I was invited for a bloggers’ session with Hada Labo one sunny Saturday morning a couple of weeks ago.
I’ve heard of Hada Labo before, but never took the trouble to google what the fuss was about.
Group shot: Cindy, Ringo, me, Vivy, Iza, Audrey, Ming
Hada Labo Lotion apparently is one of the best-selling skincare products in Japan,
famous for its hydrating properties
with its Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Lotion selling one bottle every 4 seconds!
Hada Labo is famous for their key ingredient – Super Hyaluronic Acid.
Say WhAT? So i googled it:
“Hyaluronic Acid helps improve the moisture retention of skin.
For 1g of Hyaluronic Acid, it could hold 6L of liquid.
HadaLabo Moisturizing skincare products contain Super Hyaluronic Acid (which has double moisture retention power than regular hyaluronic acid).
With sufficient Hyaluronic Acid, your skin looks moistened, soft and supple.”
The reason we’d been gathered that morning,
was the new Retinol Lifting + Firming Range has just launched in Malaysia.
Besides Super Hyaluronic Acid, the products also contain Retinol and Collagen to ensure wrinkle-free and youthful skin.
One thing i really like is that ALL Hada Labo products
use only the finest and purest ingredients without unnecessary
– additives
– colorants
– alcohol
– fragrances
– mineral oils
I don’t really need my facial products to smell nice, bla bla bla.
I need it to DO what it SAYS it will DO. 
There is nothing better than personally testing the products out,
so we tried the Makeup Remover first.
Vivy volunteered to put some of her make up on my hand (i don’t carry any around :p)
Manatau she was going to do some artwork on it – wrote my name in eyeliner, and drew a heart with foundation -_-
The Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Liquid Makeup Remover
gently cleanses and hydrates the skin.
It was stressed that this remover should not be used on waterproof makeup,
but only for non-waterproof and minimal makeup,
as the formulation is water-base.
At first Vivy and i were like “uh oh…” cos her eyeliner was kinda strong
and we thought we screwed up our experiment by using the remover on waterproof eyeliner,
but it still washed off!
PHEW.
Then i had some Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) Hydrating Face Wash to try on the same hand.
Because of the use of SHA in the Face Wash (just like in the Makeup Remover)
the Face Wash is meant to hydrate as much as cleanse.
The texture was a thick compact foam,
and my skin didn’t feel dry in the slightest bit after washing it.
Testing the smoothness and hands’ difference on my face haha.
The one i washed was really sooooo much smoother!
I couldn’t stop touching my face with my hand cos it felt so nice
After cleansing and washing, the moisture levels on the skin of my hand were measured so i could see the difference before and after applying their miracle Lotion!
Vivy and i both got 35.9. She said we’re twins 
Instead of toners, the Japanese call their version of the product – lotions.
And instead of applying with cotton pads,
they simply pat it on with their hands till it absorbs into the skin.
Now i must say, i am a guilty toner user.
I have bottles of toner given to me by different brands which i’ve used quarterway (sorry!) cos i get too lazy to reach for the cotton pads, apply it and wipe it.
It’s just… too many steps for an ex-tomboy.
I love how the Japanese have this dual-moisturizing step after cleansing,
instead of toning and moisturizing.
Now THESE are the miracle Lotions that are from each range i described earlier.
Dark blue – Arbutin Whitening
Red – Retinol Lifting + Firming
White – Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing
The question was, which one’s for me?
I’m blessed to have pretty great skin,
but previous skin tests have revealed that my worry should be dryness and pigmentation (i love the sunshine!)
However, i’m also starting to be more aware of preventing fine lines (i want to be young forever!)
I was told that the new Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming range should be used by women aged 25 and above.
And seeing i’m 28… red it is then.
The Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion has
– Retinol Vitamin A to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
– collagen to improve skin’s elasticity
– Super Hyaluronic Acid to lock in intense hydration
– no alcohol
The Lotion is sorta viscous and really wet,
so i thought they put too much till i was told
i HAD TO PAT IT TO MAKE IT ABSORB.
Pat it?
Ok… so i patted.
And true enough, it just disappeared into my skin!
The patting is supposed to activate your skins’ cells
After everything had absorbed, i took the test again and saw my moisture levels had increased intensely!
After playing with the products, we all got a personalized lunch!
Yummers!
I would never have believed it if you’d told me years ago people would write my blog nickname on a table name card….
They even had personalized Hada Labo table mats, awww
They sent us home with the full Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming range
Our new Hada Labo products in the bathroom.
I’ve been religiously using the Lotion since i brought it home.
