Pleasantly Surprised by Celeteque (Traveler's Basics Review)
12:10 AM
Facial Wash with Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)
This was the first time I'd heard of NMF, and naturally (hrrhrr) I wanted to verify the cleanser's claims of lasting hydration. Here's what I found:- NMF is naturally present in normal skin.
- As its name suggests, NMF maintains adequate skin hydration.
- NMF is composed principally of free amino acids and their various derivatives, including lactic acid and urea.
- NMF components are highly efficient humectants that attract and bind water from the atmosphere, drawing it into the skin and combining it with their own water content. This allows the outermost layers of the skin to stay hydrated despite exposure to the elements.
- Hydrated NMF also increases the elasticity of skin.
- Asian skin typically shows lower NMF production than other skin types.
- Because NMF components are water-soluble, they are easily leeched from the cells with water contact -- which is why repeated contact with water actually makes the skin drier.
- NMF can be delivered topically to treat xerotic, dry skin.
So NMF is starting to sound pretty good. The only problem is, it has to be left on the skin to be sufficiently moisturizing. In a cleanser that you wash off after a few minutes, it's unlikely to provide lasting moisture.
Pseudoscience aside, I liked this cleanser enough to buy a full-sized product. It feels mild but potent enough to serve as a morning facial wash and as a second cleanse after makeup removal. It has a runny texture and foams ever so slightly. After rinsing you may be perturbed by a sliiight filmy residue, but I actually like this because it doesn't feel like my skin is stripped of moisture. Word of caution: because it's so watery, I often end up getting more cleanser than I actually need, so this was the first in the trio to be consumed.
Alcohol-free Toner with Witch Hazel Extract
My skin has some dry spots so I wanted a mild toner with no alcohol. Can't say much about this except it does what it's supposed to: get rid of excess makeup and prep the skin for moisturizing. There is a slight floral scent that may put off the sensitive-skinned group, but at least it doesn't smell like tequila. (Y'all know what toner I'm talking about -- it's great but whew what a scent!) I would repurchase this.
Water-based Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer
This is a clear gel moisturizer that feels exactly like water. It's like I've just washed my face when I put this on. Surprisingly, it isn't moisturizing enough for my oily-combination skin. I see dry spots within an hour. So I use this in the interim between my evening bath and me actually getting into bed, which can take anywhere between two to eight hours. (I apply my evening serum/moisturizer immediately before getting into bed.)
Nice to see expiry dates on the bottles themselves as well.
All in all I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of this kit, especially given the very affordable price. I am definitely more comfortable trying out their other products now. I've been hearing good things about the Celeteque Anti-Aging Serum, so I'll probably pick that up soon, seeing as I've almost emptied my Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Concentrate.
The Celeteque Dermoscience Traveler's Basics Hydration Kit is available in most Watsons drugstores. Unfortunately I can't recall the exact price, but it was around Php 200-250.
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