If there’s one problem I have with Hada Labo products, it’s that I never know what to call them. This cream is a good example. I can’t tell if it’s called the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cream with A.C.E Boosting Capsule or the Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Cream with A.C.E Boosting Capsule or just Hada Labo Gokujyun Cream as it says on the tub. I’m sure the name is far more elegant in Japanese – in English, it’s a mess. Sort it out Hada Labo!
Confusing name aside, I’m still going to rave about this cream moisturiser, because I think it’s very nice, very effective and it’s above all, affordable! I think you’ve started to realise by now, what a big fan of Hada Labo I am LOL! 😛 For me, when it comes to pharmacy or drugstore skincare, I find that Hada Labo ticks most of the boxes, being importantly, effective and affordable. I can’t say the same for many other brands.
The Hada Labo Hydrating Cream with A.C.E Boosting Capsule was made available some time last year. I move at the pace of a glacier, so it was only late last year that I realised what a lovely product this cream really is!
What this is, is your regular cream moisturiser, but enriched with what they call “A.C.E Boosting Capsule” that are basically these beads containing Vitamin A, C and E suspended in their hydrating cream.
If you look in the tub, you’ll see a white cream, with yellow beads in it, that look like beads in a facial scrub. Don’t worry, they are not micro-beads. These beads will break when you apply pressure, and blend their contents with the cream. Let me show you.
See the yellow beads on left? That is how they look when I first scoop them out of the tub. On right, I’ve carefully squashed a couple so you can see what they look like. On close observation, its contents are yellow. But when I use this cream, all I do is scoop some into my palm, and then rub my hands together. There is no gritty feeling and the beads almost seem to melt into the cream. It’s all very elegant and seamless.
The texture of the cream is rather creamy and thick, so it’s best suited for those with normal to dry skin. In fact, that’s what the brand recommends as well. For those with oily skin, the emulsions might suit you better.
The directions recommend you massage and pat into skin. But I like to scoop a dollop out (I’m quite generous with my use), rub my palms together to warm it up and to melt and blend the beads into the cream, then apply onto my skin with a slight massage. I’m not into the whole patting thing 😛
I find that it keeps my skin hydrated, which is paramount, but it also keeps it feeling comfortable and makes a good final layer for my skincare. I like using it on top of a facial oil or hydration serum, just to keep everything in, and it seems to work better that way.
The next morning, I can feel that my skin is softened and hydrated. I tested this while on the road, and it’s particularly welcome in hotel rooms, where the air-conditioning can dry your skin out something awful. I also like that if you’ve been out in the day in the hot sun, this helps to calm my skin down in the evenings, and replenish lost moisture.
I personally prefer to use this in the evenings, due to its thicker texture. In the day time, I use a little less. In the evenings, I use a little more and I’m fairly generous. It’s affordable. I can afford to be! I don’t know however, if the Vitamins A, C and E are doing anything. Perhaps they are. It’s hard to say. But I’d treat this as a basic hydrating cream that does everything it’s supposed to do, without irritating my skin and by almost helping my skin feel and look better and more hydrated. I’ll take that! 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
I find the Hada Labo Hydrating Cream with A.C.E Boosting Capsule, an effective and affordable basic moisturiser. Due to its slightly heavier texture, I think this might suit better someone with normal-dry skin. Or you can use it for the evening. The yellow capsules which are supposed to contain the Vitamin A, C and E will melt with a little pressure, and blend with the cream. I can’t say if they work exceptionally well, but this is a very nice basic moisturiser, that is affordable and does what it says – hydrate your skin. I’m actually very happy to use this, and I always make sure I pack it into my travel bag. It keeps my travel-stressed and parched hotel-room skin happy 🙂
PROS: Not scented, Very comfortable without feeling oily or greasy on skin, Keeps skin feeling moisturised and hydrated especially drier skin, Absorbs easily without any residue on skin, Especially comfortable in drier weather or when travelling
CONS: Contains silicone which can trouble some people
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who has drier skin, Anyone who wants a basic and affordable moisturiser
PRICE: RM69.90 for 50ml (often on sale)
WHERE TO BUY: Most major pharmacies, but especially look in Guardian pharmacy
If you’re interested in the ingredient list, here it is.
