Skincare stash decrease project – update 7

I’m here again with another update about my 2020 skincare stash decrease project. You might have noticed that in August I haven’t posted anything, so this is going to be an overview of 2-months empties for August and September. Unlike June and July, I really have a lot empties to talk about. So without further ado, let’s see my cosmetic trash.

Sioris Time is running out mist – this was love at first spritz!! It is great double phased mist that has a watery and oily phase. When shaken up, it creates a perfect, fine mist that refreshes skin and envelops it in a nice hydrating cloud. I used it in my morning routine before hyaluronic acid products, but also during a day to provide a hydrating boost to the skin. And I cannot forget the scent. It smells divine!! I loved it and will repurchase for sure!!

Scinic Snail matrix skin – Together with Cosrx 96 snail essence, this is my favorite product with snail mucin. It is wonderful, hydrating toner whose texture is on a thicker side, but it glides beautifully on the skin, it is absorbed perfectly and completely and provides a nice refreshment to the skin. I have used it for “sandwiching” my Hada Labo premium lotion, and I have been using it lately as a layer under Indeed Labs Hydraluron. This toner complemented nicely both of these products. I will really miss it in my routine. I will repurchase for sure.

Keep Cool & Soothe Bamboo toner – this is my new favorite hydrating toner. I even like it better than Pyunkang Yul mist toner which was my favorite watery toner for a very long time. This toner contains 85% of bamboo water which is great for hydrating and soothing the sensitive skin. It is nicely absorbed while providing to the skin such a nice burst of hydration. I really feel like this toner penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin and thus keeps my skin happy, hydrated and plump. I will repurchase again!!

Mizon AHA/BHA toner – I have already emptied few of these. I use it before my acids, including my serums with vitamin C. I feel like it gives such a nice boost to those products without being harsh to my skin. I have already purchased a backup bottle.

Timeless C + E ferulic – I really enjoyed using this serum. This bottle lasted around 4 months and I kept it in the fridge for whole time. It has very watery texture, it is by far the runniest vitamin C serum I have ever tried. This watery texture makes it very difficult to handle, so I was literally applying it drop by drop. I like the glow and shine it gives to my skin and the healthy feeling I get after apply it. It does not tingle, burn or irritate the skin in any way. I was using it in my morning routine. I will repurchase it.

Dr Jart Peptidin blue – This is nice peptide serum. It has a light, jelly texture, like a light emulsion. It has a hint of blue hue, it is not scented. Although it contains lavander oil, I didn’t detect that scent (which, by the way I hate). The serum is nicely absorbed without being sticky or tacky. It gives certain firmness to the skin if applied on a regular basis. I like it and will probably repurchase it.

Indeed Labs Hydraluron – I bought this serum after reading many raving reviews, but I bought it also because Caroline Hirons recommended it, so I was really curious about it. And they were all right: it is great hyaluronic serum! It has gel-like texture, you need only a small drop to cover face and neck. It is not sticky, tacky, it absorbs quickly and perfectly. The skin is left glowy, plump, hydrated. It makes perfect pair with Caudalie’s Eau de raisin, with some toner or even with a simple thermal water. The only con is that I emptied rather quickly this tube, maybe within a month, since I use hyaluronic acid every single morning. I’m used to Japanese hyaluronic lotions who last for year. Nevertheless, I will repurchase this great hyaluronic serum for sure!

Garden of Wisdom niacinamide – I was so happy when I finished this niacinamide serum. Although by its content, it belongs to “weaker” niacinamide serums (it contains 5% of niacinamide), it didn’t feel like it. It was quite the opposite, it felt very strong and I was affraid it would dry my skin completely. It is recommended to wait for 1 minute after the application before you apply your next step. However, after only 15-20 seconds my face would feel so tight and dry that applying next step would be such a relief. Other than that, I must also say that the packaging is awfull. The plastic pump literally spits the product out. I will obviously not repurchase it again.

