laneige

Laneige Cream Skin Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (also known as Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer at Sephora) is a light-weight two-in-one toner/moisturizer liquid that preps and hydrates the skin in one step. This is for all skin types (according to Sephora’s website, however, on the bottle (from Sephora) says for normal to dry skin) and claims to soften and deeply moisturize the skin.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl- 10 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Disodium Edta, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol

Cream Skin contains glycerin and butylene glycol, humectants; meadowfoam seed oil, an emollient, softening and occlusive ingredient; glyceryl caprylate has moisturizing properties; propanediol enhances absorption and has hydrating properties that can leave a dewy finish on the skin.

Directions: After cleansing, morning and evening, shake into the palm of the hand and pat into skin until absorbed. Can apply with toner pads. For extra dry skin, layer product by reapplying or soak toner pad and leave on skin for a few minutes, then pat into skin.

I have an oily T-zone/combination/dehydrated skin prone to congestion and blackheads. Cream Skin is a liquid formula, a little thicker than water, and has no scent. I’ve been using Cream Skin for about a month, on the face and neck, around the eyes and on the lips, applying with Klairs Toner Mate 2-in-1 Cotton Pad (I find if I pat onto the skin with my hands, I use too much). For the first couple uses, I was applying too much and it left my skin quite shiny/tacky. My skin does not feel oilier when using nor did I get breakouts. It leaves a smooth, dewy finish on the skin (as seen in the above photo) and my skin feels so soft. It does not feel heavy on the skin, but I can feel it to the touch. If I apply other products to the skin, particularly light gel treatments like Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, Cream Skin needs to dry for a bit (about 5 minutes) before applying and even then my skin looks shinier and I’m not sure that other treatments are being fully absorbed. (Update May 26) – I just started using Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence. I used once 5 minutes after applying a very little bit of Cream Skin Refiner and the essence was a bit shiny on the skin and the skin felt plump and moisturized. The next day I applied the essence after a normal toner and it absorbed into the skin leaving a sort of dry stickiness, then a smooth layer after a few minutes; so I’m pretty sure the Cream Skin is blocking some absorption of other products.

Cream Skin moisturizes very well and protects from water loss. After a few hours the dewiness disappears, but there is a soft protective layer on the skin until I cleanse at the end of the day. I also use this product on the back of the hands in the evening.

When my skin is very dry, for instance, after a hot shower, Cream Skin makes my skin immediately hydrated, whereas before I would have to use a toner, hyaluronic acid and a cream, and even then, the skin would still feel/look a bit dry. With tretinoin use, my skin will get dry and flaky, I will get dry patches around my mouth and nose and sunscreen and makeup will stick on these dry areas and make the skin look worse, but with Cream Skin makeup and sunscreen apply very nicely.

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner is moisturizing for oily and dry skin, with one layer in warmer months, and I would use multiple layers in winter. I will not need to purchase a separate moisturizer. This has become a favorite and I will definitely repurchase; I just hope that other products layered over Cream Skin are being absorbed.

As a side note, Cream Skin Refiner is available on chuusi.ca and mikaela-beauty.com for a bit cheaper than at Sephora, with fast shipping. There is also a mist version available that I might try on dry areas of the body (I would love a body version of Cream Skin).

Thank you for reading.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 2 Comments

The Lip Sleeping Mask by Laneige is an overnight treatment that claims to reduce flakiness and fine lines, and soothe and moisturize for smooth, soft and supple lips.

Ingredients: Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl / Isostearyl / Cetyl / Stearyl / Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera / Cire de Candelilla, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Butylene / Ethylene / Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene / Propylene / Styrene Copolymer, Mica (CI 77019), Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dimethicone, Fragrance / Parfum, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax / Cera Carnauba / Cire de Carnauba, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 6 (CI 15850), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Water, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside

The mask contains Moisture Wrap technology that forms an 8-hour time-release moisturizing layer on the skin that locks in active ingredients, and Berry Mix Complex that is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Directions state to apply a generous layer to the lips in the evening, leaving on overnight and wiping off or cleansing in the morning.

I got the mini size original lip mask as part of the Goodnight with Laneige kit that included the Water Sleeping Mask. I had gone camping last week and forgot my Quench lip balm, and my lips got quite dry, had some flakiness on the bottom lip and a couple cracks, so took this opportunity to try the lip mask.

It has a slight berry scent and taste. It applies smoothly with a bit of a sticky, heavy feeling on the lips. I applied with my fingertip and when rinsing with just water, there was a thick oily layer left on my finger, so needed soap to wash it off. It had taken me about an hour to fall asleep and by then, the mask had absorbed into the lips by about 50%. It has good staying power and I still felt it on my lips in the morning.

In the morning my lips felt a bit sticky and not as moisturized as I would have liked. They look okay in the “morning” photo. After cleansing with my regular cleanser, it looks like the mask helped with some surface hydration, but there is still a visible dry layer.

Above, I took a photo 20 minutes after cleansing as my lips felt drier and the three cracks on the bottom lip are more visible.

In the photo above, for a closer comparison, the surface hydration is better; the lips feel dry, however, and I still feel the flakiness on the bottom lip.

I also tried a small amount of the lip mask during the day and it made my lips drier and flakier than they were to begin with. To use up my mini jar, I might try it over lipstick to give a bit of shine, but wouldn’t put directly on the lips again.

The above photos were both taken the morning after their respective evening routines. I wanted to see how my regular evening lip care routine compared to the lip mask, so the next night after cleansing, I misted my lips with water, added a drop of The Ordinary’s Marine Hyaluronics, followed by my long-time favorite, Quench Lip Treatment Balm by Your Best Face Skincare, and Biossance 100% Squalane Oil. My normal routine performed much better than the Lip Sleeping Mask. In the morning, my lips felt moisturized and soft and the three cracks on the bottom lip were nearly gone. There appeared to be fewer fine lines (likely due to so much moisture and softness) and I felt no flakiness on the bottom lip.

While the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask improved surface hydration, my lips still felt dry and flaky. I would not repurchase.

Thank you for reading.