| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | AA | |
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1 | Brand | Name | Type | Price | Size (oz) | Cost per oz | Notes | Repurchase? | |||||||||||||||||||
2 | **NOTE: Current routine is mostly Stratia, but as the owner, I'm biased, so I don't review Stratia products here | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | CLEANSERS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | A'pieu | Clean Up Herb Source Cleansing Balm | Balm cleanser | $12 | 2.5 | $4.80 | LOVE. So good at getting out grits | ||||||||||||||||||||
6 | Aritaum | Fair Smile Fermentation Cleansing Oil | Oil cleanser | $11 | 5.1 | $2.16 | Super thin texture, smells like baby powder, emulsifies super well and easily | ||||||||||||||||||||
7 | Banila Co | Clean It Zero | Balm cleanser | $17 | 3.4 | $5.00 | Gentle, moisturizing, smells great, messy to use | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 | Banila Co | Clean It Zero Radiance | Balm cleanser | $20 | 3.4 | $5.88 | Luxurious and smells great, difficult with spatula | ||||||||||||||||||||
9 | Cerave | Hydrating Cleanser | Cream cleanser | $10 | 12 | $0.83 | Gentle, hydrating, can't handle too much oil & leaves a film | No | |||||||||||||||||||
10 | Clinique | Take the Day Off Balm | Balm cleanser | $30 | 3.8 | $7.89 | Gets makeup off but leaves a film - better balm cleansers out there | No | |||||||||||||||||||
11 | DHC | Deep Cleansing Oil | Oil cleanser | $25 | 6.7 | $3.73 | Really good at getting grits out, but drying | No | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | Donginbi | Red Ginseng Treatment Cleansing Oil Gel | Gel cleanser | $28 | 8.5 | $3.29 | Truly wonderful. Very strong smell but leaves me clean, soft, and glowing | ||||||||||||||||||||
13 | Etude House | Real Art Cleansing Oil Moisture | Oil cleanser | $19 | 6.7 | $2.84 | It's fine, good to use as a travel oil cleanser. Nothing special. | ||||||||||||||||||||
14 | First Aid Beauty | Face Cleanser | Foaming cleanser | $21 | 5 | $4.20 | Gentle, unscented, powerful enough to remove makeup, a little drying | ||||||||||||||||||||
15 | Hada Labo | Gokujyun Cleansing Oil | Oil cleanser | $13 | 6.7 | $1.94 | Great. Unscented, not stripping, super effective. A workhorse. | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
16 | Hada Labo | Gokujyun Foaming Face Wash | Foaming cleanser | $12 | 5.4 | $2.22 | Self-foaming, gentle, pretty drying | No | |||||||||||||||||||
17 | Hada Labo | Tokyo Hydrating Cleanser | Foaming cleanser | $8 | 3.5 | $2.29 | Less drying than other HL, no scent, very gentle | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | Holika Holika | Skin & Good Cera Steam Cleansing Lotion | Cream cleanser | $12 | 6.7 | $1.79 | Smells great, works okay. Tends to disappear unless you use a ton. | No | |||||||||||||||||||
19 | Iope | Moisture Skin Cleansing Lotion | Cream cleanser | $19 | 6.7 | $2.84 | Smells like old lady perfume and clogged my chin something awful | No | |||||||||||||||||||
20 | Kikumasamune | Skin Care Cleansing Gel | Gel cleanser | $10 | 6.7 | $1.49 | A lot like the TCFS Sitkoza but smells like sake and less soothing | ||||||||||||||||||||
21 | Sasatinnie | Honey Purifying Gel Cleanser | Gel cleanser | $12 | 3.4 | $3.53 | |||||||||||||||||||||
22 | Skinfood | Black Sugar Cleansing Oil | Oil cleanser | $16 | 5.7 | $2.81 | Gentle, very slippy, emulsifies well, strong lemony scent | ||||||||||||||||||||
23 | The Yeon | Ho! Yogo Charm! Clean! Cleansing Gel | Gel cleanser | $6 | 5.1 | $1.18 | I really like it - nice scent, soothing, works well - but the packaging is unusable | ||||||||||||||||||||
24 | Too Cool For School | Sitkoza Cleansing Gel | Gel cleanser | $8 | 5.1 | $1.57 | Really solid. Non foaming, easy to use, rinses cleanly. Very much in like. | ||||||||||||||||||||
25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
27 | ACTIVES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
28 | Curology | Acne - tretinoin/azelaic/clindamycin | Retinol/Rx | $20 a month | Love the tretinoin; moderate irritation for first 2 weeks | ||||||||||||||||||||||
29 | Curology | Anti-aging - tretinoin/MAP/niacinamide | Retinol/Rx | $20 a month | Not irritating, works amazing | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
30 | MUAC | 25% Mandelic Acid Peel | AHA | $18 | 1 | $18.00 | 1-2x weekly peel - immediate smoothing, even tone, remove roughness | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
31 | MUAC | 40% Mandelic Acid Peel | AHA | $25 | 1 | $25.00 | Weekly peel - like 25% but better (no additional irritation) | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
32 | MUAC | Mandelic Acid toner | AHA | $16 | 8 | $2.00 | Alcohol is the second ingredient and it's pretty drying | No | |||||||||||||||||||
33 | MUAC | Mandelic/Salicylic Peel | AHA/BHA | $18 | 1 | $18.00 | 1-2x monthly peel - very harsh, left with minor burns | ||||||||||||||||||||
