Reviewing the CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

 The CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is everywhere and has taken the world of skincare by storm. Raving reviews, the unmatched excellence of Korean skincare and social media skincare reels popping up every few seconds on my feed finally convinced me to try this product that has achieved a cult-like status. 

So I did what any normal girl would do. I went and bought myself a whole bottle of the CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. I have sensitive oily skin and I argued if the product doesn't work on my skin, I can always pass it on to my husband. His skin is extremely resilient and I am yet to find a product that breaks him out. 

Before we delve into the composition and benefits of the CosRX Snail Mucin, can we talk about how affordable this product is? A 100 ml bottle costs around 27 dollars (CAD) and on sale, I bought it for 23 dollars before taxes. You can buy it on Amazon, Walmart or just head to a local skincare store near you. Like I said, this product is literally everywhere.

If you read the about section of CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence on Amazon, the product promises to repair and rejuvenate your skin, reduce overall dullness and soothe and hydrate your skin for a natural and healthy glow. Formulated with 96% snail mucin, the product is lightweight and absorbs quickly into your skin, leaving it smooth and plump. It is also said to be excellent for acne scars and dark spots. Snail mucin is itself packed with proteins (collagen and elastin), hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants and glycolic acid. If the product really promises to do what it does, I think my search for the ultimate skin weapon is at an end.

Skincare Routine with The CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

I incorporated the cosrx snail mucin into my nighttime skincare routine first. I have been using retinol for a while now, but it always leaves my skin feeling dry and parched. After cleansing my face, I pumped out a drop of the snail mucin and applied it to my damp skin. The product was almost instantly absorbed and my skin looked so much more hydrated. I followed it up with a pea-sized amount of retinol. 

I was expecting some initial reaction to the product as my skin is extremely sensitive and oily. But I was surprised to see no breakouts even after two whole weeks. I have also started using snail mucin in the morning. I apply it to my damp skin after cleansing and follow it up with an active(sometimes), moisturiser and sunscreen. And my skin has never felt so good. I enjoy lathering my entire face with the cosrx advanced snail mucin and have finished half the bottle in two months. 

Review and Final Verdict

On days I do not use snail mucin, my skin looks a lot less hydrated. I love how my skin instantly feels softer, hydrated and smoother post using the serum. I have had no breakouts, the acne spots are healing a lot faster than before and my skin looks plumper and fresh. The product is extremely gentle and has even helped with healing my skin barrier. I do get hormonal cystic acne around my period but that is a topic for another blog. 

But if I stop using the product for a couple of days, my skin reverts to looking like it did before. If the product really suits you, the CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a must have in your skincare routine. Honestly, it does feel like a miracle product and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I say, I am obsessed with it!

The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin Serum: Honest review of an oily skin girl after using for a month

 The Ordinary is one of the best skincare companies in the market. The range of products offered, testimonies of customers worldwide and affordability in an economy that is becoming increasingly unaffordable is what makes The Ordinary such an attractive option for skincare girls like me. Their moisturisers are a staple in my skincare routine and I swear by them.

So despite using skincare actives mostly recommended by my dermatologist, I decided to go out and try an active from The Ordinary. I was looking for something that would help with my acne spots and hyperpigmentation, besides helping with overall brightness and evening out my skin tone. I am a brown skin girl with highly sensitive and oily skin; many cult products in the past have broken me out so I usually like doing my research when buying products that my dermat has not recommended.

After having a discussion with the saleswoman at the store, I decided to try The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% serum. As per my research and the saleswoman at the store, this serum is perfect for brightening skin and minimizing the appearance of uneven skin tone.

This formula is water free. Ascorbic Acid is basically Vitamin C and is well known for its brightening and anti-aging properties. It is also effective against hyperpigmentation and I was really excited to try the product.

Skincare Routine with The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid + Alpha Arbutin Serum

Though the label mentions applying it both in the morning and at night, I decided to incorporate the serum into my morning skincare routine. After thoroughly washing my face with cleanser, I would apply a drop of this serum to my damp face, followed by moisturiser and sunscreen. The first thing I noticed was the texture of the serum. It was oily and definitely felt more like a face oil than serum. With my acne prone skin, I did not like how it felt on my face but continued using the product for a month.

Results after a month and Final Verdict

The first thing I noticed were the breakouts. My skin started breaking out almost in a day or two, and did not calm down until after I stopped using the product altogether. I used the product for a month, however, I did not see any visible difference in my skin tone. My skin had spots left from fresh breakouts and looked much worse than it did when I first started using the product. My skin tone looked exactly the same; only difference was now I had a bunch of breakouts that I did not have before.

The product is definitely not made for my skin type- sensitive, oily and acne prone. It is affordable though. I bought the 30 ml bottle for just 27 CAD before taxes. I am not sure if the product is effective for other skin types, but if you have sensitive skin, I would recommend getting samples if possible and trying it out for a couple of weeks before you invest in the product.