Review: Etude House Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub

Etude House Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub (each 7g x 24 pouches)

Description: Formulated with Baking Powder to penetrate, exfoliate and cleanse skin deep within pores to remove makeup and residues. Scrub cleanser formulated with Peppermint to soothe skin.
- 100%  natural fragrance
- Dye-free

Active ingredients: Baking Powder

Directions: Tear along dotted line to extract scrub cleanser from pouch (one pouch per application). Apply cleanser to wet face, lather and massage then rinse off with warm water. Use 1-2 times a week.

It comes in a 3-dimensional blue triangular prism box. The top lid can be easily open and closed.

One box contains 24 pouches. Each pouch weighs 7g. The shape of the pouch remind me of a traditional game called "five stones". LOL. *crap* Though the package states "One pouch per application", for me, one pouch can lasts for 2-4 usages. The number of usage per pouch depends on how much you use each time.

Each pouch has a tear line at the top which I think it's very thoughtful as it makes it easier to open the pouch. You can open it anywhere at anytime without needing a pair of scissor. 

By ripping off the tear-line given, create a small hole where product can be easily squeeze out and you can simply control the amount of product being squeeze out from the pouch. Also, as the opening is very small, it minimizes the chance of leftover being exposed to the air.

This is how I usually keep the leftover. 

Demonstration on my mom's hand~:

Wet the desired area prior application. Upon application, you can add a bit more water and continue massage...

It contains fine and mild scrubbing particles/beads which gently exfoliates and removes the dead skin cells and impurities. Being a scrubbing product, it definitely contains more scrubbing particles/beads compared to Etude House Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam (Review: link). The scrubbing particles/beads will become tinier and finer during massaging. By the way, it does not lather up like what it claimed...

It can be rinsed off effortlessly, leaving the skin looking brighter, clean and smooth.

Color & Consistency:
White creamy texture with lots of fine and mild scrubbing particles.

Scent:
It has a citrusy, lemony-orangey scent which smells pretty similar to the Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam (Review: link) from the same product range/line.

Moisture Test:

Before using the crunch pore scrub, my mom's skin moisture level is 33.5%.

After using the crunch pore scrub, my mom's skin moisture level increases to 33.0%.

Moisture loss before and after using the scrub is 0.5%.

Comparing the result taken before and after using the scrub,

I concluded that this baking powder crunch pore scrub is not very drying.

**Above result is just for the application of the crunch pore scrub, without prior application of a toner**

Likes:
- contains ample amount of fine scrubbing particles/beads
- exfoliates and cleanses well
- unclogged pores; get rid and minimize the amount of whiteheads
- makes the blackheads/whiteheads on my nose easier to extract
- not very drying
- slight cooling feel upon application
- leaves skin feeling smooth and clean
- didn't break me out
- each pouch can be used more than once!
- the scent

Dislikes:
- might not suit all levels of sensitivity skin

Verdict: I get clogged pores(whiteheads, very small fresh color bumps) very easily and this Crunch Pore Scrub exfoliates and cleanses my skin decently. It did help to unclog the pores and minimize the amount of whiteheads/small fresh-colored bumps, leaving my skin feeling smooth, brighter and clean without feeling too dry. And thankfully, it didn't break me out or cause any skin reaction. 

I usually exfoliate twice a week but when I use this Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub for more than once a week, I do find it a little abrasive on my sensitive skin, especially on the area of my cheeks (excluding the area of my nose). So on the second round of exfoliation, I would normally use a different exfoliator, a more gentle one — "Cure Natural Aqua Gel" — on my face, excluding the area of my nose. The area of my nose are non-sensitive but very oily hence, I usually use the Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub on my nose twice a week. It helps to get rid some of the blackheads but not all(the stubborn ones)... On the plus side...after using the scrub for a few times, I noticed it makes the stubborn blackheads/whiteheads on my nose easier to extract using the extractor tool.

On the other hand, I would not recommend this crunch pore scrub to people who have HIGH level of sensitivity skin. My mom, who has dry and very sensitive skin, tried this on her face and it left her skin feeling stinging/tingly and slight burning. With that said, I will recommend to do a small patch test on a small area of your skin prior to use on your face.

All in all, I really love this Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub! It does its job well!

Review: The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Charcoal Nose Strip

The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Charcoal Nose Strip (7 sheets)

Description:

The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Charcoal Nose Strip removes all dirt, impurities and blackheads from pores with no mercy. The mud includes pore clear agent and natural mineral which helps control the sebum inside the pores, leaving the skin feeling clean and smooth.

Directions: 

1) Wash face, leaving nose thoroughly wet. 

2) Remove the clear lining from the smooth side of the strip.

3) Apply across the bridge of the nose, pressing down firmly to ensure maximum contact.

4) Let it dry for 10-15minutes until the strip has hardened.

5) Slowly peel off the strip.

Each box contains 7 sheets. Each nose strip is well-sealed in a "wrapper" as shown in the picture. 

The sealed wrapper can be easily ripped open as there are two tear lines at the top right and left of the wrapper. To take out the nose strip, you just have to tear from either the right or left tear-line to rip open the sealed wrapper.

The nose strip can be easily removed from the clear lining.