34 | OST | C20 Vitamin C serum | Vit C | $23 | 1 | $23.00 | Doesn't sting, very sticky, no E or ferulic | No | |||||||||||||||||||
35 | Papa Recipe | White Flower Clear Up 8% AHA Gel | AHA | $20 | 3.4 | $5.88 | Very effective, not irritating, smells like fish butts | ||||||||||||||||||||
36 | Paula's Choice | 2% BHA liquid | BHA | $26 | 4 | $6.50 | Skin feels smoother and more even; minimal drying; a little greasy | ||||||||||||||||||||
37 | Paula's Choice | 8% AHA gel | AHA | $26 | 3.3 | $7.88 | Sometimes makes skin smoother, sometimes causes irritation | No | |||||||||||||||||||
38 | Silk Naturals | 8% AHA toner | AHA | $9 | 4 | $2.25 | It's fine, but harsh - for this level of harshness I'd rather have glycolic | No | |||||||||||||||||||
39 | Skinceuticals | C E Ferulic | Vit C | $120 | 1 | $120.00 | Incredible - purged every single CC I had; not sticky | I wish | |||||||||||||||||||
40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
41 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | TONERS AND FIRST ESSENCES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
43 | Cosrx | AHA/BHA Daily Treatment Toner | pH adjusting toner | $13 | 5.1 | $2.55 | Gentle, great for removing hard water residue, too low pH to use before actives | ||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Goodal | Waterest Tone Up First Essence | First essence | $25 | 5 | $5.00 | Smells nice, heavy/occlusive for a FTE, haven't noticed much of an impact | No | |||||||||||||||||||
45 | Hada Labo | Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist | Hydrating toner | $14 | 5.7 | $2.46 | Gentle, makes masks work better, sticky, doesn't absorb super well | ||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Kikumasamune | High Moist Lotion | Hydrating toner | $12 | 16.9 | $0.71 | BREAKS ME OUT (whiteheads) | No | |||||||||||||||||||
47 | Klairs | Supple Preparation Facial Toner | Hydrating toner | $22 | 6.1 | $3.61 | Smells wonderful, feels great, makes everything else work better | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
48 | Lirikos | Marine Triple Treatment Essence | First essence | $35 | 4.7 | $7.45 | Very watery, soaks in quickly, no noticeable effects | ||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Missha | First Treatment Essence (FTE) | First essence | $50 | 5 | $10.00 | BREAKS ME OUT (red spots, small whiteheads) | No | |||||||||||||||||||
50 | Missha | The First Clear Toner | Hydrating toner | $14 | 4.2 | $3.33 | Nothing special, too much stuff to be a pH adjustor | No | |||||||||||||||||||
51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | ESSENCES, SERUMS, AMPOULES, AND OILS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Banila Co | Miss Flower and Mr. Honey Essence Oil | Essence oil | $28 | 1 | $28.00 | Smells amazing, 1-2 drops makes skin supple and dewy, too heavy for humid days | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
55 | Benton | Snail Bee High Content Essence | Essence | $15 | 2 | $7.50 | Moderately moisturizing, not sure it does a ton | No | |||||||||||||||||||
56 | Blossom Jeju | Camellia Soombi Essence Oil | Essence oil | $65 | 1 | $65.00 | Uggghhhh why must the things I love cost so much | ||||||||||||||||||||
57 | ECHOICE | Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist | Mist | $2 | Smells great, very soothing, light hydration but not at all sticky, mist isn't very fine | ||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Graymelin | Propolis 80 Energy Ampoule | Ampoule | $27 | 1.7 | $15.88 | Soothing, healing, soaks in quickly, not sticky | ||||||||||||||||||||
59 | Iope | Revitalizing Lifting Serum | Serum | $15 | 1.4 | $10.71 | More like an emulsion, but very moisturizing | ||||||||||||||||||||
60 | It's Skin | Power 10 Formula LI Effector | Serum | $11 | 1 | $11.00 | Fine but very sticky and heavy - needs to be only essence | No | |||||||||||||||||||
61 | Mizon | All in One Snail Repair Cream | Emulsion | $19 | 2.5 | $7.60 | BREAKS ME OUT (closed comedones) | No | |||||||||||||||||||
62 | Mizon | Mela Defense White Capsule Essence | Essence | $28 | 1.7 | $16.47 | |||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Nature Republic | Bee Venom Emulsion | Emulsion | $19 | 5 | $3.80 | Kind of greasy but very calming - great for bumpiness | ||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Ren Guang Do | Pure Camellia Seed Oil | Oil | $12 | 1.7 | $6.76 | Pleasant nutty smell (no added fragrance) and deeply moisturizing | ||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Scinic | Honey All-In-One Ampoule | Ampoule | $23 | 8 | $2.88 | Soothing, hydrating, a little sticky, hydration lasts all day | ||||||||||||||||||||
66 | The Yeon | Jeju Canola Honey Essential Serum | Serum | $14 | 6.8 | $2.06 | Essentially a dupe for Scinic Honey AIO but less sticky | ||||||||||||||||||||
