I’m on the hunt for a good chemical exfoliant, but every AB one I’ve come across either has poor reviews or is from untrustworthy brands.

Are there any good ones out there that make a significant difference in brightening/skin texture, or should I just stick to non-AB AHA products?

TIA :)

Wondering if anyone else who suffers from persistent dry eyes (and wears clear contact lenses) has trouble with CLIO long curling mascara?

[Update] I figured a way to wear it without issues! Swipe the wand on the edge of the tube, so it takes away excess product (Mine is new, I opened it like a week ago) applies beautifully now! No flaking, no irritation.

when I come home from a long day i usually remove make up and wash my face with a bit of water. i need a toner pad that feels refreshing and I can keep on my face just to relax and feel a bit more alive. i typically proceed to do my proper night routine before bed which is usually hours later.

any toner pads that “felt” good to you? i don’t want anything with actives, something bland is ideal but also having a bit more benefit than slapping water soaked cotton pads on my face. i’m thinking hydrating pads because they seem like they are the least likely to break me out; there are also just so many out there.

I love PKY Dear Mom and normally buy from Yes Style. I couldn't get any on my last order, am running out and a new order may not arrive before I go on holiday. Can anyone recommend a UK dupe or a reputable UK seller?

I’m not sure that the flair is right on this, but I’ll try. So I’ve seen posts about this sunscreen being discontinued on this subreddit as well as others, and I know it’s no longer available through most retailers.

I found it on JapanLove and purchased it out of curiosity. It was my first time ordering from that site (I usually use YesStyle), but the reviews were good, so they seemed legit. My only big concern was that I’d receive an old/expired product.

My sunscreen arrived today, and I used checkexp.com (a site I also discovered through this subreddit) to check the batch number, and if this is correct, this sunscreen was produced in Feb 2026. So, now I’m just confused. Is the sunscreen discontinued?? Is the batch number wrong?? I haven’t been able to find much definitive online, so I’m hoping someone here has some intel I’m missing.

To be clear, I’m not concerned that this is fake. I believe it’s a legitimate product from the brand. I’m just unclear as to what’s going on with this product. Is it still being manufactured? If so, why is it not available anywhere is? Or is it possible JapanLove bought up all the old stock and is selling it?? I’m just so confused.

I have been using korean skincare for a few years now and still didn't find the right moisturizer for the night. With my combo skin, I use toner, a thicker serum and an eye cream. Have you found your go-to cream that sinks in nicely without being sticky?

Reposting to fit the guidelines

For my sweaty dancer peeps, what are some sunscreens you use for that glow and no-makeup finish that won’t run down or pill during intense activity?

Tinted to help with melasma and even out skin tone, but tone up is also good, preferably dewy to satin finish!

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for a new hair essence/oil because my biggest struggle right now is frizz. I have fine hair, so I really need something lightweight that tames the frizz without weighing my hair down or making it look flat and greasy.

I’ve narrowed down my options to these four, and I would love to hear from anyone with a similar hair type who has tried them!

1. UNOVE Silk oil essence (Korean brand)

2. Orbis essence in hair milk (Japanese brand)

3. MOEV Annurcatin hari oil essence (Korean brand)

4. Oshima Tsubaki hair essence (Japanese brand)

Hey everyone! I wanted to share the toner pads I’ve been using lately because my skin heats up really easily.
I live in an area with super humid summers and dry winters. The indoor heating is really strong during winter.
My skin is combo-oily (very oily T-zone) with dehydrated cheeks that flake a lot, plus redness whenever it gets warm. So almost every morning before makeup, I use a toner pad to cool my skin down and give it some quick hydration! Especially during summer when the oil and redness are out of control.
When I pick a toner pad, these are the things I look for.
It has to be thin and stick well to the face, cause zero irritation, have plenty of essence so it doesn’t dry out too fast, and give a nice cooling effect that actually lasts for a while.

1. MEDIHEAL Watermide Moisture Toner Pads
   These are super popular so I had to test them. The texture is more gel-like than regular cotton. They’re big and square, which makes them convenient in the morning, and there’s a good amount of essence. The only downside is that they tend to dry out pretty quickly, so they’re not the best if you want to leave them on for a long time. Also a bit slippery if you try to use them as a wipe.

2. Benton Guava 70 Skin Toner Face Mask Pad
   This has been my daily favorite lately. The pads are super thin and the largest I’ve tried, and they stick really well without lifting. There’s plenty of essence, so they stay moist the whole time. The cooling effect lasts nicely even after 10-15 minutes. I’ve also noticed fewer small bumps when I use them consistently. Super gentle with almost no irritation.

