Review: Saizen Black Charcoal Peel-off Face Mask

Ok, I must admit that I only purchased this item because of all the raving from local forum sites. I've also read extensive reviews from a lot of users and most were not really satisfied with it. However, I still got myself a tube because money-wise, I really got nothing to lose. It is dirt cheap at only PHP85. I am fortunate enough that we have a local Saizen here in Angeles City. I think this is one of the only two branches that they have as of the moment. By the way, this is going to be an initial review since I have only tried the product once.

front

Product description:
- comes in a squeeze tube with Japanese text
- cap is screw type (not the one you flip open --- I'm sure you know what I mean)
- consistency is rather thick
- mask is shiny upon application and matte when dry
- size: 80g (80ml)
- price: PHP85
- Made in Korea

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How I use it (once a week):
(1) I wash my face with Teranex then pat it dry with a clean towel.
(2) I spread the mask evenly throughout my face with the use of my fingers (avoiding my hair line and delicate under eye area). I also do not apply the mask in the area between my upper lip and nose.
(3) I wait for it to dry.
(4) I slowly peel it off.
(5) I wash off the tiny particles that weren't peeled off with the rest of the mask with my facial soap -OR- I remove it by applying my toner.

What I like about it:
(1) It is dirt cheap --- PHP85.
(2) It is locally available in my place --- Saizen, Marquee Mall
(3) The tube comes sealed.
(4) I like the feel I get when the mask dries --- really tight and hard.
(5) I generally have fun applying and waiting for it to dry --- but the peeling part is another story (Haha!)
(6) Product feels cool upon application.
(7) Face feels smooth after peeling.
(8) Manufacture date is printed in the tube's sealed end.

sealed tube

What I do not like about it:
(1) It did not get rid of my blackheads. All it did was pull off my facial hair and very little whiteheads on my chin area.
(2) The smell is a bit strong for me.
(3) Their is redness and slight burning/stingy sensation after peeling.
(4) Peeling is painful but tolerable for me.
(5) It is not locally available nationwide --- Saizen has only 2 branches as of yet.
(6) Text is in Japanese --- I would really like to know the ingredients, product description, product claims, etc.
(7) May quickly go out of stock --- but not here in my place, at least not yet (LOL)

fine hairs and whiteheads

If the product claims to get rid of blackheads, SO NOT TRUE! If the product claims to dry up pimples, lessen sebum production, shrink pores, whiten the skin, lighten dark spots, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, etc., the results are still yet to be seen.

This is how hairy my chin is (LOL)

MAJOR CONCERN: Since it pulled out a lot of fine facial hair after my initial use, I am now eager to see what else could it suck from my face on my next use. And what will happen to all those pulled out hair? Will they grow thicker, darker, coarser? Yikes!!!!

Second Saizen Mini Haul

When I say mini, it really is mini. The term "Nano" would actually be more apt for this haul. Haha! So this is the second time I visited our local Saizen in Marquee Mall. Even before this day, I searched the internet about good Saizen finds. On top of the list is of course their Black Charcoal Peel-off Face Mask. Other than that, I really have nothing else on mind to check out.

Presenting the Nano haul! LOL!

So once inside Saizen, I directly went to their beauty and cosmetics section. Our Saizen here in Marquee Mall has tons of stocks of Black Charcoal Mask. I think people here still don't know about the product. And the all-Japanese text on the tube is not helping to up its sales at all. After picking up one tube, I checked out their eyeshadows. I came to like this one "red" palette so I got it as well.

Black Charcoal Mask and "Red" Pearl Eyeshadow Palette

I now have 3 pearl eyeshadow palettes from Saizen. I was happy with the pigmentation of my first 2 palettes and so I gave in with this third one. I do not have any red eyeshadows (that's what it says on the pack) so I got this. I was originally planning to buy matte eyeshadow trios from L.A. Colors (from Metro Department Store) but I didn't like the available shades. I was also particularly looking for a lovely green palette but then again, nothing caught my eyes so I guess I'll just settle with my In2it eyeshadow duo.

"Red" Pearl Eyeshadow Palette

I initially thought the round shadows were in cream form.
Thank God they're powder!

By the way, I was also planning to get Careline Glamour Eyes Eyeshadow Sticks. I think they are local versions of NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils. However when I checked Metro, there were only 2 available shades and their expiry date are on the 8th month of this year. I didn't get any. I just decided to drop by another local mall to check their Careline stand in their department store. Unfortunately still, they do not have any stocks for the eyeshadow sticks at all! Grrrr!!!

My next target haul would be mini nail polishes in earth tones and some dark reds, purples, and blues. I'll be bringing them to Australia with me. I am sure I will not be able to afford manicures and pedicures there. Haha! I found a really cheap nail polish brand called Klik in Metro. Their mini polishes are priced at PHP14 I think (I forgot to take note how many ml the product comes in but they are not your regular sized nail polishes). If there are any brands cheaper than this, please inform me right away (Oh yes, I love cheap finds! LOL).

