Althea's Pore Care 101: What's Inside The Box?

Hi everyone! Today, I'm gonna share with you the items I got inside Althea Korea's Pore Care Box. I actually got my loot the first week of January, but I experienced a flood and got quite busy with the aftermath. Don't worry because that doesn't mean I forgot about the box. In fact, I still feel excited whenever I look at all the items inside! Another fact, my Althea hauls are one of the first few things I saved. (Hahaha, yes don't judge me.)

For the uninitiated, Althea Korea is an online store offering authentic korean beauty products with the lowest prices. Why so? It's because they ship their items directly from South Korea! Aside from the big, big discounts, they have other irresistible deals and regularly release themed beauty boxes like this one, with savings up to 80%!!!

I have self-imposed Low-Buy and Project Empty challenges. I've been very good sticking to it but when I saw the announcement for the Pore Care Box, I knew I just have to get it! This box contains items for a complete pore routine - from cleansing to moisturizing! Perfect for me!

Let's jump right in!

Packaging

My purchase arrived safely in my doorstep like this.

All safely wrapped with bubble. Aside from the Pore Care Box, I got another box filled with items I'm curious about. Will share it with you too in another post.

The box is massive!

The pore care items came in the standard Althea pink box. I think it's their largest box. Just compare it to the teeny tiny blue one. Lol.

Got a Happy New Year Card. All the light and thin items were on top of the box.

(1) My Beauty Rice Sheet Mask (2) Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask
(3) Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Powder and (4) Skinfood Egg White Nose Pack

The rest of the items are wrapped in another bubble wrap sheet.
I can't believe it. All the products are huge!

WHAT'S INSIDE

Now, let's look at everything more closely. I haven't used them aside from a select few, so I will only be writing my first impressions. Will do full separate reviews for each. Stay tuned!

1) Nella Black and Black Cleansing Foam + Pore Brush, Php 360 at Althea

"The Nella Black and Black Cleansing Foam contains charcoal powder which acts as a natural absorbent
and works well in lifting away residues from the pores. It also comes with soft bristled pore brush."

The first step in a good pore cleansing routine is to clean out all the gunk from inside. This set has a charcoal facial wash plus a pore brush to target all those problem areas! The cleansing foam has a foil seal inside so I can't show you swatches of it yet but the pore brush! Oh my god!

Click the pic for full size. Tapos zoom in (ctrl +) nyo pa mga bes! 

The brush has 350,000 fine lashes on it. Nella claims it is thinner than pores (or hair) and won't irritate the skin. I ran my fingers through it and it is dense, super-packed but still soft and velvety. Just look at the brush strands! I've been using the brush with my regular cleanser and it makes my face feel soft and deeply cleaned after. As fine as it is, it can still exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Take note I'm only using this every other day. Always remember, over-exfoliation is a big no-no.

2) Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Powder, Php 126.85 at Innisfree

"Infused with Jeju Tangerine extract, the Innisfree Jeju Sparkling Mineral Powder
provides a brightening effect for the skin. Aside from that, its unique sparkling
bubbles stick to the skin to provide a calming, massaging sensation."

I haven't seen any product like this before. You're supposed to dissolve the powder in a bowl of water and then soak or splash your face with the resulting bubbly water to experience a massage effect. I've looked up tutorials how to use this and it looks fun. Will blog about it for sure!

3) Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask, Php 520 at Althea

Ah, yes... my favorite inside the box
"Twice a week, for smoother skin!"

Clay masks are known to greatly help diminish the size of pores and regulate oil control. Among all the different clay masks available, this one from Innisfree is probably the most raved about. It seems to deliver what it promises to do because most reviews I see are very positive.

4) Skinfood Egg White Peel Off Nose Pack, approx Php 30

"It is a peel of nose pack containing an egg white extract
to make smooth nose by removing blackhead and sebum."

Hmmm, not sure about this one. I'm avoiding pore strips because using one regularly can widen pores and eventually lead to other problems like broken capillaries. It is recommended to use acids (AHAs/BHAs) to dissolve blackheads instead. The results of using acids may not be instant but it's so much better for the skin in the long run.

And guess what, this box has a BHA product in it!

5) Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad, USD 10.90 at Secret Key (approx Php 530)

"One step peeling and exfoliating pad with Betaine Salicylate and lemon extract
that gently removes dead skin cells without irritation and promotes visibly clear,
smoother, and brighter, skin. May use for fixing makeup."

I checked the ingredients and formulations aside, the ingredients are almost the same to CosRX's One Step Pimple Clear Pad. The active ingredient is Betaine Salicylate, a chemical exfoliant that’s known for removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores and reducing inflammation. This is a peeling pad so I expect the BHA percentage is quite small (as opposed to using a pure BHA product) but I have high hopes for this one!

6) Rire Pore Tightening Fresh Toner, only Php 80 at Althea!

"Removes impurities and clarify the complexion for healthier looking skin"

First of all, this is such a gigantic toner! It is a 300-ml bottle. I think this will last me for more than a year even if I let my sisters use it, no kidding! (lol)

This toner has clay & ash in it and promises to remove impurities and excess oils. Not sure how this works - won't the clay and ash clog the pores if you don't rinse it off? Anyway, this product contains no paraben, talc, mineral oil, silicon and artificial dyes. Perfect for those who have sensitive skin!

7) Chica Y Chico Oil Clear Essence, Php 560 at Althea

"Absorbs excessive oil more effectively than blotting sheets. For clearer tightened pores.
Keeps the skin hydrated. Light and soft texture."

This essence is supposed to be like a blotting paper. It will absorb grease and tighten pores while building a moisture barrier. It keeps the skin hydrated without leaving a greasy feeling, thanks to its soft and lightweight formula.

I'm currently using Laneige White Plus Renew Original Essence (review upcoming). It's moisturizing and claims to be lightweight. However, I find that it leaves a tacky feeling. I'm curious how this Chica Y Chico essence will compare.

8) Mamonde Rose Water Multi Soothing Gel, Php 400 at Althea

a pretty pink tub of Mamonde's Rose Water Multi-Soothing Gel

After all that skincare, you should not forget to moisturize. Even oily-skinned people should put on some hydration! I personally find cream moisturizers to be too heavy for me. I prefer water-based gels because they are lightweight and doesn't clog my pores.

This Mamonde Rose Water Soothing Gel is very promising. Aside from moisturizing the skin, it claims to provide cooling benefits, and can be used from head to toe.

9) My Beauty Rice Sheet Mask, Php 93 at Althea

"Rice extracts removes dead skin cells and makes the best skin condition by brightening dull complexion"

This is a Rice Sheet Mask from My Beauty. I haven't tried anything from this brand yet. They claim that the nutrients from rice help brighten and nourish the skin.

10. Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Mask (freebie)

Last but not the least is this Innisfree Green Tea Mask. Great because I love masks!

It is worth noting that all the items inside are recently manufactured. They are not old stocks. I can safely shelve the products until I'm ready to use them without worrying about expiry dates.

Fast, Impressive Delivery

My first two hauls from Althea arrived about 14 days after placing my order & payment. I was expecting the same for this package. Since the products are shipped directly from Korea, it is reasonable to expect that the items will take longer to arrive than local deliveries. I was pleasantly surprised when I got my package after ONLY 7 DAYS (and it was the holiday season!!)

Order Date:                                     December 29

"Already Shipped" email:            January 2

Delivered to me:                             January 7

They are transparent with their shipment too. They give you a tracking number once they have shipped your products.

Was this box worth it?

A big resounding yes! The box has a total value of Php 2,639, but I paid only Php 1,360!
I saved Php 1,279 or 48.5%! That's a lot! Price aside, I love how every single item inside is made for me and my pores. I can truly say this box is one of my best buys. A lot of people thought the Pore Care box is awesome too because it sold out within a couple of days. Whenever they release a beauty box, make sure you grab it fast!

Which item should I review first? Have you ordered anything from Althea? C'mon, let's be k-beauty besties! :))))

Til the next post~

Check out Althea!
Website: http://ph.althea.kr/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/altheakorea
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/altheaphilippines
Blog: http://blog.althea.kr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/altheakorea?lang=en

Follow me!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teptns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teptns/

Haven't tried Althea yet? Use this special discount link to receive up to 350 Php worth of discounts!
Sign up for an Account (referral link)


Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Items are bought with my own money and my reviews are my own opinions. Also, like everything and anything skincare, what works for me might not work for you and vice versa.