Labo Labo Super Moist Review: Gel, Lotion, UV Cream, W-Washing

Monday, April 4, 2016

5 comments
Labo Labo, a subsidiary brand of Dr Ci:Labo, is a Japanese skincare brand, with an emphasis on simple products that give results, driven by science. The brand also believes in minimizing some ingredients that could be perceived as problematic by customers, such as fragrance, colouring, and mineral oil. Recently, they've launched their Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C skincare range, which is a moisturizing line that also targets the first signs of aging. The Super Moist line consists of the Super Moist W-Washing cleanser, the Super Moist Lotion, the Super Moist Gel, which is basically a lightweight gel moisturizer, and the Super Moist UV Cream, a sunscreen.


Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Skincare Range: Consists of a Gel, Lotion, UV Cream, and W-Washing cleanser

As you can tell, the range is pretty much a simple skincare routine unto itself - cleanse, lotion, moistuizer, and sunscreen. You'll notice that there's the tagline "5H x 5C" on the packaging of the products too. That refers to the brand's claim that the products have 5 kinds of hyaluronic acid (Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Acetyl Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid Hydroxypropyltrimonium, Hyaluronic Acid Dimethyl Silanol Hyaluronate, and Sodium Hyaluronate), as well as 5 kinds of collagen (Hydrolyzed Collagen, Water-Soluble Collagen, Succinyl Atelo Collagen, AMPD-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen, and Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Collagen).

In addition to collagen and hyaluronic acid, the products also contain EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor, which shows up in the ingredients lists as rh-Oligopeptide-1), which is a kind of protein tht is thought to stimulate cell growth, which could be useful in topical applications, and could potentially be useful in wound healing. There are also 3 types of plant ingredients (Brown Algae, which shows up in the ingredients lists as Eisenia Arborea Extract, Glucosylceramide, and Millet Seed Extracts). So between the plant extracts, proteins, and hyaluronic acid, there's something for everyone in this range!

Labo Labo Dr Ci Labo Super Moist 5H5C Skincare Review
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Skincare Range: With 5 kinds of collagen, 5 kinds of hyaluronic acid, EGF, and 3 plant ingredients

Collagen, hyaluronic acid, growth factor, and plant extracts - it sounds exciting, doesn't it? And of course, you're probably wondering, wht would this look like in the products, and how would they work? To find out, let's take a closer look! This is going to be a long review, with 4 products to look at in-depth, so I hope you're ready!

Dr Ci Labo Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C W-Washing Cleanser
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C W-Washing

First up, the Labo Labo Super Moist W-Washing. This is a foaming cleanser, and the start of the routine. Labo Labo advertises it as also being a makeup remover, so this also does double duty, and you don't need a separate makeup remover. In fact, it's advertised as being able to remove makeup and clean skin in just one wash! Part of the selling point of this product is also the rich, creamy lather it generates, too.

Labo Labo super-Moist W-Washing labelw
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C W-Washing Ingredinets

The Labo Labo Super Moist W-Washing is comprised primarily of Water, surfactants (Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid), which actually do the job of removing makeup and dirt from the skin, and some humectants (Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, DiGlycerin). These make up the bulk of the functional ingredients in the product. After that, we have pH adjusters (Sodium Hydroxide), chelating agents (Disodium Lauryl Iminodiacetate), which help to keep the product from going "off", foam boosters (Sodium PEG-4-Cocamide Sulfate, Lauramide DEA), which work with the surfactants to generate more foam, and some emollients (Ethyl Oleate) and emulsifiers (Sorbitan Stearate, PEG-75 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate) to keep the product from separating and ensuring it remains stable.

