Dr Ci-Labo Super Washing Foam EX

Almost done with this 15g/0.52oz tube of Dr.Ci-Labo Super Washing Foam EX, so here's a short review for it.

This cleansing foam is unscented and comes out of the tube a white cream. It's really creamy and doesn't foam much, although I don't use a foaming net anymore and I would bet it'll foam like crazy with one. Either way, it's very mild and cleans well but isn't stripping. My skin doesn't feel dry or taut afterwards. I will probably buy a full size when I get to the end of my current line-up.

Dr Ci:Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Enrich Lift EX

Update November 6, 2014.

I placed an order with Beauty Habit recently and received a pair of Dr Ci-Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Enrich Lift EX, each 1.5g/0.05oz.

Having had the ammonia-filled experience below with 2 of my mini 10g jars from Japan, I tore open these two sample packets to see whether they would stink. Well guess what, they DO! Granted they weren't as overpoweringly odorous like my two jars, but the ammonia stench is present and still obviously discernible. My god, I just don't understand who would buy this stuff! Who would knowingly apply a gel that reeks of ammonia? Not me. I tossed these two packets into the trash after taking a sniff (and photos for proof, of course). So I guess this is it for me, no more Dr.Ci:Labo anything.

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Original post September 4, 2014.

I had a total of 2 mini 10g jars of Dr Ci:Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Enrich Lift EX I received back in 2012, right before I left Japan. They were from 2 separate sample packs, the Gold Lift Set and the Gold Lift Sample Set. Last week I finally took one out, intending to use as a daytime moisturizer.

I have been storing all my cosmetics and skincare products very well. I had to. As you can see from some of my reviews, it could be a couple of years until I can get to using a product. To keep my items fresh, my rule of thumb is that until I'm ready to use it, its manufacturer's shrink wrap and/or sticker is not to be removed. In the case the product is not sealed, the jar/bottle/tube/what-have-you is not to be opened up and the product inside exposed to the air. This is how everything degrades - exposure to oxygen!

Dr Ci:Labo Gold Lift Set

Dr.Ci:Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Super Moisture

Using this 10g mini jar of Dr.Ci:Labo Aqua Collagen Gel Super Moisture right now after the Enriched Lift EX version went stinky on me (no really!), and having finished HanSkin Super Collagen Gel within a week!

Dr.Ci:Labo Aqua-In-Derm Super-Essence

I had four 1.5mL packets of Dr.Ci:Labo Aqua-In-Derm Super-Essence, 6mL altogether, from the Gold Lift and Super Moisture Sample Sets I got for free while in Japan. These 4 packets filled up a 7mL jar almost to the top and lasted me a good 2-3 weeks with daily use.

This is a transparent and viscous serum with the consistency of a runny gel. It smells like essential oil with a dash of menthol. I just need a drop or so, rubbed in my palms and pressed into my face after cleansing and before moisturizer. It feels a bit sticky going on and takes a few minutes to absorb. But after that it feels weightless, like I haven't applied anything.

And that's precisely the problem - it doesn't feel like it's doing anything! May be I'm not using enough? Either way, I'm glad I get these samples to try because I'd hate to spend the retail on this only to feel like I've put runny water gel on my face and that's it. Moving on.

Dr.Ci:Labo Enrich Lift Cleansing & Massage

I actually took a chance and bought the full sized tube of Dr.Ci:Labo Enrich Lift Cleansing & Massage before trying out the two 3g sample packets I got from the Gold Lift Sample Set. That was out of character for me, as I usually try out the sample/travel sizes first before buying the full size. That is, if I weren't sick of the product by the time I'm done with its samples.

Dr.Ci:Labo Super Cleansing EX

After using up Elixir Superieur Makeup Cleansing Gel N in all of 3 tries, I moved on to the 2 packets, 3.5g each, of Dr.Ci:Labo Super Cleansing EX. These are samples from a free Super Moisture Sample Set I got while I was still in Japan. In fact, if you're interested they're still giving both the Gold Lift and Super Moisture Sets away for free (with free shipping!), one to each unique Japanese address.

Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift and Super Moisture Sample Sets

While surfing around on Dr.Ci:Labo's official website, an ad for a Gold Lift Sample Set popped up onto my screen. In addition to the gel and the bb cream I already have from the Gold Lift Trial Set, this sample set had 2 other products in the Enrich-Lift range, all free with free shipping. Ooohh...interesting. So I followed the link and what do you know, there was not one but two different sample sets they were giving away, the second being the Super Moisture Sample Set with samples of 5 different products in the Super Moisture range. You bet I'd try them!!!

This ad popped up at me. The huge green button says, "Try it now, free of charge!" OKAY!!! They don't need to tell me twice :P


Since I was already registered with the website, all I had to do was click one button and that was that. I just checked the website again and these 2 free sample sets, and the Gold Lift Trial Set too, both with free shipping are still available, one each per household. So if you have a current Japanese address, quick, go get yours before they run out!!! ^.^

Gold Lift Sample Set


Super Moisture Sample Set

***Pictures from Dr.Ci:Labo JP.

Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift Set

Have you ever clicked on one of those pesky ads that appears on your emails, the blogs you read, the websites you surf, the online shop you browse, etc.? I never pay attention to any of them, until one caught my eyes, this free Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift Set with free shipping. 

My first reaction was that it was a scam. After all, they are giving away trial sized jar and tube of the new Aqua-Collagen-Gel Enrich-Lift-EX and BB Perfect Cream Enrich-Lift SPF35 PA++, in addition to a nice gold makeup pouch. They even listed the retail value of the set, 1,575yen (~US$20), and yet they're giving, and shipping, it to me for free? Why would they do that? I mean, sure, Fuji Film sold me the Astalift Moisture Trial Kit for only 500yen (~US$6) with free shipping, but at least I'm still paying something. Dr.Ci:Labo is going to just give this to me for nothing?