Best of Reddit Experiments: Good Value Routine

As you might guess given this blog is full of Sooryehan and Whoo reviews, I'm not using anything from this routine any more unless I've got leftovers from repurchases. 

I posted this in August 2022, getting on for two years ago! How much things change...

Original post with updates in italics

TL;DR: individually, these products are likely as good as the higher end ones they're replacing: but what about in a complete routine? They were perfect for my skin in the UK summer but I've found I need more oil and creamy products this winter. However, I'm still using quite a few from this routine most days!

Products tested

• Beauty of Joseon Radiance cleansing balm
• Secret Key Rose Starting Treatment Essence (+ SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion)
• ONE THING Centella Asiatica Extract
• Cezanne Deep Moisture Skin Conditioner
• ONE THING Centella Asiatica serum 
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion
• Benton Aloe Real Cool Soothing gel 
• Purito Oat-In Calming Gel cream - stopped using this, as it probably caused CCs. 
• Hada Labo Perfect Gel (Japan version) 
• Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water Sleeping Mask
• Sunscreen: Altruist SPF50 (super cheap but not AB, also it began pilling so I moved on) but I also have Canmake Mermaid Mint and Verdio UV Moisture Gel. Both were quite well priced, compared to Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun gel, so I would include these in my follow up, except I've only used the Verdio sporadically so far. Canmake is ghostly, even on my pale skin and the Verdio was HG for until I tried the Beauty of Joseon Rice sunscreen. However I suspect the Verdio is better in heat and humidity. We'll see this summer!
• Actives: Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power liquid, Isntree AHA 8% Clear Skin essence or Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid, and Geek & Gorgeous A-game 5

Introduction

I forgot to do an introduction to this series, although it's probably not really necessary, given the simple rubric: this is based around best value rather than an ingredient, like the ferment series. I think, whilst the point of this series is clear (replace more expensive products with cheaper alternatives), there are other questions to answer:

• Even if the cheaper products are just as good individually, do they work well together? Will I be missing some key ingredients or effects? 
• Do some of the more expensive products have benefits beyond their obvious selling points, like fancy or better quality extracts? Are they actually doing more heavy-lifting that I didn't notice because my routine has become long and more fancy generally? 
• Will my face shrivel without a ton of ferment? Seems unlikely but I've been drowning it in ferment since March 2022 with days or even a week off sometimes but not a significant time without a lot of ferment! I am using several ferments plus I'm From Rice toner so probably no shrivelling. Lol.

SK-II Clear

One last point on other products: SK-II Clear needs a mention. This is blatantly not a cheap product but it might just possibly be good value. I'm thinking about what I'd be happy paying for a serum and considering this in the serum category of price if a mini is on sale. I'm fully aware that it's not a serum but, in my head, that's how I think of it in terms of product category. Paying £6.50 for 30ml (discounted) is pretty reasonable to me, obviously it's much more expensive per ml than my good value toner, Cezanne, but I'm willing to drop £6.50 and just do one layer of it AM. 

I'm less willing to pay £10 for the SK-II Clear but I think I'd like to keep it in my routine if I can pick it up for the heavily discounted price. Maybe I'll buy a full size one day but the mini is cheaper per ml right now and I have concerns that the massive 230ml full size would encourage me to be wanton with it! 

General comments on the routine

Putting it all together

Today I did Good Value entirely, same products on face and neck. Oh boy, my skin looks instantly calmer! I had said I'd stick to Good Value AM and I think it has benefits. 

Admittedly, I did also use Missha Artemisia and I'm From Mugwort essence and do three layers of One Thing extract which also might have something to with it! But it's interesting comparing the results to my ferment routine and even without the mugworts, my skin is generally calmer. I've said my skin is calmer again! Well, sadly it didn't last.... Even if it might have lasted, I posted this in August 2022, I started using Sooryehan's The Black Serum by November 2022 and after that I was hooked on luxe so..... Plus it's delightful to use and calming so win-win (although not for my wallet long term. Totally worth it, though, especially given the comments below about the Good Value Routine not cutting it in colder weather. It definitely wouldn't work for me now).

I have since found that the One Thing extract has been really stinging my neck, so I've cut it out. I'm slowly reintroducing it on my face only. Yeah, I gave up on this. Which was annoying as I'd bought a 300ml bottle. My friend was delighted with it as a gift, however! 

Seasonal Change

When I started this routine, it was summer in the UK and it was the perfect routine for hot weather! I still stand by the Hada Labo being the only thing that saved my skin because any other moisturiser immediately turned into a sweaty mooshy mess that summer. Although I'd wager now that if I had had Sooryehan's Spring-water cream at the time, it would have worked just as well with better cosmetic elegance. We'll find out in a few months! 