Of course, you also get the 5 types of hyaluronic acids, the 5 types of collagen, the EGF, and the 3 types of plant extracts in the cleanser - they are all there, just as advertised. In addition, there are also some other ingredients that could be beneficial for skin, including plant extracts (Licorice Leaf Extract, Soybean Oil), as well as Alpha-Glucan and Allantoin, which could have moisturizing properties.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C W-Washing Cleanser Dr Ci Labo
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C W-Washing: A fooamy cleanser with the ability to remove makeup

When I used the Super Moist W-Washing, I found it to be a nice pearly cleanser that does, as advertised, foam pretty well. It also is a pretty strong cleanser - it does remove makeup and clean skin effectively with one wash, and leaves behind a squeaky-clean feel on the skin. It also has a very pleasant orange scent that doesn't smell artificial or perfume-y, that I'm guessing is due to the orange peel oil present in the product. Altogether, this is a cleanser that I would get the most use out of if I'm wearing makeup that day and want to rush off to the gym or something - this is a convenient way to remove all the makeup before dashing off!

Dr Ci Labo Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Lotion
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Lotion

The next product is the Super Moist Lotion. This is poured into your palms and patted directly onto your face after cleansing. You can also soak cotton pads or sheet masks with the Lotion to make your own treatment or moisturizing sheet mask, too.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Lotion Ingredients Dr Ci Labo
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Lotion Ingredients

The Super Moist Lotion consists of water and humectants (Glycerin, Butylene Glycol). After that, we get the 5 kinds of hyaluronic acid and collagen. Since these ingredients appear pretty high up the ingredients lists, they are probably there in good amounts too. Following that, we get the EGF, as well as the 3 advertised plant extracts. Like the Super Moist W-Washing cleanser, the Lotion also has some other ingredients that might be good for skin, beyond what was advertised. There are some additional plant extracts (Licorice Leaf Extract, Rhodomyrtus Tomentosa Fruit Extract), as well as Alpha-Glucan and Allantoin. I also personally liked the inclusion of Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, a water-soluble, stable form of Vitamin C, too.

Most interesting to me was also the inclusion of Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein PG-propyl Methylsilanediol, which is pretty interesting - it's a tightening agent derived from Sesame, and is sold mixed with Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer and VP/polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester as "Sesaflash". Sesaflash is a skin tightening and moisturizing agent, and its primary benefit, according to its technical data sheet, is to help immediately "lift" skin in a visible manner, while keeping skin hydrated for up to 4 hours after application. The lifting effect is due to the Sesaflash forming a film that tightens and contracts, thus "lifting" the skin, and is a pretty unique thing to include - it's certainly the first time I've come across this ingredient in any product! So as far as formulation goes, not only do you get a hydrating with a humectant-intensive formula, you also get a bit of a bonus with an immediate lifting effect, which is pretty neat!

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo Lotion Review
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Lotion: A hydrating, lightweight lotion with a bonus lifting effect

When I used the Super Moist Lotion, I found it to be pretty hydrating, yet not oily or sticky. This is pretty much what I expected after looking at the ingredients lists - the formula of the lotion is humectant-intensive, but there aren't many oils or emollients to feel heavy, so this does a great job of hydrating skin while still retaining a light, watery texture. I did feel a slight lifting effect with this product, but nothing super dramatic - my guess is that, since I'm just shy of 30 years old, I'm not quite at the stage where I need an extreme lifting effect, as of now, anyway. But perhaps as more of my face starts drifting south, this will be something I appreciate more! I did, however, find that this product does leave my skin feeling softer and more pliable after application, so that is definitely a plus. I'm a huge fan of lotions of all sorts, and can definitely see myself using this pretty regularly!

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Gel Moisturizer Dr Ci Labo
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Gel

We also have the Labo Labo Super Moist Gel! This is a gel moisturizer, that is very lightweight yet moisturizing. It is quite light-textured, so Labo Labo recommends that those with particularly dry skin apply several layers of the product. Of course, in a climate like mine (hot, tropical, rainy, and pretty much heat-rash-inducing in the middle of the year), a single layer will do. I certainly personally won't be slathering this on in copious amounts!

