We all wanted to have beautiful skin. And if you're not blessed with a translucent and clear skin the best that you can do is to search for products that will at least take you a step closer to that dream skin. I bet most of you have already heard and know of this cult favorite Korean skincare product, and a lot of beauty junkies have already reviewed this. If you're acne prone like me, I bet you've already heard of CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad.

Claims:
"One step Pimple Clear Pad is designed to wipe away excess dirt, oil, and purify clogged pores with exfoliating pre-moistened pads".

Ingredients:

Content: 70 pads

Country of Origin: South Korea

Price: PhP 665 in Watsons (approx. US$ 13), PhP 900-1,000 in online stores (approx. US$ 18-20)

Make sure to not fully peel/remove the protective foil. It will keep the pads from drying.
I was really skeptical at first because I'm a believer of traditional toner. But when I saw it at Watsons (and way cheaper compare to online stores), I decided to give it a try and I never looked back or regret this purchase. And I'm currently on my second tub and I have a reserve because this is always sold out (both online and in Watsons). 

If you actually read my previous posts regarding my dilemma with dry patches in my face, I'm happy to say that it was over. Ever since I added this to my (night) routine, I noticed that I'm getting less dry patches and my make-up really looked better than before. I noticed that my skin is getting better after more than a month of using CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad. 

I still get acne and my skin still go crazy weeks before my period, but unlike before where pimples pop everywhere in my face and my skin gets really patchy and oily, now I get pimples most of the time in jaw, neck, and forehead and less in face area and no patchy skin everywhere. I think CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad's exfoliation really works in removing dry patches and helps well in the absorption of skin care products (and make them really work!).


Look at all those grime! *eewww* It really wipes away oil and dirt.

The formulation is a little thicker than a regular toner and takes a bit of time to absorb but it will not leave any sticky feeling or residues. I usually wait a minute to dry before applying my serum. 

If you have acne and patchy skin, and you're not allergic to any of the listed ingredients, I suggest that you give CosRx One Step Pimple Clear Pad a try. I'm now a total believer and this is a staple!

PS: since this is a BHA product, make sure to use sunscreen! ♥♥♥

I started using Kose Medicated Sekkisei way back before I decided to review things. I found my another unused/unopened product in my cabinet and thought that this product actually deserves a review.

  
Kose Medicated Sekkisei claims: (description taken from Sekkisei Website)

• A medicated lotion with carefully selected oriental herbal extracts that leaves the skin moist, refreshed, fine-grained and beautiful as pure snow.
• Contains highly moisturizing ophiopogon tuber extract, rose myrtle extract and more. Richly hydrates the skin for enhanced translucency.
• The exquisite balance of water and oil provides both superb permeation and hydration. Leaves the skin’s surface feeling supple but never sticky. Creates beautifully translucent and well-hydrated skin that hides pores well and keeps the skin grain plump.
• Contains two types of oleic acid derivatives for better permeation, allowing the lotion to penetrate easily into skin that is rough and dry.

Key Ingredients: Coix Seed, Angelica Root, Melothria, Ophiopogon Tuber, Rose Myrtle

Price: ¥500, tax excluded for 24ml (got it on sale at ¥300, tax excluded)

Country of Origin: Japan 

 
I bought this on a whim when I went to Tokyo spring last year. I first saw a full-size bottle in Don Quixote but I find it quite expensive (¥5,000++) for a 200ml bottle. So when I saw a 24ml trial bottle in a drugstore (and it's on sale too, at ¥300), I decided to get 2 bottles to try on.

The bottle despite being a plastic really gives the product an expensive and sophisticated feel. If you're an impulsive type of shopper, the bottle alone gives you a good feel to buy this at its regular price. Great design can really make or break a product (sorry, I cant stop my graphic designer self).


Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched has a strong herbal scent which is neither offensive nor soothing. I can't find a full english translation of the ingredients but I believe it contains a herbs and flower based ingredients but it has alcohol as well. I noticed that a lot of Japanese beauty products are using alcohol, and most of the time is one of the top ingredients. So I'm guessing that the smell of this Medicated Sekkisei really comes from the mix of alcohol, flower, and herbs.


