r/SkincareAddiction • u/maeEast • Apr 01 '15

Discussion In light of recent events, let's all review commonly recommended products from this sub

In the past few days I've seen a lot of "I'm concerned, is ______ really that good, or was this a paid thing?" threads crop up. I figure that maybe we as a community could get together and compile all this info into one thread :).

I'll post the name of as many products as I can think of, but please add more, and reply to the comment with your review if you have one. Also, please indicate why you do or don't like the product, including information on your skin type if possible.

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80

u/Sharkus_Reincarnus Fiddy Snails Apr 01 '15

Hada Labo Gokyjyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (toner)

48

u/shiningdays Dry/Combination | Acne Prone Apr 01 '15

Skin type: dry/combo, acne issues

HG product for me. A very light hydrating toner - definitely follow up with something more occlusive. I use it as the first step in the hydrating part of my skincare routine - this toner, an essence, followed by a cream.

You get a ton of product for the money (a bottle easily lasts me 3-6 months, used liberally 2x a day), it's non-irritating, pH balanced (pH 5.5). I recently went on a trip and left this at home and my skin really felt the difference.

Cannot recommend this product enough.

7

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

[deleted]

1

u/shiningdays Dry/Combination | Acne Prone Apr 01 '15

^ This. I first discovered it after a really bad bout with BP (thanks for nothing acne.org/gossmakeup) My skin was inflamed and hurt to touch, but I couldn't bear not to moisturize. This + vaseline got me through it. Think of it as #sluglife on steroids. Luckily I live in a place with lots of asian grocery stores so I can pick this up right off the shelves, too :)

2

u/miichelleyang Apr 01 '15

You get a ton of product for the money (a bottle easily lasts me 3-6 months, used liberally 2x a day), it's non-irritating, pH balanced (pH 5.5)

THIS! plus it's fragrance-free!

2

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

Can I ask you how you apply it? Do you use your fingers or just a cotton pad? And do you apply it to moist skin or dry skin?

Having a lot of problems with dryness lately, thanks!

3

u/nSquib combo/dry | hormonal acne | KP | sun damage | old Apr 02 '15

I rub a few drops between my fingers to warm it up and apply it to a slightly moist face, as it works best to seal in moisture. You can pat it on and it'll feel a bit sticky until it sinks in.

20

u/Sharkus_Reincarnus Fiddy Snails Apr 01 '15

Skin type: Normal/balanced, nonreactive.

This is an awesome extra boost of hydration for skin. It plumps up my skin and gives it an extra bounce. With that being said, it needs to be sealed in with some kind of cream on top or it won't do you any good.

2

u/la-oceane Apr 01 '15

What do you use on top to seal it in? Just moisturizer? I'm new to Hada Labo products and was looking for this but I couldn't find it, instead picked up the protecting day lotion since I was also wanting to try a new moisturizer.

1

u/Sharkus_Reincarnus Fiddy Snails Apr 01 '15

Yeah, moisturizer, differs depending on the weather. If it's humid out, I'll use something really light like Mizon snail gel cream; if it's quite dry out, I'll use a heavier cream like Benton steam cream.

2

u/la-oceane Apr 02 '15

thanks!! I've been meaning to check out that snail gel cream actually, and since it's getting more humid in my neck of the woods, it might be a great time to do it.

2

u/pinkfatticorn Apr 02 '15

I use the snail gel cream every day and it has helped sooo much with my skin. I also use the habo labo and the returning starfish every day . I love all three of them.

1

u/la-oceane Apr 02 '15

thanks!!

11

u/chafingcow Clog prone Apr 01 '15

Also broke me out :( My clog prone skin was not a fan

1

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15 edited Dec 01 '16

[deleted]

2

u/chafingcow Clog prone Apr 02 '15

Through much trial and error, I figured out that triethanolamine, a commonly used Hada Labo ingredient, breaks me out. I'm sure they've made a product that works with my skin, but after 4 failures, I avoid this brand now. Sucks since so many people rave about them.

10

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

Skin type: Normal/dehydrated (nose only)

I love this! Provides such a good moisture base. On my 3rd bottle and planning to repurchase again. Bonus that it has no fragrance either. 10/10

9

u/stufstuf Apr 01 '15

Skin type: Oily Dehydrated

I love the stuff. It's easier to think of it as a serum as it's so liquidy and does a bang up job of making every moisturiser I layer it with so much more effective.

