The Verdict
OVERALL SUMMERY
Gimmicky Snakeskin
Troubled skin but still want to wear makeup?
First released by South Korean brand NOT4U, “peel-off foundation” is a new beauty trend that helps conceal sore and angry looking acne by spreading a clear liquid gel under your foundation to protect your blemished skin from worsening. Yes, although it isn’t an “actual” base foundation that peels off like some horror film special effect, it’s an interesting look at the weird-wonderful creations produced by the makeup industry.
Now, Japan also has a local version by cosmetics company COGIT called the “Recover Clear Patch” offering the perks of guilt-free makeup days for those not-so-fine days.
Let’s demystify what’s really lying under its gimmicky name…
APPLICATION
As the gel creates a barrier to protect your acne, the product needs to be spread evenly and thinly before any base makeup is applied to the skin. Thankfully, it is easy to apply! Just a small droplet is enough to treat the area just like using an ointment and then, wait for it to dry completely before applying your usual makeup routine.
The drying time is around a minute but could take longer if you have applied too much by accident. Once it is dried, you can see that it creates a shiny “film” over your skin which is quite firm and sealed quite well to the skin. Although the packaging says to wash it off with warm water, many people and PR images show them doing that gross-but-satisfying pinching and pulling at the edges to take it off like flaky
dead skin. Disgustingly… good!
It is because of the film’s sensitivity to water that there are some caution steps you will need to remember when doing your makeup:
- You can’t use a damp beauty blender directly as it will break the film so fingers or cushion air puff application is best.
- Applying a very watery type foundation will also pose a challenge. Try to work thinly and build up to make sure it doesn’t break the seal.
- Do not rub the seal.
Left Side: Shiny appearance due to the larger area being covered on the cheek and forehead. | Right Side: Spot coverage on smaller problem areas near the lip and forehead.
My acne spot after applying one layer of light-medium foundation.
SKIN BENEFITS
Aside from providing a barrier to block bacteria and other stuff that might make your acne worse from applying makeup over it, Recover Clear Patch has malic acid and citric acid which have exfoliating and skin tone improvement properties. Having said that, the packaging does warn to avoid areas with abnormal skin such as scars, swelling, eczema, and rashes.
My thoughts about the skin benefits of this product are that it is only suitable to treat
very mild environment-causing acne. It gives the wearer peace of mind that there’s something to make it more beneficial to your skin but is it really strong enough during the hours you spend wearing makeup to see any real effects? I’m skeptical about that and still think it’s better to create a good skincare routine with more concentrated ingredients to cure your acne rather than to simply cover it for cosmetic reasons.
LONG-LASTING
After making many exaggerated funny faces to see if the patch would lift off, I was happy to find that it still remained on the skin with no breaks. Having said that though, your face makeup will wrinkle in that kind of cling wrap scrunchy way when you laugh, smile, and so on. It is because the seal doesn’t absorb the product like your skin does but stops the absorption with its coating. Over time, these wrinkles will definitely deteriorate the seal but it was nice to know it wasn’t in an instant.
Ironically, however, the one thing that I was not expecting was how fragile this patch seal was when pressed with the slightest bit of pressure!
While I was seeing if the makeup would come off from simple rubbing, I was surprised that the seal on the side came off so easily without applying much pressure at all. I don’t think it would last very long outside and during daily use when it would be only natural to touch your face occasionally by instinct.
Another thing I noticed was how the area I applied spot treatments of the patch gel created a crust halo with the foundation around the edges giving the appearance of flaky skin. Definitely not an attractive look and this would make anyone want to take it off immediately.
Creasing from the patch seal.
Left side: Peeling because I rubbed my cheek slightly | Right side: Flake patches under foundation makeup
PACKAGING AND DESIGN
There’s not too much to rave about the design of COGIT’s Recover Clear Patch’s packaging since it’s very basic but there is something to “rant” about ever so slightly as it crosses my mind. Isn’t this Recover Clear Patch packaging a copy of NOT4U’s?
