HadaLabo Face Wash, Lotion, Arbutin Whitening Essence, and Cream Review

HadaLabo is mutually developed by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (Japan) and Mentholatum (USA). The brand concept is "Perfect & Simple": your skin benefits from the high-quality ingredients and easy to follow skincare routine. I don’t have my actual bottles anymore but I bought a full line of HadaLabo products in 2011 because of all the wonderful reviews I read online. People kept raving about the lotion and how it really made their skin soft and supple. 

I was really excited about purchasing these products because at that time, my skin was going through a rough (literally) period. I had these tiny raised bumps on my forehead that I couldn’t classify as pimples because when I tried to squeeze them (which I did, a lot. bah.),  nothing would come out. So given my skin situation and all the amazing online reviews, I had high hopes for the HadaLabo skincare range. 

Did they live up to my expectations? 

I couldn’t decide between the two cleansers so I decided to just buy both, all the while justifying the extra expense to myself by saying that I could use one in the morning and one in the evening. These are very straightforward cleansers. It’s your typical face wash without the usual fragrance. It feels like thick whipped cream and smells a bit funny. I wouldn’t say it is without scent. In fact, to me, they both smell a little bit like Elmer’s Glue. 

HadaLabo TAMAGOHADA Daily Face Wash with AHA+BHA : HKD 69

What It Is:

HadaLabo TAMAGOHADA Daily Face Wash is infused with some keratin softening agents like AHA and BHA, which help to remove blackheads and impurities inside pores. It also improves dull skin tone and rough texture, leaving skin supple and smooth.

Instructions: 

After removing your makeup, moisten face and hands with lukewarm water. Apply a pea-size amount into palm and work into lather. Gently massage onto face, using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly. Use twice a day or as needed.

What I Think:

The Tamagohada one is supposed to help unclog pores because of its AHA and BHA ingredients. I was really excited to see some difference in my forehead but I was sorely disappointed after using it for a month. It didn’t do anything to prevent whiteheads and blackheads. It also didn’t lessen the bumps in my forehead. I’m guessing that either the pH level of this product was not within the correct range for the acids to take effect or there was too little AHA and Salicylic Acid in this facial wash to be effective. In other words, it did not live up to its claims. Rating: 1/5

HadaLabo GOKUJYUN FACE WASH: HKD 58

What It Is: 

Preserve your skin’s natural moisture as you wash. A small amount works up into a rich, foaming lather, then rinses clean—without drying out your skin. Used morning and night, this is the luxurious yet practical start to softer, more supple skin. 

Instructions: 

After removing your makeup, moisten face and hands with lukewarm water. Apply a pea-size amount into palm and work into lather. Gently massage onto face, using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly. Use twice a day or as needed.

What I Think:

This is a basic cleanser that does the job of removing dirt and make-up remover residue. Other than that, it doesn’t do much else. If you’re looking for a standard facial wash, then you might want to consider this product. However, if you’d like something more multi-purpose (like something that helps with acne or brightens dull skin), you’re better off finding another product. Rating: 3/5

HadaLabo GOKUJYUN SUPER HYALURONIC ACID LOTION: HKD 129

What It Is:

Instantly hydrate your skin. HadaLabo Goku-jyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion should be used after washing with HadaLabo Goku-jyun Face Wash and serves as the foundation to your moisturizing routine. While it looks clear like a toner or makeup remover, it’s actually a moisturizer that helps prepare your skin for better absorption of other HadaLabo products. In fact, the HadaLabo Goku-jyun Clear Lotion can be used as a standalone moisturizer.

Instructions: 

After removing your makeup and cleansing with HadaLabo Goku-jyun Face Wash, pour a nickel-size amount of the lotion into your palm and rub between your hands to warm. Using the HadaLabo patting technique, gently pat onto your face and neck until it is thoroughly absorbed. Wait until the product is fully absorbed to apply any additional moisturizers or to apply makeup. Use twice daily after washing face.

What I Think:

Supposedly, one is sold every 4 seconds. Really?? Ahh. Mine is going to be an unpopular opinion but I’ll say it anyway. This is one overrated product! I applied this as recommended by HadaLabo, which means patting the product instead of spreading it. The sticky texture goes away after about half a minute of patting, but it doesn’t really feel like its been absorbed. Its as if there’s a thin film/layer of the product sitting in your skin. I would imagine that this is what it feels having raw egg white drying on your face.I honestly don’t get the hype. L I truly wanted to love this product. If only it were effective, this would be such a bargain since a little product goes a really long way. The only reason I finished my bottle was because I used it all over my body. Rating: 3/5

HadaLabo SHIROJYUN ARBUTIN WHITENING ESSENCE: HKD 169

What It Is: 

HadaLabo SHIROJYUN Arbutin Whitening Essence contains the effective whitening & anti-ageing ingredient －arbutin－ which penetrates deep into skin and effectively inhibits the formation of melanin, dark spots, and freckles, leaving you a bright skin tone with high translucency. The vitamin C derivatives help improve uneven skin tone, and effectively improve the skin dullness.

Instructions:

After applying toner, pump an adequate amount into your palm and pat onto your face.

What I Think:

I mentioned earlier that I liked picking at the bumps in my forehead. Sometimes, I would be left with some dark marks a few days after squeezing them. I wanted to improve the appearance of these marks with continued use of this essence. But noooo. Just like the other products, it was a disappointment. :( This essence didn’t speed up the lightening of my dark spots nor improve skin dullness. Rating: 2/5

GOKUJYUN MOISTURIZING CREAM: HKD 159

What It Is: 

Intensely moisturizes your face and neck, leaving you with dewy, more supple skin. HadaLabo Goku-jyun Cream locks in moisture, while enhancing your skin’s natural restorative powers.

Instructions : 

Take a nickel-size amount into palms and gently massage onto face and neck. Use in the evening after applying HadaLabo Goku-jyun Lotion, Goku-jyun Milk or Goku-jyun Serum.

What I Think:

This is a thick cream that is best used at night since it might feel too sticky and heavy when used during the day. I guess it helped moisturize my face a bit but again, this was not an exceptional product. Rating: 3/5

Conclusion:

Many others have jumped onto the HadaLabo bandwagon because of all the positive reviews online. I’ve postponed writing this review for a while now because I knew it wasn’t going to be very nice but hopefully, in writing this, it will give a more realistic picture of what HadaLabo products are like. Of course, it could still work beautifully for you but from my experience, they don't have miracle products. I don’t recommend going out and buying multiple items like I did, hoping that using them all with produce amazing results. We all have different skin types and concerns so what didn’t work for me, might work for you. I suggest buying one or two products that target your skin concerns to see if you respond well to them. Wishing that you will have better luck than I did! 

Have you used HadaLabo products before? Did they work for you? Leave your thoughts below!:)