Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Naruko Review: Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser, Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum, AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set

Naruko is the brainchild of skincare guru 牛爾老師, a frequent guest on the Taiwanese beauty talk show 女人我最大. I am crazy over Naruko and with good reason. Their products are inexpensive and they work very well.

Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser


Name: Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser
Price: RM 29 for 120 ml
Made in: Taiwan

The cleanser has a soft moldable almost creamy clay texture and even with the ingrained scrubby beads it is extremely gentle on my skin.

Upon application, it gives a cooling minty sensation and smells absolutely refreshing. I am rather used to the scent of tea tree in my skincare so I am immune to it but it might not be your cup of tea.


My face feels clean and fresh after using it and it does not strip moisture from my skin whatsoever. It is multi-purpose, besides its main function as a cleanser, it can act as an exfoliant and a weekly clay mask.

I tend to break out less after using this cleanser and I have already repurchased a second tube. It has cemented itself as one of my favourite cleansers ever!

The full ingredient list for Tea Tree Oil Out Acne Clay Cleanser:


Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum


Name: Naruko Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum
Price: RM 52 for 30 ml
Made in: Taiwan

The super lightweight runny texture aids in hastening absorption.


As with the cleanser, this serum also contains peppermint essential oil which is cooling and this helps to calm the skin somewhat. However, that is the only thing it does. This serum does not check off the other claims in the description - it does not do a thing to curb breakouts, lighten pigmentation or refine pores.

I guess I was expecting too much after watching YouTube gurus rave about this serum...

The full ingredient list for Tea Tree Oil Out Balancing Serum:


AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set


Name: Naruko AMPM C12 Two-Step Line Reducing Set
Price: RM 99 for 60 ml
Made in: Taiwan

Step C12 Ultimate Line Reducer


It has a silky smooth consistency as with most silicone loaded serums. The high concentration of Vitamin C in Step (12%) makes my skin tingle whenever I apply it.

Step Vitamin C Serum Enhancer


Step has a fluid texture. It needs a little bit of patting before it absorbs completely.

Steps and come in toothpaste squeeze tubes. This design keeps out sunlight as well as prevents oxidation and contamination. They both smell like chewable Vitamin C supplements that I used to eat as a child.

The two tubes used in conjunction gave me wonderful results. I wake up with super firm skin and I noticed this even from my first usage. I did not notice much effects clarity wise nor does it brighten my skin. I only use these serums during the night time, which is why they lasted quite some time.

I will repurchase once I am done with the other serums in my stash. They are the perfect anti-ageing tool!

The full ingredient list for Step C12 Ultimate Line Reducer:


The full ingredient list for Step Vitamin C Serum Enhancer:


If you are interested in purchasing Naruko, you can get it from naruko.my or Watsons.

9 comments :

adailydoseofanything said...

I love the cleanser as well! I'm on my 2nd and already bought my 3rd as a spare and planning to get 1 more when I further my studies overseas. Thats how much I love it XD And a  little goes a long way ,it lasted so long! <3 I love the serum too,too bad it didn't work out for you =/ I find it helps with my breakouts but not alot. Love the calming effects too :D

Afterglow Cosmetics said...

I know tea tree oil is good for soaking all the oils from the body and the face...this should be a very good product,thanks for the update.Acne can be really disturbing.

Katherine Tealeaf said...

 Wow the products sound like they really work. o: I should try it sometime. The cleanser seems really interesting. Why are you using anti wrinkle creams though, your skin is flawless!

Simplejoysbkk said...

The acne clay cleanser sounds good and I need it at the moment. I'm not sure where I can find it here in Bangkok, though :(

Janet said...

Wow! seems like a nice product! The Acne Clay cleanser sounds pretty interesting, though I'm not a fan of Tea Tree Oil but they added glycolic acid on the ingredients and no parabens so I guess this would be a good product for me too! Will try to check this out soon! Thanks for the review ^_^~

petrina said...

I'm a fan of Naruko products too! The tea tree clay cleanser is one of my faces and so are most of the items in the Rose and snow fungus n Magnolia line. I've only tried one AMPM product which is the washing face powder but did not like it as much.

Salt Vinegar said...

i love the cleanser too!! but i kinda stopped using the serum after a while.. sticky and doesn't do much.. as for anti-aging i'm using esteee lauder advance night repair at the moment.. so gonna give am/pm a miss for now.. though u make me so tempted!

Amy Dang said...

ooo! i'm really interested in the cleanser now! must try, thank you blair! :)

saccharine0158 said...

i'm happy that naruko worked for you blair! i remember joining the bandwagon a year ago but it didn't give me good results.