Labo Labo Super-Moist Gel label w
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Gel Ingredients

Ingredients-wise, the Super Moist 5H5C Gel has all the components of a good moisturizer. There's water, humectants (Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Raffinose, Diglycerin, Butylene Glycol), emollients (PEG 75, Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil), and a film former (Glycosyl Trehalose), which ensures the product has a nice feel on skin. There are also the 5 types of hyaluronic acid, as well as the 5 types of collagen, the EGF, and the 3 plant extracts, as advertised.

Beyond the humectants, emollients, and advertised ingredients, there were also a number of ingredients that are beneficial for skin. Most of these we have seen before in previous products in the line (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Licorice Leaf Extract, Alpha-Glucan, Soybean Oil), but some we haven't seen yet, such as various kinds of plant extracts (Aloe Leaf Extract, Camilla Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Actinidia Polygama Extract, Fructan). The Super Moist Gel does have quite a lot of plant extracts with various functions (emollient, soothing, anti-oxidant, and so on), so if you're big on getting as many plant extracts into your skincare routine as possible, this would probably be your favourite product in the line.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo Gel Moisturizer
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Gel: A moisturizing gel, with some unique ingredients and plant extracts

What really struck me as interesting, though, was the inclusion of Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid and Arginine. Both are skincarae ingredients which I don't come across too often, and both are pretty interesting. Both Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid and Arginine could be useful in targeting wrinkles - in fact P&G has a patent on an anti-wrinkle product formulation using Lysophosphatidic Acid or a cyclic derivative as the anti-winkle agent, while Arginine is a protein that can help to give a tightening effect on skin, and could have antioxidant benefits. There's also a possibility that Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid could help to increase hyaluronic acid synthesis in human skin fibroblasts, so these are promising ingredients to include, and pretty unique too.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo Gel Moisturizer Review
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Gel: A lightweight gel that helps to hydrate skin

When I used the Labo Labo Super Moist Gel, I found that it had a pretty nice citrus scent, probably due to the Grapefruit Peel Oil and Orange Peel Oil in the product. It's a very lightweight gel, leaving behind a minimal residue. What I also liked about the moisturizer is that it doesn't interfere with other products in my routine - for example, I can apply my primer and foundation over this without worrying that the product will ball up and peel off, or otherwise end up with a weird texture. So it's pretty easy to include in my daily routine. On a side note, I really like that the Super Moist Gel comes with a spatula for scooping out the product - I always prefer not dipping my fingers into the product if possible!

Dr Ci Labo Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream Sunscreen
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream

Lastly, we have the Super Moist UV Cream SPF30 PA++. Don't be fooled by the product name, though - although this is billed as a "cream", it's actually pretty lightweight, and not like a traditional sticky, goopy sunscreen at all. This is meant to be used after skincare, and it can be used as a makeup base as well, and you can apply your makeup immediately after this without having to wait, which is always a bonus!

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream Sunscreen Ingredients Dr Ci Labo
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream Ingredients

The main ingredients in the Super Moist UV Cream are water, UV filters (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, which provides UVB protection, and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, which provides UVA1 protection), humectants (Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol), and emollients (Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-14, Isononyl Isononanoate). There's also Cyclopentasiloxane, which evaporates very quickly upon application, and basically spreads out the ingredients on your skin when applied, before evaporating itself, so it doesn't actually remain on the skin, but instead helps to disperse the product nicely. There are also other functional ingredients like thickeners (Behenyl Alcohol, Beeswax), film formers (Glycosyl Trehalose, Trimethylsiloxysilicate), which give the product the right texture as well as properties such as water-resistance, and emulsifiers (Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Polysorbate 60, PEG-75 Stearate) that keep the product stable, and prevent it from separating.

