leave it dewy and bright. On a side note, it seems to “understand” me, as I haven’t broken out from a week’s use of this. Besides my face, I have also been mixing this with my body lotion (the decadence!) to give skin that extra oomph and bounce. Perhaps the age-old saying is true, skin does heal itself better with hydration.

Verdict:
Recommended for fans of “drug store” products, this silent but well performance serum hydrates and leaves skin bouncing with moisture. However, do take time to pat this in to aid absorption.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moist Essence EX retails at S$30.90 at all Watson’s Stores

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Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion

I’ve been away nursing my hives infested skin (which has been healing beautifully for those who are concerned). Nope, it’s not that grisly a sight with open pores and oozing sores but I would love to describe it as a nice sprinkle of raised rashes (are you cowering in disgust my dear groomies?) Since I am on day 3 and it seems to be clearing up, I have decided to keep the skincare routine simple with the Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion.

A lotion that replenishes skin’s moisture, it contains Retinol, Collagen and Hyaluronic acid to significantly smooth away fine lines and wrinkles while aiding skin to regenerate itself into its original smooth, soft and supple slate while acting as a prep for the products that follow. It is free of fragrances, mineral oils, alcohol and colorant like its predecessor (the whitening and super hyaluronic acid range). Plus it has a low irritation label to it and is pH balanced to suit skin.

Very thick indeed, this yellow tinged lotion. I was liberally patting (no slapping as the skins irritated this time round) 7 drops of this (flashbacks of the hada labo arbutin lotion and my silly slapping self). Funny, this absorbs into my parched skin almost immediately compared to the arbutin lotion despite its thicker consistency. It did provide some relief to the irritated areas but oh. Skin feels so bouncy and taut (not in a bad sense). I cannot vouch for its anti-aging abilities as of yet as yours truly is still a lineless juicy grape (to quote the mum: “ you look more like an orange with visible pores sans lines.”) but I am going to say I love this for its rich and hydrating properties. However, the researcher in me would advise using this at night as Retinol when used or exposed to direct sunlight can actually deepen wrinkles and risk irritation and blisters due to its photosensitive nature.

Verdict: Its definitely hydrating and gives skin that bounce signature to all the Hada Labo products. A good budget friendly product to introduce into your skin care layering rituals as it won’t break the bank with its budget friendly price.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion retails at S$25.90 at all Watsons Stores.

Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash

I normally tend to shy away from products that scream “Chemical Exfoliant” or “Acid” (Acid Jazz, yes. Acid to melt away a layer of skin? No). Rubbish jesting aside, I bought this tube of Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash to exfoliate whatever dead skin cells I’ve had thanks to a unstable sleeping biological clock.

A face wash that is a combination of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (pronounced as A.H.A not aha!) and BHA (my arch nemesis Salicyclic Acid). With its low irritation and gentle exfoliation formula, this cleanser will remove dead skin buildup and dirt deep in the pores for smoother, brighter and refined skin.

I like it because:
• Free of fragrances (very good to use. I like it)
• My friend of a friend says its is very good and we take many pictures nice nice coz my skin is nice.

* Okay I got rid of that irritating gnome who was posing as me.

Yes, where were we, oh yes, this is a low foaming cleanser by the way. This means it won’t lather up into a bubbly foam of lethal cleansing power. No weird antiseptic or acidic smell to this but it does leave skin a little bit dry after a good rinse. I did not experience any form of itching and burning with this product (remember I once said I was allergic to BHA aka Salicyclic Acid?) and it does leave skin looking brighter and whiter after a good scrub down with this, however, I do confess I only use this at night as AHA/BHA products tend to react to sunlight and make you a shade darker when used in the day (this problem can be countered with SPF but I am much too timid for taking chances).

Verdict: For Groomies in need of a refinement and clarity, a clean down with this will probably bring you closer to that reality.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA/BHA Exfoliating Face Wash retails at S$12.90 and is available at all Watsons Stores.

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Gel

The air conditioning is cranked up in the T3 office and I’m beating the chapped lip movement (while the other blokes are battling bad breath due to their dehydration issues) with this Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Gel.

A transparent lip gel brimming with Super Hyaluronic Acid, this gel will heal and soothe dry chapped lips and restore them to their original pristine soft state by providing deep moisturization.

Do ignore the stubble as I’ve been in a feministic non shaving mood. Firstly, I love this lip gel, as it does not have a “waxy paraffin taste” that you get from kissing a Madame Tussard wax figurine (not that I’ve attempted). Has a good slip to this, a small dollop is all I need to coat lips in slick moisture. (I nearly swallowed a drink straw thanks to this). Forms a thick veil over lips to heal and seal all the damage ( I can almost see my dead skin dislodging a minute later after slicking this on while the lips look comforted and dewy as the picture above) plus it works as a great lip-gloss substitute and primer; just slick this over a favorite lipstick to transform it into a gloss.

Verdict: A very hydrating, soothing and definitely very non-irritating lip gel (due to its fragrance, alcohol, colorant and mineral oil free formulation). Groomies in a need of a lil lip TLC should carry a stash of this with them always.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lip Gel retails at S$12.90 at all Watsons Personal Care Stores.

Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion

We met along the aisles of Watsons, it had me at hello. A silent and quiet strength in a simple looking package, I soon found my world had became a little more brighter and livelier since we met. A skincare romance.

Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion is a face lotion containing Arbutin (bearberry extract skin lightning agent)and claims to help skin recover from accumulated sun damage etc. Hyaluronic acid (moisture magnet in layman terms) helps keep skin stay oh so ever soft and moist.

A cloudy and translucent lotion, it felt more runnier compared to the Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion (reviewed to death product. Just google for it loves). I poured about 6 drops (Why mum why do I have a big face…why…) and proceeded to slap myself silly for the lotion to be absorbed. A good sore minute later, I literally glowed with health. Perhaps it’s the symptom of dehydrated skin,I figured the Hyaluronic acid in this product somewhat plumped up my face a little and eradicated that after wash tight feeling. Honestly, it did not lighten my toffee skin to the shade of snow but i love it for it’s ability to breathe life back into dreary afterwork skin. More of an illuminating and hydration product, it acts better as a skin prep for softening and calming skin before the slathering of serums and moisturizers.

Verdict: Hold the cotton pad and splash, pat and slap this on with your palms for that softening and brightening effect. Sensitive skins applause as this product is fragrance and alcohol free.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor