Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Products
A few weeks ago, I was sent the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) range, comprising the SHA Moisturizing Lotion, the SHA Hydrating Essence and the SHA Hydrating Face Wash to review. Launched by Rohto-Mentholatum Singapore, Hada Labo is positioned as a simple, minimalist and highly effective skincare brand to attain water-radiant skin based on its “Perfect x Simple, no more no less†philosophy. Unnecessary additives such as alcohol, colorant, fragrance and mineral oil that will burden the skin are excluded. Instead, beneficial ingredients such as the Hyaluronic Acid are included. Their slogan “one drop locks up an ocean” really make their products sound very hydrating. So are they really so?
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion 170ml S$22.90
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Disodium Succinate, Methlyparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Succinic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.
The Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) Moisturising Lotion is described as the number one Japan Face Lotion with one bottle sold every four seconds. Like a toner to be used after a face wash, it is supposed to replenish and lock in moisture for complete hydration because it is able to retain twice the moisture of Hyaluronic Acid. I was expecting this lotion to be sticky after watching the commercial but it is not, even after applying 2 to 3 drops. It is not exactly watery but has a slight slip to the feel and like the commercial, my skin had that ‘toink-toink’ feeling after application. While I do like the fact that the lotion did not leave my skin sticky or greasy, I did not notice that it made my skin more moisturized or radiant. Neither did I get crystal-clear skin as described. I’m not sure if I feel this way because I was already using a hydrating toner prior to using this product but anyway, I used this for about a week before stopping and now, I only use this as a weekly DIY lotion mask using wet cotton pads recommended by Chizu Saeki (click through the link to see a video demo). The lotion seems to perform better for me when I used it as a hydrating mask this way.
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Essence 30g S$30.90
This is a serum that is to be applied after using the Hydrating Lotion. Again, it doesn’t leave the skin greasy and neither did I feel that my skin was exceptionally hydrated. It was just…normal. Initially, I could only use this at night because when I used this essence in combination with the lotion before applying sunscreen and makeup, my makeup streaked after a few hours. However, even after using this in combination with the moisturizing lotion only in the night, my skin broke out with some pimples and I immediately stopped. I can’t be sure if the pimples were due to this essence as they could also be hormonal but when I applied this essence to my neck together with the moisturizing lotion, I developed two small pimples on the sides. So I think this product isn’t suitable for me. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the ingredient list and can’t pinpoint which ingredient might have caused me those pimply troubles.
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Face Wash 100g S$12.90
I have to concede that this is a lovely face wash that left my skin feeling clean, yet soft. I also like that it foamed very well. My skin definitely did not feel dry after using this but I found a very light scent, which reminded me of Kao Biore face wash I used eons ago. If you like foaming face wash that is gentle on your skin and don’t mind the non-natural formulation, this one should work and it’s very affordable!
Overall thoughts
You might get a sense from my review that I’m not exactly too excited by the range now. I was particularly looking forward to trying the Hada Labo SHA Moisturizing Lotion with all the hype about it but it turned out to be rather average performing in my opinion. It could be because I’ve raised my expectations above the bar but I certainly don’t see my skin more radiant or crystal-clear as the product has promised. I also don’t get that super hydrating feel using the other products so the slogan is just a marketing spin to me. But I have to concede that the products are fairly affordable and you might want to test it for yourself since different products work differently for everyone. In addition, I want to add that I’ve tried other products in the past using Hyaluronic Acid and they’ve never performed great for me so it might just be my skin.
Made In Japan
Hada Labo’s range of products are available exclusively at Watsons. Unlike some of the comments I’ve received or seen, the products sold in Singapore are made in Japan. So yeah, you can buy them with some peace of mind!
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I,m interested in your DIY hydrating mask method. How long do you put it on? Do you damp the cotton pads with water before adding the lotion?
some reviewers also mentioned slight breakouts after using the essence…
I’m also using the lotion as a cotton-pad mask #k8SjZc9Dxk_#k8SjZc9Dxk
The essence looks interesting, will check it out at the stores.
Cya tomorrow~
I am interested in the lotion as well. One sold every 4 sec. Do you have any idea can it be used around the eye area?
I’ve never even understood how to use hyaluronic acid. I’ve seen pure HA serums out there and i am interested in trying them out.
@CT It is safe, I often use it to reduce my puffy eyes ?
i really like the shirojun lotion which is the whitening version of the normal gokujun. i actually found i got great results from the normal gokujun lotion but then again, it may also have something to do with the different climates of different countries?
i also like the sheet mask from this range!