The first time Clem saw me patting my face in the living room while watching TV (to make it absorb remember)
he looked at me like ‘what strange thing is she up to now…’.
I’m quite fussy about the texture of facial products.
If i don’t like it, i’d just stop using it.
But this Lotion, i don’t like, i LOVE.
I LOVE that it’s viscous and watery,
and how slick it feels on my skin as i slather it on generously.
I LOVE how affordable it is (RM55.90!) allowing me to be generous with the amounts as i should, and not have to be stingy.
I LOVE knowing how all this Super Hyaluronic Acid is making its way into my skin and retaining much needed moisture for me.
Even after 2 days of using it, i could feel the difference.
I’d even rub my cheek on Clem’s forcing him to feel the difference.
I definitely didn’t want to stop using it after that.
Two weeks later, my skin is incredibly smooth and soft, to the point it feels like i have powder on!
On days i don’t wear makeup, i find myself touching my cheeks with my fingertips and praising it
A great thing about the Lotion is that it’s such a natural and intensely hydrating product,
that people use it for other dry areas on their body.
Every time i spend too much time in the sun or air con,
the skin on my arms start to itch cos they’re dry.
I went to the beach last weekend, and used the Lotion on my arms after being in the sun all day.
Love how it’s not sticky nor heavy on my skin,
and it’s so much quicker to apply than body moisturizer (again, me being lazy).
If i had to choose only one vanity bottle to take with me for a journey for the rest of my life,
it would have to be the Lotion.
Hands down.
When i have a bit more time to relax at home and am not late for sleep,
i apply the Essence after the Lotion has absorbed…
The Lifting + Firming Essence penetrates deeply into the skin to improve skin’s elasticity and firmness.
It’s got a thick smooth texture that absorbs into the skin fairly easily,
and seems to fill in the fine lines and wrinkles.
I try to use this when i feel my skin needs an extra boost from a tiring / dry day!
I tried the moisturizers – Cream (left) and Milk.
Obviously you only choose one of the two to use,
depending on your preference of texture.
Personally, i prefer the Retinol Lifting + Firming Milk as it’s got almost the same texture as the Lotion and absorbs faster than the Cream (sorry i’m impatient as you can see!)
It’s creamier and not as watery as the Lotion,
but applies just as easily unto my skin’s surface.
I usually have to wait a few minutes till it dries completely,
but that’s not an issue as i time my moisturizer application as i go about getting ready my clothes.
By the time i’m done, it’s dry and ready for makeup!
The Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Cream is really thick and slightly sticky,
takes quite some time for it to absorb into my skin.
It’s a great cream to let sit on your skin just before you go to bed so you wake up feeling SUPER MOISTURIZED.
I think this would be an awesome cream to use in the winter when my skin is crying with dryness.
+ + +
Left-Right: Lotion, RM55.90; Cream, RM65.90; Essence, 75.90; Milk, RM61.90; Mask, 49.90.
(available at all Guardian pharmacies nationwide)
Get the Lotion!
I FRIKKING SWEAR BY IT.
My skin has been really soft and smooth all day long, even with make up on, since i’ve been using it!
Can i ask some question?
if i wan to tre this, first step what i need to used? (the red colour)
hi…
I’m so glad to have your review about HADA LABO product especially about The Red Range… now I’m using Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid lotion (the white one) alone and YES it give the healthier hydrate face skin.. My friends said that I’m using SK2 BUT i’m not.. I should try the red range… xsabar nk tunggu gajie nie…
thanks for the review…
I currently using the blue one. today is my 3rd day using it. Since this brand is not well-known in M’sia,your testimony is really helpful. I hope it will really give me SKII result. From my three days experience, my PMS pimple which was appeared on the first day gone the next day which was yesterday. i’m impressed and I will continue using it.
Eily: the lotion, then essence (if you want), then the moisturizer…
Che Milly: Thanks for your comment! Glad you love it too!
Lieney: good luck!
hello… I already using the red range for about a month. The result -> fabulous… my face pore become smaller, more radiant and more firmer.. smiling line almost gone… wow… my range now hada labo SHA face wash + Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion + Hada Labo Retinol Lifting + Firming milk.. AND MORE IMPORTANT THING IS – no breakout occur during using the product… luv u hada labo
helo…i just buy Hada Labo White Range past 2 days..after read your review..i can’t wait to see the result…hu2..
hi, i just bought trial kit for the mosturizing range.
i’m thinking of the buying the red range after finishing the kit. do i have to buy ALL the products in the range?
