Nuxe | Very Rose 3-in-1 Soothing Micellar Water
I'm very picky when it comes to micellar waters. I find most either remove makeup well but are too rough on the skin, or they respect the skin but pet the makeup instead of taking it off. The Nuxe Very Rose Micellar Water is in that "removes makeup well" category, which is honestly a bit concerning since it's marketed for sensitive skin. The cleansing base relies on PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, a surfactant that helps dissolve makeup and impurities. Glycerin, listed so high up, provides some humectant action, but it's not enough for a formula that is supposed to be soothing. There's no substantial emollient system, and the product doesn't feel particularly moisturising. In fact, it doesn't glide smoothly over the skin. Bioderma's micellar water (my favorite) feels much more emollient, making makeup removal a more comfortable experience, especially around the eyes. But what really bothers me is the combination of Rosa damascena flower water and parfum. Rose water isn't automatically soothing just because it's botanical, and added fragrance seems like an unnecessary choice in a product intended for sensitive skin and eye makeup removal. The rest of the INCI is largely functional, covering solubilisation, pH adjustment and preservation, without anything particularly remarkable. Unfortunately, my experience reinforces these concerns. The product removes makeup effectively, including stubborn mascara, but just a few swipes left the skin around my eyes red. I wouldn't want to use it daily, and I can easily see it causing burning with repeated use. It's a shame because the cleansing performance is good. However, I'd rather use a micellar water that offers better slip and doesn't leave my eye area irritated - and most importantly, doesn't make the experience worse by having rose water and fragrance. For a product marketed for sensitive skin, this feels like an avoidable formulation misstep.
Arencia | Calendula Rice Mochi Cleanser
These Mochi Cleansers do, indeed, have an amazing texture. This is stretchy and gooey, a bit like melted marshmallow, and turns white as you spread it over the skin. You can feel the physical exfoliating particles, which remind me of small, soggy oats. They're not rough or abrasive, but I'm not convinced this kind of exfoliation is necessary in a cleanser marketed for dry and sensitive skin. The formula combines several cleansing surfactants with glycerin, which helps offset their drying potential. Almond seed meal and rice powder provide physical exfoliation, while calendula, houttuynia and prickly pear extracts add some soothing and skin-conditioning appeal. However, I'm not seeing a particularly compelling barrier-repair formula here, despite the marketing claims. When wet, the cleanser bubbles and foams quite a lot, and it takes several rinses to get everything off. It is not an unpleasant experience at all, but combined with the physical exfoliants, this leaves my skin feeling tight afterwards. That's not what I'm looking for in a cleanser for dry, sensitive skin, particularly one marketed as soothing. It does cleanse, but it doesn't compare to an oil or balm cleanser when it comes to removing stubborn makeup. So I'm left wondering what this product is actually trying to do: if it's meant to cleanse thoroughly, it falls short on makeup removal; if it's meant to be a gentle, skin-friendly cleanser, it leaves my skin feeling too tight. I can compromise on thoroughness as long as my skin doesn't feel stripped. But not otherwise. The texture is genuinely fun, but the performance doesn't live up to it. There are better options out there.
Some By Mi | Retinol Bakuchiol Bubble Toner
Bubble toners might have a gimmicky reputation, but after trying this one, I think this is one of the best formats for a toner or essence. With a traditional liquid toner, you either use a cotton pad (wasteful) or try to splash it onto your face with your hands (messy). This one comes straight out of the bottle onto the skin and spreads effortlessly. No mess, no fuss. It feels like I'm applying shaving foam to my forehead, and you can hear and feel the little bubbles popping, which is oddly satisfying. If you're into ASMR, you might particularly enjoy bubble toners. The formula is built around humectants, with glycerin, butylene glycol and propanediol helping to attract and retain water in the skin. There's also hyaluronic acid, trehalose and beta-glucan to contribute to hydration. Niacinamide is relatively high on the ingredient list, making it one of the more prominent actives here. It can support the skin barrier and help with uneven skin tone and texture, while allantoin and oat extract offer soothing benefits. Green tea extract adds antioxidant potential, although its presence alone doesn't tell us how much practical benefit to expect. Then there's the retinoid combination: retinol, retinal and bakuchiol. Having all three sounds impressive, but I couldn't establish the concentrations, and they are a bit far down on the list. I wouldn't consider this a substitute for a dedicated retinoid treatment, but I also don't think it's trying to be, since the marketing focuses more on texture and pores instead of anti-aging. The formula also contains fragrance and lavender extract - at the very bottom, though, and I couldn't detect any scent while using it, but still, it's worth noting if your skin is particularly reactive. My skin feels hydrated after applying this, and I like having that extra layer before a stronger active like retinal. I also appreciate that the formula includes retinoids, even if they're not the main event. It gives me some peace of mind about using it alongside a dedicated retinoid serum, without worrying that I'm introducing ingredients that might interfere with its absorption or unnecessarily compound irritation (unlike an exfoliating toner containing glycolic acid). The skinclassifier also gives this a high score, and I agree with the verdict: this is a great toner for targeting texture and pores while using it withing a retinoid routine (because an exfolianting acid would be too aggressive). It also delivers the hydration I need and the bubble format makes application genuinely enjoyable and practical. Overall, this is a product that is very well formulated for its purpose.