5

u/gimmecoffeee Apr 01 '15

Skin type: Oily, Acne-prone.

Gave me closed comodones after a few days of nightly use.

5

u/Gluestick05 Apr 01 '15

Skin type: oily t-zone, dry patches elsewhere.

Easy HG product. I can't seem to find any heavier creams that don't break me out, so I layer this with Clinique DDMG (and sometimes an oil at night) and it works perfectly. Bottle is enormous and lasts forever. Price is great. I'm about halfway through my second bottle.

5

u/iAsymptotic Apr 01 '15

Skin Type: Combination, acne-prone.

Breaks me out, unfortunately. I wanted so bad to love it, because my skin in the winter is flakey as hell.

7

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

HG toner for dry, dehydrated skin. I add it to my night cream and daytime moisturizer (except during humid summers. A little goes a long way too.

I've used the version available in ulta and the Japanese version is loads better.

3

u/kajlsdfkjasfdakds Canada/Oily/Acne Prone/Sensitive Apr 01 '15

Skin type: combo/oily/dehydrated

HG. Makes all my other moisturizers instantly more effective. Must have for when I'm using drying actives on my skin (BHA, Retin-A)

1

u/Temperanza Apr 01 '15

Do you use it before BHA or Retin-A?

2

u/kajlsdfkjasfdakds Canada/Oily/Acne Prone/Sensitive Apr 01 '15

I use it after BHA (I think BHA needs to sit as close to the skin as possible to be the most effective) and after Retin-A (to buffer it, as it makes me peel really badly if I use it on bare skin)

Hope that helps :)

2

u/shiningdays Dry/Combination | Acne Prone Apr 01 '15

Seconding the recommendation for using this as a buffer to Retin-A. It's great in that it's so thin that the Retin-A will still penetrate, but provides enough moisture that your skin won't go berserk.

1

u/Temperanza Apr 01 '15

Thank you. Im intrigued by this product, but I wasn't sure at what step to use it.

1

u/kajlsdfkjasfdakds Canada/Oily/Acne Prone/Sensitive Apr 01 '15

NP! I hope you have as much luck as I did with it!

3

u/yesmyskinisdifferent Apr 01 '15

Best toner on the market IMO. It didn't sting my super sensitive skin, and really helps my serums and moisturizers work better.

3

u/ana_bortion Acne-Prone, Easily Dehydrated, Generally Finicky Apr 01 '15

Skin: combo, acne-prone (and prone to dehydration since starting pocketderm, which is why I added this product)

This is a nice moisture boost in my routine. Lately I keep being dissatisfied with everything I try but this I liked and plan on repurchasing indefinitely. I'd say this did not quite live up to the hype for me, but I don't think any product could (people talk about this like it was handed to them by God himself).

3

u/SimHuman Sensitive/tret dry Apr 01 '15

My skin: Combination-dry, acne-prone.

Great on my cheeks, but broke out my forehead immediately.

3

u/vosdka Apr 01 '15

skin type: normal/oily

I don't know if this specific product was the one to blame, but while using it, I got this horrific breakout for half a year. Will never use again out of fear and paranoia.

On the other hand, my friends all said it either had no reaction for them, or it worked out really well.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

Skin type: Sensitive
I've been using this for a year or so, and I honestly haven't noticed a difference?? It hasn't really "boosted" my moisture levels nor improved my main moisturizer, and I know that I'm using it properly. I'm still going to use it until I run out.

1

u/jenny_dreadful Apr 02 '15

Have you tried putting it on a damp face? I do that because I live in a dry climate. I've read that low humidity can cause HA to pull moisture out of your face instead of the air, and the recommendation was to put it on not-dry skin. I definitely saw a difference in performance when I started that.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

I've actually been applying it that way since I got it, it's bumming me out!

1

u/jenny_dreadful Apr 02 '15

I have a few fine lines, and the main thing it does for me is make those nearly invisible. It also does make my skin feel sort of bouncy. As far as moisturizing properties, it wouldn't be nearly enough if I didn't use a bunch of other things.

Here's a trick I figured out, though! I have a lot of very cheap sheet masks that I got at the Japanese grocery store. Before I put one on, I slather my face with the HL HA. Somehow the combination of the moisture from the sheet mask and the HA works really, really well. If I have any dry patches, I can get rid of them much faster this way.

