Here are some empties I’ve collected and my thoughts on them! I’ve also included some of my thoughts on products I didn’t have the mind to take a picture of and those I’ve given up on.

For reference:

• Skin type: Dry, Sensitive
• Season & climate: Hot, humid, and the only season is summer (and maybe one week of fall every now and then)
• All prices will be in USD.

Empties

Starting from top to bottom, left to right:

Curel Intensive Moisture Care Deep Moisture Spray

It’s a decent fragrance-free spray that hydrates well. This is actually my second of three 150g bottles that I had purchased in Japan from a Don Quijote a couple of months back. I can’t remember the exact price, but I want to say it was around $12 or less. It serves its purpose with no fuss, and I enjoy the fine mist that the spray produces.

Product: 3.8/5, decent, inoffensive, does its job.

Packaging: 4/5, produces a fine mist without jamming, not too wasteful in terms of excess packaging, and comes in a nice 150g aluminum (almost like spray paint) can.

Price: ~$12 from Don Quijote, relatively economical for the amount of product you get

I already have and have opened another bottle, but after I use this last bottle up, I’m not so sure. Recently, I’ve been using the SkinSmart hypochlorous acid spray instead, and, while the spray isn’t as nice, I find that it works just as well. Maybe I’ll miss it once I use it up, and I’m not opposed to repurchasing it if convenient.

Would I repurchase? Maybe.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

I actually really enjoyed this fragrance and dye-free cream, but some major drawbacks for me are how ridiculously shimmery it makes my skin look and its gritty texture. It’s moisturizing and nourishing without feeling too heavy, but I really hate how it makes my skin look.

I’m not even too offended by the texture because you can simply melt the “hydrating capsules” in between your hands before applying, but man I hate the shine. I understand the trend of “chok chok” and glass skin, but it was just way too much for me. I’m not even sure what causes it to be so shiny. After looking at the ingredients, I expected there to be mica or something similar, but there isn’t.

It’s just a shame, this could’ve been a decent product for me. One of the creams I can use without mixing as a final step for my dry skin.

Product: 2.9/5, it could’ve been so nice if it weren’t so dang shiny and if it didn’t have a gritty texture.

Packaging: 4/5, no nonsense 80ml tube with a flip-top.

Price: $20.57 from YesStyle (purchased back in Feb. of this year)

For $20 at it was already iffy on price for me, but now that I’m looking up prices today I see it ranging from $26 to $40 which lands it right into over-priced territory for me. Couple that with my drawbacks, I can’t say I’ll miss this product.

Would I repurchase? No.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream

On recommendation from Dr. Dray a dermatologist that’s on YouTube. It’s fragrance and dye-free and does its job. It’s nourishing and gives me a temporary effect of not looking so dead, which lasts for a little less than an hour or so until you feel the moisturizing effect dry up.

Product: 3.5/5, it’s nourishing and provides a temporary awake look to my eyes.

Packaging: 3.8/5, no nonsense 15ml tube with a screw cap. Can sometimes be difficult to screw open when you’ve some product on your hands (which I usually do once I get to the eye cream step in my routine).

Price: $23.53 at Target

While this product is a bit pricey, I like the effect enough to justify repurchasing it. I do see you can get it cheaper on Amazon though, so maybe I’ll buy it from there next time.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m already on another tube.

Melano CC Essence

This is the product that got me into believing in vitamin C and is the only product with fragrance that I still use. It doesn’t seem to be enough to irritate me, and the scent itself is a slight/mild citrus-y smell.

It just provides a nice brightening effect and I don’t have to keep it in the fridge. This product will discolor over time, but the last three tubes I’ve used up haven’t had that issue (but, if you can actually see it oxidize around the cap if you find some excess product around). I’m not sure what the vitamin C percentage in this product is, as it’s not listed, but it’s enough to cause your skin to flush if you use a niacinamide product like Holy Snail’s Shark Sauce too close with it.

Product: 3.9/5, it gives me a temporary brightening effect next day and relatively calming.

Packaging: 3.8/5, no nonsense 20ml tube with a screw cap and an interesting dropper spout. Can sometimes be difficult to screw open when you’ve some product on your hands.

Price: Sub $10 from Don Quijote, can’t remember the exact price, but it’s pretty inexpensive.

I thought I had already purchased a few in Japan earlier this year, but I must’ve given them to some friends, as I can’t find anymore. I may use this opportunity to try out Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow, although I’m still undecided, since I don’t care to store products in the fridge (as they recommend). I’m heading back to Asia next month, so I’ll just stock up some tubes there.

