Review: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go

I brought this product on a whim from Sephora while I was on Oahu 3 days ago, and it has quickly become a life saver for me!

I'd been suffering from a dry skin patch at the corner of my left eye for about the past 3 weeks, until roughly 4 days ago, it became a full-blown "I really can't keep ignoring this" kind of issue :S After removing my eye makeup one night, both of my eyes started burning and watering, and by the next morning, both eyelids and the area surrounding my eyes was red, SUPER swollen, painful, and itchy. I still don't know if it was makeup, allergies, or something else that caused it... Needless to say, I was mortified :[ The swelling went down the next day, but then my eyelids and area surrounding my left eye was still red and painful, and then it dried out and started flaking like crazy!

This picture below is from google (because I didn't think to take before/after pictures of my own eye), but this is basically what my eyes looked like, except MORE flaky and dry:

Enter Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go!

Price: $16 for 1.25 oz from Sephora

What they say: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Tube To Go soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has an uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Sulfates

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes

- Petro-Chemicals

- Phthalates



Invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, Yu-Be is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Yu-Be is safe and effective for the whole family. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and stays locked in for hours.

What's in it:

Glycerin, Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camphor, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, EDTA, Methylparaben.

• Glycerin: This natural humectant attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it softer.
• Camphor: Soothes irritation and stimulates blood circulation improving the overall health of skin. The mild scent disappears in minutes.
• Vitamin E: A natural antioxidant and skin protector.
• Vitamin B2: Helps to smooth rough or damaged skin and also gives Yu-Be its natural yellow color.
  

The good stuff:

• Convenient size
• Non sticky/greasy
• Smooths on and absorbs well
• GREAT for dry skin
• Healing and moisturizing
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Safe for pretty much all-over use
  

The low-down:

• Pricey
• Camphor scent

My take: Overall, I am SUPER glad I bought this cream. I originally just grabbed it since it was near the checkout and I wanted to try it on the boif since he has dry skin (it worked for him too!). But after I decided to try it around my eyes, I was hooked! After 3 days of use, it DRAMATICALLY reduced the flakiness, puffiness, redness, and made the area around my eyes soft and smooth. Almost back to normal!

Just a little bit of flakiness remains:

I was a bit wary to try it around my eyes because I had been using a little bit of emu oil but it had the tendency to actually go into my eyes and although it didn't irritate my eyes, it made my vision blurry :/ (sidenote -- I absolutely ADORE emu oil for piercing aftercare and lubricant for stretched lobes. It is pricey but VERY worth it!!!). Anywho, the Yu-Be cream smoothed onto my skin and although I wouldn't say it dries down, it does absorb into my skin and doesn't migrate into my eyes at all. The cream itself is yellow but when you rub it on, it's kinda white. So I just gently smoothed it on until the white color disappeared. From my experience, this cream definitely performed as it claimed, and I'm VERY happy with the results!

For those who don't like scented products though, this might not be for you. It has a somewhat herbal/medicinal scent because of the camphor, but like they said, it does disappear quickly. But if you don't like that kind of scent, it might bother you.

Would I repurchase/recommend?: I would definitely repurchase this product, and I actually want to try some of the other products from the Yu-Be line as well! I would recommend this to anyone who wants a natural product that helps deeply moisturize dry skin!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
A cute tube. Nice and simple.

Product: 5/5
Does exactly what it claims! Perfect for dry, flaky skin.

Price: 4.5/5
It's actually pretty up-there at $16 for such a small tube, but it DOES work, so it's such a small price to pay for quality.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: CVS Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Price: ~$2.99 from Long's/CVS

What they say:
(Click to view larger)

What's in it:
(Click to view larger)


All Drug Facts:

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive
• Moisturizing and soothing
• A little goes a long way
• Might work well as a primer for others...

The low-down:

• Takes awhile to feel like it's absorbed
• Doesn't sit well under (my) makeup

My take: This was yet another moisturizer that I was attracted to because of the price. I was originally going to pay a little more and get the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, but I decided against it. Now I'm thinking I should have trusted my first instinct! Read on to find out why.

This is a dimethicone skin protectant (click here to learn about dimethicone), so it has a lot of slip and is easy to smooth on and feels slippery to the touch. It takes longer than I'd like to absorb on my face, and I don't like the slippery feeling on my hands. It is very moisturizing and soothing, however. It keeps my skin feeling soft and smooth.

