A sunscreen that promises broad spectrum protection while being jelly in texture and moisturizing in formulation sounds perfect in every way possible. Look At Me's Jelly Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ says it could do just that. It is a stark difference from the pasty and thick goop one typically associates with UV protection.
I was completely unaware of this brand and product before. There aren't even many reviews available on the internet. But since it was pretty affordable at oo35mm and it had a nice texture and finish, I was willing to give it a try. Plus, it didn't hurt that it seemed to be a mix of both chemical and physical sunscreens.
Look At Me's & TradeKorea's Descriptions:
Jelly Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF50 PA+++ cream with moisturizer is a broad spectrum protection and a light jelly type texture cream designed for daily use to keep skin protected against powerful UV rays. With its light texture it feels comfortable with no stickiness or greasy residue it keeps skin not only protected but hydrated, soothed wherever your day takes you.
Water Holding System
It moisturizes your skin first and protects the moist of your skin. Oil and moist of your skin is to balanced perfectly.
Outstanding Sun Protection
It creates a protective layer on your skin and it functions as a sun protection.
No Stickiness
It is not sticky at all since it is made of gel type and rather makes your skin smooth. Recommended for men and oily skin type.
For Sensitive Skin
Its main ingredients are natural ingredients so that it is suitable for acne, pimple skins.
Directions
1. After basic skin care, apply a good amount to areas that need intense care, such as the face, the neck and then make it absorbed into the skin by tapping it lightly.
2. Applying 30 minutes before going out is recommended. Apply additionally in case of being exposed to sun for long hours.
Ingredients
WATER, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, ORCHID EXTRACT, CRINUM ASIATICUM EXTRACT, DENDROBIUM PHALAENOPSIS FLOWER EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, ZINC OXIDE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BETAINE, CARBOMER, POLYOXYETHYLENE HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ALLANTOIN, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, COLLAGEN, HYALURONIC ACID, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, 1, 2 - HEXANEDIOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, MORUS ALBA BARK EXTRACT, PERFUME
Sunscreen 50 ml
Lookatmecos.co.kr (Korean e-commerce): ₩25,300
BeautyBoxKorea: USD $23.42
oo35mm: USD $10.99
Amazon: ~USD $8.49 + $5 shipping
Packaging
The product comes in a standard opaque tube with a twist off cap. Since the formula of the sunscreen is very light, it doesn't cling to the sides of the tube and I had no trouble squeezing the gel out until it was almost cleared.
Ingredients
This jelly sunscreen seems to be mainly water and aloe based. There are a bunch of other floral and plant extracts added as well. Witch hazel, hyaluronic acid, and fragrance are placed towards the end half of the ingredients list.
What isn't in the sunscreen: alcohol, mineral oil, and parabens.
The main UV protectors are ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Since Korean regulation doesn't require active ingredients be spelled out on its packaging, customers just have to trust companies when buying Korean made sunscreens. Some companies who have plans to market towards international/USA customers do print the sunscreen percentages on their package, but those are rare.
*I did find an Amazon review where one person claims to have gotten a reply from a seller of the Look At Me Jelly Sunscreen when inquiring about the percentages. The seller told the person that this product had 1% titanium dioxide, 2% zinc oxide, and 5% octinoxate. Whether it is true or not, I cannot say but just thought I'd share what I have come across.
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The sunscreen has a cloudy translucent color straight out of the tube. Once it is blended it, like any other gel-type product, it becomes transparent and invisible to the eye. There is an aloe scent that goes away quickly after application. The product is unbelievably lightweight and easy to spread for something that is marketed to be a sunscreen.
Despite some e-commerce sites noting a "no stickiness" finish, I beg to disagree if applying a thick layer (which should be how it is applied). It isn't a wet/moist feel but there is an undeniable tacky feeling no matter how many hours pass by after applying—pressing a hand against it will result in some adhesion but there isn't any residue. I ultimately got into the habit of applying some translucent powder over top for good measure, but the feeling doesn't go away completely. It is almost like having constantly sticky skin due to sweat.
