Many years ago, when Kanebo Impress was first launched, I tried some products from the range. I declared myself Impressed! Well I was, truly. But I also realised later that some of the products were breaking me out a little, particularly the Impress Emulsion. I picked it up in II which was too rich and I had a full sized bottle that I eventually gave to a friend who naturally loves me for life haha… 😛
The Kanebo Impress Brightener is one of the later introductions into the Impress skincare range, launched a couple of years down the road. I was using the Kanebo Sensai Quick Radiance before, but when I used up the last drop (yes I actually do finish skincare 😛 ) I was told it was discontinued and replaced with this one – Kanebo Impress Brightener.
When I did my review on the Diorsnow Wipe Off Gel Exfoliator, I mentioned that I was using a Japanese product that performed a similar exfoliating function. Well, this is it 🙂
The Kanebo Impress Brightener is a gentle skin exfoliator that performs the same function that the Sensai Quick Radiance does (if you are familiar with that one). You use it after cleansing and before you put any other skincare, as its purpose is to help gently exfoliate the surface skin cells and soften skin, so skincare absorbs better.
The gel lotion comes in an opaque glass bottle which is fitted incongrously with a plastic cover. Its not even a nice stiff plastic, but a slightly translucent plastic. I honestly expected more from them, because its such solid packaging otherwise! Marks deducted, because the cover doesn’t fit very well and I’m picky like that 😛
The product is dispensed through a pump which has a solid smooth feel to it so maybe part of the packaging is redeemed. Incidentally, it may be interesting to note that this bottle was sitting in a paper bag which was dropped from waist level onto a road (its a complicated story) but it survived the fall with just a tiny chip in the base of the glass bottle. Its sturdy. But I don’t recommend you roadtesting it the way I did 😛
Product wise, I like it. Despite being an exfoliator, it is surprisingly gentle on my skin and I can use it everyday (and I do) without my skin feeling dry or dehydrated or uncomfortable. The product is a gel that feels a little cool on the skin.
I pump about 2 pumps of product into a piece of cotton pad, apply to my skin and then gently rub in circular motions all over. Some days, I see that there is some residue lifted off my skin so the cotton pad looks dirty after I do this. Other days, there is no residue so maybe I just cleaned my skin better.
The immediate effect that I feel is markedly softer skin. Any product I apply thereafter absorbs very quickly into my skin and I personally believe that the exfoliation helps in clearing the congested spots on my face.
I actually had this for a while, but stopped using it. I came back to it when I had more or less cleared my skin of breakouts, but there were some lingering clusters and some dry flaky bits of skin on my face. I saw this bottle in a far corner of my tray, and decided to give it a go. After a few days, I noticed that my skin was decongesting, flakies were disappearing and importantly, I was having more supple, brighter, clearer looking skin.
I use this every evening now, and I personally believe it does help my skin. There are some things that I think the Japanese are ahead on, and this area is one of them. Many Japanese products have a “skin softener” and this performs that function too. Its something I haven’t seen any Western skincare adopt or adopt successfully. So here we have a daily skin exfoliator that does not dry my skin out and helps it look better and brighter and helps my skincare products absorb better. I’m truly Impress-ed! 🙂
In a nutshell
The Kanebo Impress Brightener is a daily skin exfoliator that helps to lift away skin cells and helps to make skin look brighter and feel more supple, clearer and smoother. I find that my skincare absorbs better whenusing this product and it helps keep skin congestion at bay as well as removes flaky dry patches of skin when I do have them. The product is a gel that feels a little cool on my skin and does not dry out my skin even with daily use. I personally love this and I think its a worthy successor to the Sensai Quick Radiance that has been discontinued.
Pros: Not drying on skin despite daily use, My skin feels more supple and smoother with daily use, and looks brighter and clearer, Skincare absorbs more quickly, Skin is less congested and dry flaky skin is kept at bay
Cons: Pricey, Plastic cover is incongruous with the heavy glass bottle
Who will like this: Anyone who is looking for a daily exfoliator and skin softener product
I lent this to a friend to see if it might help her with her then congested skin. She did eventually return it to me (whew! 😉 ) but she also did tell me that she believed that it did help her clear up her skin. I hope it did because I did see a marked improvement! 🙂
I do not have the ingredient list – box has gone missing, and its in Japanese. But like most Japanese skincare, it should contain alcohol and a whole bunch of other chemicals so if you are chemical and alcohol averse then this will not be for you. However, if you are familiar with how Japanese skincare work, and your skin can tolerate it, then I believe it is worth looking into.
