The k-beauty (Korean beauty) rave is not for nothing guys! They usually have tons of effective and gentle skincare products like the Beauty of Joseon essence water. I currently have 2 k-beauty cleansers for my morning and nighttime routines and thought I should do a comparison since I have used them for about a month now. 

As much as your routine should be suited to your personal taste, a cleanser is non-negotiable for healthy skin. What’s interesting is that cleansing is the most essential step but it’s usually overlooked or seen as boring. If cleansing is not done correctly, it can compromise the skin barrier. 

Cleansers are used to remove dirt and makeup on your skin. I recommend using a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin or cause irritation. That’s the reason I’m sharing my experience with these k-beauty cleansers so if they are something you want to try out, you can get an honest opinion about them first.

The Tiam Snail and Azulene Low pH Cleanser Review

Description

This cleanser is from the popular TIAM brand and just like most Korean beauty products, it is gentle and packed with good ingredients. 

It comes in a 200ml purple tube with a white cap that has a nozzle to dispense the product. You have to ensure it’s sealed properly to avoid spillage.

The Tiam cleanser has a transparent look and is gel-like in texture (a gel cleanser). It has a mild fragrance I can’t describe but it’s almost not noticeable. 

Claims/ Ingredients

This k-beauty cleanser claims to be moisturizing and rids the skin of dirt and impurities without stripping it.

The ingredients as seen on YESSTYLE are:

mPurified Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Snail Secretion Filtrate (7%), Sodium Lauroylmethyl Isethionate, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Benzoate, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate (50ppm)oisture. 

Key components to note:

1. Snail secretion filtrate (7%)– this is a soothing ingredient that is rich in hyaluronic acid and keeps the skin moisturized and supple. 
2. Allantoin– Protects and soothes the skin
3. Panthenol– Acts as a humectant

My experience

Now to the “meat of the matter”. I have enjoyed using this cleanser! My sister and now my mum are hooked on it as a result, and we have different skin types so that is a testament to its properties. The Tiam snail and azulene low pH cleanser has a pH of 5.5 so it doesn’t disrupt your face’s pH as much which is a good property for any cleanser. 

I also like that it has its directions in English at the back of the tube. After cleansing, there was no tightness or irritation noticed and I found this blogger who shares the same experience even from the previous version of the cleanser. On two occasions, it stung my eyes, but I’ve just been making sure I don’t open my eyes when I use it.

How I used it

This cleanser was my morning and evening cleanser for a while before I got the Frudia cleanser I would review next. Now it’s my nighttime cleanser. I apply it to my wet face and massage it outwards before rinsing. After that, I carry on with the rest of my routine.

Pros 

• Gentle on the skin
• Good for sensitive skin because of its low pH
• Really affordable- 200ml for 4500-6000 naira depending on the vendor. 
• Improves the overall appearance of the skin thanks to its ingredients.

Cons 

I can’t fault this product but if I had to give any con it would be how easily the cap moves which can be messy if not sealed properly.

Where to Shop

I got on Beauty by Daz for 4,950 naira,  but you can get it from any of the stores here

Pro Tips for cleansing: 

1. Always wash your hands first before cleansing.
2. Extend the cleanser to your neck.
3. Apply your cleanser in circular motions and outwards as that helps massage the skin and circulates blood flow. 

Sign up for more skincare tips and blog updates:

The Frudia Citrus Brightening Micro Cleansing Foam Review

Description

Frudia is another k-beauty brand I didn’t know about till I started looking for another cleanser to add to my stash. They have a wide range of variants and use fruits as a distinguishing mark. In this case, mine is citrus. 

I love their characteristic bright packaging. This cleanser comes in a bright yellow 145ml pack similar to TIAM’s snail cleanser- just the color difference.

The cleanser has a white look and is creamy in texture. The pack says it contains microbeads so that’s worth knowing. It also has a citrusy fragrance.

claims/ ingredients

The Frudia cleanser claims to be brightening as it contains Jeju citrus peel, naturally occurring vitamin C, and a combination of fruit oils like mango, apricot, grape, and grapefruit. It’s also said to be brightening and refreshing.

