A'Pieu Aqua Peeling Cotton Swab (Intensive)

There were many "Firsts" that came with buying and trying the A'Pieu Aqua Peeling Cotton Swab (Intensive). First time using a chemical exfoliator for the face. First time using an A’PIEU product. First time trying an AHA & BHA swab. And might I dare say, first time I experienced such drastic overnight results.

lavlilacs A'Pieu Aqua Peeling Cotton Swab Intensive

A'Pieu's description (translated from those pretty Korean product infographics):

The AHA 8% + BHA combo works as a peeling essence to remove rough and thick dead skin for smoother, cleaner, and brighter skin. The sterilized cotton swab is made with 100% pure cotton and has a long handle for easier application and grip. The cotton bud is 5x larger than typical cotton swabs, which makes it quicker to apply the essence to the entire face with just a few swipes.

AHA 8% - Effectively removes dead skin

BHA - Removes dirt and sebum from pores

Aloe Vera Extract 10% - Soothes sensitive and irritated skin

Purslane Extract - Helps skin irritation

Directions:
Depending on the skin’s condition, use 2-3 times a week as the first step in your nightly routine after cleansing.
*Must use sunscreen if used in the morning.

Use the cotton swab and swipe across the entire face, moving from the center of the face outwards. Avoid the eye and mouth areas.

Do not wash off. Allow the essence to soak into the skin. Then follow with normal skincare routine.

Slight tingling/stinging sensation is normal since this has a strong concentration of AHA. If persistent, wash off immediately.

A’PIEU’s Korean site: ₩1,000
RoseRoseShop: ₩1,000
MASKSHEETS: USD$ 1.50
oo35mm: USD $2.99
Cosmetic-Love: USD $3.12
Yesstyle: USD $3.90

lavlilacs A'Pieu Aqua Peeling Cotton Swab Intensive packaging

Right out of the package, I was shocked by the size of the swab. I bought this item purely on a whim and didn’t read up on it until after I had it in my hands. The cotton swab is huge and hefty! The whole stick is about the length of my palm and the actual cotton portion is almost as big as my thumb. The cotton swab is one-sided and is more of an ovular shape than a typical spherical one, hence the bud itself is flat on two sides. (Think a paddle shape.) All those characteristics seem help make it easier to apply an even layer of product. I also like how using a cotton swab as the distribution vehicle allows for less contamination, i.e. don’t have to use my hands for applying.

There isn’t much extra essence in the package like with other one-time-use skincare goods. Somehow, the comically large cotton swab effectively holds a ton of serum. There is more than enough in it to swipe the entire face twice without the cotton feeling like it has dried out. The essence has a slight fruity acidic smell, kind of like a weak apple cider vinegar scent.

lavlilacs A'Pieu Aqua Peeling Cotton Swab Intensive size comparison & after use closeup

My face got slightly pinkish and a little tingling after swiping. But it didn’t linger. It was really satisfying to see the dirt and change of color on the cotton bud after I swiped it across my face. When the essence isn’t completely dry, there is a slight tackiness. Immediately after it dries though, my face had an instant smoother feel. It even felt slicker as I applied my moisturizer on afterward. I couldn’t tell for sure then if it was because a layer of dead skin was truly removed or if there is some kind of silicone in the serum (I haven’t found any English ingredients list online nor does the packaging have any.)

My face also looked softer and smoother the next morning. When I washed my face with cleanser, the smooth feeling lasted! That was what felt different from anything I have ever tried before. Many a times I would apply products at night and wake up to my skin looking nice because skin just naturally repairs itself overnight. The same effects usually do not last past a morning cleanse; it might still look good, but not as nice as it did pre-wash.

The real deal breaker came when I put on a foundation I have that is prone to catch onto any skin textural issues and is very matte. I was shocked by how smooth my base makeup looked. I had literally never experienced that finish with that particular foundation before because, let’s face it, my exfoliation game is very weak. I was just about to give up on the foundation altogether because the skincare I had didn’t give me the right skin condition for it. Lo and behold, there wasn’t a prominent layer of dry skin or flakiness to be found amidst the layer of base product. Call me impressed!

I would say the effects lasted only a 2-3 days max, which seems to align with A’Pieu’s suggestion of using the product 2-3 times a week. With that considering, it would get pretty expensive to use this as my sole exfoliator. 2-3 times a week * 52 weeks is 104-156 cotton swabs a year. Even if I could get it at the lowest price point, that would be $100+ for exfoliating alone! Although I would repurchase this again, it would only be for special occasions or if I really can't find a better chemical exfoliator that is more cost effective per use.

tria Hair Removal Laser 4X & SmoothStart Calming Gel - 4 Months

It is now the 4th month into the tria Hair Removal Laser 4X journey. Nothing unexpected has happened in the last 31 days in terms of hair loss results. At this point, I don't think I am hoping for anything surprising to happen anymore. I have almost come to terms with the fact that the tria laser isn't working for certain areas of my body.