I am quite generous with my use of this product but it doesn’t finish up that quickly. 3 months is a good bet as with all skincare so whilst its pricey, I’m sticking to it because you know, when you find a product that works for your skin, just stick with it. Your skin will thank you for it!
Have you tried the Kanebo Impress Brightener or similar product? I was first introduced to it during my regular facials at their salon so that’s how I learned about this and I’m happy I did! 😀 Its not cheap, but boy, is it good! 😀
Paris B
Kanebo Impress Brightener Price: RM228/100ml Availability: Kanebo counters and salons
oooh another lovely review on a gel exfoliator, Paris! I want to try this type of product so bad! Seems effective yet still gentle. Want!
Now, this one, I like very much 🙂 it is gentle for me, and it seems to keep my skin clearer and maybe brighter. Hope you get to try this some time, Becca. I’m not sure if it’s available where you are though.
OOh, a rather positive review for the Kanebo Brightener! I’ve actually just started using an Estee Lauder brightening lotion and it is strong in alcohol too. Hope it works because it is my first time venturing into the brightening side. I’m usually all about hydration but I need to brighten up my skin ASAP. Its this Aussie winter…so sad and dull 😛
I like pairing hydration with brightening for better effects 😉 Hope the lotion you’re using helps, Ling!
Hi again, Paris 🙂
I recently bought the Diorsnow wipe-off gel and I quite like it but which would you say is better comparing both? x
Don’t over do the Dior, Raquel 🙂 I find it can get drying. I think it depends on what you prefer. I personally prefer this Kanebo one because it isn’t drying although I use it everyday. Still, if you find the results good, you could just stick with it. The Dior one won’t finish up that quickly 😉
Would love to try this. Strawberrynet doesn’t sell it 🙁
Unfortunately not 🙁 they don’t sell the more recent Kanebo stuff.
Noo I shouldn’t see this!!!
I am so addicted to Kanebo… But haha they indeed make really good stuffs!
Soo far I have positive result from all the items I bought frm them, skincare and makeup…
Just bought their blanchir lotion last week at the clearance sale… Love it! There was Impress lotion too but because blanchir was cheaper and bigger bottle( yes I am calculative like that) I chose blanchir… XD
Also I heard impress is for more mature skin, is that really true? I am a bit confused with the many series available…
Great to know your experience with the brand has been positive! I’m a fan of the brand too, although not all their skincare suit me anymore. The Blanchir lotion (Clear Conditioner?) is really good stuff! I don’t like the Impress one as much. You can use the Blanchir one as a mask too so try that 🙂 Impress is richer I think. But the IC range is a bit lighter.
oh yes the clear conditioner! i find the sweet cherry smell a bit funny but since it really has cherries essence in it i am happy! i see slight brightening effect but other than that doesnt really do anything beside making me feel really comfy… maybe i need to pair it up with the rest of its range…is that true? thanks for the mask tips Paris!!
From memory, the Clear Conditioner is basically a lotion and the first of the 2 step double moisturizing technique in most Japanese skincare. So it preps the skin by adding some moisture but you have to follow up with an emulsion or a moisturiser. I used the whole range once but wasn’t too impressed with the rest after a while. So now I stick to the Make Off Conditioner and the Clear Conditioner 🙂
Interesting! I’ve been meaning to try Kanebo skin care for a while now, but found them to be confusing. Maybe I can start with this one!
The SA should be able to help. Much will depend on your concerns and needs. I quite like the lotion and cleansing oil in Blanchir (red) range, and this brightener in the Impress range 🙂
I think I will pick this up at the next Kanebo sale! *adds to shopping list*
How nice! It never goes on sale here 😛
Kanebo just had a clearance sale with included brands like Lunasol, Coffret D’or etc. I hauled quite a few Coffret D’or items. 🙂
Can’t wait for the next one!
oh man, i was like yes! yes! this ticks all the boxes I’m looking for!…then i saw the price :O i’ve tried the shiseido white lucent softener but it sadly didn’t do anything for me. guess i should hit the kanebo counters to see if they’ve any samples before i plonk my money down on this 🙂
Sadly yeah, the price is really high. I die a little inside whenever I have to replenish 😛 I think I tried the White Lucent softener a long while ago but like you, it did nothing for me too.