Unlike titanium dioxide- and zinc oxide-heavy sunscreens, this one is definitely very hassle-free in the sense that soap and scrubbing aren't necessary to wash it away. I do not have to spend a few extra minutes to thoroughly wash off my hands after application for fear of smearing creamy product everywhere. No sunscreen is waterproof, but this sunscreen is not even water resistant.
How I Apply
I prefer to apply a generous 4 finger lengths worth of sunscreen for my face and neck. I am not sure if this is the correct amount to get the most SPF benefits. Some websites say a nickel sized, some 1/4 teaspoon, some 1/2 tsp, some a full 1 tsp, and there are ones who say a whole tablespoon. I like to think the amount I use is about 1/4 tsp, at the very least; who has the time to actually measure in the morning?
Since it is so lightweight and the formulation seems pretty gentle, I have no problem applying it right over my eye area. Companies always say how only special products are to be used for the eye area. I have gotten to the point where finding a separate SPF for the eyes is a bother and needing to applying a separate product in my routine is one too many. I haven't noticed any major issues from applying non-eye products onto the eye area yet, but then again if what the beauty companies say is true the harm would be done for the long-haul.
Thoughts & Recommendations
Rather than thinking of this as a moisturizing sunscreen, I feel like the Look At Me sunscreen is more of a moisturizer with some SPF. I appreciate that the sunscreen seems to add extra moisturizing capabilities to my skin without looking oily or dewy. Not having to deal with a white cast makes switching to chemical sunscreens a real possibility. But the fact that it washes off so easily with water worries me a little if I choose to apply the Jelly Sunscreen on a very hot and humid summer day. I would definitely not wear this if I plan to get wet in any way or sweat a lot. I see it being a great product for low-maintenance types who can't be bothered with skin care, makeup, or (double) cleansing who need convincing that SPF is a necessity. It could also be nice for those who work mostly indoors and see limited sunlight throughout the day. Makeup wearers and people with very sensitive/agitated skin could potentially fall in love with its finish and texture.
As for myself, I did like it but only for the specific situations mentioned above: indoor days, makeup days, and lazy days. If I were to be very picky and serious about my SPF, I would prefer something that is a little more water resistant and with better defined active ingredients for my own peace of mind.
Note 1 // I have gotten slightly sun-burnt (pre-tan, pinkish-red but not to the degree of itchiness and pain) on areas where I applied only a lighter layer of this sunscreen sat out in the blazing mid-day sun for about 20-30 minutes. It was long after my initial, and only, application of sunscreen. But I have done the same for other sunscreens before and don't think I have ever gotten burned then.
Note 2 // One tube lasted almost a month with regular use. I tend to be more generous with lightweight non-creamy sunscreens.
The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a great introduction to both The Ordinary brand and niacinamide as an ingredient. When companies throw around jargon like niacinamide, retinoids, vitamin C, extract this, extract that, the first thing that comes to mind is all the dollar signs it will cost. With this little bottle of serum, I was able to try a new specialty skincare ingredient without the worries of having spent an obscene amount of money on something that won't play well with my skin.
*This post is mainly based on my experience with the product after about 1.5 month of use—which is around how long a bottle lasted me and my brother when applying it once daily.
Deciem's description:
pH 5.50-6.50, water-free, alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free, nut-free, vegan, & cruelty-free
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is indicated to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. A high 10% concentration of this vitamin is supported in the formula by zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid to balance visible aspects of sebum activity.
Contraindications: If topical Vitamin C is used as part of skincare, it should be applied at alternate times with this formula (ideally Vitamin C in the PM and this formula in the AM). Otherwise, Niacinamide can affect integrity of pure-form Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid).
Note: While Niacinamide and Zinc PCA reduce the look of blemishes and balance visible sebum activity, neither is a treatment for acne. For persistent acne-related conditions, we recommend the use of Benzoyl Peroxide and/or Retinoic Acid. We do not recommend the use of Salicylic Acid. This formulation can be used alongside acne treatments if desired for added visible skin benefits.
