So yesterday I was out to buy a tube of face sunscreen, but then I saw these very cute eye-catching products with a witty brand name- I Dew Care

Tested here and there, read reviews online (& in picky of course!), and ultimately forgot the reason why I went out in the first place! 

Went home with a new Vitamin C serum and eye cream 😂  This is way out of my budget, but it has most of what matters to me in skincare- vegan, cruelty-free, good reviews, damn cute packaging!

Do you get hyped when seeing a new product? What about the packaging? Does it increase your likelihood of buying it? Have you had a similar impulsive buying experience?

Anyone tried I Dew Care before? I’d also love to hear your thoughts!

cute packaging

Picky friends in the US, any local affordable skincare brand that you love? Can be drugstore brands or small local business that offers amazing products!

My aunt is sending a care package next month so I’m thinking of buying stuffs to try. Plus points for cruelty-free ones!

Can’t wait to read your brand and product recommendations. Thank you!

Your favorite US Skincare brands

I’m obsessing over Illiyoon products because of the overwhelming suggestions from my dear pickys (yes, you!). I stumbled upon their sunscreen while filling my cart and so I’m looking for an advice from anybody who has tried it. 

It’s super affordable. Just US$20 for a 150ml bottle! So I’m really excited.

Illiyoon sunscreen

Been wanting to shift from jar/tub type moisturizer to a squeeze tube one.

Any recos?

Would need it to be light but very hydrating and sensitive-skin friendly.

Thank you!

Squeeze Tube Moisturizer

I went to a Japanese drugstore and saw an interesting selection of products with this ingredient as a highlight. 

I read about it and it was said to be a miracle ingredient from Hokkaido. I am like 99% not gonna try this for now, but I am curious if anybody has ever tried it before and could share the experience with us. 

Thoughts?

Horse Oil

Value for Money: 3.5&#47;5
It’s a good value for the amount of product you get, but you have to finish the product within 6 months after opening. I try to use this sparingly (spot treatment of very dry, flaky area or main moisturizer when my skin is acting up), because I don’t think I’ll be able to get a new one when I move back to my country (which is soon), but given the duration of use I might need to use it more. 

Texture: 4&#47;5
It has a no white mark texture promise, but it kind of does leave a faint white mark so if this is a concern it’s best to use it at night. I use it in day time only on days that my skin is acting up (super dry from night before or dermatitis flare up).

Other things to note:
Not vegan, not cruelty-free.

Skin type: Oily&#47;Sensitive
Season usage: January ~ present
5℃ ~ 28℃
Other factors: 60-95% Humidity, Occasional rainfall and cold front
Length of usage: More than two months and counting
Location: Northern Part of Taiwan

Price: NT$850 or US$30
Per ml: NT$8.50 or US$0.30
** Bought this on promotion for NT$399 or US$12 **

Ingredient Highlight:
Madecassoside
5% Panthenol
Thermal Spring Water

Product claims: Fragrance-free, Soothing balm, non-greasy, no white marks texture, skin barrier recovery, safe for babies, children and adults.

Accessibility: 5&#47;5
This product is everywhere in Taiwan, from chain drugstore to affordable beauty shops. It can also be purchased online.

Packaging: 5&#47;5
Very simple, white matte tube packaging. Never had an issue squeezing out enough product. I got the 100ml, but it would be good to have the 40ml size in my make-up bag. 

Texture: 4&#47;5
Texture is on the heavier side, but still lighter than petrolatum which makes it a good substitute for the later. Texture does not feel oily at all and my sensitive skin reacts well with this. 

Other things to note:
This is an amazing multi-tasking cream! I also use this product to immediately soothe mild burns from cooking. It works well for relieving itchy skin when my dermatitis flares up, but takes a little while to work- about 20 minutes so I need to restrain myself from scratching.

It has a fragrance that can be bothersome for others.

Nice packaging, very travel-friendly. This faded fresh acne marks in just a week.

Accessibility: 1&#47;5 
I’ve known this product from an affordable beauty store in Taiwan (小三美）and it’s the only place where this can be bought physically. Although it’s also available on the shop’s website and some unofficial sellers in Shopee, you have to pay additional shipping fee for it. Currently out of stock everywhere here so it seems impossible for me to restock when I finish this bottle.

Texture: 4&#47;5
Hard to get enough product in one pump because of its creamy texture.

Other things to note:
Might not be suitable for those who are used to higher potency Vit C serums.

Skin type: Oily&#47;Sensitive
Season usage: February ~ present
11℃ ~ 28℃
Other factors: 60-95% Humidity, Occasional rainfall and cold front
Length of usage: 35 days ~ present
Location: Northern Part of Taiwan

Price: NT$340 or US$12
Per ml: NT$11.33 or US$0.40

Ingredient Highlight:
Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and Ascorbyl Palmitate)
Vitamin E (Tocopherol)
Glycerin

Product claims: Mineral Oil Free, Parabene Free, Paraffin Free, Vegan, suitable for all skin types

Packaging: 4&#47;5
I like the orange glittery opaque bottle that protects the product from sunlight.

