SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 95ml

This is a great value for money, scent-free moisturising serum not a treatment serum. It has a light creamy texture. A few drops are enough to cover the whole face, neck and décolletage. The product spreads easily and evenly, dries off quickly, and it doesn't leave any sticky or oily residue. My skin feels hydrated afterwards. I usually apply it underneath my normal moisturiser to give my skin an extra boost. Although I haven't used this bottle in full yet, I haven't seen any miraculous before-and-after effect. The pigmentation on my face is still there;  perhaps one needs to use several  bottles to see an improvement. 

 

The packaging and bottle design is elegant and luxurious. Despite what some of the wording on the packaging might make you believe, this isn't a bottle of pure (or 100%) Madagascar Centella (Centella Asiatica = Gotu Kola). It has some extract as one of the ingredients. The serum also has Ceramides, Phytosterols and Caprylic Triglyceride (ie, several plant-derived fatty acids) and Probiocica i.e. a Jeju-Island Windflower-derived lactobacillus. It sounds exotic, isn't it? Packaging is clear about the ingredients, but it doesn't mention the percentages used.    

 

The main downside is the dropper. It's too narrow and doesn't allow an easy and natural flow of the product out. I find this extremely annoying. Sometimes, I just pour the serum directly from the bottle. There is nothing wrong with the dropper itself. It's just that it's too narrow for the product viscosity. The dropper sucks the serum best when it's fully closed. If the bottle is a bit opened, suction isn't as good. 

 

Skin1004 is a certified cruelty-free Korean beauty brand, something I love. They don't support any politics or practices that hurt other humans or animals. It is still affordable. 

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SKIN1004 Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask (27gs)

This is a wonderful inventive clay mask that it's very different, for good, from any other clay mask I've ever used. First, it's the container design, which mimics that of dry bar deodorant. Secondly, it's fragrance free. Thirdly, the product is soft and fresh.  

 

Most clay masks with kaolin I've used in the past leave my skin very clean, but also very dry; besides, they feel heavy and cakey when on due to being made mostly of kaolin. This Skin1004 clay mask is totally different because it only has 18% kaolin, enough to clean my skin in depth without drying it. Besides, it has a powerful combo of natural ingredients: centella asiatica, pink salt, red bean powder,  aloe vera, and calamine (which soothes irritated and acne skin) among others. It is perfect for my combination skin. 

This mask spreads beautifully and it feels light when I have it on. It doesn't tighten my skin when it dries, something I love. Most importantly, it cleans my skin in depth. The brand recommends leaving this about 5 minutes on. However, I usually leave it for way long and I haven't had any reaction of any sort. 

 

The packaging is not only cute, but also perfect for travelling and easy storage. 

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