Saizen Haul plus ELF Liner Pen

Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I went to Marquee Mall to visit a particular shop called Saizen. It's a Japanese outlet store with all items prized at PHP 85. However, I am not sure if it's safe to claim that all items offered in this store are manufactured/imported from Japan since I checked the product labels of some and found out that a number of them are made in China, Korea, Thailand, and other Asian countries. Hahaha!

Oh well, on to my haul. I got myself 2 pearl eyeshadow quads in Natural Brown and Cool Blue, a green two-fold pocket mirror, and a clear plastic flip-top container/case. Before I headed home, I stopped by Metro Department Store and got myself an ELF Waterproof Liner Pen in Black.

Saizen haul

Plastic flip-top container for my shorter brushes and eye pencils
It has 3 separate compartments

a peek inside

the 2-fold mirror looks like a new message icon when closed (haha!)
By the way, I think it is expensive (PHP 85) for a pocket mirror.
I could get a cheaper one at Watson's (but oh well, I didn't think before buying, sigh)

Pearl eyeshadows (Cool Blue and Natural Brown)

ELF Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (Black)

While I was busy checking out the cosmetics section of Metro Department Store, the L.A. Colors stand caught my attention. Their eyeshadow trios are prized at PHP 60 (either that's correct or my eyes are playing tricks on me because I was in a rush). Oh well, I will be checking those out the next time I swing by Marquee. I am also on the hunt for an affordable bullet/rounded crease brush. Any suggestions? ^_^

ADDENDUM:
I checked out Saizen's Multiply site and found out that our local Saizen branch in Marquee Mall apparently does not carry all cosmetic items that are offered in their Robinson's Galleria branch. Unfair much? Hahaha!

My Skincare Regimen

To give you a little background, I have oily acne-prone skin (which started to manifest as early as my freshman year in high school = when I was 13). And yes, I still do get the occasional bumps especially before my period starts. It is a chronic disease for me with remissions and exacerbations (LOL).

I've been visiting dermatologists practically my entire adolescent life! I believe I've tried 3 but kept on coming back to Dr. Judy Evangelista even if her clinic is miles away from my home. Well yes I am satisfied with the results but somehow those pesky cystic pimples keep on coming back (mainly because of GENETIC MAKEUP, stress and hormonal imbalance --- in my case that is). I really have to stress genetic makeup because both my parents suffered from acne during their days. So yeah, a big share of the blame goes to them. Haha! My oldest brother also suffered from major acne. On the other hand, my other elder brother was more fortunate and only suffered from acne for a few years during his teens.

So after all these years, I've grown sick and tired of dealing with pimples, enduring painful acne procedures, and going back and forth to my dermatologist here in Pampanga (while all the while I was attending college in Manila). I really don't care about them that much anymore. And thankfully, they've decided to take the backseat and spare my face from their routine beating.

Here are some majorly stupid theories on this heavenly phenomenon:
(1) Well they probably just got fed up of popping up my face.
(2) My face isn't that conducive anymore for acne growth as it was back when I was a teen (ok this theory is really gross! haha!)

Whatever the real reason is, I have now accepted whatever I have on my face --- oily skin, uber large and visible pores, post-acne discolorations and some minor bumps all in. I just stick to my skincare routine and pray that they finally finally rest their case.

So just like any normal person, I cleanse, tone, and moisturize my face every single day (morning and evening) of every single week of every single year that I have so far been breathing since (LOL).

In addition, I apply sunblock after moisturizing in the morning. I do not reapply throughout the day because... I just don't (haha!). I exfoliate using a mild facial scrub once a week (this is ONCE a week not ONE DAY in a week --- because one day would mean exfoliating twice a week, one in the evening and one in the morning). Why am I being so technical about this? Haha! I also apply anti-acne gel (Adapalene) to my acute cystic pimples just to dry them up a bit faster.

Oh well, I am also planning to add a once-a-week facial mask application to my routine. I am hoping to try Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque which I believe is available at Healthy Options. Another thing I would like to try is a post-acne mark lightening/fading cream. Although I don't have any idea which product to get.

Here are the products that I use as of the moment:
1. Teranex Bar Soap - I divide it into 3 equal parts to make it last longer (can last me up to 3 months).


2. Clean and Clear Toner - any Clean and Clear toner variant works well for me. Before this, I was using the regular one (blue liquid in clear bottle).


3. Olay Total Effects Moisturizer (Blemish prone/oily) - I love it for its salicylic acid (may be a bit drying for certain areas of my face tough).


4. Nivea Refreshing Fluid Protect SPF 30 - does not dry to a matte finish. Not very ideal of oily skinned folks. Will be replacing it as soon as I can.

(photo from kikay.exchange.ph)

5. Differin (Adapalene) Gel - works better than Benzoyl Peroxide (for me at least)


6. Clean and Clear Facial Scrub - I was too lazy to take a picture of my tube so I just got this from the net. It's not the exact variant that I use by the way.

Update: Instead of the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, I purchased a Black Charcoal Peel-Off Mask from Saizen.