the bottle

description at the back

the pump head and stopper

how it looks like on my hand

dead skin sloughs off

after: bright and soft skin

i told myself that it's just a peeling gel. but since i stopped using cure peeling gel, somehow i became lazy to use peeling gel every week, and my last peeling gel almost gone bad before i managed finishing it. anyway.. after that i became reluctant to specifically get my peeling gel from japan. i decided to just buy anything from body shop, especially since i have birthday discount. but i don't know which one to get since there are a few types of them. i managed to visit the store just before the "stay at home" mandatory was put in effect, and i only saw the vitamin c one and the drops of youth one, so i decided to try the drops of youth first. i hope this one works well even though i don't have the same luck with the serum.

this is the description from the website: the drops of youth - youth liquid peel exfoliates and gently peels off impurities from your skin, lifting dead skin cells and residuals. infused with a blend of three plant stem cells, this revolutionary gel-to-peel leaves skin clean and purified from the day's pollutants. continued use will leave a fresh, smoother and more luminous youthful-looking skin. 100% vegetarian, with three plant stem cells (edelweiss from italian alps, sea holly and criste marine from the britanny coast), instantly feels like dead skin cells are lifted, peels off impurities and pollutants, skin feels cleansed from day's pollution, dermatology tested.
ingredients: aqua, alcohol denat, propylene glycol, glycerin, carbomer, PPG-26-buteth-26, palmitamidopropyltrimonium chloride, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, quaternium-80, parfum, behentrimonium chloride, linalool, citronellol, cetrimonium chloride, isopropyl alcohol, crithmum maritimum extract, leontopodium alpinum callus culture extract, sodium hyaluronate, citric acid, xanthan gum.

the bottle

the packaging: since i bought this in store, there's no box. it's only the bottle. it comes in green plastic bottle with pump that has unique stopper. the stopper is really secure, so you don't have to worry about it being spilled. you also have to turn the pump so you can pump out the product out. there's a description as well as ingredients list on the label. this comes in 150 ml size while cure comes in bigger size, 250 ml. there's a description at the back in indonesia.

back of the bottle

the scent: it smells like fruity acidic thing, just like my previous peeling gel from other japanese brand. it's quite strong at first, and i don't like it, but after using it couple times, i think i get used to it.

the stopper

the product: it's a milky white gel just like my other peeling gel. it spread easily and within seconds it starts to ball off.

the peeling gel on my hand

the result: after washing it off, somehow my face doesn't look super bright and clear, unlike when i was using cure or the other japanese brand. but i can feel that my skin is softer after using it.

the skin sloughs off

after washing it off

i'm still not sure about this one. it does work okay, but i don't like the acidic scent. it does a bit cheaper compared to cure peeling gel and it's easier to get, but it comes in smaller size. i think i will repurchase cure next time, but for now, this does the work. anyway.. i don't know what's the difference between this line and other peeling gel that body shop has, but this one works okay. it doesn't make my skin dry. but it's more expensive than other line. i think it's suitable for any skin types. if you have the budget, i think it's worth to try.

i've been using cure natural aqua gel for maybe about two years since my husband bought me in bottles when he went to japan. although it works well, i get bored after a while. so when i knew that i was going to japan, i decided to look for alternative. i choose the rosette one. it has two type, the blue one is original, and the red one is moist type. i had hard time deciding which one to get, but i decided to get the original one.

this is the description from redmart website: fruit acid effective in removing dead skin cells and other grime that is holding back your skin's natural beauty from shining through. thoroughly removes dead skin cells with 3 kinds of fruit acid - lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid. this massage gel sticks to old cuticle, balls up dead skin cells (dull spots) and lifts it off the skin naturally. soft gel formula is gentle on skin and restores skin back to its health. after peeling, skin feels smooth and flawless making it easier for makeup application. recommended usage: 2-3 times a week. also suitable for other parts of the body like elbow, knee, heel and decollete.

the tube

the packaging: it comes in a white plastic tube with blue flip top. there's only plastic sealing on the outside and nothing else inside. i always relieved all my japan products didn't burst out inside my baggage since most of the don't have inner sealing whatsoever. there's description at the back in japanese. the opening is similar to face wash opening and i can squirt the product according to my need without any problem.

back of the tube

the scent: at first i think it has foul scent, but lately i notice that it has acidic scent. and i confirmed it when i read it on ratzillacosme website. it's said to have fruity acidic scent. let me tell you it's quite strong for a few second at first. i get accustomed to it after a while, but if you don't like scented product, then cure is a better option for you.