The ingredients are listed below:

Water, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Glycol Distearate, Sorbitan Olivate, PEG-32, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyquaternium-39, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Oleic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Capric Acid, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Pearl Extract, Solanum Lycopersium (Tomota) Seed oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, MangiferaIndica (Mango) Seed Oil, Citrus Paradisi ( Grapefruit) Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal

My experience

I wasn’t expecting that texture! It is so creamy and I thought it was a moisturizer I bought, lol. After noticing that it lathers well, I started using a dime-sized amount. The fragrance is my favorite thing about this cleanser as it smells like oranges.

On the first day I used it, it felt dry. Although I attributed that to the quantity and adjusted it in subsequent uses. So far, it still pales in comparison to the TIAM one in terms of how non-stripping the latter is. 

One thing I noticed is that it leaves my skin “feeling” clean and looking for moisture. I’ve also been using it almost daily as part of my morning routine but sometimes I alternate between the TIAM one because of that “drying” feel this gives me.

How I used it

This cleanser is relegated to my morning routine as I focus on hydrating my skin during the day. That’s how I’ve been able to use the cleanser.

Pros 

• Has good cleaning properties
• Pretty affordable- 145ml for less than 5000 naira on most sites.

Cons 

• Can be drying
• It may not be suitable for daily use depending on your skin type
• It may not be suitable for sensitive skin because of the microbeads

Where to Shop

I got mine on BeautybyDaz as well for 4500 naira.

Verdict

These k-beauty cleansers are worth trying but from my experience, I would definitely be repurchasing the TIAM one but not this FRUDIA variant.

FAQs contains bonus tips for you, my skincare bestie!

Cleansing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a cleanser do?

A cleanser or face wash is the first item in a skincare routine that basically rids your skin of dirt and impurities from exposure.

2. How often should I use it?

Ideally twice a day. Morning and night. Some estheticians and beauty influencers say once for sensitive skin but I’m yet to be part of that camp.

3. What type should I get?

There are different types of cleansers I would delve into in detail in another blog post. Cleansers come in different forms, but the one you should get is based on your skin concerns or skin type as well as the ingredients. This reel by one of my favorite skin influencers explains the different cleansers for skin types.

Some brands put out the skin type that their cleanser is suited for like Cerave’s line of cleansers, while some others like Simple kind-to-skin cleansers are generally suited for all skin types.

Have you tried any of these cleansers? Do you have a favorite cleanser currently?

Tell me in the comments, I would love to know!

Connect with me here:

INSTAGRAM // TIKTOK // BLOGLOVIN’ // PINTEREST

If you’re looking for an affordable and effective moisturizer, chances are that you’ve seen the Simple hydrating light moisturizer or the Simple replenishing moisturizer. Simple is that “simple”, clean, and effective brand that goes straight to the point. Their kind to skin cleanser was the first product I used from their brand and it’s usually one of the first cleansers I recommend to my friends if they are just starting their skincare journey.

For a long time, the simple hydrating light moisturizer was my staple moisturizer until I decided to try another brand. Recently I saw the replenishing moisturizer and decided to try it out and take note of the differences. If you’re wondering which simple moisturizer to try, then this review of both moisturizers is the post for you!

PS: Simple has 3 variants of their moisturisers. Light which is preferred for normal to oily skin. Rich for dry skin and the protecting light moisturiser which has SPF.  

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser Review

Description

The moisturizer comes in a white opaque plastic bottle with a screw-on flip-flop cap. Like most simple products, the packaging is simple. The moisturizer has a cream-like consistency and is white in color. There’s also no fragrance. It is 125ml and lasts for a while.

claims/ ingredients

This brand has some tried and tested claims:

• Hypoallergenic (not likely to trigger an allergy)
• No parabens ( no synthetic chemicals/preservatives)
• No ingredients derived from animals
• No alcohol
• No artificial color
• Also dermatologically tested.