Color and Consistency:

I got the nose strip in charcoal and hence, it has a charcoal-black color. When it comes in contact with water(wet the nose prior to use), it can become very adhesive which is great as it can stick out the gunk more effectively.

Scent:

I don't know how to describe the scent. My friend dislikes the scent as she finds it too strong but for me, I don't find it unbearable... 

Result:

A zoom-in picture: Look at the amount of gunk and facial hair being pulled out~ Well, it's not as much as compared to the first time I used The Face Shop Nose Strip — the previous old version — The Face Shop Blackhead EX Charcoal Pore Strip. Check out my review here: http://bitsdiaries.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-face-shop-blackhead-ex-charcoal.html

That probably just means my skin condition has improved throughout the years which also means, I did take proper care(cleanses well etc.) of my skin LOL~ 

Oil-Control:

I don't think it has any oil-control as my nose still gets as oily as it normally would gets. In my opinion, I think it only helps to remove and clean the clogged impurities and sebum that build up in the pores.

Likes:
- very adhesive!
- works effectively in pulling out the gunk from pores!
- leaving the nose feeling clean and smooth
- not drying
- easy to use
- very affordable
- contains charcoal
- comes in Aloe formula/version

Dislikes:
- might not pull out all the blackheads
- does enlarge the pores on the nose

Neutral:
- upon peeling off the pore strip, it does leaves the nose looking sightly red (the redness will subsidize and be gone after awhile)
- oil-control

Verdict: The Face Shop Nose Strip is by far the most effective ones I have ever tried! I absolutely love this product! It's one of my holy grail products~ As my nose is usually oily-prone, I choose charcoal over aloe. I use it once or twice a week. It works exactly the same as the old version — It does remove majority of the impurities, dirt and oil from the pores, leaving the nose feeling clean and smooth.

For best result, steam your nose before using the nose strip. I will normally use Etude House Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub to exfoliate my nose first, then steam and wet my nose prior using the nose strip. I find it works more effective in pulling out all the gunk from my pores if I go through these steps.

From what I've noticed...after using the nose strip, it does enlarge the pores and make them look more noticeable. As it pulls out all the gunk, there will be "holes"(opened pores) — a place where the gunk once lived in... — left on the nose. Therefore, after using the pore strip, I will use a pore tightening face mask to tighten the pores and then continue with my usual skincare routine. If you are using pore tightening skincare products, you probably can skip the face mask step. I strongly recommend to use a pore astringent or other pore tightening products to avoid enlarged pores.

All in all, The Face Shop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Charcoal Nose Strip is quite effective. It's worth giving it a try! 

Review: The Face Shop Mini Capsule Pack (Cucumber)

The Face Shop Mini Capsule Pack (Cucumber) [10ml]

Description: The Face Shop Mini Capsule Wash-Off Pack (Cucumber) has cucumber extract, which is rich in minerals and gives moisture to the skin.

Directions: After cleansing, spread adequate amount of the pack on your face for 10-15 minutes and wash-off with lukewarm water. Avoid the eye and mouth areas.

TIPs: For a cooling and comfortable experience, store the Mini Capsule Pack in the fridge prior to use. 

The Mini Capsule Pack comes in a plastic jelly/flower shaped mould sealed with a foil cover.

 The foil cover can be easily unsealed. However, once you unsealed the cover, you can't reseal it.

Hence, if you don't plan to finish the pack at one go, you probably need a container to store the leftover like what I did. The number of usage for each capsule pack depends on how much you apply and the size of your face. Each capsule pack has enough product for me to use twice.

It does not come with a spatula so if you have spatula at home, you can use it to scoop out the product.

Color and Consistency:
It looks greenish in the capsule pack but once applied on the skin, it turns clear. It has a gel/jelly-like texture with little round undissolved jelly-like particles, which to me kind of resemble the cucumber pulps~

Scent:
It smells like cucumber~

Wash-off demonstration on my mom's hand~:

Apply on skin for 15 minutes. It doesn't drip or make any mess.

After 15 minutes, rinse-off with lukewarm water~

Ta-daaaa~ it can be easily wash-off. No fuss~

I don't find it greasy however, the skin does feel a little sticky right after washing it off. On the positive side, the sticky-feel only lingers for awhile.

Moisture Test:

Before applying the mask, my mom's skin moisture level is 32.6%.

After applying the mask, my mom's skin moisture level increases to 40.8%.

Moisture gained before and after applying the mask is 8.2%.

Comparing the result taken before and after applying the mask,

I concluded that this mask does moisturizes the skin.

**Above result is just for the application of the mask, without prior application of a toner**

Likes:
- leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturized
- soothing and cooling (prior storing in fridge)
- not greasy
- easy to wash off
- suits all skin types including sensitive skin
- fuss-free~

Dislikes:
- skin might feels sticky right after washing it off but the sticky-feel only lingers for awhile
- does not come with spatula

Verdict: In my opinion, this Cucumber Mini Capsule Pack is a very basic soothing and hydrating mask, which I think it can be use 2-3 times per week. I don't see any brightening effect after using it though... I find it perfect to use after a long day in the sun or in a hot weather as it helps to soothe and cool the skin while replenish skin moisture, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and moisturized.