Hada Labo Gokujyun Face Wash

Review: Hada Labo Gokujyun Face Wash

 (4/5 stars) This is another popular product from Hada Labo’s moisturizing line that contains Super Hyaluronic Acid. After using it, it’s no wonder why so many love it! It’s super mild, fragrance free, and pH balanced perfectly (between 5.0 to 6.5). It’s a dense, white cleanser that has a thick consistency that stays white even when you apply it, so you can really see where it goes. It spreads kind of like a cream. I love that it comes in a tube because it’s easier to control how much you’re using. This would be the perfect cleanser if it didn’t contain parabens (propylparaben and methylparaben)  .

Hado Labo’s Suggested Order: Cleansing Oil > Face Wash > Lotion > Serum > Milk or Cream

 

Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-400, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, BHT, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Lauric Acid, Methylparaben, PEG-32, Polyquaternium-7, Polyquaternium-52, Propylparaben, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Stearic Acid

Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion

Review: Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion

 (4/5 stars) So far, this is the best moisturizing toner I’ve tried. In fact, this is my favorite from Hada Labo’s moisturizing product line. Gokujyun means “extra moisturizing” and it contains the company’s own Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA), which has twice the moisture-retention capacity of Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that has been promoted as the “fountain of youth”.

Hado Labo’s Suggested Order: Cleansing Oil > Face Wash > Lotion > Serum > Milk or Cream

This lotion is equivalent to a toner but it’s lightly moisturizing, and not at all astringent. Like most Asian toners, it’s used after cleansing to lightly moisturize and prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. If you’re accustomed to Western toners, then the consistency may take some time to get used to – it feels a little slimey, but glides on so well. A little goes a long way! I really like this product because it’s mild, has no fragrance, and works like it claims. Since it is so mild, it’s the perfect base when experimenting with various brands and products.

The reason why I don’t give it a full 5 stars is because it contains methylparaben. Because this is an insanely popular product, where one bottle supposedly sells every 2 seconds in Japan, and backed by a large conglomerate, Rohto Pharmaceutical, I am surprised that the line contains parabens. The fact that the company is able to formulate SHA, should also mean that they’re capable of creating a product free from parabens – knowing this adds to my disappointment. But having said that, it is still the mildest moisturizing toner I’ve used. However, until they reformulate it to be paraben-free, I’m on the search for something better.

Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Disodium Succinate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxyethycellulose, Methylparaben, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinic Acid

More on Methylparaben

After doing a little more investigative Googling on methylparaben, a controversial ingredient that’s virtually in all anti-aging skincare products, I’m torn. Prevention.com recently cited a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology that links methyparaben to hindering collagen production. It accelerates aging. Wtf?!

But it’s in everything. It was in the Farm Stay sheet mask that I just reviewed (and downgraded because of it). It’s even in my new skincare line from Japan. I’m still sampling it, but I may already love it because it’s so gentle and it works. It’s close to impossible to find a line that’s fragrance and alcohol-free without selling my kidneys. But even the über expensive brands have it. It’s. in. everything!

Do I avoid it? Do you? Is it even worth avoiding? I did continue to use the Farm Stay sheet masks regardless … My logic is simple: 1) I’m cheap 2) harmful levels of questionable substances are usually found in extremely high quantities that are impossible to obtain through normal use of everyday products and 3) even vegetables are considered harmful in extreme doses.

To answer my own question: I’ll continue to be aware of it, but I don’t think I’ll stop my search for skincare products just because it’s in so many of the lines I’m interested in. Will it stop me from buying or continuing to buy those products? Maybe. But I do know that it’s way too soon to end this diary – I just started! However, as a person that hasn’t been into products until just recently, I’m a little disheartened. The products I seek out are already geared for sensitive skin, without most of the harsh ingredients. It feels like there’s always something else to consider, but I suppose that’s just the reality.

Spiel on companies: The increase in consumer awareness has now reached a point in which companies are aware of the heightened demands for superior products – in fact, they promote it by touting healthier ingredients and eco-friendly practices. This means they should also be adaptive to recent discoveries of less then beneficial ingredients because they have to. Parabens have been in the spotlight for a long time now and it’s a damn shame to see that it’s still in the ingredient lists of many skincare products.

If you’re reading this for the first time, I have to mention that this is an edited version of my original post. I originally resigned to ignoring the trace amounts of methylparaben. I even mentioned how some sites lists it as beneficial since it poses a low risk of skin irritation through cosmetics, even in paraben-sensitive individuals. I even changed my Farm Stay’s sheet masks review to 3 out of 5 stars (and not 2.5) because I figured I should give it credit for its moisturizing effects and not irritating my skin.

But I couldn’t live with that conclusion. I may finish off the products that have it, but it doesn’t mean I’ll continue buying it. And even if I do buy products with it, I’ll continue to search for better alternatives. After reassessing my skincare needs, I realized that not only do I want products that does what they say they’ll do, but I want them to contain ingredients that are good for me. This realization means that finding products that are compatible with my skin type could essentially mean a balancing act of using moisturizers that help more then hurt. But that’s the beauty of it, because there’s always newer and better products waiting to be discovered.  

Farm Stay Visible Difference Sheet Mask (Aloe)

If you’re familiar with sheet masks, then you know how easy and convenient they are. You apply it after cleansing, relax, read, watch your shows, and take it off after 10-30 minutes, or whenever they’re no longer moist – no washing necessary. They’re an inexpensive way to feel like you’re pampering yourself. In fact, I’m wearing one now as I write this! I have a splitting headache and it’s moments like this that sheet masks are made for!

Review: Farm Stay Visible Difference Mask Sheet Pack (Aloe)

 (2.5/5 stars) It’s a soothing and cooling sheet mask that’s super affordable. It packs a lot of leftover product to spread over, however the mask itself is ill-fitting. The nose hole, in particular, is annoyingly suffocating – I’m constantly fiddling with it. Some of the other brands have a better fit, but it really isn’t a big deal since the mask is used for such a short time. One main concern is that it contains the ingredient methylparaben, which I didn’t notice until after I purchased it. There’s also an ever so slight tingling sensation when I initially put it on. If you have sensitive skin like I do, the alcohol content in it is noticeable, although it doesn’t irritate my skin at all and I do feel moisturized even hours after I take it off. Overall, it’s a decent sheet mask that does what it intends to do for cheap. However, there are better alternatives without having to worry about parabens.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Arginine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Aloe Europaea (Aloe) Fruit Extract (0.05%), Disodium EDTA, Perfume

Beneficial ingredients: 1) Arginine functions as an antioxidant that helps build collagen production 2) Allantoin is an effective anti-irritant 3) Aloe or olive extract, either or, they’re both beneficial.

Questionable ingredients: 1) Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that’s an alternative to parabens. It’s an irritant and an Italian study has determined as a contact allergen. 2) Methylparaben is linked to breast cancer, skin and eye damage (Source). 3) Disodium EDTA It’s arguably dodgy, but like many other ingredients, it’s only harmful in large doses (that far exceeds the amount found in this product).

Note: The ingredient listed as “Aloe Europaea (Aloe) Fruit Extract (0.05%)” is either a misprint or an error in translation. Oloe Europaea is Olive and Aloe is Aloe Vera/Barbadensis.