Skincare Update and Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel Review
6:03 PMI've been meaning to do a bit of a skincare update recently since I haven't for quite a while. Not a lot has changed since I last posted my Summer routine here except that I've been using Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion and Re-10 facewash, day and night. I can't use oil-free lotions during the Winter because my skin will get flakey from dryness. I've also started using the Differin Gel 0.3% instead of my previous 0.1% cream, which is a decision made after the dermatologist visit a couple months ago since my skin never quite struck a good balance after going back to Tri-Sprintec birth control from Yaz.
I think my skin is still in the 3-month stage of getting totally used to this Differin but I think it's starting to calm down again. So far so good, and didn't have as insane breaking out as going from nothing to differin 0.1%. Just occasional random large zits in atypical places like my temple or lower chin.
And here is my naked face. To be sure, this was at a time that I considered my skin to be in a "nice" stage but it was right after I was having my frustrating stage of pretty bad breakouts so you can see the leftover hyperpigmentation on my cheeks especially.
I showed you guys earlier the samples of Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel I got from Eki. She said this stuff was pretty good so I was excited to try it out. Here's a pic of what the full-size product looks like.
And here's what it looks like in real life. It's a clear gel and I only use a tiny amount, like half-a-pea size drop. (I have small fingers so it looks bigger here but it's really just a small drop.)
Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel on my face. I dot it on sections of my freshly washed face then rub it in. It has a slight cooling sensation at first and absorbs very, very quickly. It's matte almost as soon as it touches your skin. It feels nice for me and didn't make my skin tight, but probably not the best if you have drier skin. I moisturize right afterward with my regular facial lotion.
And done! (lol, you can see my eyelids are 짝짝 here. Right is double left is single.)
Okay, here is the evidence. Did it work? After a month of using this at night, here is my bare face:
Yeah, obviously my skin is not perfect (and I don't ever expect it to be) but I was really impressed with how the hyperpigmentation had faded a lot! Also, I think it helped for new acne not to develop in that time. I'm not sure I should give ALL of the credit to the gel since I was also using my Clarisonic at the same time but I think the combo of the two did give me really great results.
Here's "after" with makeup on. Smooth canvas = nice makeup application too. ^o^
My skin RIGHT NOW isn't as good as these pics and I haven't been using the gel as regularly. :P I should get back on that! I want the Cellnique skin back again but I'm scared for my tiny sample to run out! XD All in all, I absolutely do recommend this product and I think I'm going to purchase the full-sized version. You can find Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel here at Cellnique's website.
Disclaimer, I didn't receive this sample from any company and I'm reviewing of my own accord with my 100% honesty as always! :)
Blah, I've been sick these last few days which, if you are already following me on twitter, you've probably heard me lamenting about it! One great thing about being sick though is I've been drowning out the sickness with lots and lots of matcha green tea and chamomile tea with honey. Loves it! ^^ Hope you are all happy and healthier than me! Drink lots of hot tea and stay warm from the chill!
42 comments
Hope you feel better soon, sweetie. :) I need to check out that Cellnique! Thx for the review.
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon and thanks for this review. I have heard great things about cellnique so i'll definitely check this out =)
ReplyDeleteDo you know where we can also get some free samples? And on the website it said its for blackhead and oil control. You mentioned it helped with hyperpigmentation. What is the difference between that and acne scars? I'm not sure which mine would be classified as.
ReplyDeleteBetsey: I'm not sure where you can get samples except directly from the company, but hyperpigmentation is where the skin gets discolored from previous acne. Acne scars are actual permanent physical scars to the skin such as pits created after picking at acne. Sometimes people call hyperpigmentation "scars" too, so I guess you just have to read into the context. Hope that makes it clearer. ^^
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon! I've been waiting for my samples from them for forever :( It sounds really good though, the results look great!
ReplyDeletei want to know where you can get the products you use such as differin beside being prescribed by a doctor?
ReplyDeletecan you do a video on your daily skin care routine?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your well-wishes girls. T.T It really does help me get through my day.
