Pitting two moisturizers against one another was never my intention. I bought both the Abib Hydration gel and Hydration crème because the former sounded like it would fit humidity and oilier skin better and the latter in drier conditions. Curiosity got the better of me and I experimented with applying both at once, each on either side of my face and neck, in all weather and skin conditions to potentially see how much they differed from one another. The results were unexpected, to say the least.
Peach & Lily + *Abib's description:
Gel
Crafted with natural ingredients and no toxic additives, this lightweight gel sinks deep into the skin, providing thirsty complexions with all-over hydration. The brand's proprietary aqua holding gel matrix actively hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and shea butter. Made specifically for sensitive skin, cactus flower extract assists in protecting delicate skin and helps to maintain its healthy state.
Crème
With 20 natural ingredients and no toxic additives, Abib's Hydration Crème Water Tube is a powerful moisturizer. The brand's proprietary aqua holding gel matrix actively moisturizes the skin with natural hydrants like hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, and shea butter, while replenishing essential moisture to the skin. Ingredients like niacinamide, moringa extract, and mushroom extract provide protection against the signs of aging and help keep skin firm and smooth. The crème is designed to be used as the last step of your skincare routine to form a protective, hydrating layer.
*Polymer Network System // Polymers release water that moisturizers and transport nutrients into your skin, while minimizing the loss due to air friction. In a rolling technique, the nutrients penetrate deeply into the skin, while moisturizing the skin. After absorbing, your skin will feel the tingling sensation of the aqua gel doing its work to protect your skin.
*Aluminum tube minimizes the exposure of bacteria, keeping the ingredients safe and contained. Also has a sturdy inner tube made of LPDE material.
*If cream turns white as you rub, quickly tap your face with your fingertips to allow absorption.
Directions
1. Cleanse and tone skin.
2. Squeeze out a pea-sized amount and lightly tap onto face using your fingertips.
3. Allow the cream to absorb into your skin and apply more if needed. (It is better to apply often in smaller amounts than at once in abundance.)
Ingredients
Gel
WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CHONDRUS CRISPUS EXTRACT, SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGARCANE) EXTRACT, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT, CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS (CACTUS) FLOWER EXTRACT, MORINGA PTERYGOSPERMA SEED EXTRACT, PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT, NIACINAMIDE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, POLYACRYLATE-13, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, POLYISOBUTENE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PALMITIC ACID, STEARIC ACID, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, POLYSORBATE 20, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL
Crème
WATER, GLYCERIN, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, NIACINAMIDE, MACADAMIA INTEGRIFOLIA SEED OIL, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT, CEREUS GRANDIFLORUS (CACTUS) FLOWER EXTRACT, TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS (MUSHROOM) EXTRACT, MORINGA PTERYGOSPERMA SEED EXTRACT, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYGLYCERYL-3 METHYLGLUCOSE DISTEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PANTHENOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TROMETHAMINE, ADENOSINE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM PCA, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CARBOMER, XANTHAN GUM
Gel & Crème 75ml / 2.53 fl. oz.
Abib (Korean retail): ₩39,000
Peach & Lily: USD $42.00
StyleKorean: USD $41.73
Packaging
Pliable metal tubes with a twist on plastic cap. Abib says it is an aluminum case surrounding a separate plastic tube on the inside. I generally prefer things to be in tube format rather than a jar as there is less introduction of germs but I am not sure I like the metal tube more than an all plastic one. It does get difficult to squeeze the tube to its flattest state and the typical plastic tube squeezers are no match against the metal; a metal tube squeezer key works best.
Having the expiration date stamped on the crimp of the tube makes life easier. However, keeping it too long shouldn't be a problem anyways with regular use as the tube isn't abnormally large. I found it strange that the boxes were well sealed, on the top and bottom, yet only the crème tube had the inner product seal. I wonder if it was an odd batch?
Don't be fooled by the "ingredients" list on the front of the tube. It is merely a highlight of the special ingredients in the formulation of either gel or crème and not the full ingredients list (which can be found on the back of the tube in smaller lettering).