Directions
Apply to entire face morning and evening before heavier creams.
Ingredients
AQUA (WATER), NIACINAMIDE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, ZINC PCA, TAMARINDUS INDICA SEED GUM, XANTHAM GUM, ISOCETETH-20, ETHOXYDIGLYCOL, PHENOXYETHENOL, CHLORPHENESIN.
Serum 30 ml
Deciem: USD $5.90
I first saw this brand sprinkled throughout the Explore section of Instagram. I didn't pay much attention to it until Liah Yoo made a video on treating acne scars; it piqued my interest but didn't make me want to actively search it up. I just assumed it would be an expensive product and clicked away. C'mon the packaging and name makes it seem kind of fancy and clinical. Plus, I try not to click on everything YouTubers recommend so I don't overspend and hoard. It wasn't until Liah's follow-up The Ordinary review video, with "Best Skincare Under $10?!" in its title, did I become a tad obsessed and wanted to learn more about the brand and its products.
The Ordinary offers a ton of specialized products. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% stood out to me because Deciem markets this primarily for skin blemishes, congestion, and oiliness. Then a bunch of YouTubers and blogs noted it for being most beneficial to acne scarring and pores amongst a whole list of other concerns; all sounded like skin issues I have and wouldn't mind treating/preventing.
Benefits of topical niacinamide
Anti-inflammatory
→Good for acne, psoriasis, & rosacea
Reduces clogged pores
→Therefore improves oil production & the appearance of large pores
Stimulates cell renewal
→Evens skin tone (sallowness & dullness)
→Improves skin texture
→Reduces blotchiness & hyperpigmentation
→Repairs sun damaged skin
Increases production of collagen & ceramides
→Strengthens skin barrier
→Prevents moisture loss & dryness
→Feels more hydrated, soft, & supple
→Good for anti-aging (fine lines), skin elasticity
Packaging
Like with a majority of The Ordinary's products, the niacinamide serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. It allows for very precise control of how much product to dispense. If I could change something about the packaging it would definitely be the pipette; it doesn't reach the bottom of the bottle so getting the remaining product was a challenge. Deciem/The Ordinary, please source a pipette that is slightly longer and tapered towards one side!
Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent
The serum has no scent and no color. It is a viscose liquid, almost gel-like, that is easy to spread. Application of the serum can be tricky. If it isn't rubbed in properly and instead let to sink in on its own, the serum will dry out and leave white streaks. If it is rubbed in too rigorously it also leaves a white film. I like to lightly rub it in and then pat it down to help absorption. I have read that some people experience pilling but I have not.
How I Apply
I am not any more liberal with the serum just because it is an inexpensive product; if I was then it would completely defeat the point of it being affordable in the sense that I would go through a bottle way too quickly. Effective products should work even if a minimal amount is applied. I do use this to treat more areas (i.e. applying to neck versus not) but I would not dispense more serum per area than necessary.
With that being said, I have used this in two ways: apply ~1-2 drops per area on the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck (which comes out to be almost 1 pipette of product per use) or mix 3-4 drops with my moisturizer or oil.
Somehow I was able to persuade my teenage brother to test the product too. At the time, the both of us applied it at night only and directly onto our skin. When using the serum this way, one bottle seems to last about a month or so between the two of us. If using twice daily for 1 person, it'll probably last 1 month as well. If used once daily for 1 person then perhaps closer to 2 months. If mixed only a little with a cream or oil, it will obviously last much longer.
Me
Just my guess on what kind of acne I have via observation. I haven't been professionally assessed by a derm.
Have more pustules (pus-filled pimples), blackheads, whiteheads, and some papules (inflamed red acne with no pus).
Only applied at night after cleansing and toner/essence but before moisturizer.
Brother
Again, this is just my guess on his condition from observation. He usually doesn't give a darn about his acne so he has also never been assessed professionally. I wish I had taken true "Before serum" and "After serum" photos but I didn't. To be completely transparent about it, the pics are of him after a month's nightly use versus a month without after he got fed up with my nonsense. His acne condition, prior to using the serum, looked more or less like the right photo, possibly a little worse.