Cerave | Resurfacing Retinol Serum
CeraVe's Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a gel-like serum that spreads easily and has a comfortable, soothing feel on the skin. It's not too thick, doesn't feel heavy, and is the kind of product that fits easily into a routine. At first glance, the formula looks good. Niacinamide is high up on the ingredient list, alongside dimethicone, dipotassium glycyrrhizate and the expected combination of three ceramides (NP, AP and EOP). There's also cholesterol, hydrogenated lecithin and phytosphingosine, which contribute to the barrier-supporting side of the formula - all things CeraVe is known for (and expected to deliver). However, even though retinol is the star of the marketing, the overall experience is much more that of a soothing, comforting barrier-repair serum - and nothing more. I didn't experience the degree of skin renewal that I associate with a retinol treatment. That doesn't mean the retinol isn't doing anything, but the results weren't noticeable, at least on my skin. The only iffy ingredient is alcohol, but I also don't think it's a major concern in this formula. It's relatively low on the ingredient list, and I experienced no irritation, no tingling, no sensitivity - it's most likely there as a solvent, to help dissolve or incorporate ingredients into the formula. For someone trying retinol for the first time, I think it could be a sensible option. The combination of retinol, niacinamide and barrier-supporting lipids makes it a good introduction, and I think anyone could start using it daily straight away. For someone already accustomed to retinol, however, I think expectations need to be different. I'd approach this as a barrier-supporting serum that happens to contain retinol, rather than a dedicated retinol treatment. The formula is good, and the experience is pleasant, but I found the results underwhelming compared with stronger, more targeted retinol products. That's why this gets a good rather than great rating from me. Not because it's a bad product — quite the opposite. I just find the marketing a little misleading about what the product actually delivers. If you're looking for a gentle introduction to retinol, it's worth considering. If you're looking for noticeable skin renewal, I'd look elsewhere.
Byoma | Barrier Repair Eye Cream
Technically this is an eye cream, but as with any eye cream, I use it just as a regular moisturiser for my whole face, because why wouldn't I? I chose it specifically because it looked hydrating without being overly occlusive. And the texture matched my expectations. It's moisturising without feeling heavy or greasy, with a combination of glycerin, several glycols and three forms of hyaluronic acid providing plenty of hydration. It also contains ceramide NP and sphingolipids, which fit nicely with Byoma's focus on barrier support. The two ingredients Byoma specifically highlights beyond its barrier-repair system are ectoin and copper tripeptide-1, and both are genuinely interesting additions. Ectoin is an extremolyte: a molecule produced by microorganisms to survive environmental stress. In skincare, it's used for its protective and hydrating properties, helping the skin cope with environmental stress while supporting its moisture balance. I particularly like the idea of it in a moisturiser that I'm using alongside active ingredients (I use this cream as my night moisturiser, after applying a retinol serum). Copper tripeptide-1 is the more explicitly anti-ageing ingredient. It's associated with skin repair and processes involved in collagen production. The science behind copper peptides is interesting, although the evidence for visible anti-ageing effects from topical cosmetic formulations isn't nearly as established as it is for retinoids. I've been using this alongside retinol (nighttime) and vitamin C (daytime), and I've had no sensitivity. I suspect the combination of the moisturising and barrier-supporting ingredients plays at least some role in that. I wouldn't say this product magically makes strong actives non-irritating, but my skin has been remarkably comfortable using all of them together. And that's really what I like about this. I wanted something moisturising and supportive enough to be used alongside an active-heavy routine, but not so occlusive that it feels like it's going to congest my skin. This hits that balance very well for me.
