Review- Dr. Ci:Labo Skin Care

Today I will be reviewing Dr. Ci:Labo's 4-step skin care line.

I requested a starter kit of samples from their website awhile back.  Unfortunately, this sample kit is no longer available.  When I requested this set, I had never heard of this company.  I wondered if it was a fake offer designed to scam me out of my email address, but I decided to go ahead and request it anyway.  I was quite surprised at how nice this sample was when I received it!  It contained 2 days worth of the full four step program, and 2 extra packs of aqua collagen gel.    

This is what their website says about their company and products:

How the Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was born in Japan back in 1995.

The our star product Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was conceived by Dr. Yoshinori Shirono - a world renowned Japanese skin laser clinical dermatologist whose concern was the aftercare of the patients who had their skin treated with laser. Due to the degree of the heavy laser level skin treatments, many of the patients requested to Dr. Shirono an aftercare daily skin care regimen they can use to reduce the level of inflammation, darkening, swelling and other symptoms that occurred due to dryness of the skin after their laser surgery.

After extensive research with data of over 20,000 patients, Dr. Shirono created the Aqua-Collagen-Gel which surprisingly became a great hit among his patients. By the "word of mouth" the Aqua-Collagen-Gel became so popular that he started the company called Dr.Ci:Labo in 1999.

Now, Dr.Ci:labo is Japan and Asia's No. 1 Doctor's Brand Skin Care and one of the best seller in the world. 

Since I'm a fan of Korean products, I was pretty excited to try a Japanese skin care line!

These are the four steps:

Step 1: SUPER Cleansing EX
"Gently remove makeup without losing moisture! When the cleanser is worked with makeup on the skin, it slowly turns into oil, Thoroughly remove even the toughest makeup, dirt and other impurities. While massaging, the gel will transform into oil, its gentle warming effect soften dead skin cells and lifts the makeup. It carefully catches impurities and clears the pores, removes dead skin cells."


Step 2: SUPER Washing Foam EX

"Moisturizing ingredients encapsulated in a nanocapsule. A fine, a botanical cleansing ingredient's creamy lather's elastic texture to remove debris, dirt, pollutants and other impurities thoroughly yet gently."

Step 3: Aqua-In-Derm DN Essence

"An Amazing Pre-Moisturizing Booster, Aqua-In-Derm DN-Essence helps creating paths for penetration of ingredients to follow. Formulated with "In-Derm Force" ingredients* which soften dead cells. And also formulated with water containing eight different electrically-charged amino acids** (constituents of natural moisturizing factors [NMF]),PCA-Na, and marine salt-derived minerals, conditions the skin to ensure the penetration of other constituents deep into the skin."

Step 4: Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture

"Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture is Just one application (Toner, Milky lotion, Beauty Essence, Brightening Essence and Makeup Base) after washing your face and you're finished. 
Skin problems and aging skin are largely related to the amount of moisture in your skin, the naturally derived gel combines the latest industry developments with state of the art technology to give it the ability to preserve high moisture levels in your skin. It moisturizes your skin both inside and out and keeps it that way for long periods of time. Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture's ingredients are contained in a nano-sized capsule, thus makes it easier to go deep into the skin layers and retains moisture in so it will not evaporate so easily, yet gentle for the skin. Feel the power of long-lasting Moisture all day!"

What I say:

I could tell these were high-quality products! And, I guess they should be, given that this line is pretty pricey. 

 I really liked the warming feeling of the SUPER Cleansing EX. I have never tried a cleanser/makeup remover that was self-heating-it was a really cool sensation! The double cleanse left my face feeling clean, soft, and fresh. 

The moisturizing half of this routine proved to be a little too hydrating for my "normal" skin, though. The Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was serious stuff! The first morning after I used it, my skin looked and felt good, but the second morning after following the routine, my skin seemed slightly greasy. It was just too much moisture for me. 

If your skin is oily, normal, or combination, or if you prefer a very simple skin care routine, I'd advise you to pass on this. But if you have dry, very dry, or aging skin, and like the thoroughness of a multi-step Asian skin care routine, this line might be perfect for you.