The downside for me is that after it finally seems to absorb, it doesn't sit well underneath my makeup. I used this under my regular EDM Pressed Powder, and while it doesn't alter the appearance of my foundation, it just feels yucky on my skin :( After I apply the powder, my skin starts to feel sticky/tacky to the touch, and stays that way all day. It's very uncomfortable to feel the lotion sitting on my skin and getting that tacky feeling on my hands whenever I touch my face. It also doesn't seem to exceptionally smooth out my skin or make my foundation go on any better (well, it is a moisturizer, not a primer... but just sayin' :P). But, it might work better under other people's makeup versus mine.

Would I repurchase/recommend?: No, I personally would not repurchase this moisturizer because I'd rather try the Aveeno one. I prefer to use this one on rough skin like on elbows and legs, rather than on my face. Since it's so cheap though, it might be worth a shot if you're looking for an inexpensive moisturizer and you don't mind the slippery dimethicone feel. It might work better under different kinds of makeup and on different skin types.

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
Your basic easy squeeze tube.

Product: 4/5
Moisturizing, but doesn't sit well under makeup.

Price: 5/5
Completely wallet-friendly.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: CVS Vitamin E Moisturizing Skin Cream

Price: ~$3 from Long's/CVS

What they say/What's in it:
(Click to view larger)

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive
• A lot of product
• A little goes a long way
• Moisturizing and smoothing
• Gives me a brightening effect

The low-down:

• Extremely thick, sticky texture
• Hard to smooth on evenly
• Very sticky/tacky to the touch
• Looks very greasy once applied
• Doesn't really absorb... just sits on skin and feels heavy

My take: This is another moisturizer that I was attracted to because of the price. But ahhh, if only it wasn't such a hassle to use! -__-;

This moisturizer comes in your regluar ol' plastic tub. Rather large plastic tub. I can see this lasting me for... forever. Very little goes a long way. But the problem is... I don't even want to TOUCH that very little amount and then slather it all over my face. Why, you ask? Because this stuff is like GLUE. Literally. It's white, goopy, thick, sticky, and just... rather glue-like. If I were to smear Elmer's glue all over my face, I think it would feel EXACTLY the way it feels like to apply this moisturizer.

Because the consistency is so... glue-ish, you really have to take the time to rub it in or else it really will look like you have glue all over your face -- it stays white and splotchy. Then once it's fully smoothed on, it makes my skin look SUPER greasy. This is another one of those creams that I MUCH prefer as a night cream. This does NOT fully absorb, so I'm left looking and feeling like a sticky, tacky, greaseball until the next morning when I wash it off.

So, what are the benefits, right?! It does moisturize and smooth my skin the next morning, AND it has a wonderful brightening effect on my skin. Not sure if that is supposed to happen, but the next morning, I always have a smoother and more radiant complexion thanks to this cream. So although I can't stand the texture, I still use this cream every so often as a skin "pick-me-up" :) Also, despite its heavy, smothering feeling, it has not broken me out or otherwise irritated my skin!

Would I repurchase/recommend?: No, I wouldn't repurchase this because it will last me forever. If you're looking for a cream with the nourishing effects of Vitamin E and you don't mind looking/feeling like a greaseball for awhile, then you might want to try this.

The Rundown:

Packaging: 4/5
Standard plastic tub. (For hygiene's sake, I would always prefer a pump bottle)

Product: 3.5/5
Gives nice results, but I just wish the texture wasn't such a huge turn-off!

Price: 5/5
Completely wallet-friendly.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: Olay Active Hydrating Cream (Original)

Price: ~$6.49 from Walmart

What they say:
(click to view larger)

What to do:
(click to view larger)


What's in it:
(click to view larger)

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive
• Lots of product, will last a long time
• A little goes a long way
• Moisturizes and smooths skin
• Creamy texture, easy to apply
• It's pink!

The low-down:

• In a tub
• "Old lady" smell
• Doesn't absorb quickly
• Feels tacky on skin
• Leaves skin looking kind of greasy

My take: This is another moisturizer I have been trying out recently in my battle against dry skin! I was immediately attracted to it because of the price, and the fact that it is pink :) But does it work? Read on to find out!

