Elafant Co.

🐘Elafant’s Cleaners Picks💦

Other than face masks, I’m the most obsessed with cleansers. It’s the first thing that kicks off and end my day, and I’m very particular of what I like.

Here’s what I have tried recently:
Acai & Manuka Honey Nourishing Cleanser 🍯 | HK$190/100ml — a truly amazing one in terms of texture, results and price. The cheapest among all, it’s gem packed with powerful potent ingredients like their signature + , to cleanse, calm, brighten and nourish the skin all at once. It’s super versatile, sometimes I leave it on longer for a more nourishing morning/night. As a 2nd cleanser, I love how non-stripping it is and that it leaves my skin fresh and smooth. Definitely recommend for those with acne-prone yet dryer skin.
- 3 In 1 Mask Enzyme Cleanser 🫐 | HK$544/100ml .organics — Attracted the words and the fact that the brand was recommended by Kate Middleton, i couldn’t help but put it in my 🛒 when it’s on sale. In a unique gel-balm texture with a blend of , this cleaner definitely leans on the mask texture side. I usually allowed it to sit for a few minutes before I wash it off. Smelled citrusy 🍋, it’s a nice refreshing one for a pampering cleansing experience, though I did find it slightly difficult to wash it off complete, like it kinda left a soft film of oil/balm even after washing off with water. Recommend to use a towel to completely wash it off if you’re not a fan of oil skincare. I think it’s more for dryer and sensitive skin, it’s nice to use once in a while or when i have a rough patch on face.

- Lactic Acid Cleanser Duo🌾🥛 | HK$788/2 bottles (120ml) set (X’Mas Deal) - first tried their Holi(water) which was truly incredible, I wanted to expand on trying their new clearers (at the time). Holi(Cleanse) is a cleansing oil, enriched with a blend natural nutrients from and , to calm, soothe and nourish the skin while removing traces of makeup. Despite how much i love the ingredients, the oil texture wasn’t emulsifying enough to be washed off at the end. It did the job for sure, but not a particular amazing one. On the other hand, the was a 🌟, I love how gentle it was as an exfoliating cleanser, which consisted with a mix of and 5% , that really helped my congested skin. I used it at night as second wash and can truly told the difference after cleansing.
For makeup removal now, I’m back on the CC (not pictured; see previous post) and my skin couldn’t be happier, especially in this colder weather now ❄️
I still have a pile of products/empty bottles waiting to be reviewed. What are you interested to hear? LMK!

Introduction to — A formula-driven skincare brand from Australia 🇦🇺🦘

First saw this brand from .top.shelf.edit (love all your posts!), I was intrigued by its all-rounded stellar line-up of ingredients 🌟
Definitely not at a cheap price point, they offer a starter shorty pack of 3 self-selected minis (10ml) for AU$150 that i immediately got drawn to. And most importantly, it has free international shipping 📦 With mild acne and hyperpigmentation, I ordered , and tone to balance, brighten and protect.
Here’re my thoughts on each of them:
 🌖- My favourite among all, it’s designed for toning blemished skin and strengthening skin barrier with a super potent blend of , , , , , , and more! It’s a all-in-one emulsion-like scentless serum. It feels very nourishing but not heavy on skin. If you have oily skin, this could be a standalone powerhouse that does it all! I use it both night and day - in the morning, i only spot treat acne scars and they’re definitely fading faster.
🌞- a bouncy antioxidant serum that brightens and hydrates. In a ruby orange color, it’s quite a unique (Sodium ascorbic + Ascorbyl glucoside) blend that is that is less sensitising than L-ascorbic acid, great for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Love how it’s also combined with white pine bark and green coffee seed that helps with protecting against UV and firming. Leaning to a thicker side texture, better for drying weather if you have oilier skin.
⚡- a day time lotion that’s soothing and strengthening. Thanks to the 🌾 oat kernel oil, it smells like a fresh bowl of cereal in the morning. Lightweight dreamy texture with a powerful mix of C and .It’s a great formula and feels great on skin BUT if i put makeup on, it will have a piling situation 😢 i switched it to use at night. Best for those who’s not using makeup though!

