Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Nadia_M]

I see crows feet in the near future. Anyone have any recommendations for good eye cream to prevent that, or at least slow it down? I also need face lotion with sunblock. My Oil of Olay ran out. Any help would be much appreciated! (btw, I'm in Daejeon)

[Man on Street]

Accept your fate, grandma!

[NYC_Gal]

Anything with spf 45 or higher is good. Innisfree makes one that's decent. I pack a bunch of Lifeguard Association Certified stuff from home, but forgot it one day and used the one I suggested.

As for crows feet: wear a big hat in the sun and moisturize daily.

[adventuregal]

I have to admit it, I'm kinda of an eye cream *beep*! I'm having a similar problem- there's a large wrinkle under oth my eyes that has become the current bain of my existence.

In the past I've used numerous brands (prevention is key), but the one I like best if from Phytomer- it's a gel that has a marine kelp extracts (or something similar) you wake up with your eye area being decidedly firm. It's called life contour- here's a link;
http://www.phytomer.fr/en/s05_produits/s05p02_fiche_produit.php?ligne=205&problematique=227&produit=137#panelProduits

That being said, I haven't hunted for it here in Korea yet.. so I went with SK-II which was disappointing to say the least... It costs as much as a weekend in Busan, and isn't doing much so far- but it's been less that a week. It's just really oily- they say it's for all ages- but I think it's designed for ajummas- who knows though, hopefully I'll look 12 in the next month or two (that's the plan).

In terms of creating a general essence or glow about your complection (dewy/ soft= looking 12) there are two products that really do it for me- I'm currently using them in tandem;
1. Biotherm Source Therapie (something about infusing water into your face- once again dewy= 12 year old skin)- I've been using this product and products from this company for years and LOVE it.
2. SK-II Facial Essence. For all the good the eye cream has done me so far (not much) there is something to be said about Facial Essence. It does do it's job and makes your skin moist soft and supple. SK-II claims that this product also stimulates cell turnover, so in about 6 weeks (according to them) things should be looking 12-ish. Not sure about the cell turnover rate bull **** but it does aid to a soft, dewy, youthful glow (which makes you look waaaaay younger).

These products though, are both supplemental- are outside of the cleanser, toner, moisterizer family- they're additions (and expensive at that).

The girl who posted above me was right though- sunblock is #1 in terms of protecting your assets. There no point in buying all this stuff if you don't go BIG with the SPF.

If none of this works, I just found out Botox is pretty cheap here (not advocating- but it happens to be much less costly than the states) so if you're really having trouble- and don't have issues with it - more power to ya!

Good luck!

[princess]

Adventure gal...I was looking at Biotherm products and sorry, but the ingredient list was quite scary..as in mostly chemicals...in the long run, how can putting so many chemicals on your face be so great? I prefer things that are mostly or all-natural if I can find them...not to mention, why do they put methylparaben and other parabens in almost everything here? That stuff is NOt good for your face....I always laugh at the people who spend big bucks on Chanel, Dior and other skincare products...they are CHEMICALS...yucky, yucky chemicals...

[adventuregal]

Princess-

I've tried going organic, chemicals just seem to work better for my face! I know that sounds a little horrible.... If you can find a line that works (and ACTUALLY aids in delaying/ reversing the aging process of my face) I'm all ears!
I've tried Alba organics, Southwest Sunshine, Ole Henricksen, Burt's Bees, Jaason, Pericone, etc... They're all good for basics, but I haven't found any that help with the lines, etc.. Phytomer probs works the best- If I'm not loving my SK-II/ Biotherm current combo- I'll most likely go on a hunt to find it here.
Also- Has anyone ever had the problem with Clinique where it makes your face break out and dull? There was a time when I wanted to be all about it, but it's just poo poo for my pores!

What's everybody else using?

[mm]

I once got about 200$ worth of free Clinique products because the same thing happened to my friends face. It worked fine with me.

Now I am just using neutrogena. I have tried other things but it seems to work best for me. I use their face cleanser, day cream with SPF, night cream and eye cream.

[Nadia_M]

I guess the plan is moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and keep my face out of the sun, all while using sunblock. I'm too scared of needles to go for Botox...and really, I'm only 25, so it seems a bit drastic. I have some very, very fine lines by my left eye. Apparently I'm the only one who sees them. But there are definitely four small lines by my right eye, but you have to look closely. You can only obviously see them when I smile. Augh! I also don't want to spend a small fortune on face stuff.

[candyteacher]

Hey O.P, Im using Skin Foods gold caviar eye lifing serum. So far so good for me, I can notice a difference from when I started using it and it makes under my eyes feel fresh and soft. Its about 20,000 won(ish) and in my opinion well worth it.

[NYC_Gal]

I have glycolic acid pads (they're like the stridex ones for acne, but a different acid) that I use maybe once or twice a week (twice in summer, once the rest of the year). The acid prevents wrinkles (not sure about wrinkles already formed, but, in any case, why get new ones?) and has a bonus of clearing up the skin during PMS.

There are plenty of brands back home, but the cheap-o Avon ones work as well as any others. I started a prevention regimen when I turned 25, and haven't had any issues yet. Just sun block, big hats, night moisturizer, and a pad or two a week. It's pretty low maintenance, but my skin will thank me in 10-20 years.

[adventuregal]

NYC Gal-

Where can one find those?

[NYC_Gal]

Here's the link:

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=33984

You'll have to have someone order it and mail it to you here. My grandma's friend sells Avon, so usually she sends me a pack or two in her care packages.

My best friend back home turned me onto these things, because she knows how interested I am in prevention. She's been using them for a few years as well, and we both have great complexions.

[Jane]

Years ago, Oprah did a story on creams and cosmetics, and the doctor she had on the show confirmed that creams do nothing else but smell nice. I don't think we have invented anything that can prevent wrinkles or reduce them, but I do believe wearing sunblock everyday (winter and summer), staying out of the sun if possible--although some sun is essential to healthy skin, which is where Koreans go wrong with their visors--and keeping skin moisturized are the best things you can do to keep healthy skin.

I also use organic or vegan facial products as, like Princess, I have no desire to apply cancer-causing creams onto my skin. I use a cleanser and daytime moisturizer by Rare2B (http://www.rarenatural.com/), and I find they work nicely for my skin. Everyone has different skin; it's important to find a cream that works for you.

Oh, and I use a kickbutt daily SPF 50 sunblock by Shiseido from the Anessa line. It probably has some toxic substance in it, but I can't bring myself to stop using it. It works great and can be ordered off Gmarket or at the Koreanair duty free during the summer months.

Check it out here:
http://item.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=192564918&pos_shop_cd=SH&pos_class_cd=111111111&pos_class_kind=T&search_keyword=shiseido anessa

[Nadia_M]

Candyteacher, how long have you been using the Skin Food eye cream?

[NYC_Gal]

I've been using the face version of the caviar, gold, and collagen serum for about a year. I haven't used the eye cream, though. I use it as a night moisturizer.