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 16 Weeks

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 18 Weeks, 4 months

The initial excitement I had for the device seems to be dwindling. The regions which showed success continue to be a little more hair-free as the weeks go by. The places that didn't seem to be responding to the treatment are still not showing much improvement. I want to continue zapping and give the tria Hair Removal Laser a good chance. But with stagnant results, it is slowly becoming a tedious extra step I have to keep in my routine. I am not as meticulous with the treatment as I was 4 months ago.

Maybe I need to start targeting brand new areas of my body to keep my interest in the device? Peach fuzz on my cheeks? Leg hair? Both would be the most time consuming out of all the areas of my body to treat; the spaces are large and the hairs follicles are numerous. We'll see...

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 16 Weeks Closeup

tria Hair Removal Laser Facial Hair 18 Weeks, 4 months Closeup

Upper lips.

Sighing is all I can do now when I look at the 'stache situation. Nothing seems to be happening at all here for the hairs. At least the acne is keeping me distracted from the lack of progress, but that is a whole new set of worries.

tria Hair Removal Laser Armpits Hair 16 Weeks

tria Hair Removal Laser Armpits Hair 18 Weeks, 4 months

Armpits.

The pit hairs are slowly, but surely, dwindling in numbers. The number of hair follicles left is also diminishing. There are more spots that only feel warm when I laser it instead of the quick-burn sensation that was more prominent in previous month's sessions.

I am not sure if the red bumps that are forming in the most recent photo are because of ingrown hairs, irritation, or random armpit acne. Hopefully, it isn't the first because then my skin might be becoming less responsive to the laser.

tria Hair Removal Laser Knuckle Hair 16 Weeks

tria Hair Removal Laser Knuckle Hair 18 Weeks, 4 months

Knuckle hairs.

Again, not much as changed for the little knuckle hairs. The little buggers are still creepy through the surface of the skin no matter how much I zap at them.


Is it obvious that I have less and less to say in this month's update? I am thinking that I will continue treating these areas for another 2 months to make it an even half year's time. Then I will either continue my bi-weekly shaving routine or not shave at all for a while to see how much hair lingers or grows back.

Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher

lavlilacs Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher review

Peter Thomas Roth claims their Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polishers can do a long list of things: moisturize, tone, purify, improve problematic skin, brighten the complexion, etc. After diligently using it for a few months time, I thought this exfoliator was just mediocre at delivering said promises.

lavlilacs Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher back

On paper the polisher sounds wonderful:

  • gentle, yet effective fruit enzymes, antioxidants, vitamins, nutrients, & nourishing polyphenols
  • instantly smooth, brighten, and clarify skin's appearance
  • brightening vitamin C and ellagic acids
  • improve the look of problem skin
  • revitalized appearance
  • brighter, smoother, softer, and more vibrant looking.

Every supposed benefit ticked off a box on my skin concerns list.

The brand even says the $38 scrub is good for both face and body, on top of it being suitable for all skin types; hence the relatively large size, 8.5 oz to be exact. Maybe they tried to generalize a little too much with this item?


lavlilacs Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher packaging ingredients description

I won't disagree with their suggestion that says the Strawberry Scrub can be used on a daily basis. If only the texture factor is important, this would be a pretty solid option. I don't think I have ever used a physical exfoliator as gentle as this is. The strawberry pulp, seeds, and finely ground almonds bits are indeed super fine and sparsely distributed. The pink part that holds the particles is very soft and spreads easily. In fact, the more you rub the more the pink stuff dissolves into the skin. I am going to guess that it is the jojoba oil which holds the exfoliants.

lavlilacs Peter Thomas Roth Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher swatch

The directions say to use a small amount with some water. I would suggest to use it only damp, almost dry, skin. Don't use on completely dry skin if it is super sensitive. When water is added into the equation, the exfoliator will wash away almost immediately. The scrubbing bits are that fine. The polisher is pretty non-abrasive. It is probably too gentle for scrubbing down the body, where skin tends to be a lot tougher.

I have used it daily in a triple cleanse night routine (cleansing oil, cleanser, and exfoliator). When I use the Strawberry Scrub after a non-foaming cleanser, it helps me feel cleaner by compensating for the lack of foaminess. When I use it with a foaming cleanser, it seems like an unnecessary extra step in the routine.

There seem to be many layers of dead, dry, and flaky skin to my face. Even the daily scrubbing didn't seem to rid the most stubborn patches. It helped smooth the skin a teeny bit, but not enough to justify the effort needed and cost. I also haven't seen any other benefits that initially caught my interest. My skin doesn't look or feel any more pure or brighter and my problematic skin is still troublesome. I do not think the polisher caused any more blemishes; it just didn't help it lessen. My whiteheads and blackhead had no response to the exfoliation.

The bottle format isn't the most ideal. I think if it was in a tube format, it would be even easier to dispense the product out. In its current state, the scrub tends to settle towards the bottom and requires a good 1-motion shake to shift the goods up to the spout. I had tried to leave it upside-down in the shower so I didn't have to shake the bottle every day, but water and condensation would collect inside (despite the bottle being closed) which made the scrub too diluted.

I really did want to like the Strawberry Scrub Fruit Enzyme Polisher. But it ultimately isn't anything to rave about for me. I could see this being great for very sensitive skin types (unless it is to fragrance, then skip) or those with generally good skin and need something that isn't harsh.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)