- Ch.3 Chemical Exfoliation
Last of series - chemical exfoliation. My go-to treatment for time. My skin is super used to acids: , , … you name it. I incorporate them at least once in my night regime (yes, only at night and make sure sunscreen 🌞 is acid’s best buddy in the morning!!)
Whether you’re or not, acid is the holy grail to fight acne, wrinkles, sun & age spots, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Here, I’ve featured 3 mild to strong acid treatment depending on my state of skin of the day. I usually use either of them 1-2 time a week for a more even and glowy complexion ✨
1. Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 🎃- US$54 .
Smells and feels just like fresh pumpkin puree, this cute little jar is made of organic pumpkin enzymes, various source of sugarcane, bilberry fruit, orange peel 🍊, lemon🍋, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, which is full of naturally-derived , , and . It only takes 3-7 mins., to work its magic to exfoliate and renew. To me, it’s quite a mild treatment for a light peeling effect. Weirdly though, when i wash it off, it left my face a slightly coarse touch, like the same feeling after using a soap, which could indicate dryness.
2. Resurfacing Mask - HK$540 .
Also another gentler acid treatment option. In a fruity jelly form, this bestselling mask from Tata Harper is full white willow bark and pomegranate enzyme, a natural form of to help with oil digestion and skin renewal and refinement. It actually feels quite soothing as an acid mask and it does make my skin glow ✨. For minor congestion and dullness, this would be a good pick 😉
3. T.L.C. Sukaru 👶🏻 - HK$625/50ml
4. The of all acid treatment i have used so far! It’s a fine grounded paste with 25% AHA + 2%BHA, almost like a professional salon grade of peeling facial🧖‍♀️. If you’re using it for the first time, make sure you do a patch test or don’t leave a thick layer. It does sting for the first few min. you apply, especially for dry skin type. On top of the acids, it’s mixed with chickpea flou

🍯 - Ch.2 Honeyyyyy
(Apology for this long overdue review!) It’s no secret is an all-rounded, potent skincare ingredient. Anti-bacterial, anti-septic, antioxidize, healing, and exfoliation - all these good things honey brings make it a holy grail for many people.
With skin myself, products with the word “honey” tempt me. Especially in cream masks, honey can offset the dryness that clay can cause to the skin. See my selections below:
1. - Stumbled Across Paradise Mask & Exfoliant / US$45 .�Smells raw in a sandy texture with a combo of Burmese thanka, a ground bark paste originated from Myanmar, Kanuka honey and virgin 🥥 oil . I use it as a quick shower/bathing mask. Makes my skin smoother, but that’s pretty much it. Not bad, not spectacular either.
2. - Mitti Raw Honey Face Masque / $90USD .�Interesting gel clay texture with a strong herbal scent. Doesn’t try the skin like other clay mask does. Composed of raw organic honey, antioxidant cacao and Ayurvedic botanical actives and clays, it helps clarify and heal the skin. The smell can really put people off, but it works. I use it for spot treat overnight too.
3. - Happy Honey Mask / US$62 (comes with a silicone brush).�My favorite among all, and the only I did finish and repurchase! Smells like muesli in a jar 😋 it’s a rich blend of Swedish Honey, coix beads and white kaolin clay. A super simple mask with only 6 ingredients, it instantly smoothens and brightens my skin! Only downside is that it’s physical exfoliant, meaning the scrub could be harsh for open wound or active pimples.
4. - Healing Manuka Mask / US$70 .�A gel-paste mask with a rich fruity jam scent. Compared to the rest, this is less about clarifying the skin but more soothing and nourishing. A mix of raw manuka honey, Aronia Berry powder, kaolin clay, and a blend of essential oil, it’s good for dry, irritated skin, and i usually leave it as long as 30min and it’s still moist.
Can’t wait to give your skin some honey love? Let me know your favourites too 💕

