Before 2009 ended, I decided to see what all the buzz was about Hada Labo and the buzz is really centered around the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion – one of the top sellers in Japan. While in Japan, I saw Hada Labo sold almost everywhere from convenience shops to pharmacies and I saw quite a few girls buying it too. Definitely a popular brand.
In Asian cosmetics, “Lotion” is a moisturizing toner used after cleansing but before moisturizer. It conforms to the concept of “double moisturizing” to help preserve and add moisture in your skin after cleansing.
Now what really sold me is watching the tv ad which I showed you before and which I will append again below because I think it is adorable! Will my skin really feel so bouncy and moisturized after using this lotion? My answer is yes.
I’ve been using the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion for about a month now, day and night. It takes a hell of a long time to get it fully absorbed though, so its not something to use if you’re in a hurry for work in the morning. You’ll know what I mean when you see how I use it below.
Here’s how I use the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion:-
- Pour 2 drops from the bottle. Don’t squeeze just let 2 drops fall into the palm of your hand. Any more and it’ll be too much for me.
- Rub my hands together and spread the lotion all over my face. It will feel watery and slippery at this point.
- Using the palms of my hands, lightly pat my skin starting with the cheeks, then forehead and chin and lastly cupping the nose. Repeat. You will feel the slippery lotion start to feel tacky and sticky.
- Keep patting….
- … and patting …
- … and patting…
- … and almost by magic, the lotion will stop feeling sticky and start feeling dry and smooth. My skin feels soft at this point and the lotion will be fully absorbed.
- Follow up with moisturizer.
The key ingredient is super hyaluronic acid which I’m told holds in more moisture than regular hyaluronic acid. To answer some questions asked previously, Hada Labo is a brand from Japan by the Rohto Mentholatum Group but the product itself is made in China. Because we’re talking a huge company like Rohto-Mentholatum, I’m not too fussed about where it is made because the world is now truly global. It could be made in Timbuktoo and I’d still buy it because its backed by a global brand and because it works. Come to think of it, I’d likely buy anything made in Timbuktoo just to say I have haha! 😀
After 1 month of daily patting I like how this inexpensive lotion feels on my skin. My skin feels nice and moisturized even without applying moisturizer (though I don’t recommend it) and I like how there is no scent. Almost as good as if I were using one of my more expensive lotions so I’d say this wallet-friendly lotion is a keeper for me. Helps keep the “toing toing” feeling going 😀 For those who are concerned, there is no mineral oil, parabens, colorants, fragrance or alcohol added.
The Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion retails for RM40.90 for 170ml at Guardian pharmacies. I’m aware its a little rare on the ground so keep your eyes peeled and try a bigger Guardian pharmacy 🙂 You use so little one bottle can last you ages and ages. Coincidentally, Connie posted her review on this same product this week and hurray, she likes it too so I’m not alone on this! 😀
Pros: Inexpensive, Keeps skin feeling soft and smooth and moisturized
Cons: Takes a while to be absorbed
I’m now curious about their other products in the Hada Labo line. I’ll share if I try any of the others. My facial wash is on its last legs actually. Maybe I can try that one 😛 And here’s the video I promised you.
Have you tried this Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion? How about other products from Hada Labo?
Paris B
Thanks for the review!! Another rave for this product!! Argh i wanna fast fast finish my current serum so that i can try this one out!!! >.<
Hi Jenn
Hope you like it when you do try it out! 😀
if u read the ingredients carefully, it has methylparaben….
Thanks for the heads up. I’m not overly fussed about parabens myself. My thoughts on parabens are here.
you and connie makes me wanna run out and buy this. My Laneige is finishing, so I reckon this is a good time.
Have you tried the whitening one? I tried to look for tester but either it’s empty or there wasn’t any 🙁
Hiya Plue
I haven’t tried the whitening one but I don’t usually like whitening toners. I prefer to use serums or moisturizers in that line 🙂
Ooo I see, I just caved in and bought the whitening one, very liquid-y, not sure if the original is as liquid… cuz it merely took slightly lesser than a minute to get absorbed by skin leaving it velvety smooth. No tacky/stickiness.
am buying the original serum once my EH runs out! 😀
Hey Plue
Will wait for your thoughts on the whitening lotion. The one I use is very liquid. Its like water!
Wow, that’s really affordable. I’ve seen one from Skinceuticals online that costs a bomb. Must try! Thanks for the review!
