Saturday, March 6, 2010

Review + Comparison: Cellnique Skin Purifying Daytime Protection 20

I've been using the products Cellnique sent me for nearly a month now (reviews coming soon!), and I've been using this particular one (sample) for the past few days... and I have to say, I'm in love!

Price: $34 for 30g

What they say: Benefits: A specially designed, non-oily three-in-one formulation providing daytime protection for oily and acne-prone skin. Works as a sun block (UVA and UVB, SPF 20), an acne cream and a natural foundation to blend acne scars for even appearance. Treating Skin Problems: • Blemishes • Acne • Scars / Marks • Congestion • Breakout. Suitable Skin type: Oily

What to do: Apply evenly on the face and neck with upwards and outwards stroking movements (straight lines). Use as a concealed for blemishes or inflamed acne area.

What's in it: Benzoyl Peroxide - An effective anti-bacterial agent for treating blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates into the follicles in the skin to kill bacteria that cause skin acne problems, with low risk of irritation.

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) - Salicylic acid is the only beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Salicylic acid has been prescribed as an exfoliant and functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial for treating breakouts. In addition, salicylic acid has the ability to penetrate into the follicles and skin surface, which helps exfoliate the skin’s surface as well as inside the pore lining where clogged pores (blemishes, blackheads or whiteheads) occur.

Burdock Extract - Burdock is used for its antiseptic properties to regulate oiliness of the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to control and effectively prevent breakouts.

Full Ingredient List: Purified Water (Aqua purificata), Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Ethylhexyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Cyclomethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cetyl Sulphate, Ceteareth-10, Ceteareth-20, Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxides, Witch Hazel Extract (Hamamelis virginiana), Great Burdock (Arctium lappa) Extract, Iron Oxides, Methylparaben, Dimethicone, Tropical Fragrance.


The good stuff:

  • A little goes a LONG way
  • Texture is similar to BB cream... slightly thick but blendable
  • Versatile, buildable coverage
  • Blends seamlessly with skin
  • Makes my skin look amazingly smooth and radiant
  • Nice, natural, dewy finish
  • Lasts all day
  • Conceals redness & blemishes very well
  • UVA & UVB protection, SPF 20
  • Did not break me out
  • Holds back shine decently

The low-down:

  • Expensive
  • Dries kind of quickly...
  • However, takes awhile to fully absorb

My take: I have found LOVE in this multi-purpose sunblock... ♥ What I really have to RAVE about is how WONDERFUL it makes my skin look.... but I should start from the beginning. First off, I apply it by swiping some on my finger, and then dabbing it on my cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and below my eyes. Very little goes a long way. Then I use a makeup sponge wedge to blend it in like the directions suggest; with "upward and outward stroking movements." The texture of this sunblock is very similar to BB cream, on the thick side (thicker than Etude House BB Magic cream but thinner than Skinfood Ginko Green BB cream) but still nice and smooth and blendable. However, the thing with this sunblock is that it dries rather quickly... there is still enough time to blend it in, but it dries a lot faster than say, my Skinfood BB cream. Despite this, it does take awhile for the product to completely absorb into my skin (~1 hour +) so it feels slightly tacky for a bit (I don't like this feeling). But once it is absorbed, my skin feels super smooth.

COMPARISON:

Skinfood has pink undertones while Cellnique is more yellow.
While I do like the finish the Skinfood gives my skin, it makes my skin look a bit dull lately because it isn't the best match for my skintone. The Cellnique looks rather light, but blends seamlessly with my skintone. (Please excuse the bad lighting!)

While the Skinfood is thicker than the Cellnique, it allows for more "playtime" before absorbing into my skin. Although the Cellnique is thinner, and easier to smooth on, you can see that it is already drying here. It needs to be blended in more quickly than the Skinfood.

Blended. Not the nicest, but you get the idea. Cellnique melds into my skin a lot better than the Skinfood, which looks a bit ashy on me. I will say that both give a really nice finish to my skin, but I prefer the Cellnique, hands down.

