Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser

Whenever I am going through my time of the month (magazine deadlines), My face gets all hormonal with me. First comes an itch, and then the skin twitches, and oh a few spots start to sprout leaving me restless. So to make peace with my facial peppering of acne, I have been cleansing with this Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser.

 For blemish to oily skin types, it claims to dissolve impurities and junk while deep cleansing the skin for a matte looking complexion. Tea Tree essential oils coupled with Zinc PCA work on disinfecting and controlling outbreaks while Kaolin clay minimizes pores and soaks up facial oils.

 Smells kind of Body Shop-ish, this woody herby scented cleanser spreads onto skin suspiciously like a clay mask (reminds me of a finer and creamier version of the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque). I tend to leave this on a minute or two as a mask due to its consistency to allow the kaolin clay to soak up the nasties. FYI, Skin does tingle a little (My mind goes it works it works. Maniac laughter) while it dries. After a good two minutes, I apply a little bit of this on my Clarisonic mia and proceed to clean my face for luminous clarified skin. No stings and redness encountered with this one.

 Verdict:
Does clean out an oily and troubled complexion effectively without the tightness and rawness experienced from traditional acne cleansers. Leaves skin brighter and clarified without drying it out too. However, if sudsy foamy cleansers are your thing, do consider another option as this is a low sud and foam cleanser.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser retails at S$15 at all Watsons Stores

Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum

I went a little wild during the crazy month of October, I actually bought a whole bunch of Naruko Stuff at Watsons during my moment of weakness and this was one of my spoils, the Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum.

Formulated for asian skin, this milky serum will brighten up dull complexions, boost moisture levels, tighten and tauten up loose skin while deferring the signs of aging. Similar to the Narcissus Serum, it contains a patented Phytoferulin Complex and is made free of parabens, preservatives and artificial ingredients.

I personally like this packaging better as it came with a pump dispenser instead of the dropper mechanism used in the Narcissus Serum. Lightly scented with flowery magnolia notes, I liberally applied 5 pumps of this to cover my face and neck (well, more is more). Effects wise, not much of a drastic lift or astounding skin tightening properties with this one, its only redeeming factor was it gave a better brightening effect to my complexion compared to the Narcissus serum. But on a good note, this is perhaps one of the very few whitening serums that did not break me out while I was on it.

Verdict:
Get this if you are in need of a good daytime serum for brightening and basic hydration. Does prep skin by plumping it out so lines look less severe and deep.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Naruko Taiwan Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum retails at S$26.90 at all Watsons Outlets.

Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Fundamental Serum

I went back to reservist last week (if you are an avid reader of my blog, you’ll know from my posts last week amongst the bitching and moaning). Yes groomies, I went back to camp. And nope I was not in the mood to go purely commando with just a facial cleanser during my stint in there. Thus, to address my skincare needs, I brought along this nifty multifunctional Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Fundamental Serum with me as part of my cleanse, treat and moisturize regime.

A multifunctional serum that smoothens out fine lines while rebuilding the skins natural resilience to daily aggressions, it relieves dryness and firms up a saggy face while imparting anti-aging agents deep into the skin. Skin tone is also given a brightening boost as it contains a patented Phytoferulin Complex and arbutin to clear away dark spots. Gentle and eco-friendly, it’s made free of parabens, preservatives and artificial ingredients.

Dispensed using a dropper mechanism, I particularly like the soft and wafting Narcissus scent which greeted me. Its quite thick when you first dispense it but transforms into a rather fluid essence that absorbs very quickly into the skin (this baffles me to no end). Results are almost immediate as I noticed skin felt and looked very plumped out and lifted once this serum sank in. Despite the searing hot temperatures (in a military camp), this serum somehow stayed non-greasy/sticky while I perspired. Used night and day, My skin looked more even toned and less ashened looking (thanks to its wonderful hydrating properties) without encountering any pimples or skin allergies. However, this is not a whitening product but more of a brightening product (which means it will give you a glow but will not take skin tone a notch fairer).

Verdict: Hydration (check), skin clarity (check), firming (check) and quick absorption (check). Wonderful multipurpose serum if you are thinking of packing light or in the mood to cut back on layering too many items. However, do be prepared to double dip with the dropper dispenser as it does not pick up much product.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Fundamental Serum retails at S$26.90 at all Watsons Outlets.

NARUKO Narcissus Total Defense Night Gelly

NARUKO Narcissus Total Defense Night Gelly. Night Gelly? Could it be some new hybrid classification of skincare unknown to me? Well dear readers, I would like to classify this product as a sleeping mask. Apparently NARUKO products are a line of Taiwanese skincare developed and endorsed by Niu-Er from the Taiwanese TV program: “女人我最大”where he is on a panel of advisors in areas of skincare and grooming. Sounds credible to me but I digress!

I was not completely blown away by the simple packaging but there was a surprise twist. The box could be folded out into a stationery stand for putting pencils and pens. Turns out, NARUKO has created their products with the theme of recycling and reuse on the drawing boards during product development. Such an effort gets 5 stars from me.

The product works as an overnight mask while deliver antioxidants and hydration into the skin while withholding the signs of aging. Skin will look hydrated and radiant.

The texture was quite thick and opaque coloured but spreads rather evenly on the skin. Scent wise, it has a faint whiff of Chinese herbs (however, my colleague who uses this says that’s the smell of a narcissus plant). Hygiene wise, the tub does come with a tiny white spatula for scooping out the gel.

After two weeks of putting it to the testing board and here are my findings:

WEEK 1: I used this every night after applying my advanced night repair. I noticed a slight glow but woe to me I found myself breaking out with 2 pimples along the chin area. Perhaps it’s the skin adapting to this product.

WEEK 2: I changed it to using it on alternate nights and found that I had no more breakouts and skin looks comfortably dewy.

Verdict: I find that NARUKO is a good basic sleeping mask for those with oily and combination skin. It does do the job of hydrating and imparting a subtle bounce to skin but I would not recommend it to readers who are seeking instant gratification.

Signing Off:
The Grooming Editor