Has more papules than pustules, sometimes has cysts (deeper rooted, large, painful acne with pus). He also has a lot of blackheads and whiteheads.
Only applied at night without any other skincare products and only cleanses face with water.
Thoughts & Recommendations
Neither of us experienced irritations from using the serum. We didn't do a patch test nor did we slowly build up our routine. The main benefit common to the both of us is a reduction of inflammation amongst red bumps. Over the course of the month, the bumps seem to subdue faster compared to before using niacinamide. Since my brother has a higher concentration of red acne than I do, he looks to have had drastically better results. However, it didn't seem like the niacinamide is stopping new acne from emerging—just that whatever came up the serum would help to make it less severe and recover a little faster. I think this is what Deciem meant when they say niacinamide will "reduce the look of blemishes" rather than be a treatment for acne.
I benefitted more than my brother from niacinamide's declogging abilities. My skin feels a lot smoother and looks less congested (especially from whiteheads in the chin area). There is also a big difference in my facial congestions when I applied the Niacinamide 10% serum directly and when I mixed it with my moisturizer. Direct application is, of course, more effective.
My skin concerns aren't 100% fixed, heck it doesn't even look that much different without the photos. I would say it seems comparably better than before I used the serum though. My pores do not look smaller per say; they do feel a little more clear (I tested this without exfoliating). I am hoping the appearance of my pores will improve with continued use. As of right now, I cannot attest to how helpful it is for the oilies since my skin hasn't adjusted to the hotter & more humid weather yet.
One and a half months is definitely not enough time to see results for scars, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. Given the skin concerns the serum has been helpful for already and the great price point, I am not hesitant at all to continue using and repurchasing it. I may up the dosage to both day and night application or I might continue the current nightly routine and look to add toners/essences/moisturizers formulated with niacinamide. If I do end up purchasing it again and see better results for hyperpigmentation, skin tone, and fine lines I will most likely share an updated post.
There isn't much left to say, without being overly repetitive, about the state of my feet when I don't give it any tendering loving care in the form of acid peels. FYI I shared an in-depth explanation in The Face Shop's Smile Foot Peeling review.
Long story short! My feet skin gets very tough very quickly. The Face Shop's version is considerably more affordable when compared to the ever-so-popular Baby Foot Exfoliant Foot Peel (~$10s versus ~$20s). Yet I couldn't help but wonder if there were even cheaper but effective versions on the market, which is how I found Etude House's BeBe Foot Mask.
Etude House's description:
Easy and comfortable foot care sheet that makes sleek and clean feet with the effect of removing keratin, relaxing the foot odor and others by wearing it.
Directions
1. Slip on foot sheets. (Each sheet is double layered)
2. Cut along enclosed pouch’s dotted line and pour contents into foot sheet.
3. Wait 1~1 hr 30 minutes atfer wearing sheet for solution to absorb into skin.
4. Atef r a certain amount of time, take sheet off, wash off remaining solution and dry feet thoroughly.
5. After 4~6 days, the dead skin cells will naturally peel off. Do not peel with hands.
6. Wait 2 weeks until dead skin cells completely peel off for smooth and clean feet.
Caution
1. For external use only.
2. Avoid contact with eyes.
3. Keep out of reach of children.
4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear.
Ingredients
WATER, ALCOHOL, LACTIC ACID , SODIUM LACTATE, GLYCOLIC ACID, GLYCERIN, ARGININE , PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, SALICYLIC ACID, UREA, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, ASCORBIC ACID, ZEA MAYS (CORN) SILK EXTRACT, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT , PINUS PALUSTRIS LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, LAMINARIA JAPONICA EXTRACT, ALGAE EXTRACT, SALICORNIA HERBACEA EXTRACT, GELIDIUM CARTILAGINEUM EXTRACT, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) FRUIT EXTRACT, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) FRUIT EXTRACT, SODIUM HYALURONATE, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, FRAGRANCE
Etude House (international): USD $9.10
Etude House (Korean retail): ₩7,000
Amazon: USD $7-9 (varies)
BB Cosmetic: USD $6.79
Cosmetic-love: USD $9.38
Why did it take me 3 years to discover that other Korean road shop beauty brands (The Face Shop, Etude House, the SAEM, Holika Holika, etc.) also sell their own versions of the foot peeling mask? I guess I mentally decided to just stick with the one brand that I have tried and saw results with to play it safe. Formulations probably aren't that much different from one shop to another...but you never know if even the slightest things will affect the effectiveness of the product or cause sensitivities.
