Repurchased AND Emptied 2021

AKA Old, emptied favorites.

A recent break-out has shown me the wisdom of repurchasing the good things in life. As such even though it's been a bit boring, I'm trying to do what's best for my skin. Here are the things I've been using like crazy AND emptied, starting with complete empties.

Celeteque Acne Solutions Acne Spot Corrector Gel

OMG I am so glad I found you again.

I posted some time ago about a Snoe spot treatment I was using because I lost my Celeteque one and didn't want to repurchase the same thing because I lost it.

Snoe Beauty Shoo-zit Dip and Dry Acne Drying Solution

Real life has been getting in the way lately... and part of real life for me is zits. However, it has been a decade since I've found the need for a dedicated drying lotion... until now.

Thankfully, the world has changed and we are left with more choices than the old but effective Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I loved it in the past (thank you mother for supporting your pimply faced child), because it really did work. But this pimply faced adult cannot afford it.

Thus, we go for newer, less expensive versions/dupes.

Snoe Shoo-Zit Drying Lotion (compared to EOS lip balm for size)

I originally thought about buying the K version of Etude House, but when I found that a Filipino brand made their own, I immediately snapped one up!

Review: Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Years and years ago, I posted a tutorial about Aztec Healing Clay. While I did like it's effect on my skin, the mess and the smell, as well as the time it took me to use it resulted in it falling out of favor. My current favorite is the Garnier Self Heating Sauna Mask. However, my favorite mask product (I'm not sure if I have an HG mask yet) is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.

The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a green clay mask that hardens. According to the directions, you're supposed to take it off with warm water and a washcloth (like the Aztec mask). However, I find this process tedious since it's a thick paste that's difficult to take from the tube (around the time that it's half gone). It's near impossible to portion control with this thing - I always end up using more than I need. Product is a thick green paste with a consistency somewhere between play-doh and toothpaste.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - from the tube

As you can see, there's a bit of a semi-circular impression when i try to maneuver the bottle without swiping with my fingers. Since squeezing too little gets only a tiny amount of product, and squeezing a lot makes it fly everywhere, covering my entire face can get very frustrating.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask - spread

Spreading it is not a problem after you get your desired amount out, but I prefer using it as an overnight spot treatment for zits that need to be dried up. Thus, I can't really say I like it as a mask. It dries up in less than 15 minutes, depending on how much you put on. A light layer will dry up in around 5.

While this is much more expensive in the Philippines (P250-P350, depends on where you get it) than in the US ($5 dollars), an 8 oz. tube will last at least a year with me and it really isn't expensive, compared to other products. This used to be hard to find a few years ago, but it's much easier to get now.

Now, this product is not a miracle worker for most of my zits (because my zits hurt :( ), but it does dry out the small zits and shrinks the mean ones enough to make them easier to hide the next day. If I had more obedient zits, it probably would be a miracle worker - as it is for some people. If only I could use this as a color corrector under make-up! I only use it once a day because it's very obvious.

This substance is very drying, so if you have dry or sensitive skin, I suggest you use this product sparingly.

Ingredients: water, kaolin, bentonite, glycerin, zinc oxide, propylene glycol, sulfur, chromium oxide greens, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben.

Yays

• good drying capability: kills baby zits, shrinks the big ones
• minty smell
• inexpensive, lasts a long time

Nays

• tube packaging is horrible: difficult to take product out of the tube, get's everywhere if you're not careful
• hardens, so tube needs to be finished quickly (or cut up to get the bits that won't be squeezed out)

Hays

• don't sleep with this on unless you're fine with it going all over your sheets, or if you don't move and sleep on your back
• use a light coating if you're using it as a mask, use a heavier coat if you're using it as a spot treatment 
• don't wear it as a spot corrector if you're going outside
• remember to use a moisturiser after use 
• cut up the tube when you can't squeeze out anymore to make the most out of your product

Okays

• acne prone skin
• anyone with a zit

Buy Again?
Yes, it's a staple in my beauty closet! I might ignore it, but I go back to it when I need it.

Review: Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel

For someone as acne prone as I am, there will always be a need for a spot treatment. Spot treatments are basically the precision attacks you use to kill zits when they are already there. I've tried several spot treatments and this is one of those I favor. Clinique's Spot Healing Gel's active ingredient is 1% Salicylic Acid.

It's actually my second bottle of this stuff. The first bottle I had had a green cap, which I like more than the white one. There was also some spill-over when I first opened this one, which was a bit of a waste of product. Fortunately, you only need a small amount, being a SPOT treatment (don't put it all over your face), so my previous bottle lasted me 2 years.

This product leaves a clear film over the zit. It is best used on newly formed zits (hit 'em while they're young). There is a stinging sensation when applied to the face, though it is not as bad as Eskinol Dermaclear-C Overnight Pimple Gel (that burnt my zits so bad, I had brown spots where my zits were when I placed it on overnight). I prefer to apply this after I wash my face in the morning and at night. Baby zits are gone in one day.


On zits that have already come to a head, this product initially makes the zit look works. It then takes a few days to work. DO NOT worry your face while this is happening. GROSS ALERT!! One day, the film will peel off with the hardened pus inside, in my experience.


I like that I don't have to use a cotton swab or even my fingers. When placed, it leaves behind a film, and should not be used under make-up. I prefer salicylic acid over benzoyl peroxide because of the carcinogenic and bleaching properties of the former. Of course, this product is not the only spot treatment I use as it has shown limited effectivity.

Pros
-clear
-effective on baby zits
-quick dry
-lasts a long time
-easy to use


Cons
-stings slightly (may not be good for sensitive skin)
-can't be used under make-up
-not effective on all zits


Buy Again? Maybe. Yes, unless I find a better clear spot treatment in the next 2 years.