Water-based skincare, anyone?

“The more you wear less makeup, the more you look beautiful in it.”

Somebody or the other once said that and I guess that's why, even after a dozen or so skincare reviews on this blog, I still find the energy to write about great skincare finds. Eventually, there will be days when I won't be able to wear makeup {due to rushing, or just plain laziness}.

As a pseudo beauty blogger and recurring beauty enthusiast, I have heard of all sorts of ingredients added to skincare. We all know of the chemicals we can’t pronounce, the stem cells from apples, papaya, vegetables, and pearls even!

Honestly, I am not one of the many who aren’t too meticulous on the ingredients. I wish I was but I admit to not checking the ingredients section and go straight to the bathroom or the boudoir to roadtest a product.

As such was the case with this skincare newcomer, H20 Plus, a brand that brandishes its main ingredient: seawater, claiming to have invigorating and renewing effects.

When Cindy Melk launched H2O Plus in 1989, the company transformed the beauty industry with its innovative fusion of marine ingredients with state-of-the-art technology. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, H2O Plus, LLC, develops, manufactures and markets marine-based skin care products for the face and body. This internationally recognized brand has evolved from a deep-sea discovery to a global skincare innovator with sales in excess of $100 million

Again, I don’t like geeking out so much when it comes to beauty products so I will just go straight to my observations when I started using the H20 Plus products I have in my stash about two weeks ago:

Aquafirm+ Micro-Collagen Moisturizer – This silky firming cream visibly fights fine lines and loss of firmness with collagen-boosting moisture

Key Ingredients:

Marine Microspheres – Encapsulated spheres deeply penetrate the skin’s surface and swell with the body’s natural moisture to immediately plump the appearance of fine lines from within
Sea Nutrient Barrier – Powerful fusion of algae and oat extract creates a light veil on the skin, pulling surface cells closer together for an instant micro-lifting effect
Jojoba – Extracted from the jojoba seed native to the Mojave Desert, this rich emollient agent is an exceptional moisturizer with a chemical makeup most similar to the oil skin naturally produces

Directions: Apply to face and neck after cleansing and toning.

RETAIL PRICE: PHP 3,500.00 (50 mL / 1.7 Fl oz)

+ Feels deliciously luxurious to use; smells like a luxe product and glides on smoothly without overtly oiling up. Sincerely the best moisturizer I’ve used in a long time because it just glides in the face and I feel so sophisticated while using it {how that happens, please don’t ask me}. Face feels ridiculously moisturized after an entire day of running around, being in airconditioned spaces and exposed to smog sometimes. No breakouts, too.

Sea Results Eye Mender Plus – A rejuvenating contour cream tailored to reduce under-eye puffiness and wrinkles, delivers a virtual matrix of penetrating hydration through the new Marine Micropatch Technology. Experience a 22% decrease in wrinkle depth and 19% increase in skin firmness with 28 days of continued use.

Key Ingredients:

Monk's Pepper Berry – Derived from the Mediterranean chaste tree; proven to help reduce the appearance dermal creases and fine lines while visibly improving elasticity and firmness
Sepilift® – This plant–derived single amino acid is scientifically proven to help strengthen collagen fibers, boost elasticity and combat damaging free radicals
Anti–Aging Marine Blend – a transformative trio of natural seaweed extracts proven to help skin resist and repair the visible signs of aging.
Nori: Deep reddish algae sourced from Japan’s western shore; visibly firms skin that has lost elasticity, and reduces the appearance of surface lines
Himanthalia: Brown grassy blades that thrive on the rocky coast of the northern British Isles; calms and soothes stressed skin
Spirulina: Blue–green coils that flourish along balmy South Pacific shores; rich in nutrients known to boost cell immunity

Directions: Apply to eye contour morning and night.

RETAIL PRICE: PHP 2,590.00 (15 mL / 0.5 Fl oz)

+ Rich concoction of eye cream goodness; Oddly feels like any other eye cream though which means performs well as any good eye cream. No dry feeling in the eye area vs. not using any. Smells great!

Face Oasis Dual-Action Exfoliating Cleanser – Deeply cleanses and revitalizes skin with a gently refining, oil-free formula. An exfoliating fusion of fruit enzymes and algae helps sweep away dull surface cells, leaving skin luminous and ready to receive maximum moisture.

Key Ingredients:

Exfoliating Enzyme Fusion – Sourced from fruit, sugar cane and maple, this enzymatic fusion helps naturally dissolve dull surface cells without abrasion or irritation
Jojoba Beads – Oil-free jojoba wax is formed into perfectly spherical shapes, creating an exfoliating bead that glides smoothly across the skin’s surface without irritation leaving behind only protective moisture
Hydrating Marine Blend – A triple synthesis of ocean-derived botanicals that optimizes the skin’s moisture balance while bolstering free radical resistance.
Wakame: Brown kelp energizes skin’s natural functions and recharges tone
Sea Lettuce: Dewy yellow-green leaves cultivated from the coast of Brittany, France; supports skin-firming collagen and elastin
Fennel: Waxy green ribbons abundant along rocky English sea cliffs; empowers skin to resist aging environmental damage

Directions: Massage over damp face. Rinse well. For best results, use 2 to 3 times per week.

RETAIL PRICE: PHP 1,750.00 (120 mL / 4 U.S. Fl oz)

+ Smells a bit masculine but rich in texture and with scrubs, too. Face feels clean after but unfortunately, broke me out 

Overall, H20 Plus delights in the skincare arena and I am excited to get me some more of the face moisturizer. Other than the breaking out care of the facial wash, H20 signifies a completely bright and glowing future in the Philippine landscape of skincare technology.

H20 Plus is available at SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.
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