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide booster – I really liked this niacinamide serum / booster. I was using it as 1st step in my evening routine, as I always do with niacinamide serums. Thus, its watery texture is perfect for my routine. It is absorbed in quickly and completely, leaves no residue. I didn’t experience any redness or tingling or burning which sometimes happens with this kind of serums. After the bad experience I had with Garden of Wisdom niacinamide, this serum felt like a real treat to my skin and gave it such a relief. I emptied this 20ml bottle rather quickly since I was using it every night. Taking into account that it costs around 50 EUR for 20ml, I must admit that this is not a very affordable choice. Otherwise, I love it!

Celimax Nooni ampoule – This is a good, hydrating little serum. I use the word little since I think it is alright, but nothing more or less. It does no harm to my skin, but apart an instant refreshment, I do not honestly see any additional benefit of using this serum. I like its scent, it is herbal and kind of relaxing and therapeutical. This serum isn’t something that is indispensable for my routine or something that I will miss. I will not repurchase it.

Real Barrier Essence mist – This is nice mist that is on a thicker side. It didn’t suit me as a 1st step, but it was a perfect choice for “sandwich” with hyaluronic acid product. This mist locks in the hyaluron and its moisture nicely. Since I only had a 30ml bottle, I emptied it rather quickly. I do not think I will give it another try.

I’m from Fig cleansing balm – This is nice cleansing balm. It looks like it is on a heavier, thicker side, but once you start massaging it between the fingers, it melts easily. It is not greasy, it disolves and removes the makeup and dirt easily. It is easily washed off. Although I always use the separate eye makeup remover, I test each cleansing balm on my eyes. It is effective in removing eye makeup, but it does blur the sight a bit. I still like this balm and will probably repurchase it.

Nooni Re-cover pads – The packaging contained 7 exfoliating discs since it is intended for a week of use. However, I used them during longer period, since I do not use any exfoliating product on a daily basis. These are very mild exfoliating pads that refresh the complexion and are not irritating or tingling, but honestly when it comes to exfoliation I didn’t notice a big effect. I will not repurchase.

Glamglow Supermud cleansing treatment – I got this tube in some beauty box or in an Advent calendar. Since I used it only once in 2 weeks and only on my T-zone, this 15 ml tube lasted for ages. At first, I struggled to find an appropriate quantity of mask. If I put a thin layer, it would dry down in a second and my whole face felt very tight. On the other hand, if I put a thicker layer, it would take ages to dry down and it was very difficult to wash it off. Once I found the appropriate quantity, I really liked this mask since it removed few blackheads I have and it made my skin very clean and clear. If I could find another small tube, I would purchase again.

I emptied 2 sunscreens: Ducray Melascreen Creme legere and Supergoop Unseen sunscreen. I was satisfied with Ducray Melascreen at first. However, after I emptied maybe 2/3 of tube, it started to burn my skin upon application. It was really unpleasant feeling so I didn’t even go through the whole tube. On the other hand, Supergoop’s Unseen sunscreen is great. It is a yellow transparent gel which leaves no white cast at all, just like the name says, it is unseen. It is spread nicely, it is absorbed quickly and acts like a perfect primer for my bb cream and foundation. I have already repurchased a new small tube.

During last 2 months I emptied only 9 sheet masks. At the same time, I bought few ones, so my stash increased and decreased at the same time.

I also gifted 1 moisturizer (Elemis Pro-collagen marine cream).

August/September total: 16 empties + 9 sheet masks

Yearly total: 68 empties + 41 sheet masks

Just like past months, I did cheat a bit and I purchased some things: Klairs Daily skin hydrating water 500ml, I’m From Mugwort mask, Derma-E Firming DMAE serum Alpha lipoic acid and C-ester, Versed Just Breathe clarifying serum, Olival Micro-exfoliant with vitamin H and salicilic acid (local Croatian product), Alpha-H Vitamin B serum and another Supergoop Unseen sunscreen spf30 (15ml).

So, at the end of September 2020, this is current status of my skincare stash: