Cute Press Ci-lab Sensitiv Skincare Series Review

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Hi hi everyone! Checking in back again with another skincare diary with Cute Press– I’ve previously reviewed their other booster serums and sleeping masks HERE and their Intensive Renewal range HERE and you guys should totally check it out!

I have been invited to try out their new Ci-Lab Sensitiv range and it’s something I have been meaning to try for awhile- I have hormonal, sensitive skin that is oily in areas yet dry in others, so this range sounded perfect for its hydrating + repairing benefits.

Oily skin is often the result of a compromised skin barrier, which this range claims to help with! 👀

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The Ci-Lab range has both facial and body care products  but I’m most excited for these products in the range in particular:

This skincare range promises improved hydration, with softer, smoother, and healthier skin that is great for all skin types from dry and sensitive to normal and oily skin.

In this blog, I’ll share my honest review of this range, with some amazing before/ after moisture level readings! My skin is an ongoing battle (more on this below) and this range has been such a lifesaver.

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MY SKIN PROFILE

I have severe hormonal acne, and although I am currently on accutane to try to control breakouts and improve my skin condition, I still experience bad breakouts from time to time. Accutane has also left me with both oily + dry skin in certain areas, as well has a hyper-sensitive, easily reactive complexion!

I often experience irritation especially when trying new products, so patch testing is crucial. I also have redness/ flushing on my cheeks from accutane, which you can see on my skin here!

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You can see the after effects of a recent breakout (picture taken 14/08/2023) due to changes in my hormones from my period.

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The Ci-Lab Sensitiv Moisture Repair First Serum is probably my favourite in this range. I have tried lots of serums over the course of my skincare journey, and let me tell you- it truly is a hit or miss sometimes.

Serums are important as they help provide active ingredients to our skin in a higher concentration to toners or moisturisers, with very focused and targeted benefits that usually provide a higher efficacy.

This serum contains a unique Sub-Micron Barrier Rescue Complex that is a proprietary innovation by Cute Press! But what is this exactly?

This is a very snazzy combination of four active ingredients – Ceramide, Phytosphingosine, Aloe Vera, and D-Panthenol – in a sub-micron particle size. This means that these active ingredients can penetrate deep into the skin, increasing the potency and effectiveness!

This serum gives the ultimate hydration layer without any stickiness or oiliness. I love that it feels lightweight yet is so hydrating and soothing, my skin feels plump and bouncy after with none of the uncomfortable ‘heavy’ feeling.

When combined with the Ci-Lab Sensitiv Moisture Repair Barrier Cream, the moisturising + nourishing benefits are multiplied.

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The Ci-Lab Sensitiv Moisture Repair Barrier Cream is available in two variations – one for normal to oily skin and another for dry to very dry skin.

I love that there are two options available- not everyone’s skin is the same, and having more options for different skin types really speaks volumes about their dedication to catering to different skin needs!

For my combination sensitive skin, the barrier cream for normal to oily skin worked wonders. It struck the perfect balance between hydration and staying lightweight- it didn’t feel oily or heavy after applying, and the cream absorbed quickly when patting in.

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It didn’t sit on my skin in that heavy/ uncomfortable way, and is really soothing and comfortable in Singapore’s crazy humid weather.

Plus, I could feel the moisture levels stayed present throughout the day, so my skin did not feel uncomfortably tight or dry even when I was in an air-conditioned room throughout the day, AND I had makeup on.

I think this can definitely be attributed to the Sub-Micron Barrier Rescue Complex in their formulation!

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For the Ci-Lab Sensitiv Moisture Repair Barrier Cream in Dry to Very Dry, I used this as a night cream instead. I must say, even for a cream that is meant to be more rich + moisturising, I did not feel that it was sticky or uncomfortable in any way. Major props to the formulation!

This cream is excellent if you have dry, flaky skin and in need of some serious hydration. I used it on my sunburnt shoulders too because it was stinging, flaky, and red/ sensitive. Highly recommend this!

Because I couldn’t test it out effectively on my oily skin, I enlisted the help of my boyfriend to test this out and share his thoughts (LOL).

What he liked:

  • Fragrance-free
  • Felt soothing
  • Didn’t feel heavy or sticky
  • Skin didn’t feel oily
  • Skin felt soft and moisturised still in the morning
  • Didn’t sting his eyes

His moisture levels improved by 14.7% overall after 2 weeks, which is a great result considering how he missed a few days of application.

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I was SO DELIGHTED to hear that this range has sunscreen too! My journey to find the perfect sunscreen has been an ORDEAL.

First off, the basics:

This non-chemical sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and also leaves my skin with a natural glow! I love the hydrating feel and how it absorbs nicely, which is great for non-makeup days.

When I first applied it, the texture looked rich and thick, but blended and absorbed easily and did not leave any white cast even on my tanned skin.

As someone with highly sensitive skin, finding a sunscreen that doesn’t cause breakouts or irritation can be a challenge.  Prior to this, my skin only tolerated the Supergoop Mineral Sheer Screen + Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum.

I was a little wary of trying this at first, as my skin is so picky with sun care products! A lot of popular korean sunscreens e.g. the viral Beauty of Joseon one broke me out and left my skin feeling hot and ‘burning’. Definitely not for me!

However, this sunscreen delivered on its promise. It doesn’t clog pores, suitable for all skin types, and I didn’t experience any burning or stinging. A+!

This sunscreen is 12-Free and dermatologically tested- no irritating chemicals like oxybenzon, alcohol, fragrance, paraben, mineral oil, talc, petrolatum, etc. (*Tested on 21 volunteers for a week under the supervision of a dermatologist by Spincontrol Asia: test results showed that the product was non-comedogenic and non-irritating, even on acne-prone skin.)

The product claims to provide effective protection even with water exposure- it’s marked as ‘very water resistant’ by measuring the SPF value before and after immersion in water for 80 minutes with In Vitro UV Analysis 😎 so you can go out in Singapore’s humid weather without fear!

I would recommend re-applying every 2 hours to ensure a consistent protective layer if you are going to be out under direct sunlight (according to health organisation recommendations).

This also states it can control oil for up to 12 hours, but I was sweating like crazy in the sun on an outdoor shoot, so I think it’s hard to get a good gauge of whether there was any oil control as I was a puddle!

My makeup did not slide or smudge, so that’s a win.

I did experience slight patchiness as my foundation broke up under the sweat + heat + humidity.

This was similar to my experience with the Skin1004 sunscreen, so I’m assuming the patchiness is attributed to the higher hydration content in both the Cute Press and Skin1004 sunscreens.

The Supergoop one has been specially formulated for additional priming/ makeup-gripping, so this might be why! It is also 3x the price 🙁 so I’m really glad I’m finding a great alternative in this one that is both affordable and hydrating!

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Over consistent use of 2 weeks I felt that my skin definitely bounced back quicker after breaking out, and it looked smoother, radiant, and healthy. While I cannot say pthat it entirely eliminates acne (nor does this claim to), I definitely experienced reduced irritation and less itching, which my skin is very prone to especially in the morning.

Good hydration is the first step to reducing breakouts, oily skin, and for a healthy skin barrier. This range definitely delivered on all its promises and more!

If you’re on the lookout for skincare that combines effective and innovative ingredients that are suited for sensitive skin, I would definitely recommend the Cute Press Ci-Lab Series.

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If you’ve made it all the way till the end of this very long review, congratulations! 🎉

I hope my detailed review will help you and inspire you to pick up the new Ci-Lab Sensitiv range for yourself!

It is really priced so affordably and excellent for troubled & sensitive skin- my skin feels so amazing and isn’t irritated at all! Try it out for yourself folks!

Once again: They are available for purchase on Shopee and Lazada, along with all your other Cute Press faves like their other Sleeping Masks and Booster Serums!