Paula's Choice | PRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment
I went into this expecting a great retinoid serum, and indeed a great retinoid serum it is. What I wasn't expecting was how unbothered my skin was by it. The texture is a light cream rather than a traditional serum. It's not thick or greasy, but it's not cool and liquidy like a gel either. Just a standard light cream. It also has a strong yellow colour, which I happen to appreciate because it makes it much easier to see where you've applied it - and, more importantly, where you haven't. Despite knowing (and, after two weeks, seeing) that I was using a fairly strong retinoid on my skin, I had zero sensitivity with this. After two weeks I already had collected two compliments on how good my skin looks - plump, luminous, just overall good - and it kept getting better as I continued using it. There are no bad skin days with this. It just looks great. I started using it daily rather than gradually building up (I tend to do this to test the irritation potential of these strong actives serums), and didn't experience the redness, dryness or flaking that I was expecting. Obviously, tolerance to retinoids is highly individual, and I tend to tolerate them well, but usually when a serum has noticeable results this early, it's accompanied by a burning sensation on top of my cheekbones (my most sensitive area). Not this time - and that is something noteworthy. The formula contains retinal, alongside the more unusual oleyl adapalenate, an oil-soluble adapalene-derived retinoid. Early clinical data suggest it can improve fine lines and wrinkles, so this serum contains two genuinely interesting retinoid actives (hence the "dual") rather than just relying on retinal. There are also some nice supporting ingredients, including jojoba oil, squalane-like emollient ingredients, dimethicone and fatty alcohols, which give the formula its light cream texture and help make the whole thing feel more like a moisturising treatment than a stripped-back retinoid serum. There are also antioxidant ingredients, including tocopherol, pomegranate extract, naringin and Albatrellus confluens extract. What I like most about this is that I managed to see a difference in my skin quite fast, without having to go through an adjustment period to get there. Oleyl adapalenate is definitely an ingredient I'll be paying more attention to from now on. If you are not used to retinoid-specific serums, I still wouldn't recommend starting this one daily. The brand itself mentions starting with with 3 nights a week then building up frequency. But if you want to up your retinoid ante without such a big sensitivity risk, get this one.
Niod | Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex
At first glance, this looked like just a hyaluronic acid serum to me. I'm usually not that excited about those - hyaluronic acid has been everywhere for years now, and the hype around them is a decade old at this point, so it feels like old news and quite honestly, unnecessary to have a dedicated serum, since it’s in practically everything. I approached this with fairly low expectations. And then I was genuinely surprised. The texture is quite different from the usual watery HA serum. It’s a thicker, gel-like serum that spreads easily but has some substance to it, and it leaves a slight tackiness behind once it dries down. There are multiple forms of hyaluronic acid here, alongside NMF components such as amino acids, PCA, sodium PCA, sodium lactate and betaine. Then there’s a rather ridiculous collection of polysaccharides and film-forming ingredients, and a few interesting antioxidant compounds. And, lo and behold, I could actually tell a difference after using a hyaluronic acid serum. My skin looked noticeably plumper after using this. I know I've used that adjective before in my reviews, but I don't think I've ever noticed a plumping effect as strongly as I did with this serum. It wasn't just more hydrated in the way that makes your face feel slightly damp or comfortable, but genuinely fuller and more luminous. It gave me that juicy, light-reflecting glow that I usually associate with vitamin C serums, which was probably the biggest surprise of all. Of course, the glow from vitamin C is produced by different processes than those at work here, and this serum won't target hyperpigmentation - but the strong hydrating effect paired with the hydrated film on the skin's surface gave a similar luminous effect. The skin felt and looked good. I think calling it simply an HA serum undersells what is going on. The formula is essentially an elaborate hydration and film-forming system, with multiple types of HA sitting alongside a pretty impressive collection of other humectants, polymers and actives. Still, its main active is hyaluronic acid, and it made me rethink this ingredient and how I incorporate it into my routine. For a category I thought had become completely uninteresting, that's quite an achievement.
Banila Co | Clean It Zero Pore Clarifying Cleansing Balm
I really like the idea behind this cleansing balm. Cleansing balms tend to be marketed much more towards dry skin, while oily and acne-prone skin is often pushed towards astringent foaming cleansers. But the fact is, a balm cleanser is usually the best format to dissolve hard-to-take-off makeup (at least in my experience). So having a balm specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, which works well and leaves the skin feeling supple and hydrated without the risk of congesting it, just makes a lot of sense to me. The formula contains capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA) and salicylic acid, as well as gluconolactone, giving it a combination of exfoliating ingredients that makes sense for congested skin. Then there is tea tree (melaleuca alternifolia) in several forms, which gives the formula another ingredient associated with blemish-prone skin. Obviously, these are all in a rinse-off product, so I wouldn't expect this to behave like a leave-on acne treatment, but I like that the formula is addressing the concerns of the skin type it's aimed at. There is also parfum, which I'm less enthusiastic about, and it's relatively high up on the list. But this isn't a product that stays on the skin for long, so it's less of a concern (and I didn't have any irritation from it). My main problem with this product is actually the packaging. The jar is enormous. If you have limited counter space in your bathroom, it's a nuisance, and the whole process of opening it, removing the little inner cap and getting the product out is unnecessarily cumbersome because the packaging is so damn big. It's not a dealbreaker, but it makes something that should be a very simple step in your routine feel weirdly inconvenient. The other thing I've noticed is that it takes a little longer to wash off than other cleansing balms I've used. It does emulsify and you do get there eventually, but it takes more work — and therefore more time — massaging it around with water before it feels completely gone. You could argue that this gives the exfoliating ingredients a little more contact time, but for me and my skin, I'm not convinced that's enough of a benefit to make the extra effort worthwhile. And those two things are really what's keeping this from being a great product (rather than just a good one) for me. I love the concept, and I love having a cleansing balm that feels much less likely to be a problem for oily or acne-prone skin. If you have acne-prone skin, I definitely recommend it. Personally, I'm unsure if I'll repurchase - if they change the packaging or sell it in a smaller format, then I most certainly will.
