Welcome to the land face full of oil, where open pores and breakouts abound. Ouch! Delayed wrinkles is probably the only thing to love with this cursed gifted oil-ridden earthling. Love-hate it is dahlings!
So much for the humor and let moi dissect these products for you.
Yves Rocher is a French skincare company specializing in botanical-based products, and part of its product line is Sebo Specific. Quite straightforward ~ Sebo a.k.a. sebum (oil) & Specific (targeted). Do I even need to translate it? hahaha!
Let’s start with Sebo Specific 2 in 1 Toner, 150 ml 5 fl.oz, $6.50 (ongoing sale at 45% off, yvesrocherusa.com)
I like the scent of this toner ~ it’s fresh and light, somewhat akin to a grass field. I use this after I wash my face, day and evening. Looking at the ingredients, there is really nothing that makes it stand out from the sea of toners. I mean, it has the same concoction as other brands: water, alcohol denatured, propylene glycol, salicylic acid. Wait, there’s a root extract from scuttelaria baincalensis which is used in homeopathy for its anti-inflmmatory and antioxidant properties. I can’t say that this totally controlled my hyperactive sebum, but I am pleased with how it works as a toner (extra step to ensure a clean face prior to day or night regimen). Bonus point, no breakouts mama!
Next is Sebo Specific Ultra Matt Shine Reducing Moisturizer, 40ml 1.3 fl.oz, $16 (I got it at 50% off last Christmas but it’s no longer on sale now, sigh! yvesrocher.com)
This beauty claims to moisturize and mattify face ~ again, common to most moisturizers targeting the oily-skinned population. Okay, just to get my facts straight: contrary to urban myth, moisturization is not about adding “oil” to your skin but providing
(1) hydration to make skin firm and supple
(2) barrier on skin’s surface to avoid moisture loss
I am not a fan of this moisturizer’s scent- it reminds me of that cold cream my grandma used in the past. Unlike the toner which is refreshing, I find this quite stale. It’s lightweight, easy to blend, and a pea-sized amount is enough to cover my face and neck. It could have been better if this has SPF 15 or 30, just to complete the deal.
My two-cent’s worth:
4/5 Must- try for the toner
3/5 Try at your own risk for the moisturizer. It’s a nay!
And if I may add, Yves Rocher in the US has very limited retail distribution. The free shipping offer on its website (at $30 purchase) takes three weeks to arrive in Hawaii (mainland could be faster though) but I commend the customer service for its fast feedback and assistance.
Disclaimer: As I always mention, when it comes to skincare, it’s always “different strokes for different folks”. What works for me may not for you and vice-versa. If you have found your holy grail, moi says stick to it.
xoxo