I just bought the lotion and essence 2 weeks ago, because of the affordable price. So far I have not developed any pimples and the performance is still okay. But a friend of mine had that problem. Maybe the essence really does not fit all people.
Thanks for your detailed review and I have also mentioned it at my personal blog (http://www.antiagingcoach-iris.com/do-hada-labos-products-really-give-us-radiant-and-crystal-clear-skin/). Will share with you if I get some comments.
Can’t wait to try it. The essence sounds too rich for you.
3 minutes. You damp the cotton pads in water, squeeze out the water and then pour a few drops of the lotion on it. You can view a demo video by clicking through the link I mentioned about it.
Ah…so it’s not just me.
K. See you. PMS week. Almost feel like pulling out.
Yes, it can. It’s like a toner. No problems.
I haven’t seen those around. I don’t know…this isn’t the first time I tried products with this ingredient and found the ingredient doesn’t do that much for me.
You might be right about the climate. But I think it might be skin type as well. Maybe my skin doesn’t need HA so much…but other types of ingredients.
Thanks…I saw the entry. Glad that the products worked well for you. I guess it just depends on skin type.
Probably. I can’t use it together with the lotion for sure.
some have mentioned before that HA serums and products work better for them when they drink more water or spray water on their face fairly regularly. if there was no break out problems, we have to bear in mind that HA serums do not give hydration per say, it needs a source of hydration for the product to work well =) just my 2 cents.
Hmm…interesting. I’m not sure. I find that on the whole, moisturizers and oil work better for me when I spritz a hydrosol or facial water before I apply. It helps to seal in the water. If I don’t, my face feels drier. I wonder if it’s the same principle.
Thanks for the review. Guess these products are not for everyone although the prices are more wallet friendly. BTW, Watson’s will also be lauching Aqualabel (under the Shiseido umbrella) in June 2010.
Oh Aqalabel will be in Watsons? I was invited to their launch but I didn’t accept due to time constraint. Also, not so keen to review them.
I bought mine from Malaysia and it was made in china and sadly it broke me out (i have sensitive acne prone skin tho’) ! Not too sure if I should try the ones which are made in japan.
ETA: I tried the Moisturizing Lotion..
Hmm…I’m not sure if it has to do with the country of manufacture. The Moisturizing Lotion is pretty light.
im using aha+bha hada labo. it’s bad for my skin. i got lots of pimples. huhuu..
It’s not working for you? I saw a few girls raving about the combination though…I guess it depends on skin type.
to sesame. yes. it’s very bad for me. i did an experiment for my face. i stopped using hada labo for a while. and no pimples coming out. then i started using it again.and yes, i got pimples all over my face. it is obvious, it’s not suitable for my skin. well, i guess mine is sensitive skin.
what is worse, my pimples are red and big. pity me. and the scars are still on my face.
Oh dear…hope it’ll go away soon. I hate acne scarrings too.
Thanks for the review. I’m loving the HADA LABO products =)
That’s good. Glad they’re working well for you. ?
Have tried the hada labo products. Suitable for me, cos’ can see the glow and smoothness after using them.
That’s great. ?
I use it on my perm and it helps to maintain the curls better.
Apply it on semi dried hair, divide into small portion and twist the locks and leave it to dry. loosen the curls when dry. soft natural curls.
Oh on your hair? So interesting!
I am using the Moisturising Lotion and I don’t really like it because I could feel that it’s a little sticky (probably because of the glycerin) and not very easily absorbed by my skin… with other toner/lotion, I could apply face cream right away, but with this Hada lotion, I’d have to wait at least 30 seconds. I should have read the ingredients before hand.
I’m not hot about the lotion…but it’s okay if you can bear with the initial stickiness.
hi I want to know what website you buy Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion ? I want to get one ..
I bought it from a local store not a website.
wow, you are lucky to get such a wide range of Hada Labo products available in SG. I only order mine through a friend and so far I am loving the lotion ?
cat-chan last post is: Bento #43: UST Cutie Tiger bento
Yes, we have the latest editions here…they’ve brought in many but I’ve not used them since this set.
I have just bought the twin pack lotion and it says made in china ??? Is this approved/quality controlled by your Japanese company.
They have two versions – one made in Japan and one made in China – both sold by Hada Labo.
ilive in canada calgary .iwould like to order hoda labo but idont know ph4038303902
i would like to try hada labo lotion with the blue cap (sorry for forgetting it’s name)..but, when i check bout the ingredients,it contain methylparabane..up to my knowledge, this parabane might bring a negative effect towards skin.could you explain?
I think most research points to it being negative for health but the research is not conclusive. I don’t really mind it so much but I do avoid it as far as possible.