ReplyDeleteLynda: Unfortunately, the only way you can get Differin is through prescription from a doctor. But in my experience, dermatologists were always covered by my insurance. You'd have to check your plan and see if you get coverage.
hey jen! what blush are you wearing in the last picture? you look SO glowy and beautiful! btw my lids are like that also, double and single lids. :P
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for a bit but haven't posted anything. First off, Jen you are so pretty!! =) and I love your blog. I'm a follower of Eki's blog also and when she reviewed the Cellnique products(Thank you Eki!!) I decided it is time to test it out. Everyone seemed to say good things about it, and the sebum gel is one of their top products. I've been using my full size bottle since Nov. and I still haven't ran out yet. This serum has by far changed my life. This is some good shit. After the first week of using it I felt a difference. I usually break out during the time of the month, but when I started using the serum I don't even break out. I also decided to get off the pill recently, and usually when I get off the pill I end up looking like Will Smith in the movie "Hitch", when he had that allergic reaction. Not a good sight to see. For the first time my skin didn't act up from the sudden hormonal withdrawal. Once in a while I still get a pimple, but I think the serum makes it go away really quick too. Amazing and a good investment hun! I also got the Intensive Hydrating Oasis gel because my skin gets flakey in the winter and I haven't flaked since I started using it. Cellnique's stuff is pricey (my wallet was bleeding), but they do work. I actually got the two products during a promo, it was buy the sebum gel get 50% off the oasis gel. So I guess it was a good time to try. The cool thing is two products that I've tried don't leave you feeling like you have a lot of crap on your face. Seeps in real good, and I love the gel texture of both products. Cellnique has promos from time to time so keep an eye out on the site hun, or I'll let you know when they have a cool promo=). I've been wanting to try other products from them hehe. Hope you feel better soon from being sick<33
ReplyDeleteDid u experience any bad side effects from Yaz? Sorry, that's kind of a weird question but I'm going back on birth control soon and hope to find a better brand than what I was on before.
ReplyDeleteleslielovesmakeup: I think I was wearing my go-to Rock & Republic blush in Call Me. It looks a lot like Nars Orgasm, but more pigmented. I LOVE it! ^^
ReplyDeleteLena: Oh wow, that's amazing! I'm gonna have to buy one for sure then! Thank you for your review. Glad to know it worked for more than just me. :D
Gemma: Well, I'm not sure I've ever found a 100% awesome birth control. Yaz wasn't awful for me but $40 bucks a month just isn't worth it. Tri-sprintec is only $7 for me!
hope you're feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteif you like, you should make some hot lemonade and use the tazo green ginger with the tazo calm tea :) they're great together if you have a cough or a tiny sore throat. Some remedy one of my partner made for us when we were sick at Starbucks. Its green tea + ginger and calm is a chamomile tea.
Stac3yxD: Omg, I just had the Calm Tazo tea tonight! I love it. I wish I had fresh lemon juice at home but I can't get any in this snowy weather at the moment. I'll have to look into ginger. I bet ginger tea is soooo good for coughs. :D
ReplyDeleteHas anyone ever told you that you look sooo much like Sandara Park from 2ne1?? You could be her twin!!
ReplyDeleteNow back to the blog post. (; I have the same problem with acne on the cheeks, I've always struggled with acne, but I never tried anything special for my acne. I sometimes used the 3 or 4% acne creme stuff, but all that really did was dry my skin out and make my acne even worse ): So I kind of stopped trusting in acne products. I usually just wash my face with face wash products now, and I think its gotten a little bit better. I really want to try the acne product you used though, but I hope its not too expensive. Do you happen to know the price? Thanks so much!! :]
wow your skin is gorgeous! do you know if they make products for dry skin with redness? that is my current skin condition.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!
oOo
ReplyDeleteI was reading you favs of 2009, and I had no idea that Dove made a facial moisturizer!
My skin's been so, SOOO dry. I've been blessed with acne-free skin, but I peel like.. dried rice stuck on the side of a rice cooker in the winter.
I've been using Clinique's moisture surge, but if I'm right... the dove one's cheaper, and probably works just as well since you recommend it.
Definitely looking into that next time I'm at the store
<3
Hi Jen, thank you for being so real! It's really hard for us girls to be so honest about our "imperfections" (even though your skin is beautiful and no where near an imperfection!). Hope you get better soon and hope the hubby is doing well also:)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get better soon! Everyone (or at least me and you) loves hot tea, I'm sure it can do miracles. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really happy that you write about these kinds of things! Not everyone would write about their skin problems and show their face with hyperpigmentation (not that it would be something to be ashamed of). You're a brave, genuine, cute girl! I love your blog! <3
Feel better soon, Jen =D
ReplyDeleteI really feel like getting a bottle of the Sebum Gel after reading your review on it!
