Taking care of acne-prone is hard enough, but what do you do when you’re in Japan and can’t get ahold of your tried-and-true products? Or, what if the products you’re currently using are no longer effective in your fight against pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads? Introducing Orbis Clear: Japanese Skincare For Acne-Prone Skin.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you have severe or painful acne, please consult with a dermatologist before making changes to your skincare routine or experimenting with new skin care products. Orbis Clear products provided by Orbis Japan for an Instagram campaign. This post is not sponsored by Orbis and all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
About Orbis
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As I mentioned in the disclaimer, these products were sent to me by Orbis Japan. But, Orbis Clear isn’t my first encounter with the brand. My very first My Little Box Japan came with Orbis U skincare products, and I must say, I wasn’t too fond. A year later, I got a full-sized sample of Orbis Cream for Cleansing and still wasn’t impressed, mainly because I’m not fond of cold cream cleansers.
However, Orbis as a Japanese skin care brand deserves attention because of its minimalist approach to skincare. An effective skincare regime doesn’t have to be complicated, and Orbis gets right down to the basics: skin hydration on a cellular level.
Created by Japanese scientists, Orbis skincare products are oil-free, fragrance-free, and free of colorants, too. Orbis Clear, in particular, is clinically proven to prevent acne by increasing the amount of antimicrobial peptides that help fight against bacteria that causes acne. And, since I have oily skin and get hormonal acne flairs on my temples, cheeks, and jawline, I personally wanted to give Orbis Clear a chance.
Orbis Clear: Japanese Skincare For Acne-Prone Skin — The Review
Orbis Clear is a medicated skincare line clinically proven to treat acne prone skin. Its main ingredients are dipotassium glycyrrhizate, coix seed extract, and gromwell root extract to reduce inflammation, hydrate, and tone the skin.
If you look closely at the bottles, you’ll notice an “M” next to “lotion” and “moisturizer.” This is because Orbis Clear M products are of the “shittori” (しっとり) type, which means they are very dewy. Orbis Clear L products, on the other hand, are the “sappari” (さっぱり) or mattefying type.
Now onto each product:
Orbis Clear Deep Cleansing Liquid
Despite its appearance, Orbis Clear Deep Cleansing Liquid is not an oil cleanser. After all, Orbis is an oil-free skin care line! Rather, it’s a liquid gel cleanser that is great for washing up in the mornings or after a workout.
I will say this is not an effective makeup remover, especially when it comes to fiber mascara and “all-day” eyeliner. Even when double cleansing with Orbis Clear Wash, I still saw a noticeable amount of mascara residue.
Otherwise, this is a mild cleanser that cleanses without causing irritation, though I noticed a slightly tight feeling afterwards.
Orbis Clear Wash
Cleansing Research Wash Cleansing r remains my favorite foam wash, but I hardly even find it in stores and it sells out quickly on Amazon. Orbis Clear Wash is a decent replacement, though it unfortunately does not have AHA.
With that said, I absolutely love the texture of this foam cleanser!
You only need a pea-sized amount to work it into a smooth and creamy lather. I use this along with the Orbis Clear Deep Cleansing Liquid for double cleansing at night, and I also use it on mornings when I wake up looking especially oily. It cuts down on oil production, and I think Orbis Clear Wash would be great to use in the shower to deal with breakouts on the chest, shoulders, and back.
Orbis Clear Lotion (M)
Out of all the Orbis Clear products, Orbis Clear Lotion M is my favorite, so I will be going into great detail with this review!
For starters, it’s the only Orbis Clear product with a discernible scent. It smells like an alcohol based toner, though the scent is light.
As I was typing this review I kept trying to think of what it reminded me of. Then, it clicked as I was getting my daughter ready for bed. Orbis Clear smells just like her prescription medication, Heparinoid Lotion 0.3%. (It’s a treatment for atopic dermatitis/eczema.)
Orbis Clear Lotion M has similar properties, but a very different chemical compound. The first five ingredients listed, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, water, ethanol/ethyl alcohol, glycerine, and collagen tripeptide, work together to effectively moisturize the skin while protecting it from dryness, redness and irritation. The main ingredient is dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a derivative of licorice root extract. As a skincare ingredient, it reduces redness and irritation and is effective in treating atopic dermatitis or eczema.
It does not sting or irritate when it comes in contact with pimples. In fact, it’s very soothing, with almost a cooling effect. The texture of this toner is very watery. If you’re worried about getting product everywhere, it’s best to use this as a DIY sheet mask using cotton pads. Orbis Clear Lotion is super hydrating. You’ll really notice this if you use it after washing with the Orbis Clear Wash or Orbis Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion.
Orbis Clear Moisture
If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll still need a moisturizer. Though, finding one that won’t dry out your skin and clog your pores can be tricky. Orbis Clear Moisture M is a lightweight, gel-like moisturizer that hydrates. It doesn’t make my skin feel heavy nor does it leave behind sticky residue.
Since It’s a small bottle, I tend to use it only at night. Afterwards, I apply a thick facial cream to keep my skin from drying out overnight. But, if you’re experiencing an acne breakout, you’ll be better off using this as the final step in your skincare routine.
Orbis Clear: Japanese Skincare For Acne-Prone Skin — Final Thoughts
Overall, Orbis Clear is an affordable total skin care solution for anyone with acne-prone skin as the entire set costs 6,600 yen. When used twice daily, the products will last 2-3 months. (The Orbis Clear Moisture lasts about 1-1.5 months).
Out of all the products, my favorites are Orbis Clear Wash and Orbis Clear Lotion M. They’re simple, fuss-free skin care products that reduce redness and inflammation while keeping excess sebum production in check
It’s worth mentioning that you’ll likely see better results when you use Orbis Clear in conjunction with a vitamin C spot treatment like Melano CC to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
The 4-step Orbis Clear series is available on Amazon Japan through Orbis’ Offical Store as a full-sized set and mini travel kit.
For more Japanese skincare products for acne-prone skin, please see my list of 43 Helpful Japanese Beauty Products for Every Skin Type.
My next installment to The Beauty Files is a list of Japanese skincare products for babies and toddlers. I’ll get into Miss M’s skin troubles and how it took 3 years and plenty of tears to develop a functional skin care regime!
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