So I’ve been trying many products in my quest for a good routine and I thought this week’s post could be mini-reviews of the things I’ve tried so far.

First off, cleansers:

Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick– This product was a huge letdown. So many people consider it to be one of their Holy Grail (HG) products I was expecting something good. At first I thought it was just mediocre. It didn’t really foam and the rose petals felt kind of weird. But as I used it I started to notice that my skin was drier and drier. My skin started to squeak when I used the cleanser and it felt dry and tight after using it. So overall not a good fit for me.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Foaming Face Wash – This product was just kind of meh. Nice amount of foam, neither fun nor unfun to use. It would have been a keeper except that my face squeaked using it as well and that is a bad sign for my sad dehydrated skin.

Innisfree Calming Gel Cleaner – DNW! This didn’t squeak the first time I used it (though it did squeak the second time), but it smelled HORRIBLE and it made my skin feel so incredibly dry and tight I thought my skin was going to crack every time I moved my face. The tightness even lasted after I put on my argan oil which usually cures feelings of dryness and tightness. This week is the testing week for it and I can’t decide whether to give it some more time or just go back to the Hada Labo and start testing my next product (Benton Snail Bee Essence) while researching other low ph non-foaming cleansers.

Banila Clean it Zero – I expected this product to work out well. I had used it before and not traced it to any problems so I thought it would be an easy one to start again. It was replacing my beloved Josie Maran Argan Oil Cleanser because I wanted to try something AB. However it left a film so I had to spend extra time with my 2nd cleanser to get it off. Also within 24 hours of starting it I was breaking out. So I stopped using it and went back to my JM and my skin is much much happier.

Moisturizers

belif Aqua Bomb – This was just kind of a nothing moisturizer. A little too heavy to use in the AM and I already have an HG PM moisturizer. Discontinued.

Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream – Love love love love. I have to use a very light touch, a little goes a long way, but it is wonderful. It feels great going on, it doesn’t weigh me down, it’s perfect for the AM. It keeps me feeling moisturized but not oily all day. Love love love.

Other

Konjac Sponge – Someone on http://www.reddit.com/r/asianbeauty suggested that I just use a konjac sponge in the AM instead of a cleanser because I was having so much trouble with dehydration. It has been amazing. It cleans away oil and the oil actually stays away for hours. Many mornings I wake up like an oil slick and the konjac sponge restores me to a normal face. I have found that I don’t need a cleanser, the sponge is enough. It’s great!