Hada-Labo Shirojyun Hyaluron Clear Essence Jelly

This past winter, I'd really enjoyed using Aqualabel All-in-One Whitening Jelly Essence, so having finished Kuramoto Bijin Hakumai Fermented All-in-One Milk, I moved on to a competitor product, the 200mL bottle of Hada-Labo Shirojyun Hyaluron Clear Essence Jelly.

I spared Hada-Labo from the "copycat" label because while the two products are nearly identical, Hada-Labo didn't try to mimic Aqualabel's packaging and name the same way the generic brand ABS did with both Hada-Labo and Oshima Tsubaki with the intent to mislead.

As for the two jellies, well, they're nearly identical, at least function-wise ^.^" The Hada-Labo jelly too is a multi-purpose, 5-in-1 product: a toner, moisturizer, serum, astringent, and face pack. It's released a year after Aqualabel, and it's at 2/3 Aqualabel's retail while retaining the "Made in Japan" guarantee. Shiseido has moved probably all of the Aqualabel brand's production to Vietnam and yet maintaining the same price tags as though they were still producing domestically within Japan. Doesn't sound right, does it? Definitely not a win-win situation, at least not for the consumers who are paying the same retail while Shiseido cuts labor and manufacture expenses and up their profits. Not cool, Shiseido, not cool. 

Anyway, back to Hada-Labo. Unlike the Aqualabel jelly, the Hada-Labo one isn't marked a whitening "quasi-drug," which probably means it doesn't have as concentrated or strong a whitening component. Aqualabel also lists two different hyaluronic acids as its first and second ingredients respectively, whereas with Hada-Labo they're the fifth and sixth. Aqualabel shows water and alcohol as the fourth and fifth ingredients respectively, whereas with Hada-Labo they're the first and third. Then again, the Aqualabel jelly contains menthol and fragrance, whereas the Hada-Labo one has witch hazel, peppermint oil, and menthol, with no fragrance added.  

I use Hada-Labo the same way I did Aqualabel, slathering a liberal amount onto my face right after showering. Hada-Labo has a thicker texture than Aqualabel but feels just as light going on. The jelly absorbs quickly and disappears completely, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized. There's a slight cooling and tingling sensation, just like Aqualabel, so take your pick really. I think I prefer Hada-Labo without the added fragrance, because the mild peppermint oil and menthol scent already smells quite nice, plus I don't really care for the whitening aspect so I don't mind that Hada-Labo isn't a "quasi" whitening drug.