Being in quarantine or lockdown has been good for skincare enthusiasts. It’s forced us to take a long hard look at what we own and use, and actually use it. That’s one positive thing to come out of this!
I’ve been quite good at using up my skincare in the past year or so, so it wasn’t too hard for me to amass a bunch of empty bottles and tubes in the time that our movement was restricted.
Usually, I’d just use them up, make a mental note whether I like them, and quickly forget about them as I move on to the next new item. But this time, I gave it a little more thought.
I had to, because it is now a little more complicated buying skincare from abroad, and I wanted to see if what I enjoyed using was available locally, or if I might have to bite the bullet and try my luck with an online purchase.
So, here are 10 items I emptied out that I felt were worth a mention. There are 8 I’d repurchase, and 2 I will not 🙂
7 Skincare Empties I’d Repurchase
They’re listed in no particular order. Most have been reviewed here at one point or another, so I will not be lengthy about it. Please read the individual reviews linked for more in-depth thoughts 🙂
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
I’d recommend this in a heartbeat, for an effective yet fairly gentle retinol serum. It was one of the first proper retinol serums I used that truly blew me away, and convinced me that I had to keep a retinol serum in my skincare routine.
I have finished mine, and while I’m trying another at the moment, I know I will return to the Paula’s Choice retinol one day.
The upside is that the Paula’s Choice Retinol is available for purchase in Malaysia at the Paula’s Choice Malaysia website, so I don’t have to be worried about not being able to get my hands on it 🙂
Read my full review on the Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Timeless 20% Vitamin C & E Ferulic Acid Serum
My second time using the Timeless 20% Vitamin C & E Ferulic Acid serum, and I like it as much as I did the first time! Affordable and effective, which is just how I like it.
I like it better now that it’s in the new yellow packaging, that is a pump as opposed to a dropper mechanism. I do find that it preserves the contents better, as my serum did not yellow significantly until towards the end of its use. Previously, I found that it oxidised more quickly.
While I have bought my Timeless skincare from their USA website before, I recommend buying this particular serum through their Malaysian distributor (Worthee Cosmetics), as you are more assured of fresher stock, without having your package stored in unknown conditions.
Read my full review on the Timeless 20% Vitamin C & E Ferulic Acid Serum
Allie Extra UV Gel Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
I discovered this in Japan, and I have not looked back since!
I have been using the Allie Extra UV Gel Sunscreen and the Extra UV Perfect SPF50+ PA++++ sunscreen for coming on 2 years now, and I love them both! I use the Extra UV Gel on a daily basis, as I find it more moisturizing for my drier skin.
However, when I have to be outdoors or when I know I will be carrying out activities where I will sweat a lot, I use the Extra UV Perfect which has a more watery texture, and a little more drying, but seems to protect my skin better from prolonged sun exposure.
Happily, not long after I first shared how much I love Allie sunscreens, they became available in Malaysia, so you can easily get it at Watson’s now.
Read my review of the Allie Extra UV Perfect Gel SPF50+ PA++++
Antipodes Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser
Ah Antipodes skincare – the organic and natural skincare I will swear by! The Antipodes Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser is quite easily one of my favourite cream cleansers in the market.
I have easily used up 2-3 bottles of it ever since I was first introduced to it, and it’s always been a pleasure to use, and a pleasure on my skin.
Antipodes is available through TNS Skinlabs and therefore easily available here in Malaysia.
Read my review of the Antipodes Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser
Oskia Restoration Oil
I love this face oil. It has a lovely viscosity that I enjoy, and envelops my skin with a soothing comfort. I have used it as a mask, and as part of my night time routine. It serves my skin well both ways.
I am quite generous with my use, so I go with 3-4 drops every time, and smooth it all over damp skin for quick absorption. It has kept my skin supple, moisturized, and perhaps even more radiant. It just restores my skin to a level that I’m happy with.
I like using it over my retinol serums, by way of a protection and to keep my skin moisturized so it doesn’t dry out and flake. Thus far, it’s done an amazing job.
The Oskia Restoration Oil is an expensive oil, and unfortunately, not available in Malaysia at this time. I guess I might have to suck it up one day, and risk ordering it online.
Read my review of the Oskia Restoration Oil
Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
One of my favourite face mists!
Not only does it dampen the skin and ready it for your lotions and creams, it also hydrates the skin and that makes it worthy of a repurchase! In fact, I think I’ve just used up Bottle #3. Considering the amount of facial mists that I hoard, this is quite something! 😀
It makes for an excellent moisture sandwich, because it is so hydrating, that you can choose lighter moisturizers to use on top, if you have oilier skin. I also like how fine the mist is.
While I usually buy my Pixi beauty products online from abroad, Pixi is also available at Sephora stores and online.
Read my review of the Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
The Body Shop Carrot Cream
I was using The Body Shop Carrot Cream both day and night, and really enjoying it. For my dry skin, it felt sufficient layering over my serums, and locking everything in.
Yet, it wasn’t too heavy, nor was it too light. In all aspects, it was just right! I would happily repurchase this, if I wanted something simple that just moisturises, and seals in my serums.
Best of all of course, is that you can easily get this from The Body Shop stores or online right here in Malaysia.
Read my review of The Body Shop Carrot Cream
2 Skincare Empties I will not repurchase
There are 2 products I used long enough to finish and empty, but am not sold on them enough to repurchase.
Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++
When I first tried the Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen, I found it a worthy alternative to my then favourite sunscreen. However, I later revised my opinion, after using it for a while more.
I know the Shiseido Anessa sunscreen is very popular, and in my view, everyone is entitled to their preference. Anessa sunscreen is available in most major pharmacies in Malaysia.