Hope you like the Mixed Berry masks =D
I've been wanting to order from Cellnique, but I was scared of having to deal with customs since I live in Europe. :/
ReplyDelete♥ Milk
wow! thanks for the wonderful photos! hats off to you for being out there to show your before skin! :)You look gorgeous either way!
ReplyDeleteI have this sample too! It lasts a long time, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteBut I use it only on my nose to erase pores. I have to tell you, it's the best I've seen! Okay, the pores are still there, and I doubt anything on World would make them look nonexistent, but the black and white heads disappeared and pores look way smaller. Ah hardly any problem I have with my nose now!
A repurchase for the full size product is indeed needed!^^
You are so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI always wanted to know your skin secrets since it looks so flawless!
Now I am really interested in the Cellnique serum. But I just checked out the ingredients on the website and it says that it contains methyl paraben which I'm not too sure about now. I don't know what to believe anymore about parabens. Are they really that bad?
xxx
Thanks again for being brave and posting your updated skincare regime with no makeup on at all! It's refreshing and super helpful to see REAL before and after shots as opposed to the ones sponsored by companies where they apply makeup and more flattering lighting in the after shot (E.g. In the news yesterday, Clean & Clear ads were reported to be banned in the UK because the models in the after photos had makeup on.).
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon, m'love. *fondles towel bewbs
ReplyDeleteOh wow, the difference is amazing! I have hyperpigmentation from acne too and it's so frustrating to deal with sometimes. I swear I've had the little mark near the end of my left brow for over a year now. T_T;
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon!!
Feel better soon! By the way, I couldn't help but notice that gorgeous smokey purple grey nail polish in the shower photo. What nail polish is that?
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I'm amazed at how fast your hyperpigmentation are fading within one month! I want to try Cellinique now! I have post-acne pigmentation since summer and they have not faded! =(
ReplyDeleteBtw, I hope you feel better soon!
i hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteand big props to you for your naked face, haha! the results really did look better <3
You can buy cellnique products from ebay malaysia and its cheaper than retail price. The seller's id is myrotikosong. Hope thats helpful.
ReplyDeleteI use that differin too. My skin is pretty clear, with just some minor bumps. How long have you used it?
ReplyDeletewatch out for those eyelid tapes-- i noticed some bumps/stretching on your lids-- the tape/glue constricts normal blood flow to your lids and cause permanent damage-- I read this from a prominent korean plastic surgeon who has seen many girls with the same problem... you look so nice without the glue :)
ReplyDeletei've been using the differin xp gel for nearly a year now, and if you are using it everyday or however much your dermatologist said to, you will totally get clear skin. It never does completely stop bein drying though. at least not for me.
ReplyDeleteomgg...that is your bare face with no makeup?? you are unbelievably GORGEOUS! you look like you should be one of those super famous korean celebrities in the music videos (:
ReplyDeleteHi, does anyone from Europe have experiences with ordering Cellnique due to customs fees?
ReplyDeletewhere did you get the product? I tried to look up online, but they didn't show where to buy it, and how much it is! you said you got it from Eki, but I don't know beside Eki website, do we have anywhere else to get these? Thank You
ReplyDeleteHey
ReplyDeleteI've tried Ebay and the site but this product seems to be eluding me. Could You please tell me where you or eki gets this product?? Cellnique Skin Action Sebum gel
can you do a review on the clarisonic please? I've been eyeing it because I have large pores and breakouts, but the price is holding me back T_T
ReplyDeletealso I have differin, but i've been avoiding it because it really dries out my skin and sometimes causes more breakouts...would you say that thats normal and to stick with it? I only use clindamycin, but because differin was expensive for me, I kind of want to use it up...ahh I hope my skin clears up like yours!!
I'm new to your blog and love all your post. It's great to find a person that keep you interested in all the styles and makeup they use. It's been awhile from that when I used to like Michelle Phan, but now she seem so advertised. I was looking at your old blog about differin cream and was wondering if your still using it for your acne or you stopped after 3 months? Did it make you peel a whole lot? and did you put any lotion on top of it? My face has been breaking out for a while now and I still haven't found the solution for it. I'm getting married in October and is hoping to clear it up by then. =( Don't want to be an ugly duckling for the big day. Hopefully something works. =)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you already know this or not, but I went to visit their website and looked up this sebum gel and your 'Before & After' pictures are on their website on the side! I see that they recommend it for reducing blackheads & whiteheads...
ReplyDeleteyou always looks beautiful
ReplyDelete