Of course, you also have the 5 kinds of collagen, and 5 kinds of hyaluronic acid, as well as the EFG, and the 3 plant extracts, so the ingredients that are advertised are indeed found in the product. There are also other plant extracts and ingredients, most of which we've seen before (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Allantoin, Licorice Leaf Extract, Alpha-Glucan, Soybean Oil, Citrus Aurantium Tachibana Peel Extract, Fructan), so again, you get a product with lots of plant extracts.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo Sunscreen UV Cream
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream: A lightweight, thin-textured sunscreen

When I used the Super Moist UV Cream, I found it to be a very lightweight sunscreen with an almost water-like texture. It also blends in to the skin very fast, without leaving a white cast or any stickiness, as you can see from the application photos above and below. This is a great everyday sunscreen, and would work even on ladies with darker skintones. It also works pretty well as a makeup base, because after application, your skin doesn't feel like anything has been applied on it. I also like that it is water-resistant, so I don't have to worry too much about sweating it off or anything like that in my day to day activities (although I don't recommend you go for a dip in the pool with this).

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo UV Cream Sunscreen
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C UV Cream: Blends and absorbs easily into skin

The only word of caution I'd give when using this sunscreen, is that it is important to reapply when necessary. This is because both the UV filters in the UV cream, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, are known to degrade over time when exposed to sunlight. So while the sun protection is pretty strong when you first apply the product, it will eventually decrease over time. So reapplication is key if you are going to be exposed to the sun for an extended period of time. Of course, if you're only going to be out for a short time, then this shouldn't be a problem.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Review Dr Ci Labo Skincare
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Skincare Range: A range that lives up to its advertising, contains some unique and interesting ingredients, and has aesthetically elegant textures

So, would I recommend the Labo Labo Super Moist Line? I'd say yes, if you're looking for a line with lots of plant-based extracts and ingredients, and if you like the prospect of having 5 kinds of collagen and hyaluronic acid, in your skincare. To Labo Labo's credit, I also like that the brand does live up to its advertising - every product in this line does indeed have the advertised ingredients (collagen, hyaluronic acid, EGF, plant ingredients), and then some. And they also do meet their own claim of having no artificial colouring, parabens, mineral oil or fragrance (although they do have some fragrant plant oils like Orange and Grapefruit, which is why some of the products have an orange scent). So if you happen to be avoiding those ingredients, this range would be of interest to you too. The nice thing about these products is also that they are all very aesthetically elegant - nothing here is oily or sticky or takes forever to absorb, so Labo Labo has done a nice job balancing their formulas and textures.

Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Dr Ci Labo Skincare
Labo Labo Super Moist 5H5C Skincare Range: My personal favourites are the Lotion and the Gel

Different people would have different preferences, but my personal favourites are the Lotion, which has some very interesting and unique ingredients like the "Sesaflash", and the Gel, which also has some pretty interesting ingredients like Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid and Arginine. The price point is also good - prices range from $24.90 for the W-Washing, to $34.90 for the Gel. So at that price, range is definitely pretty value-for-money. The range is available at Dr Ci:Labo's store in Ion Orchard (details here), as well as 12 Watsons stores. You can also follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Recommended? Formulation Packaging Ease of Use Effectiveness
Yes, if you like plant-based products and the "5H5C" 7/10 8/10 9/10 8/10
The Bottom Line: The Labo Labo Super Moist range does indeed live up to its claims of having "5H5C", EGF and plant ingredients, without compromising on lightweight, aesthetically elegant textures.

(This is a sponsored review. Review is my complete and honest opinion.)

5 comments:

  1. hmmmm....interesting. I think I will give this a look. I hope there are smaller sizes of these.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! I'd like to know your opinion towards jar packaging in cosmetics as it exposes the product to the air, leaving it to oxidation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Anonymous: It depends on what's inside the product. Most standard moisturizers or lotions do fine inside a jar packaging, but if you have ingredients that are volatile (e.g. antioxidants), then this is when packaging becomes a concern, and a jar packaging would expose the product to more light and air, this making it oxidizing it faster. In that case, it's better to put the product in a pump or tube packaging. So it really depends on what's in the product - sometimes packaging matters and can be critical to the product remaining effective, sometimes less so.

      That said, my personal preference is for pumps and tubes over jars just because they're easier to work with, bring around, and also more sanitary. Hope this helps!

      Delete
  3. hey, thanks for posting ingredients! no need to step out of house to check.:D

    ReplyDelete

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