Let’s break it down:
- They both have a green and white packaging colour scheme and both come in a tube form. The green and white are slightly brighter on Recover Clear Patch’s than NOT4U’s.
- They both have a green coloured “bar” around the tube.
- They both have a medical-looking “+” sign in their name although in different colours (NOT4U is red or grey and Recover Clear Patch is green).
Given that their package appearances overall uses simplified designs it’s quite easy to spot the similarities. Also since Cojit started selling on Amazon in March 2018 and NOT4U in May 2017 I’m inclined to believe that NOT4U had the design originally. Personally, I like NOT4U’s packaging more because it looks more polished and designed with a brand image in mind while Recover Clear Patch’s packaging looks very generic and standard.
Left Side: NOT4U Real Skin Patch | Right Side: COGIT Recover Clear Patch
VALUE FOR MONEY
Retailing at ¥1,296 the Recover Clear Patch isn’t going to break the bank but for an item that has more cons than pros, it’s money better spent elsewhere in my opinion.
For the same amount of money, you can also get pimple patches that work better in my opinion.
TL;DR
The “peel-off foundation” trend is a gimmicky product that has more cons than pros.
WHERE TO BUY
Unfortunately, Cojit’s Recover Clear Patch is only available through Amazon Japan but you can try NOT4U’s Real Skin Patch below:
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS “PEEL-OFF FOUNDATION” TREND?
LOVE IT OR HATE IT? LET US KNOW!
Wow this is insane! I haven’t heard of it till now but I get the concept. It seems cool and I love how you compare and show us the details. This review was so helpful!
Christine | https://dailykongfidence.com/
Great review and photos! Thank you for the information!
http://www.voguefauxreal.com
You had me at peel-off foundation. This is my first time hearing of it! After reading your review though, probably not best suited for my skin type because I break out easily. But it might work better for others!
xo Samantha
This is such an interesting product, I’ve never seen anything like this before! Thank you for sharing your detailed review, it was so helpful! :) Happy Holidays!
melissakacar.blogspot.com
Such an awesome and helpful review! I have never heard of this product but I will definitely be trying it! Happy Holidays :)
The idea behind this is product is really nice, but I hate how it looks like wrinkles when I smile and it also peels off on its own in a few hours. Great review tho :)
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Bummer it didn’t totally deliver because it’s a really cool idea! Thanks for the review, babe!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I’ve honestly never heard of a product like this before. But you’ve done such a good and detailed review!
http://www.jeannieinabottleblog.com
Omg I had no idea this was even a thing!! Thanks so much for sharing such an in-depth review girly!
xo,
H
http://firsttimethings.com/
This is such an interesting concept and one I never heard of before until now. I think this would be great way (and easier) to remove make up at the end of the day but I can’t imagine it lasting long. Talking and touching your face is bound to break it apart, much like your photos show too. Such a shame.
Sxx
daringcoco.com
Wow, such a great article. Loved reading it :)
X Merel
http://www.andathousandwords.com
Oh wow I didn’t know about this foundation at all – sounds interesting!
But like you said/ showed, I guess its not something for everyday makeup ;)
Happy new year ♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
First time to see this kind of product, thanks for the review it’s worth knowing.
http://www.busyandfab.com
I have never heard of this before. Thank you for sharing!
http://lesley-kim.com/
Thank you for this great review! The product sounds amazing!
xx Elisa
http://www.francinesplaceblog.com
DIY & LIFESTYLE BLOG
Overall, this is a really cool idea but it’s a shame that it didn’t work and creased the skin – lovely photos and great description though!
Layla x
https://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
Loved it ! Please check out my latest article
https://www.thearafashion.com/
Really great review!
Kisses
Silvia
I really want to try this out.As i have never ever tried any kinda of peel of foundations.This product is really a crazy one.