Sana Collagen Mist Toner Review

Price: $9, bought mine from Sasa.com.

Pros: First off, if I am not mistaken, our skin cannot absorb collagen because it is molecularly too large. Regardless, this is still a very good toner that immediately sooth and hydrate your skin upon application.  I think it really helps my skin cope this winter. In bottle, it looks like a light gel consistency but when spray, it is liquidly. It is also very long lasting, making it very economical. I started using it in October last year, it is now February, 4 months later and I have only used up half a bottle (I use toner twice a day).

Cons: Nothing really

Rating: 5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Proactive Mini Maintenance System Travel Kit Review

This Proactive Mini Maintenance Travel Kit contains a Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner, and a Repairing Treatment, all in 1oz bottles.

Price: $20

Renewing Cleanser: I tried the treatment first from the kit and unfortunately, it burns my skin. Since the cleanser has the same active ingredient as the treatment (2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide), I was afraid to try it over a large area of my face. So, I can’t constructively review this cleanser.

Revitalizing Toner: This is a glycolic toner, an ingredient use in skincare to help shred dead skin cells. I am not sure what the percentage is but it is the second ingredients so I assume it has pretty high concentration. I am glad to say that I like this toner.  It feels refreshing and I never experience any irritation. 

Repairing Treatment: This treatment contains 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredients. It has a lotion consistency and dries pimple quickly. My problem with this treatment is that it really burns, to the point where it is uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I had to stop using it after a few nights.

Overall:  The Benzoyl Peroxide in the cleanser and treatment just prove to be too much for my dry and sensitive skin.  I think this is better suited for people who does not have sensitive skin and are normal to oily.  If you have skin like mine, Proactive does carry a "Gentle Formula" line that uses Salicylic acid instead, which is better suited for sensitive skin.

Disclosure: This review contains sample sent for consideration. The review is base on my honest personal opinions and experiences.

2011 Most Loved Skincare

Hello. Happy 2012!!! I hope everyone is having a great New Year. Every year, I like to do a recap of beauty products that I love the prior year. Below are my favorite in 2011.

Kiehl’s Washing Milk Cleanser
I have been enjoying this milky cleanser this winter. I use it as either part of a double cleansing process or alone if I am not wearing much makeup. It is easy to rinse, gentle, and does not strip my skin of moisture. Full Review

Sana Soya Milk Rich Toner
I would recommend this light texture yet moisturizing toner to those with normal to dry skin. It contains Soybean Isoflavone to moisturize skin and help skincare products absorb better. Sana Nameraka Honpo skin care range is fragrances, preservatives, and mineral oil free.  Full Review

Dermalogica Clean Start Bedtime for Breakouts to the Rescue
I purchased the .5oz travel size and it lasted me for 6 months and sometime I use it almost daily, making it budget friendly. It is a 2% salicylic treatment that is gentle and non-drying for even my sensitive skin. You should also see the size of your acne reduce by the next morning.  Full Review

Boscia Restorative Amino 3P Firming Serum
I really like the way this serum makes my skin feel. It makes my skin silky smooth and also calm down any redness so I wake up with clearer skin. It contains a blend of antioxidants like olive oil, jojoba and rosemary extract, vitamin A, B5, amino acid and peptide. Definitely a good, natural product option for preventative measure though I am not sure if it will reverse any aging effect if you already have them. Full Review

Perricone MD Concentrated Restorative Treatment
One of the most effective treatment I have ever used.  It has a high level of stable Vitamin C that does not irritate my sensitive skin.  It keeps my skin clear, balance, smooth, and just healthy. Full Review

Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer
I just really love the texture of this moisturizer, it is a bit thick which I like but does not feel heavy. You don't need a lot and it absorb well. I feel like it creates a shield to protect my skin. I literally touch my face sometime just to feel how soft and smooth it is. Full Review

Reviva Labs Essential Fatty Acid EFAs Cream
The bad first, you may have to get over the initial fishy smell. However, it is no wear as bad as Perricone MD Cold Plasma, the Cold Plasma stinks so bad, I could not stand it. This moisturizer is affordable, great ingredients, very non greasy, absorb quickly, wears well under makeup, and give my skin a healthy dose of hydration.  Full Review

Caudalie Moisturing Cream Mask for Face and Eye
This one is multi-purpose, you can use it as a mask or night cream if you have really dry skin. At first, I thought it was pricey but I deemed it worthy because it sooth and smooth my skin when it was going through an irritated, flaky mess stage.  Full Review

Bliss Fabulous Skin Reviving Mask
This mask is so fun to use. Best of all, it hydrate, smooth and make my skin supple afterward.  Full Review

Current Winter Skincare Routine

My current skin condition is normal to dry with hormonal breakout from pregnancy for the past 2 months. It is not too bad, about 3-4 small whiteheads around my T-zone area.

