Review Roundup: Laneige Clear-C, O'slee Rosehip, HadaLabo Alpha Lotion, Nature Republic Vitamin C Mist, and Theyul Essence

Since I have been on hiatus, I've built up a huge queue of products. I would normally give a more in-depth look at each product, but this is going to be more along the lines of mini-reviews. The main reason being that *spoiler alert* these all were MEH for me, so there isn't much to say. I have some that I did end up liking and those will be in a different post, so stay tuned!

Note: This post contains no affiliate links and everything reviewed was purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own and 100% real. 

Contents of this post: 

• Laneige Clear-C Advanced Effector 
• O'slee Rosehip Beauty Solution Advanced Formula III 
• Hada Labo Goku-jyun Alpha Lotion 
• Theyul Special Program Essence
• Nature Republic Natural Vitamin Facial Mist in Vitamin C
• Next on the schedule

Laneige Clear-C Advanced Effector

According to the website, the Laneige Clear-C Effector is applied after cleansing as a toning step. It comes with a box of cotton squares that have two sides; a patterned side for morning and another side for evenings. I found this impractical and ended up separating the two sides for morning and night. The inclusion of Vitamin C and berry extracts is what initially drew me to this product. There also weren't many reviews, so I was curious! I used it for a month and then on and off for a few more months. It did nothing for me in terms of hydration or brightening. Alcohol is in the ingredient list, but my face usually doesn't have any issues with that. I will likely not repurchase in the future, but will probably use up the reset as a mist or quick DIY sheet mask.

CosDNA analysis

Ingredients: Aqua, West Indian Cherry, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Sugar Maple, Mandarin, Citrus wilsonii Tanaka, Saccharum officinarum, Propylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Cellulose gum, Carbopol, Glyceryl polymethacrylate, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, Triethanoamine, Methyl Parahydroxybenzoate, Propylparaben, Parfum, PEG60, EDTA

Ingredients that scored a 2 or higher are highlighted in red.

Rating: 3/5

This item can be purchased from Testerkorea for $30.51.

O'slee Rosehip Beauty Solution Advanced Formula III

Advertised as a toner that will moisturize, whiten, tighten pores, and reduce blackheads... count me in! It has a watery consistency that takes a minute or so to completely absorb. I immediately discontinued use because I started breaking out after using this, I waited until the break outs cleared and then tried again, but the same thing happened. It's such a shame that this did not end up working for me because it smells exactly like lychees. The ingredients appeared promising as well. Maybe someone else will have better luck since I barely used any of this!

CosDNA analysis

Ingredients: Aqua, Rosa Canina Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Sodium Lactate, Hyaluronic Acid, Zinc pyrithione, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Lactic Acid, Methylparaben, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil

Rating: 2/5

This product can be purchased from Sasa for $11.60.

Hada Labo Goku-jyun Alpha Lotion

The Hada Labo lotions are loved by many for providing intense hydration. I saw this during a Sasa sale and couldn't resist trying it. This is the anti-aging line that contains collagen, Vitamin A, and retinol. I used it every day morning and night for four months. There is A LOT of product and a little bit goes a long way because I still hasn't even used a third of this. I didn't see much in terms of anti-aging, but that is usually something you see in long term use of a product. I have found other products that give intense hydration while providing brightening or pore minimizing benefits. This step has been replaced with new products that I continue to try each month, but I have found a way to re-purpose this. It has been great for my boyfriend's eczema. It's really bad on back of his hands and forearms to the point where they start to scab over. He applies in on those areas, seals it in with Vaseline, and wakes up with softer skin. His eczema is till there, but it has been keeping it manageable. 

CosDNA analysis

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Beta Carotene, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Methylparaben, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil

Ingredients that scored a 2 or higher are highlighted in red.

Rating: 3/5

This product can be purchase from Sasa for $17.50.

Theyul Special Program Essence

I wasn't able to find an ingredient list, but according to product pages it contains flower extracts and collagen. The packaging is gorgeous, but the product itself might have broken me out. I said might have because I didn't continue using it after any sign of irritation started. It has a VERY strong scent that is part floral and part hanbang (traditional Korean medicine). The scent dries down to almost nothing and is gone within minutes. This is called an "essence" but has the consistency of a serum. It spreads very easily and absorbs quickly. I might go back and try again because I just can't help myself. If in the end it doesn't end up working, I will definitely keep the packing for decants! 

Rating: 2/5

Nature Republic Natural Vitamin Facial Mist in Vitamin C

This was one of the many mists I picked up when I was in search of a good facial mist. I didn't own a single one and wanted to try them all! I purchased this from Testerkorea, but it doesn't appear to be available through them anymore. Looking at the ingredients, it's not that impressive and it's performance is just as lackluster. I have tried using this with my cushion foundation and that has been my favorite way to use mists. It works well, but I don't like it enough to repurchase. Plus, I have more mists to get through and try!

CosDNA analysis

Ingredients: Water, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Kiwi Fruit Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Seawater, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin,  Fragrance

Ingredients that scored a 2 or higher are highlighted in red.

Rating: 3/5

This item can be purchased in different types (Vitamin A, C, and E) from Koreadepart for $3.66 or from Amazon for $15.99

Rating breakdown:

1 - Hate it, do not recommend, stay away from it!

2 - Product caused irritation, break out, or other problems.

3 - It's meh. Might finish or re-purpose. Would not repurchase.

4 - I like it. Would repurchase until I find something better.

5 - Holy grail status and hope they never discontinue this!

Next on the Schedule

• Currently in my testing queue are: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, Hera Aquabolic Balancing Emulsion, and Aquabolic Balancing Water
• My current routine wardrobe
• Roundup of favorite products and (probably) some mini-reviews

I am also on Reddit and /r/asianbeauty!