It contains humectants like glycerin, emollients like panthenol, and occlusives like dimethicone.

The ingredients as seen on the Simple UK are:

Aqua, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Carbonate, Potassium Hydroxide, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Urea. 

NB- A good moisturiser should basically contain *HOE which I coined to remember the following:

• Humectants: draws water from the environment to the skin.
• Occlusive: forms a thin layer to seal in moisture.
• Emollients: binds the skin cells together to give a smoother texture.

My experience With The Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer

I used this product after my toner and I loved the hydrating feeling upon application. I don’t like my moisturizers feeling heavy on my skin. As I mentioned earlier, this is the moisturizer I keep coming back to, as I experiment more with my cleansers and SPF.

I’ve been using it mostly during the day and using the Face Facts hyaluronic face cream at night.

The cap made it easy to dispense and apply to my face and I typically only need a dime-sized amount to cover both my face and neck on a sunny day. It’s also light enough to add an extra layer when the weather is dry.

It didn’t irritate my skin or cause me to break out which is a plus. This moisturizer always feels soothing and cool on my skin upon application. I also noticed that my skin would feel supple till evening, especially during a humid day and that covers one of its claims to keep the skin moisturized. I can’t vouch for the 12 hours claim anyways. 

Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

Description

If you’re not conscious of their names, you may think that the replenishing moisturizer is the same as the light moisturizer because they look exactly alike. It also comes in a white opaque plastic bottle with the same screw-on flip-flop cap that makes for easy application.

The bottle has a quantity of 125ml as well so it lasts for a while too. Texture wise it has the same creamy consistency as the hydrating moisturizer, but is a bit thicker and has no fragrance.

claims/ ingredients

This moisturizer also has the same claims as the hydrating moisturizer. The replenishing moisturizer has a slightly different composition as it contains pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E. 

The list of ingredients is seen as follows:

Aqua, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Stearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Stearic Acid, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, C13-14Isoparaffin,Bisabolol, Laureth-7,DisodiumEDTA, SodiumHydroxide, Pantolactone, TocopherylAcetate, BHT,PentyleneGlycol, Urea, Lactic Acid, SodiumLactate, Serine, Sorbitol, SodiumChloride, Allantoin.

My Experience With The Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer

I tried this for just a month and I have mixed feelings about it. I’m trying to be conscious about the effect weather has on my skin and its response to certain products so I want to give this one some grace. 

It was thicker in consistency than the light moisturizer and doesn’t feel as soothing as the hydrating moisturizer on my skin. It felt like I was applying a thick lotion to my face. To be fair, I like lightweight moisturizers so that played a huge role in how I felt about the simple replenishing rich moisturizer.

One way I enjoyed using it was at night before I switched to my current nighttime moisturizer after doing some experimenting during night and day to gauge how my skin felt. This moisturizer is also non-greasy like the hydrating moisturizer and didn’t cause me to break out as well.

Join my community of beauty and skincare enthusaists to get skincare tips, freebies and blog updates delivered to your inbox weekly.

Hydrating vs Replenishing verdict: Which Is Best For You?

From my experience, I will say that the hydrating light moisturizer is best suited for normal and oily skin types while the replenishing rich moisturizer is best suited for dry skin especially with its ingredients, although this blogger disagrees based on her experience.

Thankfully, both of these moisturizers are suited for sensitive skin and if you’re new to skincare, you can try them once you know your skin type.

If you’re looking for something with actives, then these moisturizers won’t cut it for you because they’re really simple! The ingredient list shows lactic acid but the products don’t exfoliate or do much after moisturizing the skin.

I personally prefer the hydrating and always repurchase, especially for the months when I’m broke as it’s super affordable.

Where to buy

I got both from @beautybydaz on Instagram for about #2500 ($5-$7), but prices vary slightly depending on the store.