I finally bought the Dior wipe off gel. I tried this before (deluxe sample) but I prefer the Dior one. When I used this, I didn’t see much difference -_-“
Hope the Dior one works for you then 🙂 I like this one for the fact I can use it daily without my skin drying out and it seems to give me more ‘cushioning’ when I rub on my skin. But I guess mileage varies 😉
for something that makes your skin look nice and glowy, rm228 for 3 months don’t sound so bad anymore already.
i think quite a bit of Japanese skincare have this brightener/softener thingy, and one drugstore version of it is the ZA one, the whitening range. The TW bloggers seemed to like it, but I haven’t heard much about it locally. Have you tried that before?
Hmm… Za has a similar one? I wasn’t aware of it or if we get it. May have to keep my eyes open the next time I to to Watson’s. I think it’s a Japanese skincare thing too except I haven’t tried any from other ranges 🙂
yeap we do have it, called Prismizer or something like that. i think it’s used in the same way like you use this one… can’t say if it will work like yours, but based on TW blogger’s review, it seems to do the job quite okay.
I got this sample from Kanebo when I was buying Lunasol product few weeks ago. I must say the quality is really good and this worth the price 🙂
Mmm… Lunasol! 🙂 what were you getting? Glad you liked the sample you got.
It’s kinda like Beaute de Kose softener,it has quite strong alcohol smell but it soften and brighten my skin,now I’m not using it anymore,kinda miss it sometimes..
Ah I’m not familiar with Kose skincare, so thanks for sharing. Most Japanese skincare seem to have a softener, but not all have an exfoliator/brightener thing as well 🙂
No no no no. I should not have read this. Was already very tempted to try a daily exfoliating product after reading your Diorsnow Wipe-Off Gel review. And now THIS!
My skin is acting up again lately. For the past week, been having flaky bits around the nose and the mouth. Need to find a remedy soon… 🙁
Haha oops! Not sure if they do samples but you can always try asking 😉 try a scrub to get rid of the flaky skin and then load up on the hydration 🙂
hey! you almost had my love for life. LOL.
and…um..maybe i think i know where your box is. LOL
Haha! So there’s where it is!
Interesting one 🙂 I read about the Diorsnow you wrote earlier on and was already intrigued. The closest I come to in terms of Japanese skincare is my economical Hada Labo lotion, lol. I am glad I tried it every night and soon love the patting method.
Ok, I am going to save up for this Kanebo one! 😀
Oh the Hada Labo lotion is a good one! I go back to it now and again because it does a good job 🙂
I’ve got the ingredients which might help for those who need it.
Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Potassium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Acetyl Glucosamine, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Raffinose, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Juice, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Juice, Dimethicone, Ethyl Glucoside, Vaccinium Myrtillus Extract, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Aminobutyric Acid, Disodium Ascorsyl Sulfate, Methylserine, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Dioscorea Composita Root Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Algae Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Methoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Beta-carotene, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben.
Thanks for the ingredients,Chris!
Got a Blanchir Superior White Luster 10ml sample some time ago, use it for 2 consecutive nite then alamak, small red spots all over my face. I’m guessing it’s the high alcohol content coz i can smell it and also the cool feeling. If I use it 2 times per week then ok.
I was so tempted to get the UV essence during the Kanebo 50% Sale at MJMV, but thank goodness my sense was with me that day that I finally walk away… ( give myself a pat )
A friend of mine swears by the impress UV Essence but I’ve never tried it myself. Maybe your skin can’t take the alcohol. Most Japanese skincare have loads of it.
i really liked this brightener it does makes my skin GLOW!!!!!
That’s great to know it works so well for you!
Between this one and the Diorsnow, which one is better in your opinion? I’m currently using the Diorsnow.
I prefer this one because I can use it daily and it isn’t drying, and the gel is thicker so I have more of a “cushion” when I rub the cotton on my skin. But function wise, they’re similar so if the Dior one works for you then you could just stick with it 🙂
Now I really want to try one of these wipe-off exfoliators! Japanese skincare seem to work well for me even though they are heavily ladened with alcohol so I need to get my hands on one of this! =D
I know! Japanese skincare are crazy if you look at the ingredients. They break every rule in the book, but I’ve always fared well with them so… I guess its ok if some rules are broken right? 😉