The lotion actually broke me out 🙁
Here’s sharing my review: http://beautysorority.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/hada-labo-retinol-lifting-firming-lotion-review/
Heya,
I know this is a lil too late but I gotta say BIG THANKS for this review. Been reading your blog for a while now but never really took it to heart to try any products you’ve recommended. I was at a stage where I had lost hope for my skin (it’s pimply, sallow and I think I am prematurely aging – I know, sucks to be me) I’ve tried countless off the counter/prescribed meds/skincare that had left my skin either too dry or too caked or both. Nightmare, really. But since I grew some balls and tried Hada Labo, I must say I am pretty happy now. It’s not exactly the porcelain look I fantasized about, I’d probably need to consider other forms of treatment to put my wild hormones at bay but safe to say I don’t have to wear a paper bag over my head these days. Thanks fairy,so glad I know your site! 😀
i drop by again… hehe. my skin did broke out after using it about two weeks. but then i just love how it really moisture my face. so i try to use by applying it on area where usually will not breakout since the structure of the product it self like a water that will adsorb by skin eventually. what i try to explain here is, the product will be absorb by the adjacent cell on ur face even thought u r only applying it on some part. so as i’m using it now for almost three months, my skin become more radiance and all pimple scar fading away.
hey fairy, thanks for the review! very informative. 🙂
just wanna ask for your opinion, is it advisable to just use the lotion and don’t apply moisturizer after that?
yeah you can! but you still HAVE to apply some sort of moisturizer after the lotion (admittedly, stimes i’m lazy and don’t har har,but you SHOULD)
[…] the neosynthesis (sayWHATtt) of collagen, fibronectin and hyaluronic acid. (i’ve written the importance of hyaluronic acid […]
Aww man. It would really save a lot of time if that moisturizer step weren’t necessary. ;p anyway, thanks for taking the time to reply! <3
Hello, May I know if the red cream contain parabens? Thank you
Can you please reach out to the company contact you have and find out where I can buy this product. Their website does not have an online buying option and I cannot find the red line anywhere. Marukai (a grocery store near me in gardena, ca) does sell it but they don’t have the red line. I need that line and your help would be greatly appreciated msdavis74@yahoo.com
Just thought I’d say that as an avid user (I swear by this!) of Hada Labo, your review really does it justice. 😉
I have had horrible acne since my preteens (i’m 20 now) and have tried so many different brands, none of which had any long-lasting satisfaction for me, until Hada Labo, and yes, the easy-to-apply toner is seriously a must-have!!!
Thanks for reviewing it and I hope more people come across it because it needs to be spread around! ^^
i wonder how come they dont have Cleanser in their (RED) range?
do u think i am able to get a tester to test on my skin before i purchase it ? where to get tester / sample pack ?
Hi..i have pigmentasi skin problem,i wanna ask u opinion what i need tu use?
hi fediliah,I have pigmentation problem too and I just had a visit at hadalabo.com.my and they are suggesting us to use the arbutin range,the blue ones.and they also said it is ok to combine the white or red range into arbutin range…I’m going to get my full set of arbutin range+firming lotion this weekend.all previews promise good result+the price is affordable.
if i want to try , which type i suppouse to use-dark blue bottle,red bottle or white bottle. My face feel dry& dull, pimple scar,some big pore&some dark spots. Pls advice me.Thanks
Love your review so much! Thank you!!
You seriously don’t look 28 0_0 I thought you were 21 or something.. 🙂
So yes I’m quite lazy too.. but I’ll definitely try Hada Labo.. the white one that is.. 😀 my skin is dry, ultra dry and oily at the same time, which explains the breakouts..
Awesome review ♡
i am 47 yrs now, wish to know more which one of the skin care of hada labo i should use..cos i got pigmentation on both of my bone cheek for 10 yrs which i could not fine a very suitable skin care for it..i need your advice which is suitable for me here…
thank you
For girl 20 years old like me,which more suitable for me?i use that blue ..but my face always burn.
i use 1 set of hada labo.it already 2 month but my face still burn..is it didnt protect my face from uv???tq
i am in my mid 60, my laughing lines at my mouth and below mouth are very deep. I also have 2 deep lines between my eyes (frowning lines) Please tell me what products should I use. I have sensitive skin esp on my forehead. I have used SK, Loreal and Ulay products but non help.
Hi..are u still using HL?
And it is recommended if i mix the HL product ?
I means, the lotion i use the blue one and for anti aging the creamy one..
Tqia..
Can I use this with my Retin-A I use a prescription tretinonin
If so how.?