My Latest Skin Care Products Discoveries

I've been lately pretty busy trying new recipes and settling down a couple of new projects I am working on, plus my non-stop blogging about way too many topics. Somehow, I felt that I neglected a bit my usual skin care routine, and although I do have a couple of interesting products in my closet, I was rather either too lazy or too tired to start something new. The results were not satisfactory for my skin, therefore, the last week I finally went out of my bubble and got a couple of products to try. Yeah, even though I do have a whole shelf in my fridge only for my masks, it seems it is never enough so buying new ones sounded like the best thing to do.

My purchases were from ISANA, a brand that is usually fine both in terms of budget and quality therefore it haven't dramatically challenged my financial projections for the week. The results, in all three cases were good and at least for one product, I would love to keep using it for a longer time.

Here are my latest finds and a short review of their results on my skin.

1. ISANA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

I love to use repair products and creams in the night, because is the only time when my skin can really rest, staying under the same temperature for more than 3 hours, as during the day I am always very active and going out and back to the house is not always a great deal for my skin, especially when the temperature gap might be pretty big. I've started to use this cream a couple of days ago, and from the first use I felt how good it does to my skin. At first, there was a bit of stretching feeling, but early in the morning, my skin looked great, fresh and regenerated. It is already too early to assess all the positive things, as the recommendation is to use it for at least one month, which I will probably do. No allergic reactions, no fragrance, smooth texture. All I need to keep a product part of my usual skin care routine.

2. Sheet Bubble Mask

I love way too much the sheet masks, but I never tried before a bubble mask. Apparently I am quite late when it comes to trend updates, as they are quite a thing for a couple of time already. What those masks do have different from any other mask is that once you put the sheet on your face, a foam is creating little by little. This foam allows a deep cleaning of the pores, leaving your face deeply clean. Except the funny sound of the foam bubble, there is nothing else going on with this mask. I was relatively happy with the results and would love to try more such products.

3. Lips and Eyes mask

My lips suffer dearly during the winter and I always have to keep in mind to use extra lip balms. A mask that will actually kill all the unpleasant looking dried cells and give a more fresh look to the lips is always a good idea. Out of all the three products, I cannot say yet too much about this mask, though. It is easy to apply and didn't experience any negative effects, but I didn't see too much change either. It is recommended to use it a couple of times the week, which I am doing right now, so hopefully there will be more noticeable results to notice soon. However, it looks like a good idea, easy to carry on when on the road and easy to apply in between two, three busy assignments at home. 

Everyday Ingredients of Mitomo Masks

In the last weeks, I continued testing a new batch of Mitomo masks. After experiencing the positive effects of some very special ingredients, like horse oil, for instance, or the face sheets with hyaluron or other basic ingredients that are becoming so popular lately, this time most of the products included everyday substances.

A special note on the design of each package: as a regular user of beauty products, especially face masks, I noticed a stereotypical disregard to the way in which the masks are presented. In Europe you have generally some glowing woman face smiling from a shining package where you have a lot of written details about the products. This batch of masks from Mitomo, do have a lot of written details too, but inserted among well chosen inspired images of the ingredients. It is not only about entincing the customer to buy it, but offering a product tailored according to the highest quality standards.

Back to my experience with the masks now. This time, I decided to use them at the beginning of the day, as I started to have very early mornings due to the shortening of the light hours. Shortly before being awake, I decided to start applying a mask while for the next 20 minutes I keep myself busy checking the latest social media updates and planning the rest of the day. It was my own meditation moment to open the morning. 

Each of the sheet has 25 gr. and is heavily soaked into liquid. It works for all skin types and I personally did not experience any negative effects. As usual, the masks were kept in the fridge overnight, for a refreshing effect in addition to the nourishing.

I started with Camellia Essence Mask, using camellia flower, an ingredient of the Japanese cuisine or drinks. What I did not know is that there is camellia oil which is rich in vitamins such as A, B, D and E or nourishing Omega 3, 6 and 9, having a higher concentration of antioxidants than almost any other botanically derived oil.

The green tea doesn't neet too much introduction as an excellent product for both the food and beauty industry. As a face mask, it has a deep cleansing effect, eliminating any blemishes or rashes and red spots. After applying the Green Tea Essence Mask, the skin looked well hydrated and youthful, ready to cope with an overwhelming busy day.

The Rice Leaven Essence Mask may smell a little bit compared to the previous too which are fragrance free, but this highly moistured sheet mask is the perfect antidote to a tired face. After 30 minutes of applying it - I wanted to treat my face with an extra 10 minutes of morning care - the good nutrition mix of ingredients - rice protein, SOD, beta glucon, Vitamin B, among many others - my face went through a radical lift and it looked perfectly rested. 