P.S. If you’d like to save more, there’s an exclusive offer ongoing: the serum + barrier cream is currently sold in a bundle for only $40!! The usual price is $61.80, so it’s a huge steal.

Cute Press 2 Weeks Intensive Renewal Range Review

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Hiii all! I’m back with another skincare review today with Cute Press– I’ve previously reviewed their other booster serums and sleeping masks HERE and you guys should totally check it out!

They recently contacted me again to try out their new 2 week Intensive Renewal Booster Serum and Sleeping Mask and give my thoughts!

I’ve been using them for about 3 weeks now, and I wanted to share a little bit about how my skin fared!

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The Booster Serum is 30ml and priced at $24.90 while the Sleeping Mask is 50ml, priced at $23.90. You can find them in the Cute Press Official Store on Shopee/ Lazada.

INITIAL THOUGHTS (1-3 days)

I am a regular user of their sleeping masks to this day (my favourite is the 8Hr Full Night Sleep Overnight Mask) and with this new sleeping mask, I experienced similar benefits overnight such as waking up with softer, more hydrated skin.

I am an ongoing user of accutane to deal with my severe hormonal acne, and as a result my skin is often very dry, sensitive, and easily irritated. I also have redness/ flushing on my cheeks from accutane, which you can see on my skin here!

These products did not irritate my skin or trigger inflammation, which is great for people with sensitive skin. However, remember to consult your dermatologist if you are currently seeing one for skin conditions like severe acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc. 

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BENEFITS

It is recommended to pair the Booster Serum with the Sleeping Mask at night, and it can be used in the daytime as well as part of your regular skincare before makeup.

I followed the recommendations accordingly, and one thing I love about the serum- it provides a nice layer of hydration so my foundation goes on nicely without caking or looking dry.

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Key ingredient peptide collrepair complex helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and firm the skin, while 4D hyaluron plus (4 different molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid) boosts and lock in moisture, giving skin a healthy ‘glass skin’ glow.

But don’t just stop at using the serum- it is recommended to pair this with the Sleeping Mask.

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benefits

my experience after 3 weeks

Cute Press Intensive Renewal range claims to show visible results after 14 days- and it definitely lives up to its claims!

What I found that was my skin felt firmer, less dry, and looked more radiant than before- I was previously also struggling with some minor pigmentation from sun damage, and these marks looked more faded and less prominent.

My skin has been more susceptible to dryness  lately as I am now in Australia during the winter season as well- slapping on a sleeping mask as well as a lip mask has been so crucial for my bedtime routine to avoid waking up feeling like a shrivelled prune!

I personally can’t speak about the ‘reducing wrinkles’ claim, but I feel that it’s crucial to nourish and protect our skin to maintain its youthful appearance rather than spending more money to get rid of visibly deep lines after!

It is good to start anti-ageing skincare efforts early as our skin starts ageing from mid-20s.

This product is recommended for both men and women from ages 18-40- so you can share it with your partner too!

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One additional key ingredient that I found really fascinating was Phyto-Retinol, listed in the Sleeping Mask.

This is a botanical extract made from legumes and proven to act like retinol- it stimulates collagen and skin cell turnover as well!

I previously tried retinol even before using accutane because I heard amazing things about its anti-ageing benefits, but it pretty much burned the crap out of my skin.

Phyto-retinol is made out of is gentle enough to be suitable for use with sensitive skin!! It is less restricting than retinol- that cannot be combined with Vitamin C, AHA/BHAs- and phyto-retinol will not cause dryness even if used day and night. It’s even safe for pregnant women!

Word vomit here but I love the idea of a gentler version of retinol for people with sensitive skin like me, and I will definitely start looking into incorporating more phyto-retinol into my other skincare products.

Look at how radiant my skin looks and the appearance of pores has also improved!

cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum, intensive renewal serum

If you’ve made it all the way till the end of this very long review, congratulations! 🎉

I hope my detailed review will help you and inspire you to pick up the new Intensive Renew range for yourself!

It is really priced so affordably and feels amazing on skin (I love waking up to refreshed skin in the morning!), so make sure to try this out for yourself! 

