These One-and-Done Vitamin Skincare Finds From BCL Are So Good!

Product photography by Perkin Gotohio

It’s common knowledge that vitamin supplements support good health overall, including the skin. There are specific vitamins we can take orally for better skin, but when it comes to products directly applied to our face, it can get tricky. We know that Vitamin C has been proven to even out skin tone, improve collagen production, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Vitamin A is a source for anti-aging retinoids that is so potent, even dermatologists recommend its use with caution. BUT it’s not ideal to mix and match willy-nilly with other skincare actives just like that. It typically takes trial and error to build a skin care routine incorporating both of these skin care heroes.

Of course, if anyone could find a way to easily incorporate these hardworking actives into a streamlined skin care routine, it would be Beauty Creative Lab (BCL), an innovative Japanese beauty company. What’s more, their products are easily available in the Philippines care of Beautybox Corp. (same distributor of PV faves Cure, Baby Foot, and K-Palette). Let’s get to know these vitamin-packed skin care staples!

All-in-one Vitamin C Facial Scrub

The AHA Cleansing Research Wash Cleansing C (P725, 120mL) is a 3-in-1 brightening face wash that also works as a makeup remover and exfoliant. It is recommended for twice weekly use with dry, combination, and oily skin types. It features botanical ingredients like Papain (papaya enzyme), Malic Acid (an Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA found in fruits and wines), Vitamin C, and other citrus extracts. Combined with tiny wax-based scrubbing beads for physical exfoliation, this face wash guarantees a deep clean.

A Quick Review:

Honestly, I was a bit wary when Liz asked me to try it. A face wash with AHA, Vitamin C, and physical exfoliants sounded potent - if a little too potent for my sensitive combination skin. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it cleansed effectively without irritating my skin! It didn’t even leave my face feeling tight even after it lathered up enthusiastically. The refreshing lemon scent made me feel energized. The scrubbing beads were very fine, much finer (and therefore, gentler)  than other physical exfoliants I tried before. It successfully removed most of my makeup, too. I opted to use micellar water on a cotton pad to thoroughly remove my eye and lip makeup after, since I didn’t want to scrub too much into my more sensitive facial areas.

All in all, it’s a good option for those looking for a hardworking yet gentle face scrub with brightening active ingredients. Just remember to use it a maximum of twice weekly. I personally like using it once or twice a week, when I feel like my skin could use a deeper clean. Those with sensitive skin may want to try its other variants like the AHA Cleansing Research Wash Cleansing b and AHA Cleansing Research Wash Cleansing acne.

One-step skin Care with Saborino Vitamin Sheet Masks

Sheet masks are typically marketed as a home spa experience, to be enjoyed on top of an already established skin care routine. Well, Saborino vitamin sheet masks were designed to be the opposite of that! It’s a 5-in-1 product, meant to deliver skin care benefits of a toner, lotion, essence, moisturizer, and mask within 60 seconds of use. How mind-blowing is that?  There are two variants: Vitamin C for morning, and Vitamin A for night.

The Saborino Morning Facial Sheet Mask Vitamin C (P995, 30 sheets) is made with 4 types of Vitamin C, formulated to treat hyperigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dryness. It has a mild lemon scent. Its counterpart for night is Saborino Good Night Facial Sheet Mask Vitamin A (P995, 30 sheets) with a pleasing berry scent. It is made with 4 types of Vitamin A to help hydrate skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Resealable pull tab with flip top cover

A Quick Review:

I tried the sheet masks for a few days, as recommended: Vitamin C mask to replace most of my morning skin care, and the Vitamin A mask for night, for 60 seconds each. Honestly, I was skeptical - I couldn’t wrap my head around a sheet mask replacing most of my skin care routine! I was concerned if the mask would fit my chunkier-than-average face. I was also worried that some of the masks would dry up, since they were packaged like wipes. I opted to store the two sheet mask packs in the fridge so they would stay fresher for longer and add a de-puffing effect when I use it.

All my concerns turned out to be unfounded! The resealable packaging was airtight, with a snug tear-shaped pull tab. It fits really well with a high adherence, because it has some stretching room, but still holds its shape without tearing. I feel like it would fit well on most face shapes and sizes. My only con was that my chubby fingers pulled multiple masks more than once. One fateful morning I ended up getting 4 sheet masks! This was fixed easily by using tweezers to carefully lift one sheet mask at time.

I prefer massaging the mask essence on my face, making sure to reach all the surfaces the mask wasn’t able to reach. After pressing in the essence all over my face, it still feels like there was a layer of moisture left. My skin felt moisturized and had a dewy finish after removing the mask.

I did notice that my pimple marks lightened considerably with each day. In that sense, I agree that the vitamin sheet masks can do the job of multiple skin care products. I experienced only a very very light stinging sensation in a patch above my upper lip while using the Good Night Vitamin A mask, but it wasn’t painful and didn’t leave redness on my face. It probably just means the active ingredients in it are working and that part of my face was just more sensitive.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Saborino vitamin sheet masks! I love the concept, and I can see the masks would be a good fit for people who want to minimize their skin care collection. I think it also makes a great option for long-haul flights and overseas trips–no more worries about decanting or product spillage! This is also a good option to anyone who wants to start a capsule skin care routine; just add a gentle cleanser and a sunscreen. It’s also quite a steal at only P33.17 per sheet mask.

A quick caveat though: the retinoid family comes from Vitamin A, and studies have shown that it is unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, so avoid it if you are in that stage of your life.

All in all, I’m happy I got to try these vitamin-filled skin care products from BCL. Check them out and other J-beauty goodies at Beautybox Corp. kiosks in Rustan’s, Watsons, SM Store, LOOK, Beauty Bar, and Mitsukoshi. They are also available online at Lazada, Shopee, and the Beautybox Corp. website, where you can get them with same-day delivery within Metro Manila!