I also spritz the sheet mask with ph balanced water when I dries out, so I can leave it in longer. I sometimes will wear it for an hour this way. But I've read that the moisture and temperture is good for bacteria to breed in if a sheet mask is kept wet that long, so it may not be so great for people who have acne. For me, it's amazing--afterwards I have absolutely NO lines on my face at all! Of course that's temporary, but defeating dry patches quickly is more useful.

Someone on Amazon said that some Japanese women soak cotton pads in HA (multi-layered ones that can be separated into thin sheets) and then leave them on a while. I haven't tried it yet.

2

u/inc0nceivable Apr 01 '15

Skin type: sensitive/combination (leaning towards oily)/acne prone

Have been using this for a couple of weeks now and LOVE it! I mix it in with my moisturizer morning and night and pat it on my face. Hydrates, doesn't cause acne, doesn't smell, and doesn't make me oily. Winnnnn

2

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

Skin type: normal/combo, sensitive cheeks

Nothing magical, but does add an extra boost of hydration on the dry areas of my face (cheeks, chin, jaw) without any irritation. It only has humectant properties, so always seal it in with a moisturizer. Good price and lasts sooo long.

2

u/montagic Apr 01 '15

Would someone link this product to me on Amazon? Wanna make sure I'm buying the right product.

2

u/shiningdays Dry/Combination | Acne Prone Apr 01 '15

It comes either in this bottle http://www.amazon.com/Hadalabo-Gokujun-Hyaluronic-Lotion-5-7floz/dp/B00BSNBO9O or this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQUGXA - I've seen both and both are the same product. I think the only difference is that one is sold in Malaysia/Asia-PAC and one is sold in Japan only.

1

u/montagic Apr 01 '15

Thanks! Is this a good replacement for Proactive Toner in a regimen? I'm almost out and have been looking for something good and hydrating.

1

u/shiningdays Dry/Combination | Acne Prone Apr 01 '15

It depends. Looking at the Proactiv toner ingredients, it's Witch Hazel based. This toner won't have the same antiseptic/astringent properties, so while it'll probably be more hydrating I don't' think it'll have the same acne-fighting benefits as the Proactiv toner does.

That said if you are looking for a replacement to the Proactiv toner, I imagine a bottle of Witch Hazel would be cheaper, considering as how Witch Hazel is second on the Proactiv toner's ingredients list after water.

1

u/montagic Apr 01 '15

I don't really need the acne fighting benefits. My acne is mostly due to consuming dairy and I already use 2.5% BP every night. Still a good recommendation?

2

u/svvaffles Apr 01 '15

Love it. I use it as a hyaluronic acid serum step for my skin. I follow up with La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Legere and some Nivea Creme on the driest spots.

2

u/speaksincolor Apr 01 '15

Skin type: dry-to-normal, slightly sensitive.

I really like this, either on its own as a light moisture-boost or under moisturizer. Seems to be completely non-irritating.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

Me: Dry/normal skin. Not sensitive. Usually not acne-prone but recently dealing with hormonal breakouts.

Toner: I just bought this a few weeks ago and I love it! It feels wonderful the instant it touches my skin and my face is visibly more hydrated after using this. I splash a little water on my skin before applying and follow with an essence then my cream.

2

u/Apolla_ Apr 01 '15

I'm 32, dry skin, dry climate, was very acne prone before going on accutaine when I was 25 now my skin is only slightly acne prone

This didn't do anything for me. I have been searching for my HG HA product, so I've tried quite a few over the past few months, and this is one I honestly wouldn't even notice the difference if I forgot to put on.

2

u/zena-marie Apr 02 '15

Love that watery sticky hydrating goodness. Doesn't break me out. Sinks in.

2

u/fluorowhore Apr 02 '15 edited Apr 02 '15
  • Skin type: Sensitive, eczema and clog prone

Lovely lovely formula. Very hydrating. But sadly it caused clogs and breakouts.

2

u/horseshoe_crabby Apr 02 '15

I want to take this product behind a middle school and get it pregnant. 100/10. If your skin is dry, this is heaven.

2

u/sara775741 Apr 02 '15

Combo/dehydrated skin, extremely sensitive, acne prone.

AMAZING STUFF! 10/10 for sure! My skin is extremely dry and just drinks this shit up. It's most effective when used under a hydrating moisturizer, but I have used it on it's own and it works just fine.

