Spotlight | Skin & Lab White Vita-C Essence.

It hasn't been long since I incorporated essences(s) in my skincare routine. I discovered them a little over a year ago, starting with the Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence from COSRX, and I have been obsessed with essences - and the wonderful things that they do for your skin - ever since.

If you remember my blog post about my first-ever Althea haul, the product that I was most excited about was the Skin & Lab White Vita-C Essence. I have read tons of positive reviews about this product, which was one of the reasons why I wanted to give it a try.

Skin & Lab Dr. Vita Clinic White Vita-C Essence, Php 730 at the Althea website.

Althea likens this product to 'a big, refreshing glass of orange juice for the skin'. And we all know that orange juice is one of the richest sources of vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant and detoxifying agent that prevents and neutralizes free radicals from causing damage to our body.

The Skin & Lab White Vita-C Essence contains Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether, a more stabilized form of vitamin C. And with its higher concentration of vitamin C, this product not only effectively brightens the skin and reduces dark spots, but also strengthens the skin and stimulates collagen production.

Brighter and smoother skin, why not? :)

This essence also contains green tea seed oil, which is also rich in vitamin C; sea buckthorn oil, which helps slow down the signs of aging by nourishing the tissues in the skin; spider silk protein which retains skin moisture and makes the skin softer and smoother; and arginine/lysine polypeptide which acts like an elixir for skin health.

Product description + usage instructions.

The product comes in a pump bottle made of frosted glass, and based on my research, vitamin-C skincare products are typically packaged as such to to keep them from degrading or losing efficacy. Although the glass bottle isn't very travel-friendly, at least I know that this product is packaged appropriately.

Comes in a 50 mL frosted glass bottle.

And a pump inside.

This essence has a light, watery consistency which makes it super easy for the skin to absorb. It neither feels heavy nor sticky on the skin, and it doesn't make your face shiny or greasy after application. I especially love its invigorating, citrus-y scent - reminds me of fresh orange juice that my husband used to make.

You get this much product with just one pump.

I've been using this essence for more than two months now, applying it in the morning after patting my face with toner and before slathering my face with an SPF30/PA++ day cream. It is imperative that you wear sunscreen, as skincare products infused with vitamin C make your skin more sensitive to the sun. If you're worried about sun damage or if you think your sunscreen isn't potent enough against the harmful rays of the sun, then you can opt to use this essence at night. As for me, I prefer taking my daily dose of vitamin C in the morning, whether it's an oral health supplement, or a skincare product.

Confidently bare-faced, thanks to Skin & Lab White Vita-C Essence.

And so far, this essence has kept its promise of 'brighter and smoother skin'. I've noticed that my skin has become softer and smoother over time, and the blotchy, uneven patches around my cheekbones are no longer visible. I love the 'chok chok effect' (aka dewy, bouncy, glowing skin) that I'm getting from this product, and from the looks of it, I'll be using this essence down to the very last drop!

Spotlight | COSRX Galactomyces Alcohol-free Toner & Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence.

If I were to give an award for beauty breakthrough of the year, hands-down, I'd give it to COSRX. Although this Korean skincare brand has been around for quite some time now, it wasn't until spring of last year when I finally joined the bandwagon and gave their products a try.

Best decision I have ever made in terms of skin care, as my skin has improved so much since I incorporated these two products - the Galactomyces Alcohol-free Toner and the Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence - in my daily routine. (No, actually make that three, including the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, which I have reviewed here.)

COSRX Galactomyces Alcohol-free Toner & Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence.

COSRX is love!

Find out why after the jump! :)

Spotlight | The Cellin Facial Peeling Essence.

For years, I had been a loyal user of Cure Natural Aqua Gel - one of Japan's most popular skincare products. It's a gommage exfoliator made of 90% hydrogen water, and a cult favorite product in Japan. Exfoliating at least once or twice a week has always been a part of my exhaustive skincare routine, and Cure had always been my go-to brand.

It wasn't until my most recent trip to South Korea when I discovered a cheaper alternative to the Cure Natural Aqua Gel that's equally, if not more potent.

The Cellin Facial Peeling Essence.

Enter The Ceelin Facial Peeling Essence, from the same company that manufactures and distributes the Essence Cushion and Honey Soap which I have previously raved about in this blog. It's a cleansing agent that sloughs away dead skin and dislodges sebum from the pores without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.

It sloughs away dead skin cells, hence the term 'Peeling'.

It's made with fig extract, which is rich in nutrients such as vitamins B and C, phosphorus, and potassium - all essential for boosting and rejuvenating the skin's health. Figs also contain active enzymes which deeply penetrates into the skin to remove layers of dead skin cells and clear sebum-clogged pores.

The tube has an English translation of the product information + usage directions.

Same goes for the back of the box.

The Cellin Facial Peeling Essence also contains natural plant ingredients such as Ulmus davidiana root extract which has anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties; Centella asiatica which is rich in amino acids and helps improve skin elasticity; Ulmus rubra (slippery elm) extract which eliminates free radicals from the skin; and Amaranth seed extract, known for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties as it contains the highest concentration of plant-derived squalene.

Still sealed.

To use this product, you must 1) first remove all the makeup from your face, cleanse as you normally would, and then pat your face dry. 2) Squeeze a nickel-sized amount of the Peeling Essence onto the back of your hand, then dab it on your face using your fingertips. 3) Spread the essence all over your face by massaging it onto your skin using gentle, circular motions. 4) Once the dead skin cells have come off, rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water and continue with your regular skincare routine.

Directions for use.

Now here's how the Peeling Essence looks like. It's a clear liquid with gel-like consistency and a mild floral scent.

Swatched on the back of my hand.

Massaged and spread all over the back of my hand...

And here comes the dead skin!

I love how it effectively removes dead skin cells without leaving your skin dry or turning your skin red and patchy. You don't get that mild tingling as you spread the product all over your face. Instead, you get that creamy, moisturizing feel, as if you're slathering serum on your face.

Dead skin cells near my chin area (click to zoom).

Dead skin cells on my nose and cheeks (click to zoom).

Your face becomes cleaner and brighter afterwards, and your skin feels soft and supple, especially around the cheek area. I've been using this product twice a week for over a month now, and have been loving the results so far. I also use this Peeling Essence on my elbows, and I must admit, my elbows don't look so dark anymore after continued use. :)

The Cellin Facial Peeling Essence comes in a 120 mL tube and sells for Php 880. You can purchase this online through The Cellin Cosmetics Facebook page or their Instagram profile.