[REVIEW] Althea Skincare Line "Bare Essentials"

 Hi guys!

So recently AltheaKorea is releasing the shop's first ever skincare line named "Bare Essentials" which is aiming at the simplest skincare as base makeup because sometimes complicating your skincare won't do your skin good. I was lucky to become their blogger and trying this first hand.

There are three products in this line which is the Contour Cleanser, Primer Water, and Fixer Cream which is the usual steps that you can find to complete a skincare routine.

The first product, which is also the first step in the skincare line is the "Contour Cleanser"

Ingredients:

Glycerin, Water, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, PEG-32, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Lactose, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Polyquaternium-67, Sodium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Menthol/Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyquaternium-7, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Pullulan,1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance 

Product Description:

A rich and foaming cleanser that removes impurities while improving blood circulation for that V-shaped look. It contains microcapsules to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and leaves the skin feeling cool and refreshed.

My Thoughts:

The cleanser is very thick in texture and I guess it was due to the presence of cornstarch as one of the ingredient. It has this microcapsule that will dissolve while rubbing the cleanser on your face.

Because the texture is quite thick and I only need a pea-size amount of it to cleanse my face as it lathers quite easily (caused by Cocamidopropyl Betaine). It is quite a deal for RM23.00 cleanser and a big one at that because it will last for quite long.

As I cleanse with this, I do notice that it's quite minty because the presence of menthol in it and it has quite a strong scent to it which I believe came from the Lippia Citriodora Leaf Extract and Fragrance. As written in cosDNA, the Lippia Citriodora Extract is an ingredient that acts as a perfume and astringent and it is quite hazarding since it is on the red-level (7). The scent is too strong in this one and I have not used much-scented skincare these days so it does bother me.

As for the performance, I do notice that it quite sucked on the natural moisture on face after I was the cleanser off my face. You know the feeling of the dryness like those pulling feels? It's literally that. Also, I'm not sure which ingredients caused this but every time after I use this cleanser, the sensitive part of my skin which is along my temple hurts, although there isn't a physical thing can be seen like redness or such but it does feel hurt. However, this wasn't the worst cleanser I've tried because it doesn't do those "squeak-squeak" thing although I'm hoping that they would revise some of the ingredients that can be used by people who have sensitive skin.

The next product is "Primer Water"

Ingredients: 

 Water, Propanediol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pullulan, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Agar, Polysorbate 20, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance

Product Description:

Smooth, hydrating and ever so slightly balm-like, this bottle of wonder penetrates into the layers of the skin and making it a smooth canvas for products to come. Made with patented dewdrop technology, it smoothes and evens out the skin, prepping it for the next step and leaving the skin in a youthful glow.

Price: RM43.00

My Thoughts:

 This rich primer water does feel like an emulsion to me. It's thicker than most essence and it is definitely closer to an emulsion texture which is liquidy but still retains a weight to it.

According to cosDNA, the ingredients are pretty much safe with the medium hazard ones are the Polysorbate 20, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Fragrance (3 to 4). Do note that the alcohol is the fourth highest ingredient as well.

To be honest, I did like this primer water although the scent is also quite strong in this. It is because it doesn't break me out nor giving me any strange effects on my skin rather it supply my skin with moisture and it has my favorite ingredient too which is the Centella Asiatica Extract that works so well on my skin :D

I usually used this primer water by pouring the desired amount of my palm, rubbing it between my two hands and dab it on for a few seconds to let the emulsion absorbs into the skin. I do see a slight brightening to the skin after some time (because of Snow Lotus) and the dewdrop technology which is to provide moisture is definitely a plus!

The last product is the "Fixer Cream"

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Dimethicone, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Polyacrylate-13, Fructooligosaccharides, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Polyisobutene, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pullulan, Disodium EDTA, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Fragrance

Product Description:

 Powerful moisturizing properties are packed into this little jar that provides the skin with hydration for up to 24 hours for a fresh, revitalized complexion. It penetrates deep into the layers of the skin to plump them and it has non-sticky finish once absorbed.

Price: RM50.00

My Thoughts:

This cream is so silky in texture and it feels so light on my skin and it hydrates pretty well too. Since it is light and easy to spread on the skin, I prefer to wear it on the day because it won't interfere with my foundation texture. It is not sticky as it claims although this too has a strong scent to it.

From the ingredients, it seems that there are a few that could be acne triggering such as Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, and Butylene Glycol while Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 60, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, and Fragrance are a medium hazard. Although there are a few that could be acne triggering, so far I did not experience any breakout while using this product nor it did inflame my skin so I think that's good.

The product also claims to be supplying 24-hour hydration and although I did not use this for the whole 24-hours, I do think that the hydration lasts pretty long! It also contains my all-time-favorite Centella Asiatica Extract for wounds healing and skin improvement.

 Bonus: Aside from sending the slab of marble, Althea also sent its hand mirror! How cute is that?!

If you are interested in buying these skincare, do visit Althea;

Website: althea.kr / my.althea.kr (Malaysia) [They ship worldwide]
Instagram: @altheakorea

Thank you for reading :)