I think I just found my holy grail night moisturizer /sleeping mask in this Hada Labo Perfect Gel (3-in-1 Ultra Hydrating Gel).
Most moisturizers I tried only hydrate the outer most layer, the Epidermis, leaving the inner layers still dehydrated. I really regret continuing using them, because now my skin has changed from just normal/dry, to inner dry outer oily! When I went to facials, the therapists all commented how my inner skin layers somehow are too dehydrated! Even though, the skin on the rest of my body is still pretty good. T.T MEGA SAD.
To be absolutely honest, I've seen Hada Labo a lot in Watsons and other drugstores, but was always suspicious of it, since it's a drugstore brand. I do have friends who swear by its hydrating/whitening lotion, and they also use SKII together with it. But still, I never really got around to try Hada Labo, since FANCL didn't really impress me all that much, except for its mask.
So when Hada Labo sent me this product to review, it was sitting on my desk for a good few days before I decided to give it a try.
But apparently, it is:
No.1. Sales in ‘All-in-One’ gel product segment in Japan.
Incidentally, I ran out of moisturizer, and the 3-in-1 description piqued my interest. It came in this whimsical packaging containing a super cute panda eye blind for sleeping too! I've always wanted to buy a cute eye blind but never found any to my liking in sg. This is way cute! Nice GWP Hada Labo~ ^_^
1. The Product
Hada Labo Perfect Gel (3-in-1 Ultra Hydrating Gel)
2. Price
SGD35.90 in all Watsons, SASA, Guardian
3. Packaging
The Gel cream came in a round gold plastic container in a matching champagne gold square box, sealed at the top paper flap to ensure nobody else could have opened the box before. I really love how the packaging is simple and easy to open, the container itself is a turn lid, and pretty light to carry around.
All the key information on the label is in English. Free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol & colorant, always good to see this. The directions are also pretty clear, it's really awesome to use this as a massage gel too if you have those Korean/Japanese laser massaging sticks I guess?
There's also Chinese label on the can itself if reading Chinese is more convenient for you.
4. Shelf Life
Not exactly sure when this was manufactured but the expiry date is March 2016, still pretty far away.
5. Ingredient List
It contains Squalane too. :) And alcohol free.
Here's a part of the official release from Hada Labo regarding the active ingredients:
3 Types of Hyaluronic Acid for deep and long-lasting moisturization:
1. Hyaluronic Acid is able to hold 6l of water per gram, providing intense moisture to the skin when applied.
2. Super Hyaluronic Acid is able to hold 2X as much water than Hyaluronic Acid per gram, providing maximum moisturization.
3. Nano Hyaluronic Acid is able to penetrate deep into the skin, providing long lasting and deep moisture to the skin.
Collagen:
4. As the body’s collagen levels decline, the skin starts to age with wrinkles, large pores and poor skin clarity. The Hada Labo Perfect Gel contains collagen to provide firm, elastic and wrinkle-free skin.
Ceramide:
5. Skin that lacks ceramide is often dry,irritated, and often easily affected by the sun and dust in air. Hada Labo Perfect Gel help to hold and repair the surface skin cells together for a healthy, smooth skin.
2. Super Hyaluronic Acid is able to hold 2X as much water than Hyaluronic Acid per gram, providing maximum moisturization.
3. Nano Hyaluronic Acid is able to penetrate deep into the skin, providing long lasting and deep moisture to the skin.
Collagen:
4. As the body’s collagen levels decline, the skin starts to age with wrinkles, large pores and poor skin clarity. The Hada Labo Perfect Gel contains collagen to provide firm, elastic and wrinkle-free skin.
Ceramide:
5. Skin that lacks ceramide is often dry,irritated, and often easily affected by the sun and dust in air. Hada Labo Perfect Gel help to hold and repair the surface skin cells together for a healthy, smooth skin.
Frankly speaking, I have been suspicious of any product with collagen and ceramide in it, because previously products I tried which contained them made me break out really badly, and didn't have the "plumping effect".
6. Functions
This 3-in-1 Gel works like an extra nourishing and hydrating sleeping mask IMHO? Because of my experience in TFS, I know how many companies try to market night cream as sleeping masks, but don't really have a significant impact, but this Hada Labo Perfect Gel (3-in-1 Ultra Hydrating Gel) is the real deal.
From the official release:
Hada Labo introduces the new Hada Labo Perfect Gel to replenish the skin’s moisture while you sleep.Being all essence, cream and mask at once (3-in-1), the Hada Labo Perfect Gel is also suitable for daily use with the ability to provide 24 hours deep moisturizing effect with its five main ingredients.
7. Texture / Application
This Gel cream is really much closer to a clear custard pudding like texture than a gel per-se. I love it. It feels like a smooth jelly over my skin. I simply put on a thin layer of the gel over my whole face and neck, after my SKII clear lotion and FTE, my skin instantly feels like a sponge soaking up the water particles from this gel cream after application! And also, when I wake up the next day, I could see the difference in skin texture and skin tone! It really looks more even and hydrated.
You do have to remember to wash it off with lukewarm water every morning when you wake up though!
I have been using this gel every night for 3 weeks now, and it is amazing! Coupled together with the new Cellilux mud clarifying mask (I will review this soon too!), my pores significantly look less visible, and I stopped wearing BB cream to go out, because it has improved that much.
I do feel that this cream is a little too heavy to use as a day cream, even though supposedly if you spread a super thin layer, it's supposed to be non-sticky and wearable under makeup. I still feel that it gives a little rich sheen after applying, typical of sleeping masks.
There's still tons of product left, and I really think for 30$+, this is a mega awesome night cream to have.
Verdict
Pros
Deep hydration and texture
Great for massaging
Really works to penetrate deeply into skin and plump up skin
Saw results within two-three weeks of use
Cons
A little too heavy to use as a day cream
No spatula?
- Everyone who needs hydration!
- Especially for ladies working in dry office environments suffering from inner dry skin, this is a MUST!
- Ladies who are seeing ageing signs, this really plump up the skin
- Those who want to have hassle free skin care
Not Recommended for:
- Those who dislike gel texture for moisturizer
- Those who will forget to wash it off the next day
Special thanks to Hada Labo, EK Media, and Elfaine for providing this opportunity to try Hada Labo for the very first time!
I am sold. ^______________^