Have you tried this Hada Labo Hydrating Cream with A.C.E Boosting Capsule? Do Hada Labo products work for you generally?
I have found Hada Labo’s hydrating range very effective for its price. I am however, not as much a fan of the red Hada Labo lifting and firming range of products, which my skin finds too drying, and their cleansers (too stripping) or their whitening range (I don’t use whitening products) Their sunscreens are decent, although I’ve stopped using them since they discontinued my favourite one. But for basic hydrating skincare, Hada Labo has not failed me yet! And here’s another you should be taking a look at 🙂
Paris B
I love Hada Labo but nowadays all their items are made in China… I like the gel cream from this range but apparently it’s made for the China/MY/SG market and I don’t think it’s sold in Japan at all. Don’t think I will repurchase hahaaha
I remember the China/Japan furore when the brand was first brought in, but because it’s a big company, I’m less fussed about where it’s made. There is also a school of thought that products from Japan might be affected by their higher levels of radiation since the last Tsunami so there’s always that worry too 🙂 I’m not too fussed either way, as long as a product works and is from a reputable company that I can hold accountable if something goes wrong 🙂 That said, there are also some products imported in that are made in Japan still like the Premium Hydrating Lotion which is very good 🙂
Have this and love it because of the bursting capsules. Haha. I don’t apply too much as it’s too rich for my skin.
I love how my skin feels the next morning after I use it, especially when the air is dry. So plump!
tried this but was a touch too heavy for me. skin’s on the drier side now but not dry enough to take this.
sticking with their gel based moisturizers at the moment. weirdly enough, both my sisters (one oily skin another one with dry sensitive skin) loves the cleanser as it’s cleans very very well, they stock up whenever got sales!
None of the cleansers work for me – my skin just dries out to a husk but it’s good to know it works for your sisters – at least it’s affordable! 😀
Pssst Paris,
Since your post is all about hydration, have you reviewed Guerisson Horse Cream before ? I applied some so called whitening shit on my face on Friday night and woke up with both cheeks covered in red, dry,bumpy rashes- I was fretting all though Saturday and yesterday so last night I applied some of the Horse Cream (gifted from my friend) and prayed to the makeup / skincare Gods that it will help – this morning – no more redness and the bumps gone off by about 70% – am gonna apply more tonight and hope it clears up my skin!
It’s slightly cheaper than Hada Labo if your readers are on a budget (like me)
Thanks for sharing your experience Angeline 🙂 I have heard of Guerisson Horse Cream, and in fact, have come across horse oil and cream for many years, especially during some Japanese fairs at Isetan. The problem is that I can’t get over the idea of what’s in there i.e. horse. I guess it’s like dog meat. I don’t care that others eat it, but I can’t bring myself to. I can’t bring myself to use horse oil anything especially since I know the only way it can be extracted is from dead horses >.< Just me! Glad it works for you though
Hi Angeline & Paris. I have actually used half a tub of the Guerisson Horse Cream which I purchase from Althea. Its not a bad moisturiser but I think it would be too rich for someone with combination skin or who is in their 20s. I kind of agree with Paris on the fact that using this cream can be uncomfortable for some people as it does contain horse oil. I did a lot of research on it before buying the moisturiser but only did so because it was on sale. I will most likely go back to Antipodes Avocado and Pear cream which not only has natural ingredients but also because a whole tub of 60 ml can last me for 10 months. Plus April is my birthday month and I will get to enjoy 25% discount on all purchases. So its a win-win for me 🙂
Thanks for chiming in Victoria! Eh, you know I haven’t tried the Avocado & Pear cream yet! I shall have to remedy that 😉 My birthday info seems to be jumbled up so I get a notification in January instead of October, and I’m not sure how to redeem that 25% discount! Grr…
any recommendations for a ‘light’ cream? I find that my occasionally tend to be oily skin really dislike any gel moisturisers because it’s not hydrating enough given that I live in a desert + aircon every day but I also don’t like the feel of ‘heavy’ creams. Atm I’m trying the Darphin hydraskin rich and it’s balancing nicely (but since I bought this in the UK, not sure how I’ll top up when it runs out!)
