Sollalla Multi Vitamin C Serum

As far as skincare meant for brightening and renewal, I’ve stuck to Vitamin C more than Retinol. No drama behind it. No shade. But in my personal experience, the Vitamin C skincare I’ve tried so far has zero downtime (irritation, dryness, peeling, purging, etc.). So it’s become one of my go-to super ingredients.

I’ve just started using the Sollalla Multi Vitamin C Serum (around CAD 29.99 or USD 32 for 55 ml), and here are my first impressions:

Quick Specs: made in Korea

Ingredients: Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract (60.67%), Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Trehalose, Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Squalane, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hippaphae Rhamnoicies Extract, Glycerin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Allantoin, PortulaaiOleracea Extract, Lactobacillus/Rye Flour Ferment, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus/Soymilk Ferment Filtrate, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Pyrus Communis (Pear) Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Propylene Glycol, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Iris Florentine Root Extract, Inositol, Heptasodium Hexacarboxymethy1 Dipeptide-12, CucumisMeia(Melon)SeedExtract, Copper Tripeptide-1 Tripropylene Glycol, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Hedera Helix (Ivy) Leaf/Stem Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Folic acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glutathione, Pantothenic acid. Pyridoxine. Disodium EDTA, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Thiamine HCI, Biotin, Ascorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Cyanocobalamin, Riboflavin, Oligopeptide-29, Oligopeptide-32, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide4

The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid

I remember when Hyaluronic Acid became THE skincare thing and me, Ms. Flaky Dry Skin, being so excited that I was poring over ingredients lists trying to get it into all my skincare steps. Little has changed since then. I still prefer HA to be part of my essences, serums, and moisturizers, but I’m also open to exploring the next gen stuff.

Enter Polyglutamic Acid, another steadily rising humectant ingredient, and claims of how it can hold five times more moisture than my beloved HA. And it feels fitting that I got myself a bottle of The Inkey List Polyglutamic Acid (PHP 1,075 / 30 ml) since it also feels like the next gen “no frills” brand to be buzzy after The Ordinary.

Quick Specs: made in USA

Ingredients: Water (Aqua / Eau), Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Propanediol, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 80, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethylacrylamide/Acrylic Acid/Polystyrene Ethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sorbitan Oleate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polyglutamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract

Bask Botanik Uplifting Face Serum

2021 seems to be the year of the F.O. for me. And I mean Facial Oils! In the ever-changing state of my gradually drying skin, I have found that following up a moderately rich moisturizer with a few pats of oil does wonders in locking more moisture in. Perhaps my skin wasn’t dry enough back then, so I hadn’t yet learned to appreciate the benefits… But here we are now, and I’m currently oiling up with the Bask Botanik Uplifting Face Serum* (P600 / 30 ml).

Quick Specs: made in the Philippines

Ingredients: Helichrysum, Frankincense, Geranium essential oils, blended with Rosehip carrier oil

COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule

Honey and propolis in skincare is not a novelty. I’ve been hearing about it for years, but I was surprised to realize that I had yet to actually incorporate it into my own routine until the COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule (PHP 1,430 / USD 28 for 30 ml) came along. Oh, henny! I am tardy to the party.

Quick Specs: made in Korea

Ingredients: Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine

Purito Centella Unscented Serum

Ever since trying my very first cica skincare product, I’ve made centella asiatica a regular part of my routine. It began a gradual shift to soothing skincare choices, and I’m more than happy to keep that going these days. From sampling popular sleeping masks and ampoules, I have now moved to incorporate the Purito Centella Unscented Serum (USD 20.50 for 60 ml/2 fl oz) to my current regimen.

 

Quick Specs: made in Korea, not tested on animals, vegan

Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Extract(49%) (strengthens skin barrier), Water, Glycerin (humectants), Dipropylene Glycol (humectants), Niacinamide (strengthens skin barrier), Butylene Glycol (humectants), 1,2-Hexanediol (stabilizers), Glycereth-26 (humectants), Ceramide NP (strengthens skin barrier), Sodium Hyaluronate (natural moisturizing factor/ humectants), Asiaticoside (strengthens skin barrier), Asiatic Acid (strengthens skin barrier), Madecassic Acid (strengthens skin barrier), Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 (improves elasticity), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (improves elasticity), Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (improves elasticity), Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10 (improves elasticity), Carbomer (viscosity increasing agents), Arginine (pH adjusters), Sclerotium Gum (viscosity increasing agents), Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters (skin-conditioning agents), Caprylyl Glycol (emollient), Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate (solubilizers), Panthenol (strengthens skin barrier), Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate (solubilizers), Hydrogenated Lecithin (stabilizers), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (soothes skin), Pancratium Maritimum Extract (skin-conditioning agent), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (stabilizers), Disodium EDTA, Adenosine (improves wrinkles)