Once again: They are available for purchase on Shopee and Lazada, along with all your other Cute Press faves like their other Sleeping Masks and Booster Serums!

Cute Press Evory Snow Translucent Loose Powder Review

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Hiii all! I’m back with another makeup review today with Cute Press– one of my favourite makeup/ skincare brands of late! 

P.s. If you haven’t already read my blog review on their Booster serums and sleeping masks, you guys are missing out. Read it HERE!

Anyway, let’s get back to business.

Like many fellow Singaporeans, my first encounter with Cute Press was with their popular loose powder. Many tourists stock up on several containers when they visit Thailand, before it was available in Singapore🤣

 

Cute Press has recently released a new range of loose powder- the Evory Snow Snow Translucent Loose Powder– to let you show off your real beauty ✨ 

Enjoy a naturally flawless complexion and a fresh youthful glow!

This loose powder comes in 2 packagings: their standard tub (15g) @ $20.90 and in a NEW portable loose powder tube (4.5g) @ $22.90

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They are available for purchase on Shopee and Lazada, along with all your other Cute Press faves like their Sleeping Masks and Booster Serums!

You can also take 10% off your order (Evory Snow series only) on Shopee with the code “CUTEEVS10” (apply in the voucher section at checkout)!

I don’t get anything from this code, just a little bonus for all you readers! ❤️

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BENEFITS

The powder is ultra-fine and so weightless, it’s like a second skin and gives you a filter-like look. 

Simply sweep on the powder after applying your base foundation + blush/ contour for a blurring and perfecting finish! 

LOOK AT THAT DIFFERENCE.

Goodbye pores and skin texture, goodbye to all those little imperfections.

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cute press, cutepress, cute press evory snow translucent loose powder, loose powder, translucent powder, makeup, foundation, beauty blog, beauty

Let me dedicate a special rambling paragraph to the portable tube packaging, because I love it so much!!

This is the perfect companion for touch-ups on the go!

I love how handy and portable it is 💪🏻 No more carrying around a separate brush + powder in your bag– look at how cute and convenient this tube is!

It is also a lot more hygienic- I used to dump my brush directly in my bag because I didn’t want to bring out my makeup pouch (and it doesn’t fit in smaller clutches)- but this tube is so small and perfect!

Best thing of all- this tube is reusable, so you can refill it when it runs out! No more wastage- you can help save the environment while still looking cute 😊✨

I know I’m gushing about it a liiiittle too much, but this product has solved a problem I had for many years lol.

Cute Press really delivers on all their releases and I am a huge fan every time! 😌

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If you’ve made it all the way till the end of this very long review, congratulations! 🎉

I hope my detailed review will help you and inspire you to pick up the Evory Snow range for yourself!

It is really priced so affordably and feels amazing, so make sure to pick up a tube (especially the portable version) on your next shop!

Once again: They are available for purchase on Shopee and Lazada, along with all your other Cute Press faves like their Sleeping Masks and Booster Serums!

You can also take 10% off your order (Evory Snow series only) on Shopee with the code “CUTEEVS10” (apply in the voucher section at checkout)!

Cute Press Booster Serum & Sleep Mask Review

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Hiii all! I’m back with another skincare review today– and it’s one of my favourite skincare brands of late! Cute Press has recently released 3 Booster Serums to serums to go perfectly with their sleeping masks. 

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Maybe you’ve not seen either product– and I hadn’t either before this year! Their skincare offerings are a relatively new expansion for them– most of us may know them for their popular loose powder, with many tourists stocking up on several containers-worth when they visit Thailand (lol)! 🤣

When they were stocked in Watsons and later on on Shopee I purchased their foundation cushion and loose powder. Highly recommend it as an affordable drugstore brand with a very nice finish! ✨

But I digress. My first encounter with their skincare was earlier this year, when they launched their sleeping masks and invited me to try them out for myself!

