Recent Naruko Skincare Products

If you haven't checked out my initial reviews on Naruko Skincare Products please do. Spring is around the corner but for the winter months I decided to experiment with other Naruko products and I am thoroughly impressed. This brand never ceases to amaze me. Below are mini reviews of the new Naruko products I've been using for the past four months.




The Naruko Rose and Botanical HA Aqua Cubic Foaming Wash is a light foaming washing I like to use in the morning. It is gentle and and doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils. It is also very hydrating but will not irritate sensitive and acne prone skin. The smell is very lovely as it smells like you're washing your face with roses.









The Naruko Oil Out Tea Tree Balancing Serum is an effective serum that balances out the oil production of the skin. Not only does it treat current breakouts but it also prevents future breakouts! This is great for every skin type. For those who do not have acne it would be best to use this one a day or once every other day in order to prevent potential breakouts.











The Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Serum has replaced the Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum in my skin regimen. It is cheaper than the Komenuka Bijin product and I believe it just as effective as it works in conjunction with the other Naruko products. After months of using this product I believe it has definitely helped to fade my acne scars.

The Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Serum smells heavenly!!! It is a heavy creams texture but once it is applied it is light. It makes my skin feel very tight and supple throughout the day. When I do not use this I can see a difference in my skin. It brightens dull skin and making it glow with radiance!










The Naruko Narcissus Total Defense Hydrating Gel is the best day moisturizer I've ever used. Because my skin is sensitive and acne prone, moist moisturizers either completely dry out my skin or causes my skin to breakout because it's too moisturizing. However, this gel was the perfect balance making my face so soft but not dewy and greasy.









The Naruko Tea Tree Oil-Cut Hydrator is a little more drying than the above product. I use this only when I breakout. It has a light mouse-like texture and when applied it tingles. If I were to use this as the final layer in my skin regimen twice a day my skin would be too dry which might irritate my pores to produce more oils. This wold be best used for someone with extremely oily skin or during the summer. I did find that when I broke out and used only this moisturizer, my acne cleared up and healed super fast.










The Naruko Rose & Snow Fungus Classic Hydrating Night Eye Gelly is a thick gel only to be applied at night. It can be sticky so before I apply it around my eyes I rub it in fingers to warm it up. After using it for a few months I have noticed that the skin around my eyes are tighter which is amazing because I get older ever day and my skin is looking more and more younger.

Best Finds of 2011

Photo by supakitmod

Naruko Acne Clay Cleanser: The number one reason I think my acne cleared up. The other products helped but this, I believe, was the main product. Check out my post on clearing up my acne for more information.

BB creams (Blemish Balm): I discovered BB creams early this year and it's the best foundation/tinted moisturizer I've ever used. I have more than one BB cream so I'll be doing a post comparing and contrasting them soon!!

Roc Creams: The Roc brand is light-years ahead of their time. This brand definitely prevents and treats current wrinkles. I look younger now than I did 5 years ago and I've only been using Roc creams since August.

Once Upon a Time: This is my favorite show right now. I can't wait for Sundays so I can watch what happens next on this amazing new ABC drama. 

Soren Kierkegaard: I've been reading Kierkegaard's works since 8th grade but this year I've been re-reading more of his works and I'm so glad I did. I never get tired of discovering his insights all over again.

Giovanni Direct Leave in Conditioner: This has become a staple in my haircare regimen. A little bit goes a long way and because my hair isn't classified as coily and kinky, but just really curly, I can't use heavy creams that are too thick otherwise it will weigh my hair down. This is great because I still have full body but moisturized hair.

Bliss and Adrift: These two movies have been my favorites of this year. I've seen many wonderful movies but these two really moved me.

Japanese Skincare Revolution: This book gave me the tools to really revolutionize the way I think about skincare. Without this book, I wouldn't have known where to begin with treating my acne and preventing wrinkles.

Oatmeal Face Wash: I don't eat oatmeal but I've discovered that it can be used as a face wash, exfoliant, and has excellent moisturizing properties. I use oatmeal soap, an oatmeal body wash, and an oatmeal lotion. The best decision I've every made for my body.

Chobani Yogurt: This greek yogurt is the best yogurt I've ever had. The mango, pomegranate, and strawberry flavors are the best! I'm officially obsessed!

Have a great New Year!

Clearing Up My H-Zone Acne

I went to Florida in August for a conference and when I returned I had the worst acne of my life. Not even in my adolescent years had I endured such a break out. My previous skin care routine was literally doing NOTHING which made my acne worse. My skin has always been acne prone with deep scarring issues; I couldn't stop the outbreak and once the acne finished it's course, it left a scar which was pointless to treat since new pimples were forming.

