Spotlight | Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask.

It hasn't been long since Althea launched their own brand of sunscreen, and now they're back in the spotlight once again with another new product. Althea is on a roll these days when it comes to developing and launching new products, and it's such a delight to be able to try, test, and share my experience with each new item that they bring forth.

That being said, here's what I think about the Milk Peel Cream Mask, the latest addition to Althea's growing family.

Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask.

The Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask is a gentle peeling mask that promises to give your skin a 'big gulp of hydration' and 'refreshed complexion'. It combines the power of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) with the gentle formulation of milk to slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and moisturize the skin. It also contains kaolin, a naturally occurring clay mineral that has long been heralded for its ability to detoxify, cleanse, and soothe even the most sensitive skin.

Nothing much to read here so I had to look up all the pertinent information on the internet, lol.

As with the other Althea products, the Milk Peel Cream Mask has a simple, minimalist packaging. It comes in a 50 mL pump bottle housed in a white box with hardly any English text on it. I had to look up all the pertinent information on the internet because hey, that's what Google is for (lol). At least I knew beforehand that this is a wash-off mask (not a peel-off mask as I originally thought it was) and it's tested by dermatologists, as indicated on the box.

Got milk? :)

Pump bottle.

To use, simply apply an even layer onto damp skin and leave it on for 30-60 seconds before rinsing it off with warm water. You get a creamy clay texture as you pump the product out of the bottle, but as you slather it on your skin, it transforms into a bubbly foam. That tingling, ticklish sensation that I felt as the product turns into a foamy lather reminded me of the Bubi Bubi Lip Bubble Lip Scrub, which I use to exfoliate my lips. Its mild, powdery scent, on the other hand, reminded me of the baby cologne that my son currently uses.

Creamy clay texture.

My skin feels really smooth and clean - bouncy, even - after every use. I don't apply this on a daily basis, though, as my skin tends to be dry during this time of the year and the last thing I should be doing is over-exfoliating my skin. I use the Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask twice a week at the most, but if your pores need a bit more unclogging, you can use this product thrice a week. This product is ideal for all skin types, even for those with sensitive skin.

Bubbly! 

The Althea Milk Peel Cream Mask retails for Php 490 and is exclusively available at the Althea website. For a limited time, you can get free shipping on all Althea exclusives using the code PBSHIP at checkout. In addition, you can get a 20% discount on your first order using my referral code.

Say hello to my new hair! :)

And yes, I finally had the chance to change my hairstyle, just in time for my birthday. Speaking of which, thank you Althea for my birthday gift! You guys are so generous that I have more than enough Reward Points on my account to splurge on skincare with! :)

Spotlight | Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer.

If you've been following me on social media, or have been following this blog, then you probably know that I'm a fan of all things Korean - pop music, dramas, variety shows, food, and most of all cosmetics. I reckon it's this great fondness for Korean beauty products that landed me a stint in Althea's Beauty Ambassador Community. I was over the moon with excitement when I learned that I've officially become an Althea Angel, and even more so when I received my Welcome Gift from Althea with these lovely surprises inside.

Yay! Welcome Gift from Althea! :)

One of the (many) things that I love about being an Althea Angel is getting first dibs on new products and Althea exclusives, such as the Althea Real Fresh Skin Detoxer.

Real Fresh Skin Detoxer set.

A collaboration between Althea and Get It Beauty, Korea's number one beauty show, the Real Fresh Skin Detoxer is a 2-in-1 cleanser pack that deep cleanses the skin while boosting it with an array of nutrients. It comes in two variants - Rose and Green Tea.

Green Tea and Rose.

The Rose Variant contains natural extracts from the May Rose which bloom once a year in Grasse, Southern France. These roses are then handpicked to create this special formula that soothes, smoothens, and deeply hydrates the skin. This product also contains real rose petals which gently exfoliate the skin and gives it a sweet and subtle fragrance.

English text on the side of the box. Everything else is written in Hangul.

Contains real rose petals. :)

The Green Tea Variant, on the other hand, is made with Green Tea goodness from Jeju Island. This product is formulated with green tea extracts and finely grounded green tea powder that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants to help purify and brighten the skin. Each tube also contains real green tea leaves which exfoliates and leaves the skin with a nice, refreshing scent.

