Recently, I have been trying to incorporate more natural and organic products into my daily routine but still keeping true to some of my personal favorites. Using Iherb.com I have been able to switch over products around the house such as cleaners, laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid and with the help of Korean Beauties newest additions I have been able to switch over a lot of my beauty products as well.
There seems to be a widespread perception that natural beauty products are somehow better than the synthetically made products of the past. And, in some cases, that's the truth. However there are a few things that you should know about the industry so you can make the best choices for your skin. One is that the word "natural" means literally nothing as far as the FDA is concerned. Though there has been some legislative movement toward creating more regulations regarding the ingredients cosmetic brands are using there is currently not a solid rule. This means theres nothing to stop a brand from placing a creative plant design on its box and calling itself natural as long as the brand can claim it's not misleading. It is also important to point out that some truly organic ingredients can be very volatile to your body and sometimes, a brand needs to create synthetic ingredients in order to ensure their product will work well every single time. Just because something's made in a lab, doesn't necessarily mean it's toxic — and just because something's completely natural, doesn't mean it's not.
What it really comes down to is it's always important to actually read the ingredients on the label, and not just rely on the language on the front of a bottle that implies something is natural. Many 'natural' personal care products have few associated studies to demonstrate efficacy and safety that is inline with that of FDA-regulated products and some items branded as 'natural' in fact contain chemicals." So its really hard to be discerning. My personal theory is to do the research on the ingredients it contains and make the decision for yourself, try out a switch on your arm or hand to make sure you don't have a reaction and read fun personal reviews like this one. Really trying the products for yourself can be the most helpful but of course nobody wants to be putting something toxic on their skin so you just have to be careful do the research and try your best to see beyond the marketing.
Korean beauty has always been a massive industry and now they are leaning even more towards natural and organic products. Living in Seoul, I was able to meet with some of these brands and try out some of their products through a few beauty guru friends. (@sumomosuki , @unityjackson and @soak_lifestyle ). I am learning more every day about my skin and what works for me and beauty is as much as a personal journey as any.
In this post, I am simply writing how my skin reacted to the products and my over all general opinion. For a few weeks I switched over to using the Keep Cool And Soothe line from Korea. I really liked what I saw for the ingredients in these products so I decided to give them a go!
I have been using these products for three weeks and have had a very refreshing time doing so. I started by changing over my cleansing routine to the Keep Cool And Soothe Water which is a cleansing and calming water. I loved the frosted glass look of the bottle and the play on words "Keep Cool and then what the product was for". I used it by applying it to my clean face when I had no make up on. I noticed right away a fresh, cool feeling and dirt on my cleansing pad right away which was pretty good considering I thought my face was already clean. I was told it can also be used as a light make up remover as well but I wouldn't really use it on my eyes as I usually need something stronger and dedicated to that. If you have irritated skin this would feel really calming and cool. As cleansing is the most important step out of all skincare routines its important to choose the right one for you but also to use it at the right times of day. Before tackling the rest of your beauty routine you can use this soothe water to cleanse your skin and start fresh. Conveniently, not only will your skin be clean, but it will also be prepped for the rest of your skin care products. You can also use this product after working out for a refreshing, cool feeling which will help clean those pores out after sweeting away from that routine. And of course, before your head ever hits the pillow, you’ll want to remove the days impurities, as well as your makeup, to help ensure that you don’t wake up to clogged pores.
I then followed it up with the Keep Cool And Soothe Toner. The first thing I noticed is how much product this came with. A lot! The bottle contains about 2-3 times as much as a regular toner. Apparently you can use it in four different ways which could mean you could go through more product then on average with a toner but I personally just used this as a regular toner step in my routine.
This toner has a pH level 5.5 of slight acid toner to help balance skin acidity. Because this toner will match that of the skins natural acidity then it is most likely be suited to most skin types without risk of irritation. It provided a good amount of hydration but nothing out of the ordinary. This would be a safe product for those with sensitive skin as I personally have somewhat sensitive skin and I noticed no irritation. As it is also gentle and lightweight it would make for an incredible summer addition as its extremely cooling and refreshing.
When using this product I found it gave me a similar feeling to the cleanser of being clean and cool as well as a tingly stronger felling like it was balancing out my skin. K-beauty products are often geared towards environmental factors such as weather changes and fine dust and that is exactly what this line boasts to be gearing up against.
I then used some of my other products in my routine but followed it up with the Keep Cool And Soothe Cream towards the end before my skin oil. I felt this was also calming and repairing and would be good after botox or acne related skin flair ups. The rich blue mousse texture glides easily over skin and sinks in quickly, smoothing texture and creating a shield against moisture loss and environmental damage. Of of my favourite points of this product is that it contains no artificial pigment or fragrance. It felt very gentle on the skin so I feel this would be good for sensitive of damaged skin. It wasent overly moisurizing but left my skin feeling fresh. I would at night follow it up with a facial oil.
So on a personal note I was noticing at the Gym after spinning sometimes my face would start to have an allergic reaction from touching the bike and then my face or maybe from whatever they are cleaning the towels with. After taking a shower at the Gym I spread this cream over my face and I did noticed that it helped to calm my skins reaction. Its also a good size for travel so I am going to keep it in my gym bag. I may even put a travel size of the cleanser as well and combine the two after my gym shower to help calm my skin.
