Recently Tested: Assorted Skincare Products

I've already told you how I simplified my skincare routine for the sake of of my complexion and sanity. This means that I rarely test anything new. Because the consequences are rarely pretty. But I'm still curious enough to try things here and there, so these are my impressions of stuff I've let in during the last six months:

DHC CoQ10 Lotion & Resveratrol Lotion. I'm more open to trying Japanese toner/lotions than I am to any other skincare products. Most of them are mild, hydrating, and make the skin happy and eager to absorb the next step in pampering. These two are no diiferent. They're pretty similar to each other, except that the more "advanced" Resveratrol has some more plant extracts and whatnots. Is it more effective? I doubt it. These two DHC lotions are competent, but I admit that my heart belongs to the simple Hada Labo products that feel gentler even when my skin is raw from allergies and other winter troubles. ($37 & $61, respectively, on dhccare.com. Press Samples).

Lumene BB Serum. Ignore the stupid BB name because it has nothing to do with popular BB creams (is this still a thing? Lauder has moved on to an EE). This is a light vitamin C serum that is supposed to be an anti-aging product. It might be a brightening serum if you don't use anything else for this purpose, but for someone who does chemical exfoliation on a regular basis and uses a heavy duty vitamin C serum daily, this Lumene serum is a lightweight in every sense of the word. I sometimes use it under makeup, just because, but I can't say I see any real benefit.  ($21.99 at Ulta, Dermstore, and most drugstores. Press Sample)

Fresh Seaberry Face Oil. I like face oils and use them all the time. This one from Fresh is a reasonable one, though you can't use it in the morning under a sun block, because it causes the white stuff to ball and look so horrendous you need to clean up and start all over with a different moisturizer, as I've learned the hard way. The ingredient list (Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Fragrance, BHT, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin, Geraniol) includes several items that are heavily restricted in perfume use because they're known irritants and allergens (linalool, limonene, coumarine), so it makes me laugh bitterly to see them in a skincare product that goes all over one's face. Where's IFRA when you really need them? ($50, 1.6oz at Sephora. GWP).

Auriga Flavo-C Forte. I think I forgot to mention vitamin C serums in my routine post (linked above). At the time I was using the one from Paula's Choice, which is an excellent product, except for its size. Vitamin C serums are highly unstable and lose effectiveness once unsealed. You're supposed to chuck them after three months, and I've found myself disposing of half full bottles of serum. Enter this little bottle of 15% l-ascorbic acid, just like Paula's, only smaller (15ml compared to 20ml). Now, it's more expensive, so you don't save anything, but you don't throw away stuff, either, and the smell is a little less offensive, which is the real winner in my case. ($52.99 on Amazon).