A suggestion would be to layer up or use a stronger hydration serum under the cream instead of a thicker cream. That said, see if you can get the Antipodes Vanilla Pod day cream. It’s very nice and creamy without being too thick, and it has this lovely way of sinking into skin very comfortably 🙂
I love love love Hada Labo products. ??? I’ve tried their lotions, serums and creams for Sensitive skin, Hydration and Whitening and they all worked well for me. I have dry sensitive skin and their products are so gentle for me. I have never heard of this product before, but it sounds like a dream product for the winter seasons! ??? I agree with the products being affordable (especially during sales, with no “bad” ingredients and gentle yet effective enough). Oh and I read a comment about the Guerrison Horse Oil. Would definitely like to hear your opinion on it! I’ve heard it is great for dry skin.
Now that you mention it, yes it might work well for winter, and you could even layer it over an oil if you need something more 🙂 Unfortunately I’m not going to be trying the Guerisson Horse Oil cream any time soon. I can’t bring myself to the same way I can’t eat dog meat. One of those things, although I know that there are cultures that eat horse meat. Also horse oil I learned comes from dead horses or horses that are killed so that makes it even harder for me. Just one of those things – not likely I’ll try it sorry!
Is it really made from horse oil? I thought the name was given because they use the oil to polish the coat of horses. Guess I was wrong :O If it really comes from horse oil/dead horses then, never mind, I don’t think I will be trying it etiher 🙁 Thanks for letting me know! 🙂 There are tonnes of other products to try so I’ll be looking forward to more reviews!
Unfortunately yes Rosalind, it’s made from actual horses 🙁 I mean, I know the horses are already dead (sometimes sent to the slaughter house for various reasons) but I just can’t do it 😛 But as you said, there’s many other fish in the sea! Lots of other options out there.
Hi Paris. Just to veer off topic, I bought a copy of The Malaysian Women’s Weekly last Friday and wanted to ask you if there is a reason you did not choose Shisiedo sunscreen as one of your top 6 products? I always thought this sunscreen was synonymous with Paris B. LOL. Just wondering la. Also thought that your favourite La Mer hydrating mist product would have appeared on the list too but did not. Anyway, its a good list and one that got me nodding my head since I have followed your blog for so long and know that this is so Paris B 😉
Aww you bought a copy! Thank you and I’m sure MWW thanks you too hehe… To answer your question, I did pick the Shiseido sunscreen. That, alongside La Mer Treatment Lotion, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 and BB Nourishing Lip Colour were in my list. But I think someone else also picked it, so they had to spread it out a bit. They only picked 6 from my list (and I wish they’d picked BR P50!)
Hi paris! I ve tested the texture of this product(tester at watson) n it is lovely but i m concerned about the ingredients as they put parabens in it. Is it actually okay in ur opinion? Many controversy gather about this paraben things lately lol
Hi Rei, there’s been a lot of news against parabens for many years now. Personally, I am not fussed. Here’s something I wrote about my thoughts on parabens back in 2008 and I still maintain the same view. While I understand that there are concerns, I also consider the view that parabens are perservatives, and a product that doesn’t use them will have to use something else, that is currently untested. While there is a lot of news around that parabens are linked to cancer, there isn’t any real solid scientific proof of this. So, personally, I don’t take an anti-paraben stance. It’s not popular I know, but that’s my stance. You’d however have to make your own mind up about it because I know there’s a lot of scare tactics out there. Just keep a clear mind and read both sides of the story 🙂
Hada Labo is my fave skincare brand as well. it soothe my dehydrated skin and control my sebum production as well. so it leave my oily skin balance. except for their cleanser. i think it drying my skin. however, i use the AHA BHA cleanser as my exfoliater which i would use 2 -3 times a week. it helps to clear tiny bump on my skin and pore. regardless on where it is manufactur, i trust Hada Labo as one of the reputable company and Japanese people really concern of their product quality. so in my opinion, eventhough it is produce in China, they are strictly follow the safety procedures. and working with Japanese makes me trust Hada Labo even more. 🙂