You can get it on Amazon below;

Pros of Both Moisturizers

• Travel-friendly
• Good quantity
• Affordable
• Great for sensitive skin

Cons of Both Moisturizers

• The opaque bottle doesn’t let you see the quantity of product left

Bonus tips-FAQs

• How do you use a moisturizer?

Depending on the texture and even weather, you can apply once or layer it (apply twice) during your routine.

• When should you use a moisturizer?

Use after toning or cleansing if you don’t have a toner. Also, a moisturizer comes before sunscreen in the morning and is the last step in your night routine. 

• How often should you use a moisturizer?

Twice- in your morning and evening routine.

• Can oily skin skip a moisturizer?

No! Please don’t skip a moisturizer if you’re oily skin. Oily skin needs moisture just like every other type of skin and not applying moisturizer causes your skin to produce more sebum and prone to more breakouts. 

If you got to the end of this post, I am proud of you! Have you tried any of these products before? Would you like to try them? Let me know in the comments.

Stay connected:

TIKTOK // BLOGLOVIN’ // PINTEREST // NEWSLETTER

I’m usually dramatic when I notice my favorite products are about to finish. August is over and there were some skincare products I exhausted. I’ve been itching to tell you my thoughts about the August skincare empties.

PS- Skincare empties is a series of short honest reviews of products that I exhaust during a particular month. I share my experience with a product and give a verdict. This post also contains an affiliate link to support the blog at no cost to you.

Face facts hyaluronic hydrating facial serum

Description

Skincare can get expensive but you don’t have to break the bank always to get an effective product. That’s my stance on the Face facts brand. My close friends and siblings hear me talk about this brand often because I think it’s highly underrated. I’ve also recommended their products to my sister and her friend and they have positive reviews about them!

Their hydrating day cream was a good purchase and I shared the review here. After that, I decided to check out their hyaluronic acid range by getting the moisturizer and serum to see how my skin reacts to them.  The face facts hyaluronic serum comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a wide dropper. It has a watery consistency that is applied easily.

Ingredients and Claims

The hyaluronic hydrating facial serum claims to “temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles” while delivering a healthy glow.

The star ingredients are Sodium hyaluronate and Glycerin which hydrates and increase moisture. 

Other ingredients are; Aqua, DMDM Hydantoin, Polyacrylic Acid, Triethanolamine, Betaine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.

Experience

I believe it lived up to its claims of being moisturizing. One thing I loved about using this product was the easy application and absorption. I used my first bottle morning and night before switching ut tonight only.

It’s also easy to layer other products like my moisturizer and SPF without it feeling sticky. I also didn’t have any experience with irritation. It also leaves my skin feeling plump. My only criticism is that the 30 ml feels so small.

How to use-

• Use this serum after cleansing and toning. I would usually follow after my toner, but there were days when I used the Beauty of Joseon ginseng essence water before applying and then finishing up my routine.
• You can use both day and night or anytime you prefer.

Pro tip- For clean girl makeup, apply this serum and SPF before your makeup routine. It gives the “glow”!

Who can use

It’s gentle enough to be used by all skin types. Also, if you have dry skin and looking for something affordable to add to your routine then it’s worth a shot.

Verdict

I’m currently on my second bottle because not only is it affordable, it’s been good for my skin so I give it an 8.5/10.

Shop

I got the serum from the official retailer Paxo for #2000 (roughly $4).

If you’re not in Nigeria, try the Facefacts website here

The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 

Description & Experience

This essence water and the k-beauty product are now under one of the holy grail products I have fallen in love with. Imagine an elixir of good ingredients! That’s the BOJ essence water. My skin would go from dull to glowy after application.

I’m sad that it’s exhausted and I won’t be able to get it for now. If I eventually get it again I would update you.

The Beauty of Joseon ginseng essence water comes in a simple plastic bottle and looks like “iced tea”. I share a detailed review on how to use it, its benefits, and its ingredients in another post because it was that good!

Who can use

Gentle enough to be used by anyone. If you’re particularly after your dull skin, then try it.