Value for Money: 4&#47;5
This bottle is affordable compared to other Vitamin C serums in the market. It’s a good start for those who wants to begin incorporating Vitamin C in their routine.

Texture: 4&#47;5
I’m used to an oil-based Vitamin C serum so the texture of this came as a surprise to me. My oily&#47;sensitive skin likes the light creamy texture. 

My skin before: Dull with old acne marks
My skin after: Brighter and glowy, old acne marks still the same

Other things to note:
*When using a new Vitamin C serum, it will feel stingy at first and I usually have to adjust for a week or so. This did not happen to me with this product so I believe that the formulation is really light therefore a good serum to start with for those who wants to begin incorporating Vitamin C in their routine. 
*It’s vegan! The  reason why I bought this in the first place!

Overall:
I would definitely repurchase this if not for the steep price. I love supporting local products but I can’t spend that much for a product that will only last for a month. 

Value for Money: 3&#47;5
This is expensive for a 50ml sunscreen bottle. I can buy two good quality 50ml sunscreen bottles for the price they are offering.

Overall good: My sensitive skin enjoys the light feeling this sunscreen gives even after reapplying it for 2-3x during the day. Never experienced any irritation. Would recommend for someone who has sensitive skin and having a hard time finding a sunscreen that works.

Skin type: Oily&#47;Sensitive
Location: Northern Taiwan

Price: NT$ 780 or US$ 28
Per gram: NT$ 15.60 or US$ 0.56

Ingredient Highlight: 
Top grade plant extracts 
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (as UV absorber)

Product claims:
*Safe Organic Ingredients, 0% Harmful Ingredients, Allergy tested, Designed for Asian and Sensitive Skin, EU Cosmetic Standard, Pregnancy friendly
*ISO22716 GMP Manufactory, ECOCERT Nature Ingredients, Free from Alcohol&#47;Paraben&#47;Heavy metal&#47;SLS SLES. 
*All-weather, light, non-sticky, anti-sweat, 

Accessibility: 4&#47;5
Available in few department store in Taiwan but can easily be purchased online (official website or Pinkoi). Also available in a few retail outlets in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong. 

Packaging: 5&#47;5
Elegant packaging. Complete details of ingredients printed in English. No problem getting enough product out. Handy, good pocket sunscreen for reapplication. 

Texture &amp; Finish: 5&#47;5
I love the texture and finish of this sunscreen. It’s very light and fast absorbing. True to its claim of non-sticky and anti-sweat. 

My skin before application: moisturized
My skin after application: retain moisture, very nice dewy non-sticky finish

Other things to note:
Taiwan local brand (Support local!)
Vegan

Weather considerations:
I chose to use this over a heavier moisturizer for winter, because I live in a very humid country and my skin doesn’t do well with thicker products. So it might not work well for others during winter. I have yet to try this for summer though. 

Hyaluronic Acid:
It’s important to apply this on a damp skin or hyaluronic acid will suck the moisture from your skin. I learned this the hard way. I thought the product wasn’t working, but it’s just me applying on a dry skin. I adjusted and made sure to apply it immediately after washing my face and it did wonders! So don’t make the same mistake or your skin will hate this product. Haha.

Not vegan, not cruelty-free.

Skin type: Oily&#47;Sensitive
Season usage: Winter peak, January - February, 
5℃ ~ 25℃
Other factors: 60-95% Humidity, No snow but occasional rainfall and cold front
Length of usage: Two months to empty (61 days)
Location: Northern Part of Taiwan

Price: NT$299 or US$11
Per gram: NT$5.98 or US$0.22
Active Ingredient: Purified Hyaluronic Acid
Product claims: Fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, suitable for sensitive skin

Accessibility: 5&#47;5 
Available in chain drugstores here like Watsons and Cosmed. Can also be purchased from different official online platforms for the same price, sometimes even for less with free shipping. 

Packaging: 5&#47;5
I love the color blue so I am a bit biased about this. This comes in a blue crystal tub with white lid. It’s very convenient to use, does not need to squeeze, so you can control how much product you actually need to use. 

Value for Money: 4&#47;5
I rated this 4 only because I intended to use this as my main moisturizer, but ended up purchasing another product to spot treat some stubborn dry areas at night and on extremely cold days. Still a good value since a little product goes a long way. I mean a 50g tub for two months! What a bargain!

Texture: 5&#47;5
The texture is why I fell in love with this product in the first place. In my younger days, I don’t like putting moisturizer in my face because it feels thick and heavy. In the contrary, this product is very light and quick-absorbing. I like that it gives a dewy finish as well!

My skin before: Very dehydrated, oily T-zone, flaky red spots
My skin after: Feels hydrated with manageable flaky red spots, Dewy but less oily 

Other things to note:
The Neutrogena Hydro boost line has different gel creams for targeted for different skin conditions- normal (Water Gel), sensitive (Nourishing Gel), extra dry (Emulsion). This one is their product for sensitive skin.

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