As it got cooler, I added the I'm From Rice toner but I was still super happy with how it was working. The colder it gets, the less happy I feel with it as a complete routine - it might be psychological because I'm not sure I actually noticed any drop in performance, I may have just felt like it wasn't working out. 

Either way, I've generally changed it up a bit and added more creamy products, which just feels better. And I've been increasing my use of actives so more creamy products, like Dr Ceuracle Kombucha essence has helped with that, I think. 

Updates on individual products

Beauty of Joseon Radiance cleansing balm 

HG

I much prefer this to the Clinique now! I will always use this unless I need a quicker cleanse for some reason, and then it's one of the others. The BoJ is my favourite cleanser, though. You know what, it was really good but I wouldn't switch back to it now: the Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser is quicker and easier to use (squeeze tube, despite what I've said in the past about liking the BoJ packaging) and lasts for ages (good job too, at £38 - I paid £30 - it's the most I've spent on a cleanser). However, on a quick test with a lot of Heroine Make mascara on my hand, the Allies of Skin didn't remove it whereas the BoJ easily removes it from my eyelashes so that's worth keeping in mind.

Secret Key Rose Starting Treatment Essence

 MRP, but I'll probably try something else

It's working really well, very happy with this. May continue to purchase it rather than trying something else... I don't miss my other FTEs tbh, because I probably wasn't going to buy SK-II FTE again anyway. However, an update on this: my neck skin really flared and I find it's better to stay away from galactomyces on my face (transfers to my neck from my hands?) when this happens. Plus, it was time to trial Missha Time Revolution Artemisia FTE vs Missha Artemisia Calming mist anyway. You know what, I haven't used a dedicated galacotomyces since. Although it's a bit of a moot point as I now do my neck routine first so no risk of cross-contamination. Annoyingly I have to then wash my hands before doing my face routine as my neck products break out my face. Siiiiigh.

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

RP, mini

Does it keep my skin clearer? Not sure. Do I like using it? Absolutely! I think it might boost the effects of the Secret Key. It's hard to tell, as I haven't been using it that much (see above comment on Secret Key and galactomyces). The SK-II Clear is another product that is great for the summer but I've been subbing it out for I'm From Rice toner now it's colder. I do sorta miss the SK-II but the annoying thin texture thing prevails. I much prefer to have a nice jelly serum type texture and the LG First Essences are prefer for that. 

Cezanne Deep Moisture Skin Conditioner

HG, RP

My skin really misses Cezanne when I don't use it, there's something instantly calming, soothing and even a little moisturising about it that I don't get from HaruHaru Black Rice Hyaluronic toner sensitive. Running (relatively) low on Cezanne was the one fact that determined that I would place a Stylevana order. I just don't want to run out of it. I vastly prefer this toner to every single other toner I've ever tried, even I'm From Rice, because it's so good and so cheap. And although I can get glow from the I'm From, I'd choose the Cezanne every time and get glow elsewhere :) It's funny how things change. I now think that all of the products mentioned here are annoyingly thin and yet take too long to dry. 

Seriously, my Sooryehan Hyobidam Fermented Toner dries more quickly and it feels much more moisturising as well (probably the alcohol is why it dries quickly, despite the thicker textures). Ignoring water, the first 4 ingredients are humectant or emollient (or both) plus there's silicones much further down the ingredient list. It is also a delightful texture. I have debated as to whether a toner is necessary and strictly speaking I doubt it is, but I find it is an enjoyable addition to my routine - especially when it doesn't take long to dry. 

One Thing Centella Asiatica Extract

RP and I feel like my comments stand so I've left them in, even though it's been stinging my neck recently so I haven't been using it. Do my comments below stand?? Well, I would have stuck with it if it wasn't irritating my skin but I also would have given it up by now because the texture is water-like. However, the fragrance was amazing.

I so wish I'd just started with this and not tried other Centella products! I can't really tell you what it's doing but I want it in every routine and use it in every routine. Twice daily, neck and face, two layers is typical per routine. I've got a 300ml coming with the Stylevana order mentioned above. I definitely think it's calming, is it helping with redness? Maybe. Time will tell! I miss it when I skip it to save time. I had said: do I sometimes wish I had *Skin1004l* because it's easier to apply? Yes but not enough to purchase it over *One Thing*. I'd keep purchasing *One Thing* for the smell alone! And now I'm really not so sure because of how my neck has been recently. My neck has recovered again but my recent experience means I just don't want to risk using this again!

One Thing Centella Asiatica serum

I do really like this but I've got loads of HA products... I think if I didn't have the Hada Labo lotion, I might have felt this was really good but given the Hada Labo is so cost effective, it's mad to use this instead of the Hada Labo. I'd also argue that the Hada Labo has better ingredients. The One Thing is more cosmetically elegant and dries quicker, plus it has fun little leaf-like things suspended in it. I'm always a fan of extra fun and unusual elements to my products. 