Would I repurchase? Yes, planning on it.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Extra-Dry Skin (pre-2023 reformulation)

Fragrance and dye-free gel moisturizer that does its job. It’s not moisturizing enough alone for my dry skin, but I enjoy the light-weight texture and the hydration it provides. I usually mix in something nourishing like Geek & Gorgeous Happier Barrier cream to compensate.

Product: 3.5/5, it’s nice and light-weight, people with normal to oily skin could probably use this alone, but it’s definitely not enough for dry (or its claimed extra-dry) skin.

Packaging: 1/5, I hate jars so much >:(

Price: Around $10 each, purchased in a two-pack from Costco.

I’ve read online that this product was recently reformulated, and for the worst. My mom has stocked up on enough from Costco where this isn’t a problem for me since I can just go over steal from her stash. That said, while I like this product, I’m not inspired to personally repurchase, especially not with its new formula. I’ll use up what I have for now and continue my search for the perfect moisturizer.

Would I repurchase? No, I have enough backups.

Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

Fragrance and dye-free light-weight oil cleanser that washes off cleanly. Does a good job removing sunscreen and make up.

Product: 4/5, no nonsense, works, and doesn’t leave any residue.

Packaging: 3.9/5, a 230ml pump bottle that comes with a plastic stopper, so you can sort of travel with it.

Price: I think it was under $10 purchased from Don Quijote.

Simple, effective, inexpensive. I have no desire to look for another oil cleanser.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m already using another bottle.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Milk

Fragrance and dye-free emulsion that could be nourishing enough to serve as the final step for those of you with oilier skin. My dry ass needs more, but this serves as a nice nourishing addition to my skin care routine. Helps that the product contains urea as well, though that’s not a major selling point for me.

Product: 4.1/5, no nonsense moisture.

Packaging: 3.7/5, a 140ml bottle with a flip top cap that can get quite messy if you don’t take care to clean it after each use. Also, when you get low on product it can sometimes be too easier to over-dispense product.

Price: I think it was around $12 or $15 purchased from Don Quijote.

Even though I mix this with Curel Moisture Facial Milk (Intensive Moisture Care), if I could only choose one, I’d go with the Hada Labo product.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m already using another bottle.

Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel Gold SPF50+ PA++++

Not pictured, I already threw away the old bottle before I thought to make this post.

I recently went back to this sunscreen after it felt like my face was lit on fire by La-Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Hydrating Cream SPF50+ after I got over-zealous with my tret. I’m not quite sure what that sunscreen was reacting with, since I immediately washed it off and slapped on good ole reliable Skin Aqua with no burning or stinging.

Overall, the texture of this sunscreen is a slightly viscous fluid that sets with a slight sheen and no cast. I’ve walked and hiked with this in tropical climates and it stayed on even through sweat (though I still re-apply).

I’ve actually used both this and the regular formulation (the one in the white bottle with the gold cap), and they both work well. I prefer the gold one only because it’s slightly more nourishing than the regular one but I wouldn’t mind using either.

Product: 4.2/5, it’s the one I keep going back to.

Packaging: 4/5, a 110g bottle with a narrow spout.

Price: Around $12 or $15 purchased from Don Quijote.

Rhoto got me in their grips.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I’m already using another bottle.

Given Up On

The Inkey List

I’m going to lump all the products I’ve tried from this brand into one because my opinion on all of them is mostly the same.

The products I’ve tried were incredibly underwhelming. While the products were fragrance-free, they all had moderate scents that irritated me. While it may seem economical at first, each individual product appears to be travel size. I didn’t go in with high-expectations and I was still let down.

Products I’ve tried:

• Omega Water Cream – Felt like a more emollient toner; relegated to foot cream.
• Retinol Serum – Felt like the Omega Water Cream; relegated to foot cream.
• The Tired Eyes Duo – Felt like a slightly more nourishing Omega Water Cream for both products; tossed.
• PHA Toner – Did nothing for me, water-like consistency; I prefer Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down; tossed.

Would I repurchase? No, and I won’t purchase from this brand in the future.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream Mist

Had the same issues as the cream: made my face look incredibly shiny. The product itself is fine, a moisturizing type of mist, but I can’t overlook the shine. It also didn’t help that the packaging cracked at the bottom about a month in, leaking almost half the product.

Product: 2.5/5, actually moisturizing, but I hate the shine.

Packaging: 1/5, cracked in a month; the mist itself is actually really nice and fine.

Price: $15.60 from YesStyle (purchased back in Feb. of this year)

Would I repurchase? No.