🐘🌝 - Ch.1: Wash-off Mask or Sheet Mask
Here in Asia, sheet masks are much more popular, though I’m not a big fan. I do admit they offer instant hydration and whitening results more effectively (for some of them), but it’s usually quite short term. With my skin, I just find sheet masks too sticky without rinsing (that’s why I wash it off sometimes) and it’s not exactly helpful in clarifying my skin. It’s nice how sheet masks can boost absorption of active ingredients by creating a barrier to lock them in, but it needs to be timed accurately so that they don’t do the reverse and dry out the skin. Remember, fabric soaks up water when osmosis goes the other way (hello !) 🤪
Wash-off masks, on the other hand, can multitask. Most of the wash-off masks that got my attention are the well-balanced ones with exfoliating, healing, hydrating ingredients, like a mix of natural ingredients of clay, enzyme, probiotic, AHA/BHA, raw honey, yogurt, antioxidants, glycerine, squalene, aloe, cacao 😋 ...the list goes on and on. Of course, they’re also cream masks that focus solely on the moisturizing side too, and I usually use them right after an acid or clay-based mask to counter the drying effect.
Personally, I love wash-off masks better, mainly because it’s more sensual (and effective)! I love to play with the texture, the smell, the thickness, the area I’d like apply...and imagine pairing it up with a sandalwood candle, in a warm bath with a good book or movie...it’s just a perfect way to spend the night 😌
At the end of day, it’s up to how your skin reacts! Whether it’s wash-off mask or sheet mask, there’re a few tips from me:
1. ⏰ Always time it! Don’t let it sit longer than it should to avoid irritation and dehydration.
2. 🤡 Though some say you should mask everyday, my personal experience has taught me not to! will result in skin barrier disruption! Just recently, I got desperate cause my skin was breaking out, so I mask every night and it did just the opposite. Giving it a rest for at least a day or two in a week with a simpler routine did eventually calm my skin down. Lesson learnt:
3. ☠️ Avoid using acid/retinol after using make with moderate concentration of the same ingredients. They’re aggressive for many skin types, so don’t over do it.
4. 🛁 For clay and cream (NO ACID) masks, I love to use them while I bathe. My skin absorbs the goodness much better and it glows right after! Oh! And drinking a big glass of water helps so much more too.
Hope this is helpful and there will be more top picks to come 😉

🌝🌚 on Saturday night
I have such a soft spot for masks that I’m soon running out of shelf space for these little jars 😂 I mean it’s just so hard to resist these flavorful, beautiful textures 🍯✨ Guess which one I’m pampering myself with tonight?
Thinking of doing an series, sharing more on my top picks, tips and slip ups🌚 stay tuned!

🐘 Hi there! Our Elafant page is finally here.

I’m sure these past few months have been very bizarre for many of us; whether it is the isolation from your loved ones, job insecurities, always-on fatigue, negative news day-in and day-out, I just hope we are hanging in there and seeing the silver lining. As depressing as this period sounds, it’s a good time for us to just take a pause and take the time to really see where you’re at.

2 years ago, My friend and I started our own cosmetic blog on Instagram from our pure passion in testing beauty products and perfecting our imperfect skin. Without a regular posting schedule, professional set, sponsorship, or our pretty faces showing up (ha!), we didn’t get very far obviously. Now that we have more time, we want to do better.

Elafant, derived from our real names and devoted to our love to nature, especially my weird obsession in elephants (duh!), is aimed to be a safe space for all (extra)ordinary girls to explore, share, and inspire each other about all the clean and effective products out there. No BS, no judgments, no ads, no right or wrong, only real and truthful thoughts and experience.

We can’t wait to see more faces in our elafant community 💙