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion

WRP

I actually prefer this to Cosrx 96, I feel it applies easier and I just love it. But I'll still tend to use the Cosrx for my neck and prioritise Hada Labo for my face, which is partly because I have twice as much Cosrx (I've got a back up bottle). I've basically commented on this above and I would go back to it in a heartbeat, despite lack of cosmetic elegance, if my LG darlings don't cope well in the summer heat. However, I bet my last Sulwhasoo Timetreasure Honorstige sachet (which I've been saving) that my gel and emulsion type Sooryehan/Whoo products work fine in the heat. If I'm wrong, I'll give the sachet away to someone! And the Hada Labo dries better than the Cosrx, in any case so there's that. 

Benton Aloe Real Cool Soothing Gel

WRP, next summer

I do really like this but I don't see myself repurchasing over winter, especially when I could just do an extra layer of *Cezanne* instead! I suspect I'll purchase it again next spring, ready for summer, because it is so delightful in summer. It is definitely "real cool". You can definitely use this as a cheap, basic way to hydrate your skin - like instead of toner. I did RP in 2023 but in all honesty I didn't use it that much. 

Purito Oat-In Calming Gel cream

WNRP

It gave me CCs, big bag of nope. I'm reluctant to use it on my body as I don't want to make my KP worse either. There's not much left, in any case. What is especially galling about this is that it only gave me CCs when I'd almost finished the tube! Grr. I'm now 0 for 3 with Purito products so I just avoid the brand.

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Water Sleeping mask

 HG, MRP

I love this but I'm not 100% sure if I'll repurchase, I've just started using The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors on my neck in any case. I might wait until I run out and see if I miss it. I've changed my mind again (fickle), as the Isntree works perfectly under make-up as well, even as my sole cream with the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun gel - kept my skin comfortable all day despite a full face of make-up. I did actually repurchase this multiple times after writing. It feels soothing and is nice and cooling in the summer. The Hada Labo Perfect Gel is a better all round product, but it doesn't feel as soothing on initial application. And sometimes the Hada Labo can pill - you have to keep rubbing it in until it's so tacky that it doesn't move any more. The Isntree just melts into my skin and stays there fine but its not as moisturising or sweat-proof as the Hada Labo.

Hada Labo Perfect Gel (Japan Version)

HG, RP

Psyched that I just got my refill! I have so many awesome uses for this!!! I have been using the Mary & May Blackberry cream for work and it's great but if I'm really really late and have to walk very fast, my skin is a sweaty moisturiser mess by the time I get to work. Adding the Hada Labo over the top means I sweat and my face is wet but there's no emollient sweat bath on my face! And my skin stays comfortable all day at work under a mask :) As I've said earlier in this review, all this remains true, I wouldn't repurchase unless the Sooryehan Spring-water cream fails me this summer. 

Final Word

This is an excellent summer routine and I'll stick with its principles next summer (knowing me I'll have found other products I'm totally raving about by then). It looks like I've got some definite HGs from this routine - Cezanne, Isntree and Hada Labo Perfect Gel. 

This is my first experience of seasonal change (summer and then autumn) where I've found a specific benefit from adapting routine - which is interesting, as I didn't target the routine for summer deliberately. 

However, this routine works great when it's hot and I'm sweaty. I did change my routine up a lot last year, too, but that was mostly about trying to find products that suited me best as I was a brand new ABer then :) 

To sum up, I think these products are (mostly, apart from a couple of probable duds) as good as what they have replaced but I feel I need more moisturising power for winter. I'm super happy that I did this experiment - because now I've got a HG summer routine! 

It's not to say I disagree with my original review but look how many products I'm using here! I often used them all at once!! More than one layer per product!!! And others too, there's mention of at least five products that aren't on the Good Value list. Yikes. 

I would feel mildly outraged except that I've always enjoyed layering and trying out a lot of products. It just seems so time consuming when I could been a lot more efficient. It doesn't feel like it's very common to start with luxe products, though. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Whereas now, my evening routine is regularly one or two first essences (one once I finish the Sooryehan), toner, serum, eye cream and face cream (oh and a separate lotion for the oily areas). All Sooryehan apart from the other Whoo First Essence, AHC eye cream and Benton Deep Green Tea Lotion.

Yes, I'll use more products than that for fun but it's absolutely not necessary. I don't even really need the toner, I just like it and it does add some bonus hydration (as opposed to essential hydration to avoid tight skin).

I do think it's worth considering whether a luxe routine is totally suitable for very hot and humid conditions but I also think it's about choosing your products wisely. I don't see why the lighter formulations, especially the gel ones, wouldn't work. I think Sooryehan is particularly good at formulating these, although time will tell when I do a summer update.