Night Routine:
- St. Ives Green Tea Cleanser
- Kiehl’s Washing Milk Cleanser (I use this as a makeup remover, first step of double cleansing or on days when I want to take a break from the St. Ives cleanser)
- Sana Collagen Toner
- Arcona Gentle Solution (2-3 times a week)
- DHC Acerola Serum (on nights that I don’t use the Arcona Gentle Solution)
- Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer
- Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester Eye Serum
- Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Lift Eye Cream

I am also still using - Dermalogica Clean Start Bedtime for Breakouts to the Rescue as spot treatment if needed.


Morning Routine:
- Wash face with water
- Sana Collagen Toner
- DHC Acerola Serum
- Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Lift Eye Cream
- Bliss Youth As You Know It Sunscreen

I tried Bliss Youth as You Know It Sunscreen back during the summer and it was too heavy. I thought it would be better during winter when my skin is drier. However, I find that it is still too greasy. I am still in search for a moisturizing sunscreen that is hydrating and also at least SPF 30 for winter.

Do you have any skincare products that you love? I would love to hear your recommendation.

Sana Soya Milk Rich Toner Review

This is a rich toner that contains Soybean Isoflavone to moisturize skin and help skincare products absorb better. Sana Nameraka Honpo skin care range is fragrances, preservatives, and mineral oil free.

Price: $11.90/200 ml, bought mine from Sasa.com. Imomoko.com also carries this, price may be different.

Pros: It is lightweight, just like water but very moisturizing. In the summer, I normally wear a light moisturizer then sunscreen. However, since using this, I feel that it gives enough hydration that I just skip moisturizer sometime and just use sunscreen. I transfer it to a spray bottle and find that it works as a refresher as well.

Cons: Have to purchase online but the product itself, there is nothing negative.

Overall: It does what any good toner supposes to do – it helps remove last trace of makeup and dirt; sooth, hydrate, and refresh my skin. Never cause any breakout or irritation.

Rating: 4.5/5

Disclosure: The product(s) being review was purchased by me for personal use or review purpose.

Favorites from DHC

For those of you who aren’t familiar with DHC, they are a mail order Japanese company. I have use and sample many of their products with good result. Here are some of my top favorites.


DHC Cleansing Oil. Remove everything effortlessly, including heavy eye makeup.


Love the whole Acerola line, especially the Acerola 100 (serum). No parabens or harsh chemicals.


Q10 cleanser – good cleanser and so convenience for travel.

If you like DHC or another Japanese brand, I’d like to know.

Homemade Toner

This is a good and easy recipe to make.

-Water
-Green Tea
-Aloe (optional)

Boil about ½ a cup of water. Then steep about 2-3 packs of green tea for 30 minutes. If you have fresh aloe plant, add some aloe gel (about a teaspoon). Just refrigerate and it should stay fresh for about a week or so. See, simple huh?

Green tea is a good antioxidant as it contains polyphenols. Polyphenols have protective effects against free radicals that age our skin. Aloe is good for healing and anti-inflammatory.

Related Post:

Double Cleansing

Asian 5-steps Skincare Routine

Asian 5 Steps Skincare Routine

The best things you can do for your skin is to develop a skincare routine and be diligent about it. Often time when I see a Korean movie stars, I always admire over how smooth and porcelain their skin are. It’s probably a combination of good gene, healthy food intake, makeup, and diligent skincare.

Below is a step by step routine for night time:

1. Cleanse/Double Cleansing: A while back I wrote about double cleansing which provide more information on this process. When necessary, use cleansing oil to remove make up and dirt. Make sure not to pull on the eye area. Then cleanse your face with a gentle facial cleanser that is suitable for your skin type.

2. Tone: Use a toner to remove any last trace of residue. It also help balances out your skin PH level after washing and help prep your skin for better absorption of serum. Find one that is suitable for your skin type or for your specific treatment need (example: such as brightener).

3. Use a mask and facial massage once or twice a week: Masks comes in a variety, such as brightening, purifying, hydrating, exfoliating, etc. For summer, a gentle clay mask is ideal as it help eliminate oil. Then there is also the weekly facial massage to encourage good blood circulation. Some Asian brands carry facial massage cream for this purpose. However, I imagine you can just use your regular face lotion or cream.

4. Serum: It is basically a “more concentrated” amount of active ingredients than what you would get in a cream. Also, since its texture is normally in a liquid or light gel form, it is easier for your skin to absorb. On days that you don’t wear a mask, you would apply serum right after your toner. Personally, I think if you are still young, it is okay to skip the serum step to save yourself some time and money.

5. Moisturize: Depending on the season, you will want to find a suitable moisturizer. It also helps seal in the serum. If you have very dry skin in the winter, use a cream instead of lotion. For oily skin, try a gel type like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer.

There you have it. Sounds like a lot of work, doesn't it? =) I have to admit, I myself don't always follow all the steps. But when I do, I always enjoy the relaxation and benefit a good mask provide.

Related Post:
Double Cleansing