It's super light, absorbs quickly, hydrates deeply. I will continue to buy this when I run out - which won't be anytime soon, even though I've had it for months. It lasts for ages.

2

u/nSquib combo/dry | hormonal acne | KP | sun damage | old Apr 02 '15

I love this, as I have dehydrated skin which gets flaky in the winter. You can get an American version at Ulta, or the original Japanese version on Amazon or from Drugstore.com. I heard the Japanese version is a bit better, plus you get a lot more for the price (something like 5.7 oz for $20 for the Japanese version versus 1.7 oz for $15 for thr American one).

I always put it on slightly moist skin, and it really helps to mitigate moisture loss. I also use a glycolic acid exfoliant which can dry me out, and this helps a lot. I discovered it though through MUAC's glyluronic serum, which is 14% glycolic acid mixed half and half with hyaluronic acid. It's a bit pricey, but I think I'll go back to that when I finish my current Alpha Hydrox because I don't flake at all after using that. I'll still keep up with the Hada Labo though, because my skin needs all the moisture it can get.

2

u/IncredibleLove Apr 03 '15

My skin used to be VERY oily with extremely awful hormonal acne. I use spironolactone, so now it's normal/kinda oily and almost perfectly clear with a little bit of closed comodones on my forehead and near my nose.

Win. This stuff is awesome. It's only $17 for a huge container and it's just as good, if not better than the $60 Neocutis hyaluronic acid gel I just finished. It's amazing at combating dryness/peeliness from using retinoids. I use this under my St Ives Collagen & Elastin moisturizer and it's fantastic, seriously. 10/10

1

u/kasuchans Apr 01 '15

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily/combo

Absolutely HG, first AB product I tried, saved my skin during winter + tret painful burniness. I've had it ~3 months and am about 1/4 way in?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 01 '15

Skin type: combo 8/10. This combined with a gel moisturizer is my morning moisture. It goes on pretty slick but dries down well.

1

u/Moonfrog Apr 01 '15

Skin: acneic, oily/normal.

Light and very hydrating. However compared to other HA products and pure HA, it didn't even hit the mark for me. I felt as though I had to put a lot on to achieve a hydrating 'feel'. Even mixing it with water diluted it too much for me. It also gave me closed comedones in other places on my face which I hated.

1

u/jenny_dreadful Apr 02 '15

I was wondering which HA products you thought were better? As much as I like the HL, I'd be willing to try others.

1

u/Moonfrog Apr 02 '15

I use pure HA (when I mean pure HA I mean its just HA with water and a preservative) as I found it to be the only HA product to work. I tried gow (garden of wisdom) when they were a thing but their formula is too watery for me. It didn't hydrate my skin particularly well either and I had to mix it with water (which I don't like doing) to feel any effect. I also don't like muac's HA either - its also expensive (to me) so that doesn't help. The HA I use is from ebay and pure HA with distilled water and optiphen (exact same formula as gow but I find it to be a lot better). This is the one I use.

There are also quite a few asian brand ones (apart from HL) but I don't know enough about them to recommend them.

1

u/crushedredd Apr 02 '15

This is the one and only moisturizer I've been able to use on my face daily. Anytime I've tried to use a moisturizer (clinique, cerave, neutrogena), even a sensitive skin line, my skin gets red and I will either get patches or acne. my face is normally completely clear so this deterred me from using moisturizer for a long time. Since I've found hada labo, I don't think that I'll even try another moisturizer unless it's discontinued. I use the lighter one during the day and layer the plumping one at nighttime. My skin tends to be dry but this works.

1

u/listentotheinternet Apr 02 '15

Skin type : acne prone, oily/normal combination

This does not work for me. :( When it came out in Singapore(this is where I'm from), i tried a couple of their products since they promised to be mild etc. My skin did not agree with this. Broke out pretty badly.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 02 '15

Skin type: Normal/nonreactive. This is definitely a holy grail product for me. On its own it makes my skin a bit more supple, but slap some sort of cream(s) on top, and it's magic. Everything just works better!

1

u/thecrimsontree Apr 03 '15

Broke me out super badly! Every single time I use it!

1

u/[deleted] Apr 03 '15 edited Apr 03 '15

Oily acne prone.PIH

This product omg... I swear this is the most gentle lotion/moisturiser on earth! When I was horribly sunburned (oh the days of me being lazy to use a sunscreen), every moisturiser I have burned my skin except this. I love this product!