The coverage is quite versatile... you can use less for sheer coverage, but it is buildable to quite heavy coverage, but still leaves skin looking flawless. I cannot speak for improving my acne because thanks to their Skin Action Sebum Gel, my breakouts have disappeared! (Review coming soon). However, it does do very well at hiding my redness and small blemishes! One thing to note though, although it says that it is specifically for oily skin, I find that it only controls my shine decently... no better than ELF High Definition Powder or EDM pressed powder or BB Cream. It holds it back but I can still see/feel the same amount of shine throughout the day as I do when I use any other foundation/powder. No biggie though, it's a small price to pay for the way it makes my skin look (:

These pictures were taken with my cellphone cam.

These pictures were taken with my Cybershot, with flash.

EYES: ELF Brightening Eyeshadow quad (Nymph Dreams)
FACE: ELF Blush & Bronzer Duo
LIPS: NYX Round lip gloss (Whipped)
Lashes courtesy of TAAZ.com (:

Like I mentioned above, it blends in beautifully with my skin. Once absorbed, it gives off a dewy glow. My skin looks super smooth and my complexion is even-toned and radiant. LOVE! The pictures don't do it enough justice... the finish is SO much nicer IRL. And it lasts all day on me! Even after giving Happy a bath and getting water all over my face! XP This has not broken me out and seems to be aiding in the improvement of my skintone and complexion overall.

Would I repurchase/recommend?
I personally am seriously considering purchasing the full size. It has really impressed me that much! As for recommend, if the price tag doesn't deter you, I'd say it's definitely worth a shot! I think if you like BB creams, you might also like this product.




15 comments :

  1. you are glowing .... the last picture is really nice <3

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  2. Thanks for the review!^___^
    30 grams for 34$ is pretty steep for me but after reading this I'm kind of tempted to go out and get it now....-____- I like the results<3
    And your face looks flawless! You look so pretty and glowy, I like!^___^

    XOXO

    Miss. P

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  3. I think Jen (frmheadtotoe) uses this brand too. She uses the serum or something and apparently it's awesome too! I checked out their site, but was a bit turned off by the expensive prices + expensive shipping (to cananda) so unfortunately was unable to try it.

    I am intrigued though, to hear another good review from someone else! Maybe one day when I have the extra cash I'll splurge on one of their products!

    I have the annoying oily skin and I just recently got over some acne. But like always the skin never goes back to perfect and I still get the annoying bumps (though not pimples) I'm always looking out for the product that can improve my skin and if it works I'm willing to shell out the dough for it!

    Great review btw. Your skin really does look flawless :)

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  4. your skin is so flawless and glowy =).

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  5. Your skin looks soo nice :) I've never heard of the brand before but I'll keep an eye out for it :D I love BB creams so that's amazing

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  6. thanks for the review hun! I'm thinking about getting that too now!

    sounds too good to pass up! and exactly what i need for my skin!

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  7. Those photos of you are so gorgeous, it makes me want to buy the product :3

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  8. Your skin looks beautiful in the last four pictures! :3 Your after pictures definitely convinced me but the price (although a little goes a long way) is going to keep me from snatching this up.

    Thanks for sharing, though! :D

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  9. your skin looks amazingly flawless! wow. i'm impressed, but i think you already had super nice skin to start off with. This product is just putting the cherry on top of the sundae! lol. it looks GREAT on you! i'm jealous >.<

    do you think concealer would still be necessary if using this product? for blemishes and spots i mean.

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  10. Interesting... I get nasty breakouts before/during/after my monthly cycle -_- and im talking about inflamed zits =( its so nasty, I might give that a try, where do you get it and how much?

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  11. AHh I never got that sample! SOunds really good! Thanks for doing this review! :) Now another thing to lemm!

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  12. oh my pretty girl with pretty skin,i havet tried my skin purifying yet.

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  13. great review! i've always wanted to try Cellnique's products too. i just wasn't sure what to to pick because they seem to have so many great products to choose from. this really does look like a wonderful product. your skin looks flawless dear! <33

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  14. I really don't think skin can be any more flawless than yours! Your complexion is goddess-like! I agree with Ning*star...the last pic of you is BEAUTIFUL!! I love how you're glowing and there is just the right tinge of pink flush on your cheeks! 'Tis love! Stay Gorgeous, babe!

    <3 caroline

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  15. Wooow! You skin looks amazing! And this product sounds incredible! I might have to go test some out. Do you know if they have that at the Clinique counter in Macys? Hmmm...I'll have to go check it out. :) Thanks for the review!

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If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, feel free to drop me a line and I'll get back to you asap :)