This is such a popular skincare product in Asia and has been around for the past couple of years. I cannot believe I haven’t even tried it out till about 6 months ago. In fact, it’s so popular in Japan that apparently one is sold every 4 seconds.
Description:
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion instantly hydrates skin and helps preserve its optimum moisture balance by replenishing and locking in moisture for complete hydration. Skin feels significantly soft and supple, while dry and dehydrated skin is improved, leaving it silky smooth. Skin pH balanced with low irritation, and free of fragrance, mineral oil, alcohol and colourants.Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Disodium Succinate, Methylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Succinic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
The thing with Asian skincare ‘lotions’ is that, more often than not, they’re not moisturisers, but toners. Even calling them toners is not exactly the right because they’re not meant to remove any other impurities that cleansers missed (like the toners we know and are used to). Japanese lotions are something like essence for the skin. Something you use in liberal amounts on either facial cotton or just your hands. They’re meant to make the skin soft and ‘springy’, and to prep the skin for your serum.
Ever since I started using this essence (I won’t be referring to it as a lotion lest I cause any confusion with creamy lotions), I’ve stopped using toners. Instead of using a facial cotton to apply on my skin, I simply poured about 5 drops of the essence onto my palm, rubbed my palms together and then gently patted on my face and neck.
The liquid is well, watery, when you rub it between your palms. It will become slightly sticky on the skin as you pat it down, and it gets stickier as you keep patting it on the skin. It doesn’t dry immediately, so it’s best to gently keep patting on the skin until it doesn’t feel so sticky anymore and then leave for a minute before applying your serum. As it takes a while for the essence to sink in, this might not suit you in the morning if you’re rushing for time. I like using this in the evenings when I have time to just let the skincare products work its best.
So, did it work for me? I’m happy to say that after using this for 6 months, my skin felt a lot softer and more supple. It also allowed serums to absorb easier and work better. This will be a blasphemous statement for SKII lovers, but I’ve used SKII’s Facial Treatment Essence for a year, and the Hada Labo lotion worked better for me in 6 months than SKII’s year. Funny, right? 🙂
I purchased my bottle of Hada Labo in Malaysia, which retailed at RM40.90 (about AU$13) for 170ml. I’ve seen this for sale at Asian beauty stores in Melbourne like Yuki House on Bourke Street, or the tiny beauty stores along Chinatown (one store sells it for about AU$40, which was nuts). This is also available at Sasa.com and YesStyle.com.au.
What I like about it: Gave me soft, bouncy ‘toing-toing’ skin, preps the skin well for serums to absorb better.
What I do not like about it: Takes a while for the liquid to dry (there’s a LOT of skin-patting for this one), pricey in Australia.
Ooh, I love this!!! I bought 2 bottles! (and totally agree with the SKII statement – my bottle of treatment essence is only 15% used)
Ling: I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought the Hada Labo lotion’s better than SKII’s essence! Big statement to make, I know, but it just worked better for me 😛
Allergic to this 🙁
LeGeeque: Really? Aww that sucks! 🙁
Oh wow….blasphemous indeed…. BIG statement…. now I want to try this product. I have always known it is famous but never had the inclination to buy it…
But…just out of curiosity…. Does it bother you that the product says it has no fragrance, mineral oil, fragrance etc…. but it has a paraben listed in the middle?
Astrorainfall: To be honest, parabens in skincare products do not bother me. They come in such minute quantities, and there are no studies or cases that directly link parabens to cancer. If the product works well for me (still keeping in mind of the ingredients, of course), then I will continue to keep using it. It’s a pity that natural skincare products have never really worked for me. I have yet to not break out after using organic, natural products. Sad, but true. I guess after years of using the bad shizz, my skin cannot function without them 😛
Sorry what I meant was, parabens are seen as horrible and evil but are they really that bad when such a product works so well for you?
But does it work like a toner to remove impurities missed by cleanser? Can you a normal toner first, and then this lotion?
Bun Bun Makeup Tips: I wouldn’t use this as a toner, because it just doesn’t work as a toner does. If you’re not sure if your cleanser removed every bit of dirt and impurities on your skin, then I would suggest a regular gentle toner first, and then this lotion.
i find it soapy (no bubbles but slippery) and i was onto my 3rd bottle, but it did not help with my oily skin, so i guess my face wasn’t dehydrated? yes it does make the face toing toing lol
xoxo elle
I’ve been thinking about this product for many months. My face is still dehydrated after trying out other stuff, my moisturizer is not sinking into my skin and my foundation doesn’t look smooth on my face. I keep hearing recently that tamarind seed extract works better than hyaluronic acid, but I can’t find the proof. Plus there aren’t many products out there with tamarind seed extract (except JUARA which is too expensive and smaller homemade businesses). I think I’ll just try this and the milky lotion too. Thanks for the review.
i completely swear by this product, definitely a staple in my skincare regime. it makes my skin feel absolutely amazing and a bottle goes a long way.
Ahh now I know I should skip toner n use this instead
After reading raves from all of you especially on the big statement I will continue using it
Oh ya anyone try using it with EL ANR ?
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