the flip top

the product: it's a milky white gel that has same consistency as cure. spread easily, but takes a bit more rubbing to make it balls up. at first i thought it won't ball up, but it balls up after a few second massaging it. the size though.. this is only 120 ml while the cure one is 250 ml. but it gets bad really quick, you have to use the cure one in 6 months, so i think smaller size is more manageable.

peeling gel on my hand

the result: i can say that it works just as well as the cure. i can see my skin is brightened after using this, which usually means that all the dead skin is sloughed off. although this is the original version, i don't think it dries out my skin.

the peeling process

i think this is a good alternative for cure natural aqua gel. it's affordable, easy to find, and works just as well. but if you're sensitive with scent, you might not like this. if you have dry skin and worry that this might be drying for your skin, they have the moist version which comes in red cap. as for me, i think i will try the moist one if i could, and then decide which one works better.

this one is pretty famous.. if you searched for beauty items to buy from japan, then you will always find this exfoliator listed in most lists. i asked my hubby to buy this when he went to japan himself, and i was planning to buy one more when we went to japan together, but i forgot to buy it.. so i have to satisfy myself with the only bottle that i had.

this is the description from toyojapan.net:
natural aqua gel cure is a remarkable skin care product. cure is a fragrance-free, color free and preservative free product made from activated hydrogen water that prevents oxidation. general chemical peeling use strong acids to dissolve protein. cure, on the other hand, gently catches waste dead skin on surface of skin and remove it. it helps skin metabolism function better. you will be surprised that your skin more smooth. beneficial effects of gel should last approximately 3 to 4 months if used properly once or twice a week. no need to rub or scrub your skin too hard. cure should be the best one you ever wanted. enjoy your new skin.
mechanism: cure only reacts to proteins and removes them. never dissolve or scrub them.
ingredients:
- water 90,77%: activated hydrogen water from purified water is used.
- glycerin 5% : widely used moisturizing ingredient that contains high hygroscopic nature and has been used for long time.
- crosspolymer (acrylares/c -10-30 alkyl acrylate): the same liquid as used by ophthalmologists for eye surgery. we use it for thickener.
- dicocodimonium chloride, steartrimonium bromide: it is to respond to old deadskin. commonly used for conditioner.
- aloe barbadensis leaf extract <1% : an expected ingredient that moisturizes and protects rough and dry skin.
- ginkgo biloba extract <1%: extract from ginkgo, expected to moisturize, to prevent skin mottle and freckles.
- rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract <1%: it has anti-inflammation and antibacterial effects and is expected to solve skin problems solutions.
- butylene glycol <1%: color-free and scent-free moisturizing liquid.
- isopropyl alcohol <0,33%: and ingredient contained in fruits, vegetables, and alcoholic drinks. we use it to blend stearyltrimonium bromide.
directions for use: wash face thoroughly with soap and water. dry face well. pump the bottle 3 to 5 times until you have an appropriate amount of gel on your finger. apply the gel to skin on your face, neck, or other areas that are dry and rough. applying the gel to only part of face is also effective. gently massage when the gel becomes white. rinse well after you see results. use lotion or skin cream that you normally use. for best results, apply twice a week.

the packaging: it comes in a white transparent plastic bottle with a pump with a stopper to prevent accidental pumping. it was sealed when i first bought it, but it doesn't have any other seal other than the outside seal. no english text at all even though there's a long japanese text at the back of the bottle.

the scent: all three items from japan are all fragrance free, but this one doesn't have funny smell like the peeling lotion or the cleansing water. this one is really neutral.

the product: it's a white gel. once you scrubbed it on your face, after a while it will slough off the dead skin on your face. many of you will curious if it's really dead skin cells on your face after you massage the gel to your face. well, i've read in some blogs about the other exfoliator gel that one way to test if it's real is by massaging it to a plate or kitchen top. it doesn't have dead skin cells, so it shouldn't ball up when you massage it. and i've tested it on my sink which made from ceramide, just like my plates, and it doesn't ball up, so i guess the white remnants on my face is really dead skin cells.

the result: i have to agree that it leaves my skin smooth, just like when i tried the innisfree wine peeling softner or my previous skinfood strawberry scrub. and since i used peeling toner and BHA in my routine, i use this once a week to prevent over exfoliating. and when i use this peeling gel i skip the toner and the BHA afterwards. and so far i don't experience over exfoliating with this one, unlike when i used my scrub.