Having Allie in the country, I see no more need for me to ever repurchase the Shiesido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen. I’m very happy using Allie, it serves all my sunscreen needs, and I’m not straying! 🙂
Read my review of the Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen
Melano CC Vitamin White Mist
I am a huge huge fan of the Melano CC Intensive Anti-spot Essence, so I have been very curious to try the rest of the products from this line. I first bought the Melano CC essence in Japan and tried it and fell in love very quickly.
Not long after that, Melano CC became available in Malaysia (Watson’s) and I have never been more pleased!
The Melano CC line is fairly complete, and while I have not tried everything from it, I must admit that the other products have failed to wow me.
I tried the Melano CC Vitamin C Brightening Mask in the past, but it was lacklustre at best, without even being very moisturizing. I purchased the Melano CC Vitamin White Mist from Hong Kong through a friend, and have since been trying to figure out what I think of it.
The Melano CC Vitamin White Mist is an aerosol mist that feels cool when spritzed on the skin. It is supposed to spritz a mist containing the Vitamin C ingredient on the skin, to prevent dark spots.
Well, aside from being cooling, I don’t derive any other benefit from it. It isn’t hydrating and I don’t believe that a mist can help with the evening of skin tone. I used it up because I have it, but it isn’t worth a repurchase nor will I recommend it.
One more thing to note. This item has been discontinued as of January 2020 (which reinforces my belief that it wasn’t popular or effective to begin with) so if you see it sold online (there are lots!) don’t buy it. You’re throwing your money down the drain 😛
So that was a list of 9 skincare empties I used up while in lockdown. Why the odd number? Well, it’s because I thought I had 10 in my photo, when I didn’t HAHA! 😛
What skincare products did you finish up while in quarantine?
Woud you repurchase them?
Paris B
Hi Paris, interesting article. Thanks for the info, I will try the Antipodes products after I finish my current cleanser – Loccitane Immotelle foaming cleanser. One thing I will not repurchase while finished during quarantine is Fresh vitamin C face mist. It is just the cooling effect and the citrus fragrance that I enjoyed. Another one is Pixi collagen tonic, I will repurchase their rose toner though.
Hi Paris. Thanks for the post. You have gotten me interested in the Pixi Hydrating Milk Mist, Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment and Body Shop’s carrot cream. Lol. I was actually on a look out for facial mist and moisturisers to replenish depleted stock. I agree with you on Timeless 20% Vitamin C & E Ferulic Acid Serum, it is the best Vitamin C in the market and I just received mine recently. The item took such a long time to arrive though, I ordered on 30th April and only received it last week. It was stuck in Poslaju office since 13th May. Scary. Lol.
I have almost finished with Allie Extra UV Gel Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ and it is a sunscreen I would not repurchase as it seems to give a white cast and makes my face shine unnecessarily when worn under my Sulwahsoo foundation. It gives a nice glow texture when worn on its own. I still prefer Shiseido as it gives a more matte texture when worn under makeup. I have another bottle of Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ to finish up and would probably stick with the original Shiseido from now onwards.
I have finished up Caudalie mist spray (love this), Laneige Water Bank Moisture cream, Melvita’s Nectar Supreme the Cream moisturiser, Laneige Water Bank eye cream, Clinique Takes The Day Off Cleansing Balm, Sukin Cream Cleanser. Currently using Belif products – day time Anti Aging Soft Bomb, Peat moisturiser and Peat eye cream and quite love them. Been using their moisturisers and eye cream for quite sometime now and I always go back to them as they are simple and does what it needs to do. Also replenished my Alpha-H Liquid Gold, an item that I would always like to have in my skincare and my stock of Trilogy’s cream cleansers. Their items are slightly cheaper than Antipodes but keeps my skin good 🙂
Oh gosh. Is Caliata out of business?
It does seem like they’re no longer trading.
Thanks for the review on melano cc vitamin c mist ! It’s always on sale on the shelf in Watsons sg, I was curious but never got around to buy it. Now I know definitely not gonna but it haha !
Skincare that I finished during lockdown period in last 2 months but none of which I would repurchase unfortunately ….
Tatcha firming eye serum And firming serum — so bad that I used them on my neck instead of face. Some white bits and grits always formed
Soleil toujours spf 45 mineral sunscreen — reef friendly but not texture friendly. Too thick and tugging on the face. Left a white cast and oily appearance on the face.
Caudalie beauty elixir mist — I call it the herbal mist :p It’s not bad actually but I just simply can’t stand the strong herbal smell and always seemed to get the spray into my eyes
History of whoo bichup mist — got it for free when I bought other bichup series. No wonder it’s free, it’s just …mehhhhhhh
Annie’s ways jelly mask — bought the single packs in different scents to try them out. They can’t be removed from the face no matter how thick a layer I slathered. Fearing product residue I used a soft facial cleansing brush to removal it, left my face red and thinnered/ peeled. What’s the point?! After the first 2 packs, they are so badddd that I ended up using the rest of on my hands and feet as masks before showering.
I’m a loyalist when it comes to skincare products as my skin clogs with wrong products. Out of desperation, I could only access drugstore skincare during the initial weeks of MCO, I tried Avene Soothing Eye Contour Cream, bought it on sale. I’m so pleased with the results that I’m ditching double and sometimes triple the price eye creams which I usually use.
Also tried Avene Soothing Moisture Mask, love that product, plumps the skin and of course the best part is the price point. I’m going to try out more stuff from Avene.
What I love most of skipping the hair conditioner and replace it with just hair oil on the hair ends. Best tip ever.
I’m definitely looking forward to try out Paula’s Choice Retinol and Timeless Vitamin C.
p.s. I still love the Oskia Renaissance Mask, your website entry prize. Just have to bite the bullet and order it from abroad.