Realbarrier | Extreme Cream Mask
This product is as straightforward as it gets. It's fabric sheet mask soaked in a very hydrating formula. Quite literally: the moment I put it on, it felt like I had applied a very heavy layer of moisturiser to my face. It caused no irritation, and I also didn't experience any congestion or breakouts afterwards - which I was slightly worried about, given that's how my skin reacts to some heavy moisturisers - although this does not feel like a particularly occlusive formula. It's more like a heavy serum than a thick cream, if that makes sense. The ingredient list contains glycerin and niacinamide, which I always like to see and make perfect sense for this mask, followed by other humectants and emollients, and there is also panthenol, allantoin and sodium hyaluronate, so there is plenty here to attract and retain water while also making the skin feel softer and more comfortable. Then there is a fairly impressive collection of Centella components — madecassoside, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and asiatic acid — covering the main compounds associated with Centella’s soothing, antioxidant and skin-repair properties. There are some other interesting actives here too. Adenosine has evidence for improving the appearance of fine lines, but I wouldn't expect a single sheet-mask application to suddenly deliver those benefits. In a daily moisturiser, though, that's a different story. If I had one issue with this mask (which I don't), that would be it. The formula is good, but I'm not sure the sheet-mask format adds that much to it. Most of the ingredients I'd actually be interested in using are ingredients that make more sense as part of a regular leave-on routine. For a one-off treatment, you do notice increased hydration with no side effects, but that would probably also be true if I had put a disproportionately thick moisturiser on my face for 15–20 minutes. It's inexpensive, so not an outrageous product to try (and the main reason why I don't have an issue with it), but instead of repurchasing, it made me want to get the actual Extreme Cream moisturiser.
Jayjun | Lavender Tea Eye Gel Patch
This is the worst rating I've personally given a product. The brands instructs to leave eye patches on for 20–30 minutes, but I can barely make it to 15 before the stinging around the tops of my cheekbones becomes too uncomfortable. And I wouldn't mind stinging if this was a formula made purposefully with aggressive actives. I've used strong vitamin C and chemical exfoliant products to know that sometimes, a tingling sensation is part of the process - although that has never happened for a product marketed for the eye area. The ingredient list starts with glycerin and niacinamide, followed by a whole collection of humectants and water-binding ingredients including butylene glycol, propanediol, pentylene glycol and betaine. There's also sodium hyaluronate, so from a purely hydrating perspective, this should be a pretty sensible eye patch. It even has some soothing ingredients, like allantoin and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, while adenosine is a legitimate anti-ageing ingredient with evidence for improving the appearance of fine lines. There's also tocopherol, plus a list of antioxidant-rich extracts. None of these make my skin react. There's also no exfoliating acid or retinoid here that I could attribute the stinging . So what makes this so bad? And what makes it sting? The obvious thing to look at is the fragrance load. And ironically, the biggest culprit seems to be the thing they advertise the most. This contains lavender flower powder, lavender flower extract and, worst of all, lavender oil, quite high up in the ingredients list. It also contains linalool, a recognised fragrance allergen. Lavender oil contains fragrance compounds that can irritate or sensitise skin, and the eye area is probably the last place where I want a product to introduce a fragrant cocktail, especially in the concentrated format of a mask. The brand also claims that lavender flower extract is “renowned for its firming property.” That was news to me; I had never heard of "firming properties" being associated with any lavender-derived ingredients. I went looking and couldn't find good clinical evidence to back up that claim. There are laboratory and animal studies looking at lavender preparations related to collagen production, but they involve things like lavender essential oil, fermented lavender extract or wound-healing models, rather than lavender flower extract being used on intact human skin. So while there is some preliminary research around lavender and collagen-related processes, calling it “renowned for its firming property” makes the evidence sound considerably more established than it actually is. I won't be using these again on my face. I was wondering where else I could use them (on my body) that wouldn't trigger such a reaction, but eye patches are a weird thing to repurpose. I might just toss them.