Olay describes this cream as a "light, non-greasy formula." I would have to agree that it is light and easy to smooth on, and it doesn't feel heavy or smothering to my skin. It also doesn't feel greasy, but it does make my skin LOOK greasy after applying. It doesn't absorb quickly and feels tacky to the touch. This is why I mainly have been using this cream as a night cream -- It absorbs better overnight and I end up with smooth, moisturized skin in the morning. I can't really speak for its "restoring" claims (reducing fine lines & wrinkles), but it does keep my skin hydrated and smooth as promised.

The only thing I really didn't like is the smell. It has a very strong, perfumey, "old lady" type of scent :/ It fades quickly but initially, it isn't exactly what I'd call pleasant! XD

Would I repurchase/recommend?: No, I personally wouldn't repurchase this product because I love my Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream much more! This product has kept up to its claims but I just don't like that it takes a long time to absorb and makes MY skin look greasy. I would recommend this cream to anyone who doesn't mind dipping their fingers in a tub and who wants a rich yet light moisturizing cream that works well as an overnight dry skin treatment!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 4/5
Your basic chubby plastic tub. Does have a "sophisticated" feel to it though. (For hygiene's sake, I would always prefer a pump bottle)

Product: 4/5
Feels moisturizing and softening, but doesn't absorb quickly and stays tacky. Better as a night cream for me.

Price: 5/5
Good value for the price.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream

Price: ~$7.75 from Walmart

What they say:
(click to view larger)


What's in it:
(click to view larger)


What to do:
(click to view larger)

The good stuff:

• Affordable
• You get a lot of product in a weighty glass jar
• Easy to smooth on
• Refreshing, cooling sensation
• Moisturizes skin instantly
• Absorbs quickly and doesn't oil up
• Keeps skin feeling hydrated, soft, & smooth
• Works fine under makeup

The low-down:

• Some people might not like that it's in jar
• The cooling sensation might be a little strong for some people
• Denatured Alcohol is the 3rd ingredient

My take: Ever since my skin has gone back to being dry, I've been on the lookout for a good, affordable moisturizer. This is 1 out of 5 moisturizers I have been trying out recently. So far, it is also the best -- However, nothing beats my Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion, but I ran out of that :(

Anywho, I have been using this moisturizer for 5 days, morning and night. It has not broken me out or otherwise irritated my skin. But most importantly, it performs EXACTLY as promised (well, for me at least). But let's start out with the possibly "negative" points before moving on to why I love this product. First off, it's in a weighty, sturdy glass jar. Which I happen to love. I don't really like plastic jars because they feel sort of flimsy to me. However, some people might not like having to dip their fingers into the jar... just make sure you wash your hands first. Next, Denatured Alcohol is the third ingredient in this product. This contributes to the cooling sensation when applied (like when you use toner). However, the refreshing cooling feeling might be slightly strong for some people. Also, the Denatured Alcohol could possibly dry out skin... but I personally have severely dry skin and it hasn't caused any problems for me, just something to be aware of.

Now, onto the good stuff... this moisturizer is affordable and you get a lot in the jar. Although a little of the product doesn't go a long way, it's not like you need to completely slather the stuff onto your face to get results. I use three fingers, lightly dip it into the product, and dab it on my face in 4 areas -- on both cheeks, chin, and forehead. Then gently smooth it on. It's really light, cooling, and instantly leaves my skin feeling moisturized and hydrated, but absorbs really quickly so you can apply makeup right away. It also wears well under makeup -- doesn't oxidize foundation or oil up throughout the day. It lives up to its promises of locking in moisture for 24 hours and blocking dryness as well. My skin feels hydrated, soft, and smooth all day. Overall, this is one of those products that truly does live up to its claims!

Would I repurchase/recommend? Yes, I would probably repurchase this moisturizer if I don't come across something that I end up liking more. I love that it's affordable AND it works! I would recommend this product to those with dry skin and who want a moisturizer that will keep skin hydrated, smooth, soft, absorbs quickly, and works well under makeup!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
A weighty, sturdy glass jar.

Product: 5/5
Performs as promised!

Price: 5/5
Great value for the price!

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]