After doing a bit of research, I found this product has Phyto Green Pair Complex featuring Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, and Bamboo Extract, which immediately cools the skin and reduces redness and inflammation.
I have also been using the Keep Cool And Soothe Mist which is used for hydrating and calming the skin throughout the day as well as a setting spray for make up. So when your make up needs refreshing mid-day you can spray this on about 10 inches from the face and it will help the make up break up and then dry together in a way that makes it look like it was freshly applied. This is the best way to not have that cakey look we all hate and it can also help to keep your skin looking dewy and hydrated. This has worked well for me as a mid day moisturizing spritz without makeup but I have yet to use it for my make up spray just yet. It is on the smaller side of things so easy to travel with. I will use it the next time I am out during my day and let you all know the results soon. As a mid day spray, I felt it was very refreshing and provided a good amount a moisture. The list of ingredients is super long on this little guy which can be intimidating at first but really seems its more of a packs the punch situation. It has also been given a 99.3% satisfaction rating by Allure Korea’s product testing panel making it quickly become a cult favorite!
Over all, I really enjoyed these products and will continue to use them in my routine and specifically use them as my go to when my skin flairs up from allergic reactions. Its great to know I have something that can help when my skins feels on fire! I also thought the packaging was super cute, love the pastel colors and the fun label that we all know and love Keep Cool and then something funny or descriptive in this case. It's great that they were able to be creative with this already known tag line. It's also super affordable which is fantastic so try it and let me know what you think in the comments! I have yet to try the masks just yet but review coming soon!
How To Use: Soak makeup cottons with cleansing water and gently wipe your face with it.
Cost: US $17.00
Ingredients: Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Green Tea Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Keep Cool Soothe Phyto Green Shower Cleansing Water (From The Website): has slight acidity level(pH5.6) to re-balance and maintain your skin pH level. It minimized skin irritation by adding MultiEx BSASM, which contains 7 naturally derived ingredients (Rosemary, Chamomile, Green tea, Centella Asiatica, Licorice, Polygonum Cuspidatum, and Scutellaria Baicalensis Root). It has no harmful perfume which is clarified as 8th grade of EWG avoiding any kind of risk irritating your skin.
How To Use: Use in the morning and evening after cleansing. Take a moderate amount on a cotton pad or hand. Apply evenly on the skin and gently pat the skin for better absorption. If you need more moisture, layer the toner 2,3 times.
Cost: US $30.00
Ingredients: Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
The Keep Cool Soothe Bamboo Toner (From The Website) : contains naturally derived ingredients from the forest to deliver the comfort from nature directly to your skin. 85%(850,000 ppm) of Bamboo Water immediately hydrates skin, while the Phyto Green Shower Complex soothes it down. This toner has a pH level 5.5 of slight acid toner to help balance skin acidity.
How To Use: After your serum step, apply the cream to the face and pat in.
Cost: US $22.00
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol , Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Shea Butter, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sorbitan Stearate , Cetyl Ethylhexanoate , Cetearyl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Disodium EDTA
Keep Cool And Soothe Cream: (From The Website) Sensitive and damaged skin is prone to accelerated aging. Calm your complexion down with the intensely repairing Keep Cool Soothe Phyto Green Pair Cream. With Phyto Green Pair Complex featuring Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Thuja Orientalis Extract, Pinus Densiflora Extract, and Bamboo Extract, it immediately cools skin and reduces redness and inflammation. The rich mousse texture glides easily over skin and sinks in quickly, smoothing texture and creating a shield against moisture loss and environmental damage. Contains no artificial pigment or fragrance.
How To Use : Use throughout the day, whenever skin feels dry and dull. Mist face 10 inches away from the skin. Can also be used as a toner with a cotton pad.
Cost: US $22.00
Ingredients: Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Vera Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sea Water, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin [KEEP COOL SHINE FIXENCE MIST] Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Pearl Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sea Water, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Glutathione, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopherol, Hesperidin [KEEP COOL SOOTHE FIXENCE MIST] Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract , Aloe Vera Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Chloride, Isohexadecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sea Water, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-51, Ceramide NP, Perfume, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Allantoin, Amber Powder, Pentylene Glycol , Caprylyl Glycol
Keep Cool And Soothe Mist (From The Website): Keep your cool (and stay cool) with the Keep Cool Fixence Mist. Keep Cool isn’t just a play on a popular meme — this high quality, bi-phase mist actually has an ingredient called the “Cool Keeper,” a unique complex of traditional Asian plant extracts that actually cools down your skin’s temperature. With both oil and water to really hydrate skin, this multitasking mist not only gives you a burst of hydration with natural moisturizing factors to bind water on the skin, it helps to set your makeup as well.
Keep Cool Ocean Fixence Mist: Like a burst of deep seawater, this mist features Polyquaternium-51, an ingredient with twice the hydrating effect of hyaluronic acid.
Keep Cool Shine Fixence Mist: With pearl extract for a luminous complexion and Moringa oleifera seed oil to impart a glossy glow.
Keep Cool Soothe Fixence Mist: Centella asiatica, allantoin, and aloe extracts help to calm irritation and fight inflammation. Nigella sativa seed oil creates a shield to protect your skin from external aggressors and stimuli.
