*UPDATED* Review: Skinfood Agave Cactus Skincare Range

Today, I am going to review on my current favorite skincare line from Skinfood, the Agave Cactus Range.

From left to right: Agave Cactus Cream (Light) SGD59.90, Agave Cactus Serum SGD59.90, Agave Cactus Toner SGD54.90

The Skinfood Agave Cactus line has anti-wrinkle and brightening effects on the skin and is able to keep the skin hydrated and healthy during summer (yes Singapore is summer all year round =D).

Toner

This toner has a refreshing finish. I am not sure, but I don't think it's alcohol base. I never read the ingredients section when it comes to skincare, but I doubt I will be able to understand the ingredients section for any Skinfood products LOL

*UPDATE* After using this toner for quite a while now, I think it DOES contain alcohol... cause it does kind of sting my eyes a little when I use it (just a little)... not a big problem to me, but I don't think I will repurchase it.

Serum

Hygienic pump bottle

3 pumps should be sufficient for the whole face, massaged in.

This serum has a texture like emulsion. After it's absorbed, it's non-sticky and leaves my skin moisturised.

Cream

Gel-like texture

This is my favourite of the lot. The cream has a very light gel-like texture. It's water based and absorbs into my skin really fast. About 5 minutes after application, the cream is totally absorbed into my skin, leaving my face soft and smooth. However, I notice that it is not moisturising enough for me when used alone, because I woke up with my skin feeling tight, especially when I slept with the air-con on. Luckily, when I use this with the serum, my skin feels just fine in the morning, smooth and hydrated =) This range also has a more hydrating cream called the Agave Cactus Cream (Hydrating). I have tried the sample before and I find it a bit oiler than the light cream. It has a more creamy texture and takes a longer time to absorb into my skin. So in the end, I chose the lighter version!

Super cute packaging detail on all the bottle caps

All the 3 products has a mild fresh scent. I am not sure how to describe it, but it makes me think of cucumbers! I believe the whole range has the same scent, including the Agave Cactus BB Cream, which I posted (and loved) about recently.

I find this range extremely expensive to buy in Singapore. But... I loved the samples too much to resist buying! I needed a new moisturiser, so I decided to cajole my husband into buying this for me =) My skin kind of broke out after using the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculping Cream (I am still not sure whether it really was the cream or I just happened to break out that week. I loved it at first because my face became really smaller after a few days!), so I decided to go for something lighter this time!

*UPDATED* Review: BB Cream Comparison (Skin Food, Maybelline, Skin79, Freshel)

BB Cream stands for 'Blemish Balm Cream'. It is a foundation with skincare properties, like moisturising effect, whitening effect, wrinkle improvement etc... The cool thing about BB cream is that it's like an 'all-in-one' cream - after you put your daily moisturiser, you don't need sunblock, makeup base and foundation to achieve flawless skin. All you need is just one cream, your BB cream. It functions as sunblock, makeup base and foundation! As a BB cream is still a cosmetic and NOT a skincare product, you still need to remove it with makeup remover every night! Never sleep with your BB cream on =D

As compared to a lot of bloggers, my collection of BB cream is small. These are the only 4 I have:

SKIN79, VIP Gold Collection, 40g, SGD39 (approx...)

This is by no means a new product ^^" So many bloggers have blogged about this already hahaha... But anyway, I will still talk briefly about this...

This BB cream claims to:

1. whiten,

2. protect against UV rays (SPF25 PA++),

3. reduce appearance of wrinkles.

Kanebo Freshel White C W Cream UV, 50g, SGD33

This BB cream claims to:

1. moisturise the skin,

2. covers pores and dullness,

3. protect against UV rays (SPF32 PA++) and resists fading (Ok I have no idea what this means?? Resists fading?? Hmmm like the foundation will stay put and last all day?),

4. acts as makeup base and foundation.

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream, 18g, SGD16.90 (I think...)

This is what the product claims to do:

1. brightens skin,

2. covers imperfections, reduce appearance of pores, skin redness disappears,

3. moisturises + protects against UV rays (SPF26 PA+++)

Skin Food Agave Cactus Sun BB Cream, 40g, SGD49.90 (ekkks extremely overpriced. Buy it in Korea if you can!! Or try buy from Korea BB)

You can squeeze out the product from the nozzle

Or use the in-built sponge applicator (which I find totally useless... because you can't wash the sponge)

This product claims to:

1. provide long moisture retention

2. give UV protection (SPF36 PA+++)

Left to right: SKIN79, Freshel, Skin Food, Maybelline

AFTER BLENDING:

Left to right: SKIN79, Freshel, Skin Food, Maybelline

The following review is based on my skin condition and color.

I am a M.A.C NC20. I have normal to combination skin, with a slightly oilier T-zone and dryer cheeks. I have a few faint pimple scars, slightly larger pores on skin near to nose area, but general skin condition is good. A few dark spots (sob sob) on my cheeks.

Although all 4 colors are different, all 4 seem to suit my skin color when applied (as you can see from 2nd swatch photo, all blend well).

SKIN79:

Texture: Slightly thick

Coverage: Sheer

Color: Fair, pink base (looks almost grey isn't it?)

*Oil Control: Fair

Freshel:

Texture: Slightly thick

Coverage: Medium to full

Color: Beige (seems to suit my skin color best!!)

Oil Control: To Be Updated. I just bought this today, so I have not tested it out yet. Please come back tomorrow and I will update on this page!!

*UPDATE*:

Oil Control: Good. It's oil control power is the same as the Skin Food BB Cream on my skin.

Skin Food:

Texture: Like typical foundation, just right

Coverage: Medium

Color: Beige Pink

Oil Control: Good, perhaps because it moisturises well?

Maybelline:

Texture: To the thin side, almost like emulsion

Coverage: Sheer to medium

Color: Slightly fair, Pink base

Oil Control: Average

*Oil control meter:

Poor --> Fair --> Average --> Good --> Excellent

For me, when I select foundation, I definitely go for beige shades instead of pink shades. However, surprisingly, all the colors with pink base work for me (Skin79, Skinfood, Mayeblline). I suspect the reason might be the sheer to medium coverage instead of full coverage!

For all 4 BB Creams, I don't smell any strong scent when applied, but that could be just me ^^

Personally, my favorite so far is the Skin Food Agave Cactus Sun BB Cream... but I have a feeling I might switch to Freshel after trying it out tomorrow!! Just a feeling...

*UPDATE*: Right now, I like both Skin Food and Freshel equally. The Freshel BB cream is really easy to apply and I am able to spread the product evenly without effect on my skin. However, I can't say that it is better then Skin Food because the oil control power is not better but only equal. Oh how I wish that I could find a foundation that can really control the oil on my face!!

I hope this post has helped anyone looking for a BB Cream!