James Welsh's YouTube video

5 Most Overrated Skincare Products — And What to Buy Instead

10 products · Sep 12, 2025 · Watch on YouTube ↗

  1. jameswelsh mentioning RoC Cicaplast Baume B5+ at 01:23 in their YouTube video
    • I think it's a really really nice restorative repairing cream0:47
    • It's really really good if you're dealing with like minor scrapes to the face or like post-procedure skin1:23
    • The texture is very, very thick1:40
    • It's very thick emollient like and it creates a nice occlusive layer on the skin1:49
    • For a lot of people, especially those with oily combination skin like myself, it can feel kind of heavy, very greasy2:01
    • Sometimes people said it's made their breakouts worse2:12
    • I feel like people do pose this as the healing ointment for everything2:13
    • It's more so like for special occasions
    • That zinc leaves me with a little bit of a white cast and it really really does look like a night mask kind of situation for me
    • Cicaplast amazing if you're post-procedure, dealing with really dry, damaged skin, or have very easily sensitized skin with some breakouts2:01
  2. jameswelsh mentioning SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica B5 Cream at 03:20 in their YouTube video
    SKIN1004$18.90
    • It's lightweight
    • It's fast absorbing and more suitable for like daily use3:03
    • The B5 tea tree cream also targets like acne prone skin with tea tree extract and tea tree oil which bring that kind of like antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help calm active breakout3:20
    • I feel like this one does an amazing job at it, too3:39
    • This formula actually includes ceramide as well to reinforce the barrier and hyaluronic acid for that hydration4:04
    • As somebody with combination skin I love that4:17
    • This gel cream just makes perfect sense4:34
    • It's a lot more cosmetically elegant and wearable, but does the same job
    • Gives you all the benefits of panthenol and centella, but in a much lighter formulation that is non-comedogenic4:41
    • If you are prone to clogging pores, this might be a nice alternative4:50
    • The Tea-Trica B5 gel cream is a really good option to try5:15
  3. jameswelsh mentioning Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum at 06:05 in their YouTube video
    • I actually really enjoyed it6:01
    • I liked it as a general nicely hydrating skin brightening product6:05
    • It kind of just like made my skin look a bit fresher, not more even6:11
    • It didn't get rid of hyperpigmentation, but my skin looked happy when I was using this6:17
    • I do not think it's a go-to for pigmentation in my personal experience6:22
    • The issue is for myself and many many people is it just doesn't deliver when it comes to fading stubborn dark spots like post acne marks melasma6:52
    • It's a lovely texture, lovely, layers well with everything7:17
    • For £52, the results just here didn't match the price tag for me7:21
  4. jameswelsh mentioning Abib Glutathione Dark Spot Serum Vita Drop at 08:46 in their YouTube video
    Abib$32.00
    • This serum kind of uses like multiple pathways to target post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, redness, um pigmentation in general7:35
    • There's something about the combination of all the ingredients in this one serum that I really, really loved for evening out skin tone
    • It's very, very watery
    • It's super fast absorbing8:46
    • It literally just feels like water on the skin8:49
    • Lays great under sunscreen and makeup8:50
    • It's also so much more affordable8:52
    • Affordability when it comes to serums that target things that take time, I think is really really important9:13
    • This Vita drop serum gives you that broader ingredient lineup, a lighter texture at a much friendlier price point9:25
    • Honestly, I just think it's the best one9:31
  5. jameswelsh mentioning COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence at 11:05 in their YouTube video
    COSRX$25.00
    • It's a good product
    • It's 96% snail secretion filtrate, which does give hydration and slight repairing benefits as well in that unique sim texture10:37
    • I personally love it
    • It's a really nice product11:05
    • It's a quite simple formula which isn't a bad thing11:09
    • I found in my experience it's one of those things that like you have to keep using it all the time to just feel hydrated11:14
    • It can also feel sticky, which not a lot of people enjoy11:35
    • COSRX is great if you're new to K-beauty, curious about snail mucin, or want a simple hydrator to pair with stronger actives12:55