67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | LOTIONS AND CREAMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Belif | The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb | Cream | $38 | 1.7 | $22.35 | So silky, deeply moisturizing, absorbs beautifully, completely non-greasy | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
71 | Blossom Jeju | Camellia Soombi Day Cream | Cream | $70 | 1.7 | $41.18 | Good but not great. Love the whipped texture, works well but not enough to merit the price tag | ||||||||||||||||||||
72 | Cerave | in the tub | Thick cream | $14 | 16 | $0.88 | Heavy, slightly greasy, super moisturizing | ||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Cerave | PM | Cream | $12 | 3 | $4.00 | Lighter than other Cerave, very moisturizing, 4% niacinamide | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
74 | Cosrx | Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream | Cream | $23 | 1.7 | $13.53 | Heavier than Cerave PM but dries smooth and matte | ||||||||||||||||||||
75 | Dr. Jart+ | Premium Firming Sleeping Mask | Sleeping pack | $40 | 1.7 | $23.53 | THE ONE. | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
76 | Embryolisse | Lait-Creme Concentre | Cream | $28 | 2.5 | $11.20 | Lovely light texture but strong scent and not heavy enough for dry skin | ||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Kuan Yuan Lian | Aloe Moisturizing Cream | Cream | $10 | 2.7 | $3.70 | Light, absorbs quickly, dries matte, a great summer cream | ||||||||||||||||||||
78 | Laneige | Water Sleeping Pack EX | Sleeping pack | $29 | 2.7 | $10.74 | Nice, cooling sleeping pack, not super moisturizing but firms and plumps | ||||||||||||||||||||
79 | Mizon | Snail Recovery Gel Cream | Gel | $13 | 1.5 | $8.67 | BREAKS ME OUT (closed comedones) | No | |||||||||||||||||||
80 | Sana | Nameraka Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream | Eye cream | $13 | 0.9 | $14.44 | Great, no-nonsense eye cream - soothing, gentle, brightening | ||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Sana | Soy Milk Astaxanthin Lifting Gel | Gel | $11 | 1.7 | $6.47 | Amaaazing texture, closer to a serum, moisturizing, a little redness reduction | ||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Skin Ceramic | Donkey Milk Yogurt All-in-One Moisture Gel Cream | Cream | $25 | 3.5 | $7.14 | Sticky but holds moisture super well, even in drying A/C | ||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Sulwhasoo | Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream | Cream | $180 | 2 | $90.00 | I don't get it. Smells like ginseng but greasy and doesn't soak in | No | |||||||||||||||||||
84 | Sulwhasoo | Overnight Vitalizing Mask | Sleeping pack | $50 | 4 | $12.50 | Smells amazing, moderately moisturizing, firms and plumps well, pretty heavy | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
85 | The Saem | Urban Eco Harakeke Root Cream | Cream | $14 | 2 | $7.00 | Nice but nothing special - a good-smelling light moisturizing cream | ||||||||||||||||||||
86 | The Yeon | Jeju Canola Honey Wrapping Multi Cream | Cream | $15 | 3.4 | $4.41 | So good! Very smooth silicone-y feel, keeps my face moisturized all day | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
87 | The Yeon | Water Drop Moisture Intensive Cream | Cream | $16 | 1.7 | $9.41 | Made me break out :( will try again later | ||||||||||||||||||||
88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | SPOT TREATMENTS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Aquaphor | Healing Ointment | Ointment/salve | $13 | 14 | $0.93 | How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: INFINITY | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
92 | Cosrx | Acne Pimple Master Patch | Hydrocolloid bandage | $6 | 24ct | n/a | The best I've tried - never slides off and sucks all the gunk out | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
93 | Mario Badescu | Buffering Lotion | Cyst spot treatment | $19 | 1 | $19.00 | Great at what it does but very drying (alcohol-based) | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
94 | Mario Badescu | Drying Cream | Pimple spot treatment | $17 | 0.5 | $34.00 | Works pretty well on erupted pimples, but super, super drying | No | |||||||||||||||||||
95 | Nexcare | Acne Absorbing Covers | Hydrocolloid bandage | $8 | 36ct | n/a | Eh. Sometimes slips off and not as good as Cosrx at clearing spots out | No | |||||||||||||||||||
96 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | SUNSCREEN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | Biore | UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence | Sunscreen | $10 | 1.8 | $5.56 | Dries matte, absorbs fast, very drying | ||||||||||||||||||||
100 | Elta MD | UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 | Sunscreen | $35 | 1.8 | $19.44 | Husband's favorite - unscented, lightweight, good mix of UV protection |