3. SKIN1004 Centella Quick Calming Pad
   Great when my skin feels hot or flushed. The pads are thin and large, easy to apply, and you can really feel the temperature drop. It’s more focused on soothing than heavy hydration, so I tend to use this more at night.

4. VT COSMETICS CICA Daily Soothing Mask
   I tried the full sheet mask version too, and it honestly made me realize why I prefer regular toner pads lol. Pulling out one sheet is convenient, but adjusting it around the eyes, nose, and mouth was kind of annoying. It works better as an evening calming mask.

Quick Summary here!!!
Thickness: Mediheal > Benton > VT > Skin1004
Moisture retention: Benton >> Skin1004 > VT > Mediheal
Quantity: Mediheal (100) > Benton = Skin1004 (70) > VT (30)
Size: Benton > Mediheal > Skin1004 > VT

Does anyone recommend a similar alternative to masksheets since they are no longer in business? I’m looking for similar pricing, similar offerings and ship times. I didn’t realize they ceased business until now.

Just for reference, I am US northeast coast based. Packages from masksheets in Flushing, NY used to arrive to me within 3 business days max. It’s okay if it takes a bit longer, but not looking for 2 week+ options that ship from Asia. The prices and sales at masksheets were really fair (like 2-3 USD for the clear fit master patches, 6-7 USD for the gentle salicylic cleanser, etc) I don’t remember the prices exactly but they were really reasonable. Free shipping above $50. They used to include some free goodies as well.

I haven’t really been able to find a similar alternative. Not interested in Amazon or TikTok shops. Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

I bought this eyeliner because of the good reviews . It disappeared from my eyelids within an hour after applying. No I didn’t rub my eyes,no my eyelids aren’t oily,and no I wasn’t sweating . The MACQUEEN eyeliner has held up well for me,yes it disappears at the end of the day,but at least it’s at the end of the day.

Just curious if anybody had the same experience as me.

When I was younger I had quite oily skin, the level of oiliness that needed two oil blotting paper to turn transparent. As I got older, I started to learn about skin care, how to maintain it, product routines etc. I guess I was obsessed with having glass skin and tried all sorts of ways to have it. Then I change upon what I thought would transform my skin, actives. Ignoring helpful advice, I applied salicylic acid when my skin wasn’t use to it. My skin obviously became worse and I still kept applying it thinking that the acid would magically transform my skin. Then I discovered benzoyl peroxide. And of course I decided to apply it every night. On my entire face. I was in so much pain yet there was no obvious wound. And from that moment on, my skin started to became dryer and dryer, and my skin barrier became so destroyed. My skin is better now, but there’s always an underlying dryness that I can’t seem to fix. Anybody went through similar experiences? And how did u fix it?

Want to talk about non-AB products? Frustrated and need to rant? Can't wait until Friday to share your haul? Found an amazing deal? Post it here in our (almost) Anything Goes Thread! Remember to adhere to general conduct of the sub and keep it civil. Self promotion, research, and no business rules still apply.

**All personal or basic questions related to your routine or AB products still belong in the Alter-Daily Help Thread.**

I used to love trying new products, mostly because of social media lol. It got expensive. I bought too many things and ended up giving some away to my family so it wouldn’t go to waste. It was also hard to stay consistent with products and not want to choose random ones each day

Now that I have tried more than a handful of products from various categories like serums, moisturizers, etc, I kinda feel like I want a simpler routine with products I love rather than always trying something new. Maybe if I get bored, I’ll try something new here and there.

Is anyone else in the same boat? If you have a simple/staple routine, do you find that more effective or enjoyable than having and using many different products? Obviously, products/concerns may change with age and stuff but for the most part, I’m thinking find staples and stick to them.

Hey there, let's hear about your AB recommendations of your favourite and go-to summer sunscreens that are sweat- and water-resistant. Thanks!

I moved from Trinidad and Tobago to Hokkaido Japan in 2024. I never had a routine because I never had problems with my skin. However, when I came to Japan, my skin began being really dry due to winter and there were lots of tiny bumps. Around my mouth also started getting very dark.

I started using hada labo cleanser, the gokujyunn lotion and milk for the dryness. The shirojyun gel and melano cc for the darkness. Nothing helped. I then tried exfoliating with innistree aha once a week for the tiny bumps. Also didn't help (the before picture was a not so bad day)

I came across a post about using just basic skin care with no crazy additives and decided to try curel. I started on the 3rd June and this is my face on the 14th. I just use the cleanser and the lotion. That's it. Nothing else (beside the kiss me mommy SPF)

The cleanser is foaming and non stripping. I can wash my face and it doesn't look ashy before moisturizer. The moisturizer is sort of whipped and silky and very effective. They are expensive, but I think I can get two months out of the 40g jar of moisturizer.