Hi Monstro
Well at least if it doesn’t work, it won’t break your bank 😉
During my trip back to M’sia, I bought the moisturising milk. Thought I already have too much lotion to bring back, so I thought the milk might be something good to try. Haven’t tried it yet though, since my current moisturiser still have not depleted 😛
Hey Tine
Oho! I shall wait for what you think about the moisturizing milk 😀
hey parisb, u know what? damn im convinced!!! argh!!!!
Hiya prettybeautiful
LOL! Save remember?! 😀
After reading Connie’s review, I have been wanting to buy it, in fact been wanting to get one ever since I saw it on a pharmacy’s shelf but made mental note to check out your review first. Ok, if I am anywhere near the any larger pharmacy, I will definitely get a bottle!
Hi Reese
I hope it will work for you as well as it did for Connie and me 😀 It does take a bit of work but I like the results.
been keeping an eye out for it, but alas, no luck yet….dammit! i’m intrigued by the “toing toing” prospect…heehee… 😀
Hey Beetrice
Have you tried standing counters? I think some Guardians have them on standalone counters.
If you have a walgreens or CVS..they both carry it …I love it …and have been using it for over a year now …. 🙂
I hum when I do the “toing toing”… feels like I’m doing the red indian (PC: Native Americans) sounds as a kid :p
LOL! I’m going to try that Connie!
i will get this for sure!!!! Just that I always cannot find it when I got money in pocket..lol
Hi Jean
Its a bit of a bummer isn’t it when that happens? Hope you find it soon 🙂
Got myself a bottle! Yay! The first time I use I realized I pour too much. It ended up sticky on my face the whole day! Gosh! I should use 2 drops in the future 🙂
Yay Celine! I do realize that too much can make the face feel sticky. Thus far, 2 drops is just right 🙂
hyaluronic acid serums all end up breaking me out. do you think it is just the formulations or am i just not suitable for hyaluronic acid? =[
Hi Zhenling
It might be that you are allergic to hyaluronic acid or that it does not suit your skin. It happens.
Hi….I’m acne prone and not sure if i can use the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion. I also have very dry skin…
Thanks.
Hi Babysaffron
Honestly, I’ll have no idea if it’ll work for you. The only way is to try it and if you suffer irritation, stop.
Wow, thanks for the review! I have been wanting to try out hyaluronic acid skincare for some time now. But I have no idea which is the best. There are just too many hyaluronic stuff out there, especially from taiwan, so I don’t dare to buy. I love jap brands, and I think this one looks really reliable. Will keep a lookout for it!.
Hi Jyoan
I’d say its reliable only because its by Rohto Mentholatum which is big enough by itself 🙂 I haven’t tried many hyaluronic acid products either. This is one of my first.
I bought the Arbutin Whitening Essence to try. I really liked how it absorbed easily and didn’t have a fragrance. I will probably try this out and the cleanser once my current one runs out. Thanks for your review 🙂
Hiya Hasegawa
Oh I haven’t tried that one but I’m curious hehe… Thanks for sharing
been to many Guardians but never seen one… Saw something similar but not HADA LABO… weird…
Hi Synaesthesia
Its really quite hard to find even in KL – keep looking!
I was sold at “toing”, “toing”! Will be looking out for it!!
Hey Yani
Ya! It was surprising – your skin actually feels like that girls’ in the video!
Is facial stuff with paraben (methyl, ethyl etc) harmful to the skin? I heard they’re not good but some brands have them and people still buy?
Hi Cece
The opinions are divided. I shared some thoughts before in a previous post. I’m not about to chuck up every product that contains parabens for now but it pays to be aware.
wow…toing toing huh? I’m sold PB!
Haha… I hope you like it Jessica!
omg! the commercial looks amazing!
do you know if it’s available in singapore as well?? or i’ll have to make a trip across the causeway for this!
Hi Fiona
I’m told it should be available in Singapore but I’m not sure if its already out there. Do give us a shout out if it is 🙂
Was glad I bought this, although I was tempted to get their AHA/BHA cleanser as well, for facial skin as smooth & poreless as an egg. Tempting no? But no reviews on tht yet, so I’d pass on it.
I’m using this now. It’s really good. One of my faves. It seems to be keeping my skin moisturized & my skin’s less oily = less breakouts! A major yay!
Your 2 drops do seem a lot more than 2.. Haha, I usually use 3 & I just rub it in all over. It absorbs fast for me 🙂
Hiya Jessica C
Glad to hear about its oil control properties. Since I’m not oily skinned I couldn’t test that bit 🙂