Color, Texture, Finish & Scent
Gel
Looks opaque but is more of a translucent white gel. It is very lightweight and easily spreadable. The gel becomes very watery as it is spread around and looks quite dewy before it is fully absorbed. Even after the skin soaks it up, there is a teeny bit of tackiness and sheen but nothing unbearable. There isn't a discernable scent despite all the oils and extracts in the formulation.
Crème
Compared to the gel, this is a more opaque white lotion that is surprisingly also lightweight and easily spreadable. Like the gel, there isn't much of a scent. Once absorbed it leaves a smooth and soft finish similar to silicone-based primers yet this is formulated without. It doesn't leave any tackiness or residue.
Note: If the crème is rubbed into the skin a little too forcibly, white streaks do form. But that does go away as the product is absorbed by the skin. I found that patting the moisturizer in, as Abib suggests, helps a lot. Otherwise, I personally like light strokes/swipes in one direction to avoid the lotion streaks altogether. The gel doesn't have this problem. Neither pill under makeup.
How I Apply
I squeeze a pea-sized amount, or two if necessary, dot it around my face and neck, and lightly smooth the gel or crème until I have a light even layer.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I started the gel and crème as summer started to wind down; days were still long, hot, and moderately humid for New York while my skin was at its oiliest (but not overbearing). The two tubes were well used day and night well into the windy, cold, and dry winter days. The differences I saw between the left (gel) and right (crème) sides of my face were almost indiscernible.
The typically oily areas of my face (forehead, cheeks, and nose) felt equally soft and moisturized when using. Neither moisturizers broke me out nor irritated my eyes or skin. Both were so lightweight and absorbed well. Other than the initial dewy versus soft matte finish, the only minuscule difference I noticed was maybe the crème side with makeup looked less cakey hours later than the gel side did. On the typically drier and flakier parts of my face (mouth and chin), the crème side seemed to hold its moisture better until the end of the day.
Both products ultimately give confusingly similar results despite their textures and ingredients. I imagined the gel to be great for oily skin given its lightweight and watery consistency but the tackier finish is definitely not what oilier skin types prefer. Likewise, I thought the crème would be nice for dry skin since it has richer and more occlusive ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter yet it is so lightweight and gives a matte finish.
It is hard to say which would be best for one specific skin type given the results I got. The easiest answer would be to say those with combination skin are in for a treat with either tube. The next best case scenario would be to pick depending on what kind of finish is most desirable since they hydrate oily and dry-ish skin about the same. I personally don't think either would work the best for those with extremely parched and flaky skin but take that thought with a grain of salt since I didn't get a chance to experience that extreme of a condition with the gel or crème before I ran out of moisturizer.
Using the Abib Hydration gel and Hydration crème was nice while it lasted. It was a great buy at the price I purchased them for, which was USD $10 each during the Peach & Lily sample sale in 2017. However, it seems too basic of a moisturizer at USD $42 to warrant a repurchase. (Abib doesn't claim either to do anything special outside of deep hydration and both have minimal to no actives like vitamins and the like.) For those who use actives-heavy serums, the gel and crème is a simple but effective option to help seal everything in.
Haircare seems to finally be making its rounds in the beauty trends this year. In Korea specifically, all the rage was for scalp care in particular. I will be the first to admit my lack of experience when it comes to my locks...let alone the roots and surface it sprouts from. The timing couldn't have been more perfect as I have finally come to the conclusion that my eternally oily head deserves some attention as well. innisfree's My Hair Refreshing Exfoliating Oil promises to tackle just that by clearing gunk which may lead to the overproduction of oils on the head.
innisfree's description:
Cleansing oil with a clean and refreshing scent helps remove excess oil from the scalp while it deeply conditions hair.
Cleanse your sebum-prone scalp with this unique oil complete with Salicylic Acid to help exfoliate the dead skin cells that trap excess oil.
A complex of Peppermint Leaves, Nutmeg and Caraway Oils help soothe the scalp so it feels refreshed and healthy.
Free of silicone. Formulated With Jeju Pine, Cedar and Cypress Tree Extracts, Peppermint Leaves, Nutmeg and Caraway Oils.