Verdict

A solid 9/10! I’m hesitant to type this because it’s based on my experience but really, it’s worth a shot.

That is all for my August skincare empties! I hope you check them out for yourself too.

RELATED– July Skincare Empties

Follow the blog and let’s stay connected to

TIKTOK // BLOGLOVIN’ // PINTEREST //  TWITTER

Hey, beauty!

Why do good skincare products have to finish? You don’t know the sadness in my heart as  I look at these skincare products I just exhausted with the current inflation. Anyhoo, let’s get into the skincare empties for July!

PS- Skincare empties is a series of short reviews of products that I exhaust during a particular month. I share my experience with a product and give a verdict based on that.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission when you purchase from my links at no cost to you! Thank you for supporting the blog.*

Nivea nourishing  cocoa body lotion 48h deep moisture care

The Nivea cocoa body lotion is my first conscious lotion buy. I mentioned how I’m slowly transitioning to learning more about body care in the review for May’s empties, so this is an attempt to continue.

Description

The Nivea cocoa butter body lotion comes in a blue and brown 400ml bottle. It has a sealed blue lined cap with a hole that dispenses easily once you squeeze. This ensures the product is safe once the cap is sealed and that would be good for travel.

Experience

The cocoa smell is refreshing! It doesn’t overwhelm you, but it lingers on your skin. The lotion is white in color and I  like that it doesn’t have a heavy texture.  Despite the immediate moisturizing effect after a shower, it takes time to sink into my skin after a bath. Other than that, it has an easy application. 

Who can use

The bottle specifically says for dry skin. My body skin is not dry, but I enjoyed using this product nonetheless.

Verdict

Worth your buy if you’re on the look for a big body lotion that is moisturizing and can be layered with fragrances.

Shop

The Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum

Good molecules is one brand I love! They have a decent range of products that are gentle on the skin and target skincare concerns like hyperpigmentation. I wanted to try out their serum to see if it lives up to the hype.

Description

It’s a 30ml regular-sized serum bottle that comes with a dropper. I love the packaging!

It has a tropical fragrance that smells fruity. The texture is thicker than an average serum, white in color and has a sticky feeling. 

Experience

I used this day and night for the first week and decided that wasn’t wise for two reasons. First is that it’s just 30 mls. The next reason is because of the texture which I felt paired better with a PM routine.

I found this serum impressive as it evened out my skin tone after bout of acne left some dark spots. Going forward, if I repurchase I plan to be more conscious of the before and after so I can share better with you. One thing I also noticed is that, I had to use this product consistently.

Who can use

If you are looking for a gentle product that helps with discoloration, then she’s your girl. You have to be consistent though to see results.

Verdict

It is worth your buy! Hopefully, I repurchase because I didn’t use this product well in terms of recording my progress.

Shop

Shop With Teeka

OR

CERAVE FOAMING CLEANSER

Someone has to give it up for Cerave’s range of good products! Cerave has about seven cleansers for various concerns and skin types. While that is inclusive and very thoughtful of a brand, it could get confusing. The foaming cleanser is the second cleanser I’m trying from them and it didn’t leave me disappointed.

Description

It comes in a practical 236ml pump bottle with a dispenser that makes it easy to use the product. It has no particular smell as it’s fragrant-free. The consistency is gel-like and it is transparent.

Experience

This foaming cleanser felt so gentle on my skin and there was no “squeaky clean” feel which shows that it doesn’t strip my facial oils. It’s also gentle enough to be used both in the morning and at night. 

Who can use

It does say for normal and oily skin, but don’t knock it off till you try.

RELATED- HOW TO KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE.

Verdict

Worth your buy! 

Shop

I got mine from JUMIA, but I’ve been wary of beauty vendors from them lately because of a fake product I got there. 

You can get it from BuyBetter or Amazon.

Hope these reviews were helpful. Have you tried any of these products? Share with me in the comments.

Follow the blog and let’s stay connected:

TIKTOK // BLOGLOVIN’ // PINTEREST // NEWSLETTER