have i ever mentioned that i love going to daiso? things are so cheap <-- that's in australian standards. things are way too overpriced here. when you can get things for $2.80 each, even though it's more expensive than rest of the world, they are cheap!

here are the first lot of skin care items bought from the store.

the downside with these products are, everything are in japanese. i wish i can read japanese! i can only try to work out what they are based on the kanji. or try to sound out the kataganas to see if they make any english words. if there are english printed, the instructions are very limited and doesn't say much. i wish there are notes somewhere at least tell me what skin types they are for. i need something for dry skin.

since i can't read japanese, i can't tell you much about the product. i'll just share my experiences based on using them for the last 4 or so weeks. if you can read japanese, maybe you can let me know what they mean in the comments.

the toner

based on the kanji, one of the main ingredients seems to be rice or rice bran.

toner hasn't been part of my skin care routine for a long time. i've tried high end and low end toners. they don't make much difference. there aren't many affordable options in australia and i don't feel like paying $30+ for department brands. it took a while getting use to not having toning my skin prior to moisturizer.

using it again reminds me how much i miss using toner! i feel like my face is 100% cleaned. i use less serum and moisturizer and they seem to be absorbed more easily.

however i don't think it's for dry skin, yet my dry skin doesn't complain.

i also love soaking cotton pads slightly with this toner and leave on my nose for a few minutes. then wipe the nose with the pads. the 'yucky things' come off easily.

the cleanser

foaming cleanser.

though it's says 'mild soap', my dry skin doesn't seem to tolerate it. using too much, my face feel tight afterwards. using the tiniest amount, though my skin doesn't complain much, i don't feel my face is 100% clean.

not recommended for dry skin.

cleansing water

all i can work out from this is the english word printed on the label. the print on the back is so small and illegible.

it comes with a pump.

when i was in my 20s and when i had oily face, i loved cleansing water. i remember i swore by shiseido's cleansing water. when i'm at home and my face feels oily and yucky, and i don't want to wash my face too often, i just clean my face with cleansing water. my face feel refreshed. it's great for removing makeup too!

it's just like water, but seem to do more than what water can do.

this is another product that doesn't go with my dry skin. when using cleansing water to remove makeup, i do it 2x to ensure every trace of makeups are removed. it's ok on the first round but my skin feels tight on the 2nd round. and i don't feel my face totally clean after the 2nd round.

i can still use it to wipe off excess oil on oily t-zone on my makeup free face. though i have dry skin, my t-zone shines on hot days. at least it's not totally wasted.

i think the label also says it removes eye makeup. warning... don't do it. it stings!

moisturizer

i bought it because of the word 'collagen'. something good for my aging skin!

english instruction! just something really basic and doesn't say much what it's for.

the texture is very light and gel like. i really like how it feels when applied.

it's fine on the t-zone. my t-zone shines less. my makeup in that area last longer. some bonus.

however, the rest of the face feels tight after a while.

oh great, this complicates my skin care routine. 2 moisturizers. :p this on my t-zone and my normal moisturizer for the rest of the face.

i'll probably repurchase this when it runs out because it works on my t-zone.

the verdict?

they are affordable. they are only aud$2.80! most common people would worry what could be in there to make them this cheap. they haven't caused any allergies nor break outs. they're just not so compatible with my aging dry skin.

i'm guessing they might be great for normal skins. probably ok for oily skins (given that my oily t-zone doesn't complain).

i bought more skin cares from subsequent trips. will report back when i get to use them.