Unlike most toners which is clear and transparent, Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched has a whitish translucent color when in bottle. You can apply it with cotton or pat it with your palms and fingers, though I prefer the former.


I was able to finish my 24ml bottle in 1 month, more or less, used every night. In that span, Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched helped my skin to have a slightly soft texture but didn't help my acne problem back then. I also noticed that my skin dried a bit so I have to exfoliate at least twice a week.

Since I opened my 2nd bottle recently, I am slowly adding it again in my skin night regimen. I'm trying to use it every other night and so far no breakouts or drying of skin. I guess this toner is not for me nor I'll think of getting it in full size though I'm actually interested to try their other products, especially their suncare and bb creams.

Have you tried Kose Medicated Sekkisei Enriched?

I went to a dermatologist several years ago to consult my acne problem. She asked me what are the products I’m using and I mentioned that a toner is part of my skin regimen. She again asked me “what’s the toner for” and told me that it’s a useless product—and the consultation ended with her selling her own products but didn’t buy everything and it turned out what she sold me didn’t work at all. I tried different toners from different brands and derma house, but nothing really helped my problem. Then I removed toner from my skin regimen ever since.

Fast forward 2016, I was actually just browsing and checking on new Korean skin care products in the internet (with no intention of buying) and ended up clicking the page on toners. While reading all the description I learned that the new Korean toners doesn’t just remove excess grime or makeup, they now play a big role on how your skin care products work. I was considering an AHA or BHA toner from CosRx or Benton but it was out of stock in my trusted local online store. I looked up and read every single toner description that I think can help my skin and found A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner.


A'pieu Peach Stone Pore Less Freshner claims:
Free of the 3 additives: Parabens, Mineral Oils, Benzophenone

Description : A mild acid toner that keeps the pH balance of the skin refreshed and healthy. It contains stone peach extracts, peonies water, and pink clay that help soothe skin and minimize pores.

Size: 250ml

Ingredients:
Paeonia Suffruticosa Flower Water, Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Prunus Davidiana Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Chrondus Crispus Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, PEG-60 Hyrdogenated Castor Oil, Octyldodeceth-16, Ethylhexyglycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Kaolin, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

I decided to give it a try it a try because it’s mild acid toner but was hoping that it’s not as drying as AHA/BHA toners, aside from it’s half the price of the CosRx BHA toner that I was eying at.
Like most toners, the consistency of A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner is watery and clear, and you can apply it by either patting it with hands or with cotton. It has a very mild sweet flowery smell. I’m quite sensitive with fragrance and I love that this toner has no overpowering scent. I also think this has a very low alcohol content because there’s no sting in your eyes, nose, and skin when you’re applying the product.


What I actually love about A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner is that it’s doing its job. It removes the excess grime, dirt and makeup in your skin that your makeup remover and face wash didn’t. It also preps your skin for your next skin care product.

I'm quite surprised that after using this for less than a week, I noticed that my face is quite soft and bouncy whenever I’m washing my face in the morning. I’m quite sure that it’s because of A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner because this is the only thing I added in my regimen. I guess it not only exfoliates your skin but it actually boosts the effects of your skin care regimen. I’m using it with CosRx Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and Mizon Black Snail All in One cream (I will do a separate review on these two) in the evening. I’m using the two products prior to purchasing A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner and it was okay and doing their jobs as well. But it was after I added the Stone Peach toner to my night regimen that I saw a dramatic result with my snail products. I also noticed that I have less visible blackheads and whiteheads in my face and nose area, and the pores in my nose area were also smaller. 

Though I still wanted to try the toners from Benton or CosRx, the A’pieu Stone Peach Pore Less Freshner is on the top of my list now and the price is a total steal (Php410 or roughly $9 in Althea).

PS: Since this is a mild acidic toner, don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!

What's your favorite toner?