Directions
1. Shake well before use. Apply the oil over the entire scalp, using the hair parts as a guide.
2. Depending on the scalp, leave oil to absorb for 3-5 minutes, then gently massage with fingertips to fully absorb.
3. Rinse off with warm water, then use 1.5 times the usual amount of shampoo to thoroughly lather and rinse scalp and hair.
Ingredients
WATER, ALCOHOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, HYDROGENATED POLY(C6-14 OLEFIN), FRAGRANCE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, MENTHOL, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYSORBATE 20, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, MENTHOXYPROPANEDIOL, TOCOPHEROL, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, SODIUM CITRATE, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, THUJA ORIENTALIS SEED EXTRACT, PHENOXYETHANOL, ARTEMISIA VULGARIS EXTRACT, OLEIC ACID, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CAMELLIA JAPONICA LEAF EXTRACT, CITRUS UNSHIU PEEL EXTRACT, OPUNTIA COCCINELLIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT, ORCHID EXTRACT, ACORUS CALAMUS ROOT EXTRACT, CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSA WATER, CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA (CAMPHOR) LEAF EXTRACT, CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA LEAF EXTRACT, PINUS PINASTER BARK/BUD EXTRACT
innisfree (Korean retail): ₩12,000
innisfree (American retail): USD $15.00
Packaging
Squeezable plastic bottles with a screw-on cap and a pointed tip applicator. Each box comes with 3 tubes, each tube has enough product for 4 uses. The suggested usage amount is conveniently marked on all the bottles.
Color, Texture, & Scent
In it's resting state, the exfoliating oil consists of a clear watery layer and a greenish yellow oil layer. After it's been mixed and shaken up, the liquid is a cloudier emulsion of sorts. It is a very runny product. It is not overly oily or sticky. It has an herby, woodsy, and extremely strong mint scent that tends to linger until washed away with shampoo.
How I Apply
Shake the bottle well to incorporate the oil and water layer together. Part my hair, picking either the left or right side, and lightly shake the bottle so droplets of the concoction directly fall onto my scalp along the part whilst ruffling and massaging my roots to spread the liquid around. Continue sectioning my hairline and applying until I reach the opposite side of my head. If there is any remaining product left, I flip my hair over and apply it along the backside of my scalp. I wait the recommended 5 minutes and proceed to thoroughly wash my hair with, also as suggested, double amount of shampoo.
Use once a week, twice max.
Thoughts & Recommendations
I can't say that the innisfree My Hair Refreshing Exfoliating Oil did not work. It did what their description said, refresh and lift dead skin cells. The scalp treatment just didn't do what I imagined it would do, banish my oily roots for good. My fault really for wishing something that the brand doesn't promise to begin with. (This isn't to say it can't help people with their oily hair. If anything, the results would be consequential from regular exfoliation and not directly due to the product itself.)
There is a noticeable difference in how less gunky, heavy, and itchy my hair feels the immediate days following usage versus the days later into the week before my next exfoliation wash. My scalp and hair feel much lighter if that makes sense. I don't think it helps remove all dandruff and dead skin because I do see some flakes after use, there is just a lot less than if I had relied solely on non-dandruff targeting shampoo.
I like that my hair and roots don't feel stripped of oils and moisture as one would expect something targeted for oily hair to do. I love the fact that the exfoliation only has a short waiting time before I could wash it away. I appreciate that it washes out easily and there is no residue nor heaviness left behind.
The runny, watery texture has a learning curve. It cannot be applied in large amounts and not worked into the roots and scalp—gravity will bring it running down the face and neck, not allowing it to do its job on the scalp. While I found a workaround for the fluidity of the product, I disliked and continue to not prefer the overwhelming minty scent. I bear with it since I only have to keep the liquids on my head for 5 minutes at a time.
Something that is also concerning but not an issue I can really tackle is SPF protection for the scalp after using the exfoliating oil. Since there is salicylic acid (BHA) in its formulation, skin can theoretically become more sensitive to UV rays.
I would say this is not a bad beginning towards my first foray into scalp exfoliation. Not overly expensive and does what it claims moderately well. I would recommend it to those with itchy scalps and/or heavy hair from hair styling product or skin buildup. I think I may revisit these in the future. But in the meantime, I will keep an eye out for similar items with hopefully a less minty aroma.