Another good remedy for a tired skin was the Soy Bean Essence Mask, as soy has amazing natural effects, reducing irritation, improving considerably the skin texture, building the useful resources of collagen and fighting efficiently the damage produced by sun. 

Many of the masks do have, besides the beautifying effect, clear healing and skin care effects. By using face sheets, the chances of increasing the efficiency of the product, as the substance stays longer on the skin are higher. The Tea Tree Essence Mask by Mitomo is recommended especially if you are trying to offer a special protection to your skin. The tea tree has antiseptic and anti-fungal benefits, reducing the risk and effects of infection. It helps considerably against skin infections, burns or rashes and it is recommended to use it especially during the summer when some of us might forget the use a proper skin cream. It has a smooth Tiger balm smell but it worked perfectly deep into the skin tissues and my face looked regenerated and fresh, after only 20 minutes.

The most exotic ingredient of this batch of masks is Sake Essence Mask. I am not a big fan of sake drink, but I may acknowledge its benefits for the skin, such as moisturizing - due to the high concentration of glycerol and amino acids. What I did not know either is that you can also add some drops of sake to your bath water, with a better moisturizing and heat-retention effects. At least I have one more serious reason to reconsider my opinions on sake.

Meanwhile, my next batch of Mitomo masks are quietly waiting in my fridge to be tested in the next days. Stay tunned for more reviews!

Disclaimer: Masks offered generously by Mitomo to test, but opinions are, as usual, my own

Skin Care Product Review: Night Repair Concentrate by Schaebens

After a couple of weeks of permanent use of various capsules, it seems that I am slowly slowly integrating them into my daily skin care routine. The last week I returned to a brand that I successfully used before, Schabens, with a 5-day cure of night repair concentrate. 

I applied it on the clean skin, usually one hour before going to sleep. The apparently small capsule has enough liquid to properly cover the face and the neck in abundance, and it is a lot left for the night. The transparent liquid is very oily and has a specific smell. I used it instead of a night cream, and worked pretty well, with the morning face shining and deeply refreshed. 

Every small blue pill is made of a mixture of jojoba oil, retinole and ceramid. According to the product presentation, a regular use is aimed at increase the hydration with around 46%, improve the skin elasticity with around 40% and reduce the deep wrinkles with 37%. I didn't experience any allergic reaction and most probably would love to keep using it for the time being, as I've found it perfectly suited for my skin and with visible positive effects.

In Germany, it can be purchased at the any Rossmann drugstore chains, at a more than convenient price.

Overall, a product which I strongly recommend to every normal skin. It is easy to use with visible effects within a couple of days only. 

Beauty Review: Gold&Horse Oil Black Sheet Face Pack by Mitomo

Another week, another experience with the Mitomo masks generously offered to test by the company. This time, I tried something a bit special, ingredients-wise, at least for the Western way of looking at beauty and skin care products. 

The mask I chose for refreshing my skin after an exhausting day was Gold&Horse Oil Black Sheet Face Pack. 

The mask looks completely black, with some glittering and a discrete smell. It is highly moisturized but the effect on skin is so soothing and relaxing that I could leave it on my face over the recommended 20-30 minutes. The black colour is the result of using charcoal. After removing the mask, I massages the skin with the remaining liquid. As I usually use those masks in the evening, I leave the chance to the ingredients to develop over night. It is recommended for pore care.

The horse oil is a very popular ingredient for skin care products in Asia, particularly in Korea. It is assumed rejuvenating effects and promises a flawless skin, with highly moisturizing capabilities. I was personally more than happy with the mask and would definitely not only use it again, but recommend it to any skin-care conscious lady around.

Disclaimer: Products offered by Mitomo, but the opinions are, as usual, my own  

Skin Care Recommendation: L'Oreal Hydra Active 3

Guaranteeing a minimal care to my skin is part of my early morning daily ritual. Given my busy schedule, I always need efficient products, and it goes equally to deos, skin care creams, make-ups and perfumes, with more than 12-hour protection offered.

L'Oreal Hydra Active 3 was a good choice in this respect. I am using it for more than a month and most probably I will keep doing it for as long as the product will be available on the market. It offers 24-hour active care, with a proper hydrated skin all round the day. The 50 ml. bottle looks simple and can be easily carried for short or long trips. It contains Vitamin E, ceramid and ingredients able to offer UV-protection. The cream doesn't smell and is recommended for sensible skin too. After weeks of using, I personally didn't experience any unpleasant effects.

I prefer to apply it first thing after I am out of bed, and wait at least one hour until applying make-up. The skin looks shining and smooth by touch.

I purchased the product from the Rossmann drugstore chain in Germany, at a very convenient price. 

Overall, I had a very good experience with L'Oreal Hydra Active 3 and I recommend it to anyone looking for a minimal daily skin-care menu.