I am glad to say that Etude House's BeBe Foot Mask does indeed work just as well as The Face Shop's Smile Foot Peel for me and costs a few dollars (and won) less. With the rate I need to use these babies, every few dollars less per mask adds up.
Packaging
There isn't a whole lot different between Etude House's version and The Face Shop's: both peeling serums come in a foot-shaped pouch and have plastic booties. The biggest distinction between the two are the former requires tying a knot to secure the bootie and the latter uses a sticker.
Like TFS' bootie, this one also had two layers. The outer layer is made of plastic and the inner one is made of a cloth-like material.
The instructions are identical. Clean feet. Slip on booties. Pour serum into each bootie. Wait for 60-90 minutes. Remove bootie. Rinse off serum. Wait for the peeling to commence.
Ingredients
The ingredients are more or less the same as well; both have alcohol, water, lactic acid, sodium lactate, glycerin, and glycolic acid as the main components—only the order differs. Etude House and The Face Shop use salicylic acid but EH's lists the ingredient higher meaning the amount of the acid they use is potentially larger in comparison to TFS's formulation. The rest of the ingredients found are various plant and flower extracts.
Color & Scent
The serum is colorless and relatively odorless (maybe slightly artificially fruity). I didn't experience any sensitivity to all the acids.
Day 1
Soaked my feet for 30 minutes in water prior to soaking it for 90 minutes in the peeling serum.
Day 2
Saw no changes. Didn't do any extra soaking.
Day 3
Still did not do any extra soaking. Started to see some peeling around the toes after a shower.
Day 4
Drenched my feet for a few hours while washing a car in flip flops. Skin started to really slough off just from it rubbing against the shoes. Didn't physically peel off any skin myself. Had to sleep with socks on.
Day 5
Skin continued to peel and shed. Socks were necessary 24/7.
Day 6
Impatience took over—began to manually peel off skin that looked likely to detach soon on its own. Did not forcibly remove any that were clearly not ready.
Day 7
Old skin on the bottom of my foot nearly finished peeling. Skin on top and on the sides of my feet needed a little help; rubbed it off with my hands in the shower. Deeper callouses on my heels remained.
Day 8
Peeling completed. Scrubbed heels with a pumice stone in the shower and was able to file and smooth down quite a bit of the deeper & tougher stuff. Feet were baby smooth.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I am not sure if it was due to Etude House's formulation or the wet feet & flip flops combo, but this is the first time I have had actual skin peeling off in a layer. Of all the times I have used The Face Shop's version, my skin came off in flakes and it could not be peeled off in any capacity.
Regardless, I can say for sure that having wet feet does help loosen and soften the dead skin a great deal. Abrasion from walking further loosens and separates the dead skin from the soles. Even if there is no time in the day to sit and soak your feet in water for 30 minutes every day, keeping the bottoms of your feet in the shallow water while showering for even 10-15 minutes helps a lot.
While the BeBe Foot Mask wasn't tough enough to tackle the most stubborn cracks on the heels and balls of my feet, it did a damn great job at breaking down and loosening other thick skin my soles developed over the last few months. The flakes came off in multiple layers in areas where the skin was thickest.
Which one I would repurchase all depends on whichever is cheaper at the time, how urgently I need it, and what the availability is at the (e-)shop. Etude House's foot peel and The Face Shop's foot peel work similarly enough that I would gladly pick up either or; they are one-in-the-same to me in terms of efforts required and results returned.