  6. jameswelsh mentioning VT Cosmetics Glucamune Essence at 11:59 in their YouTube video
    • This actually uses a vegan alternative derived from snow fungus, which is really interesting11:46
    • It's actually been shown to provide 9.7 times the soothing effect of heart leaf and over 100% more hydration than hyaluronic acid11:59
    • You're not just getting hydration, you're getting targeted soothing for sensitive and easily irritated skin12:07
    • VT's Essence has a more of like a lightweight, non-sticky finish that still gives you that hydrated, dewy look without feeling tacky12:35
    • It's not sticky whatsoever
    • For me is a better choice for much deeper hydration with that vegan option, too13:13
  7. jameswelsh mentioning Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré at 13:47 in their YouTube video
    • It's often praised as like this multitasker. Moisturizer, primer, mask, and it does give the skin like a soft, nourished feel under makeup13:27
    • It's effective
    • It's fine um if you want that instantly smooth plump base, which is why makeup artists love it13:47
    • It's a very old school emollient cream
    • Rich and occlusive, but not particularly innovative when it comes to skin barrier support13:25
    • For the price and the hype, you're mostly paying for its reputation as a backstage favorite at fashion shows14:17
    • Some people like it and like I said, it's going to do the job very, very well14:21
    • Embryolisse is kind of like rich and slightly greasy15:39
  8. jameswelsh mentioning S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream at 14:49 in their YouTube video
    S.NATURE$20.00
    • The formula is way more advanced and it contains way more skin beneficial ingredients14:41
    • Why not get a cream that's going to do the job and do more?14:49
    • We have squalane in here again mimicking the skin's natural oils for deeper hydration and softness without the heaviness
    • You have eight types of hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights meaning it's a little bit of deeper hydration but you're going to get that plumpness as well and that glow15:00
    • We have a quaxel in here which goes a step further by improving water circulation and retention15:09
    • Making this not just a fine moisturizer to use under makeup, but a treatment cream really for everything your skin could possibly want15:28
    • S.Nature on the other hand feels weightless, watery, non-sticky and absorbs so quickly while still leaving skin really, really plump and hydrated15:47
    • Great for makeup prep15:45
    • It gives you that long lasting glass skin without feeling heavy and greasy15:59
    • S.Nature's Aqua Squalane Cream is the much more, I guess you could say, modern choice16:23
  9. jameswelsh mentioning Caudalie Beauty Elixir at 17:21 in their YouTube video
    Caudalie$49.00
    • It feels so outdated
    • Is essentially a mix of like peppermint oil, rosemary, and a ton of fragrances that you don't really want in skin care or a product that you're going to be reapplying and reapplying and reapplying throughout the day17:05
    • I find it absolutely horrific17:21
    • It's minty. It's like spraying a cold mint all over your face, and you get a tingle, which is mostly from peppermint and alcohol17:24
    • For sensitive skin, that combination of fragrance and essential oils in here is going to be more irritating than beneficial17:36
    • This is on par for me with the Mario Badescu mist. You know, the flavored colored water that they offer17:49
  10. jameswelsh mentioning Caudalie Grape Water Hydrating Face Mist at 18:14 in their YouTube video
    • It's far more effective for doing what people want in a face mist. Hydration and soothing18:09
    • You have that organic grape water in here, which is naturally rich in minerals, antioxidants18:14
    • Caudalie also say prebiotics to support the skin's microbiome18:20
    • Their own clinical studies show apparently it can reduce skin sensitivity by 61% and boost hydration by over 120%18:30
    • There's no alcohol, which I don't mind alcohol at all, but they say it's alcohol-free, no fragrance in here, and no volatile oils, just a calming, refreshing mist that actually strengthens the skin instead of potentially irritating it18:38
    • The grape water does the same job of refreshing the skin and providing an okayish base for makeup19:11
    • If your goal is hydration, soothing, and makeup prep that actually benefits your skin, just give the water in a can a go19:34
    • It's again a more modern choice and a gentler option for every skin type19:43

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