English text on the side of the box.

A closer look at this green tea goodness.

To use these products, simply apply a generous layer onto your face and leave it for ten seconds. Then add a little water and massage in circular motions before rinsing off. The Rose variant is recommended for morning use, while the Green Tea is recommended to be used at night.

Green Tea (left) and Rose (right).

I've been using both products for a little over a week now, and I love how my skin feels squeaky clean and super smooth after every wash. Both variants are gentle enough for daily use, but I prefer using the Rose on a daily basis (the scent is definitely a pick-me-upper in the morning) while the Green Tea as a twice (or thrice) a week deep cleanser. I also prefer applying a thin layer on my face, as the texture of both products are already thick to begin with. If you have sensitive skin, you'll be glad to know that these cleanser packs are hypoallergenic, and they're cruelty-free, too.

Bare-faced, after-shower selfie. :)

Even greater news - the Real Fresh Skin Detoxer is now available on the Althea website! They're currently sold as a set for Php 1100 - eligible for free shipping to the Philippines! :)

Spotlight | Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Pack.

When I entered my 30's, I started to pay more attention to my skin and my skin care needs. I've become fussier actually, and follow a 10-step regimen consisting mostly of Korean skin care brands.

Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Pack.

Just recently, I've incorporated the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Pack into my 'seemingly endless' (as my husband jokingly puts it) skin care routine. I bought this on a whim the last time I was in Seoul; I was somehow sweet-talked by one of the staff at the Laneige store in Myeongdong, claiming that this product is (in verbatim) "very good, your skin will look more healthy". She let me take a sniff of the pack, and I was sold! I dished out 22000 Korean won for this product, around Php 950 or $19.

Hangul text at the back of the box.

I'm a sucker for strawberry-scented products, and this pack smells a lot like my favorite Binggrae Strawberry Milk. Not surprising since this product contains a complex of berry extracts which includes strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, and blueberry. These berries are known for their antioxidant properties that nourish and repair the skin.

Here's how the jar looks like.

This pack also contains a specialized fermented yogurt called Sogurty™, which promotes collagen synthesis and reinforces the skin's barrier against the elements so that the skin stays healthy and supple.

Hangul text at the back of the jar.

In addition, this product contains shea and cocoa butter - both moisturizing emollients, and glycerin and squalene - both skin-repairing ingredients.

Comes with a spatula and an instructional pamphlet.

The product is housed in a pink tub, and comes with a spatula and an instructional pamphlet written in different languages. 

Product details and usage instructions in English.

To use, 1) you need to wash your face first with your usual cleanser then prep the skin with your usual toner. 2) Take an ample amount of the product and spread it on the face while avoiding the eye area. 3) Leave it on for at least 5-10 minutes (I usually let it sit on my face for 15 minutes or so), and then 4) rinse it off with lukewarm water afterwards.

Looks like yogurt.

The pack has a creamy, yogurt-like consistency. It has a somewhat fluffy texture, making it easy to spread on the skin. It feels a bit sticky when applied, but that's okay since you're going to wash it off anyway.

And looks yummy, too! :)

The best part? You get immediate results! And it's safe for sensitive skin! :)

The first time I tried this pack, I had about five or six tiny bumps running along my jawline. They weren't zits or acneic bumps, and they weren't red or itchy or swollen or anything, but they bothered me nonetheless. I figured my skin needed not just an extra boost of hydration but also deep nourishment, so I turned to this 'repairing' pack for rescue. 

This product did exactly that - my skin felt softer and looked healthier, and the bumps were not as prominent as they were before. After two uses, those annoying bumps were gone, like they never existed. I have never been so glad to have bought a skin care product on impulse, haha!

Laneige recommends using this once or twice a week together with the Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel for best results. I, however, prefer using this alternately with my all-time favorite Water Sleeping Mask. Both jars now have a special spot inside my fridge, because these masks feel even more refreshing on the skin when chilled.

Have you tried this pack before? What masks/packs do you use as part of your skin care regimen? :)