After a month of panic and jumping from product to product, I have found a regimen that has FINALLY worked and it has to do with the Asian technique of layering products. (Asian products are designed to layer and absorb quickly. Sometimes using Asian products with other products may result in products conflicting with one another and caking up but this isn't always the case. It is important to make sure a product has absorbed before moving on to the next product.) My acne is down by 80%. As you can see in the picture, I still have acne but it's minimal compared to just a month ago. Most of you have heard of the T-zone but I have an H-zone. Acne and extreme oil production occurs on my cheeks and nose. Surprisingly, my forehead and chin are quite dry. I can't imagine that I am the only person in the world who has this kind of skin so maybe my experience will help someone.


My morning and night routines differ slightly and they are listed briefly below. There have been product reviews of a few of these items and there will be more product reviews added periodically. I will also include other products I've used that were okay but no Kubasian cigar! .-_-

In the morning I need something that is gentle while controlling oil production and treats the acne and scarring. Sun protection is also important as is hydration without clogging my pores or fighting against my makeup. (A makeup post is coming up soon!)

Morning Routine

Oatmeal Wash or Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser

Korres Wild Rose Smoothing Eye Serum

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Shiseido Senka Facial Lotion (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Unt 50spf Cream

Eos Mint lip balm
Makeup

At night I like to deeply cleanse to remove the makeup and build up during the day while still treating the acne and scaring. The skin repairs the most at night, so it's important to incorporate products that aid this process. I also want to focus on firming as I want to preserve my skin so it appears youthful for as long as possible. Nighttime is also the time I do any specific treatments like masks.

 

Nightly Routine

Grapeseed oil (eye makeup removal)
Korres White Tea Gel Cleanser (remove remainder makeup)

Naruko Tea Tree Acne Clay Cleanser

(Mask if necessary)

Komenuka Bijin Eye Moist Jell

Naruko Tea Tree Lotion
Unt Acne Serum

Komenuka Bijin Whitening Serum (fade acne scars)

Roc Deep Wrinkle Night Cream (forehead and future laugh lines)

Naruko Tea Tree Night Jelly or Naruko Magnolia Night Jelly

Eos Mint lip balm

Treatment is an important step in clearing up acne and general skin care. Periodically your skin needs extra exfoliation, hydration, firming, brightening, and/or pampering.

Treatment

Naruko Tea Tree Blackhead mask (removes and/or loosens blackheads)

Homemade Pore Strips (unclogs pores)

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (tightens pores and dries up acne)
Aztec Secret-Indian Healing Clay (tightens and purifies pores)

My Beauty Diary Strawberry Yogurt Mask (hydrating and brightening)

Silk Whitia Whitening Mask (hydrating and brightening)
Honey Scrub (exfoliating)

Hope you enjoyed this post. More posts on acne prone skin to come.

***Please note that this is only my experience. Every one is different and every skin has needs that are unique. This regimen worked for ME.

Product Review: Naruko Skincare Products

Naruko is a Taiwanese based skincare line which, I believe, is THE reason my acne has greatly improved. (To view even more Naruko Products I've reviewed, click here) This is the best skincare line I have ever used. It was developed by Asia's most famous dermatologist, Niuer, who is called the Beauty King in his home country of Taiwan. He has developed a whole line of natural products at incredibly affordable prices. I have been using his products for about two months and my skin has never felt or been better! I am completely sold! I am a Naruko fan for life! Below are a few mini reviews of products I've used.  .-_-

The NARUKO Tea Tree Acne Clay Cleanser is a deeply cleansing product which exfoliates as well. It is a 2 in 1 product in that it can function as a mask as well. After working the product in, leaving it on for about 15 minutes will unclog pores and clean even more deeply. I use this cleanser only at nights. It is safe to use twice a day but in the morning I prefer to use another cleanser that is gentler than this particular cleanser.

The NARUKO Tea Tree Balancing Moisturizer is surprisingly moisturizing even though it balances out the oil production of the pores. This is a hydrating toner so I apply this right after I wash my face. It helps the serums that follow to absorb even better. What I love most about this product is how calm it makes my skin. My pores do not over produce oil like it use to!

The NARUKO Tea Tree Sebum Control Night Gelly is a miracle in a bottle! This is the last step in my nighttime routine and I wake up with skin that is glowing. It is formulated to help the skin repair during the night while balancing oil production.

The NARUKO Tea Tree T-Zone Blackhead Remover is my go-to product when a bump begins to emerge. I put a dot of the product on the potential pimple and leave it on overnight or for about thirty minutes (I prefer overnight) and all the impurities raise to the surface. I don't have to walk around for over a week with a pimple on my face for within a 24 hour period it is ready to burst. It really is amazing!

The Naruko Magnolia Brightening and Firming Night Jelly is the best night jelly I've ever tried. The tea tree night jelly mentioned above is amazing but this particular night jelly targets brightening and firming. It legitimately repairs the skin overnight. I ALWAYS wake up to brighter, clearer, and firmer skin. If only my skin could look like that at all times. I can definitely see a difference in my skin when I don't use it. Also: the smell is just heavenly and it's all natural; no fragrance has been added. This product is great for all skin types and for my acne prone skin--it did wonders!