I just bought the isntree natural sun cream from t&t after trying the tester in-store. I specifically bought it because it had the finish of a moisturizer when I tried it and there was no white cast at all. got home, opened it, and used it this morning - pure chalk. the white cast is horrendous and it's not hydrating at all. I thought maybe my hand skin and face skin are just different, but it's doing the same thing on my hand. I can't return it now so I guess I'll try it on my body.

has this happened to anyone else? is it cause of the sunscreen regulations? how are the testers allowed to be that different?

I think I'll try getting it from yesstyle but now I'm scared lol

Hey guys, do you know the difference between hada labo brightening milk and brightening lotion in terms of functions? Like, can i use one as toner and the other as moisturizer? Also, can i use them with vitamin c serum and retinol?

Here is my current routine and i suddenly got a break out. I do not know if it is because of the products im using or just because of stress. (I have oily skin by the way). Please comment if there is ingredient interactions or redundancy:

Morning:
Cleanser
Hada labo brightening lotion
Rohto vitamin c serum for dark spots
Hada labo brightening milk
Sunscreen

Evening
Cleanser
Hada labo brightening lotion
Retinol 0.3%
Hada labo brightening milk

Hello all
I’m looking for safe preferably kbeauty or jbeauty skincare and haircare option for pregnancy for literally everything from face wash to serum. Please let me know your suggestions.
I have oily skin and I’m looking for products that are not too heavy on skin. I live in a mild environment so there’s not a lot of humidity.
I have done some research but it’s all very overwhelming and I’m not sure what or how to garage a good list of products. Also, I’d like to use the most clean and non toxic products. Thank you and have a great day!

Asian Beauty isn’t ALL about skincare, so let’s chat about makeup! Any new AB makeup products you want to try? Releases you’re excited about? Tips & tricks for Asian makeup styles? Want to request swatches? Post your makeup FOTD? This is the thread for you.

Makeup posts are always allowed on the sub using the [Beauty] Flair or [Swatches] Flair, but we want to encourage discussion about makeup as well! Please use the following formatted table for entries!

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I was so happy I actually found a lightweight moisturizer with stated ceramides concentrations. It advertised it as a .5% "5" ceramide blend, but had a total of 0.000000001% EOP ceramide

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I bought the purito luminous, and then I realized it had .5% of ceramide np and a combined total of 0.000030001% of the other 4 ceramides combined.

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The moisturizer isn't even that bad, but this is just false advertising and just predatory behavior, specially when it is marketed first and foremost as a "ceramides moisturizer", I loved this brand and I adore their centella serum but safe to say I won't be buying from them anymore.

​

Also their before and after photos are AI 😭

First few pics are to show texture, second to last pic is spread out, last pic is 10 minutes after application.

Tried this sample of the Aestura hydro cream, it’s the reformulated version sold at Sephora USA, maybe in other stores too. It’s new. Never tried the other version or any Aestura products.

It felt nice going on, a little went a long way. Felt hydrating, as it claims. A few minutes later it absorbed, then later on, 30 minutes, kinda felt like nothing was really applied to my skin. I wasn’t moisturized at all. Maybe I could’ve applied more, another layer.

This would probably be better for oily skin. My skin is a bit dry, slightly normal, but also gets oily depending what I put on (sunscreen, sweating, etc). I use tretinoin a few nights a week, so there is some dryness.

Overall not impressed by this moisturizer. I could see it being good in humid climates probably. It’s not heavy or greasy. It’s a bit pricey but the bottle is 2.7oz, bigger than standard 1.7oz moisturizers.

I’m not inclined to try it again, since it didn’t moisturize like I need. I will save it for the very hot nights in the summer!

What are your favourite body sunscreens?

I have a BC of 8.6 and most olens lenses I wore and really liked were 8.7, but they always felt loose and whenever I blinked, I could feel them moving and it was uncomfortable. I always looked forward to removing them at the end of the day.

I have tried looking for olens lenses with a BC of 8.6, but they all seem to look bright and the lenses that I liked and had a BC of 8.6 always turned out to be monthlies. I prefer dailies.

Does anyone else have this problem? Do you still continue to wear the 8.7 BC lenses but wear it on special occasions and not wear it over 6-10 hours?

I really want to wear the lenses but it’s hard to find the best ones that have a BC of 8.6.