In all honesty, I didn’t expect to love them as much as I did! Believe me when I say the hype is 100% real! I went through 3 tubs of the stuff between me and my boyf, and purchased them as gifts for my friend to try too 😌 I don’t recommend anything I don’t love!

Here are their benefits:

Overall, my skin was very happy with the sleeping masks that were added to my nightly routine. When Cute Press approached me again to ask if I would like to try out their new Booster Serum, I agreed right away!

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The booster serums are priced at $24.90, and the sleeping masks are priced at $23.90. They are available for purchase on Shopee and Lazada, and the sleeping masks are available for purchase at selected Watsons stores as well.

But I’ll let you in on a good deal I found  👀 because who doesn’t love a good discount? Cute Press have a Skin Rescue Duo deal available on Shopee where you can purchase a booster serum + sleeping mask in any combination you wish for a discounted price of $38 (U.P. $48.80).

You can also take 10% off all booster serums in Shopee with the code “CUTEEVE10” (apply in the voucher section at checkout)!

I don’t get anything from this code, just a little bonus for all you readers! Limited to the first 50 people and valid till 30 November 2021 ❤️

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But if both the booster serums and sleeping masks have similar targeted benefits, what’s so amazing about using both the booster serum and the sleeping mask together, you may ask?

Let me break it down for you.

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Why use the Cute Press Booster Serum?

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These booster serums have been formulated to boost the effects of the sleeping masks, as well as provide a more ‘customisable’ skincare routine that is now suitable for daytime use as well.

If you want a X2 booster effect, you can pair the booster serum and sleeping mask of the same series.

However, depending on your skin concerns or skin goals, you may want to mix and match different booster serums and sleeping masks to achieve targeted benefits.

Perhaps you want to purchase the 8hr Full Night Sleep Booster Serum for added hydration day & night + the Calming Cica Sleeping Mask to fight maskne and soothe troubled skin.

Or you may want to fight dull skin with the 1 Week Brightening Booster Serum + the 8hr Full Night Sleep Sleeping Mask! It’s entirely up to you.

Your journey to good skin starts now.

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let's take a closer look, shall we?

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cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum
cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum

This serum, combined with the sleeping mask, is intensely hydrating, yet lightweight. My skin felt very hydrated, supple, and firm in the morning.

Appearance-wise, I feel like the boost of hydration helped with smoothing out skin texture and improving radiance. This combination is a favourite with me for my dehydrated yet oily skin.

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cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum
cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum

I use the Calming Cica series whenever I experience bad breakouts, and to help reduce the redness that I usually get in my complexion. I regularly deal with bad maskne + hormonal acne, and this combination helps with reducing redness & soothing my skin.

I like that it’s very gentle and 6-free, with no irritants. Sometimes, I combine this series with the Full Night Sleep range when my skin feels very itchy & dehydrated.

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cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum
cute press, cutepress, calming, maskne, acne, hydrating, sleeping mask, booster serum, serum

I tend to use the Brightening Booster Serum in the daytime for extra glow. When I first tried their sleeping masks previously, I actually really wanted something that could go under my makeup.

While their sleeping masks were non-sticky, they still aren’t designed to be used under your makeup directly. Applying foundation on top of it– even when dry– may cause piling of the foundation + the hydrogel-like mask formula.

Sure, I would wake up with hydrated, revitalised skin, but I would have to cleanse first before applying my makeup. I wanted a little boost of that little extra something something to keep my skin feeling fresh and hydrated throughout the day– and now I have it!

If you’ve made it all the way till the end of this very long review, congratulations! 🎉

I hope my detailed review will help you decide which Cute Press Booster Serum + Sleeping Mask X2 Self Care Duo will be best for your skin needs.

Before you go, I have one last treat for you. I have teamed up with Cute Press to give away some skin goodies to THREE lucky winners! Head over to my Instagram post below to take part now!

* Giveaway closes on 27 August, 2359 GMT +8. Winners will be contacted within 48 hours ONLY from my Instagram account @evangelskies. Good luck!

** The code for the bonus entry is EVEXCP27