so, i think this one works well, just as promised. and i have to say it worths the money. the only downside from this gel is that i have to buy it online, and the price is more expensive than in japan. and this one has pretty narrow shelf life. once you open the bottle, you have to use it up in 6 months. other than that, i suggest you try this one. this one will suit most skin types, and pretty gentle too for sensitive skin. as for me, i already asked my friend who will go to japan next time to buy me another bottle.

the bottle

the pump

left: product on my hand right: dead skin sloughs off my hand

as i wrote in my previous post, i've mentioned about peeling gel vs scrub. well, probably before moving on to that, we should discuss about exfoliation first since both peeling gel and scrub are used for exfoliation. as you all know i'm keen toward korean skincare, and most of them distress the importance of pore care as well as exfoliation. you have to get rid of dead skin cells to make your skin looks bright and radiant. if you have acne or blemish, you have to exfoliate as well, but in moderation. oily skin and combination skin also have to exfoliate, but in moderation as well so that it won't triggers oil and sebum production even more.

for those who are in their 20s or 30s, it's best to start exfoliating now. you can use peel that contains lactic or glycolic acid to reduce pore size and smooth out textural issue. usually, exfoliation is done 1-3 times a week according to your skin type. those with blemished skin should exfoliate once a week. people with oily or combination skin can exfoliate up to 3 times a week.

okay.. now let's talk about peeling gel and scrub. basically, both products are used for exfoliation, so which one is best for you?

SCRUB:
scrub is a mechanical exfoliation to rub the dead skin cells off your skin. you can say it has microdermabrasion effect. usually, scrub has gritty texture since it's mechanical. the recommendation for scrub is once a week. if you have sensitive and looking for glow, then use scrub.

PEELING GEL:
this one acts as exfoliant thanks to its chemical molecule, usually acid. it provokes chemical reaction to shed dull skin. the product's usually watery, and has gel-like consistency. it acts more precisely, less irritating and produce more favourable result with fewer problems. this one is recommended for blemished skin. those who want to fight the signs of aging also can use peeling gel as well.

okay.. now you know you have to exfoliate. using scrub or peeling gel, it's up to your skin type and your preference. so for better skin, let's exfoliate!

the packaging: the full size version looks like a wine bottle. but the sachet looks exactly like the label on the full size version. compared to other sample sachets, this one is definitely bigger, but i'm not sure if it has more amount of product inside.

the smell: well, i'm not sure how wine will smell like, but i think this one smells like grape juice, not wine. sweet.. but very subtle. you can't smell it once you use it on your face.

the product: it's a whitish liquid, slightly more to gel, but still runny. according to the direction, i supposed to use it with cotton pad, but since i only have one sample, i don't want to waste any product on cotton pad, so i just use my hands. since i don't have any experience with peeling gel, i'm afraid my skin won't like it, so at first i only use a little, but it's too little since i can't even photograph the dead slough skin after using it. second time, i use it liberally on dry skin (yes.. you have to use it on DRY skin), and it works! actually, some bloggers mention that some brands make bogus peeling gel. the way to test it is by using it on countertop or table. but since i only have one sachet, i don't have the chance to try it on my countertop or table. i use it on my husband instead.. he needs it more than the sake of proving it real or not. if you happen to have this one in hand, then you can test it and let me know.

the result: yes, it makes my skin smoother and softer. on my husband, it also gives the same result. bonus, i can see his skin clearer and brighter. probably because he never exfoliates in ages, so dead skin cells on his face make his face look darker. after all, on me or him, it doesn't cause any breakouts or other reaction. it's really gentle.

well, as for the first trying peeling gel experience, this one gives good result. it does slough off dead skin cells, and gives smooth and soft skin as promised. really gentle. but since i haven't tested the genuity of this product, you might want to try the sample to test it before jumping to buy the full product. if you're happen to have concern about "halal" products, then i have no saying since this one clearly stated "wine" in its name. i suppose it has wine in its ingredients. so better stay away from this one. overall, i might try another product that has been tested by another blogger before deciding. if you are curious about the difference between peeling gel and scrub, i will write something about it soon and i will link it here. until then.. keep taking care of yourself!

the sample sachet (no instruction in english)

dead skin cells sloughs off (yucks..)