Where to buy legit CeraVe and The Ordinary products in the Philippines

Photography by Perkin Gotohio

Since many of us are cautious about going out these days, physical shopping trips tend to be planned more carefully than during the pre-pandemic era. But that doesn't mean discarding your beauty routine and limiting yourself to grocery supply runs. One way of still being able to stock up on your kikay caboodle is by visiting a one-stop shop that offers choice products from all over the world. It's time to stop, LOOK, and shop!

When LOOK Philippines first opened late last year, our editor Liz did a store tour to give you a sneak peek of their impressively stocked space. You may have guessed that LOOK is a retail concept by Watsons Philippines, so expect that everything in the store is legit and sourced from the brands they carry. Watsons is a drugstore but LOOK is a premium space dedicated to beauty. Today I'll be focusing on first impressions of what’s interesting in the store!

First off, there's CeraVe, a brand that’s been a longtime staple on the pasalubong list of skincare lovers to their fam and friends in the US. Good news! LOOK stocks quite a lot of their product lines. I was finally able to try the famous CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (P1,410 / 355ml), and it’s different from the other non-foaming cleansers/cleansing milks I’ve tried in the past. The consistency isn’t particularly thick, but it has a strong “coated” sensation once it touches your skin. Almost as though you’re using a moisturizer to wash your face! But then you start to rinse and it melts away along with all the excess oil and gunk without leaving any residue or tightness.

Another constant pasabuy favorite, this time from Japan, is the Senka Perfect Whip Cleanser (P279 / 120g). A little bit goes a long way as this floral-scented facial wash activates like crazy into a bouncy foam. The previous iterations used to dry me out, so I was a little more cautious this time around. Half a pea-sized amount is ok for me, and I get a fine lather with that signature squishiness.

Kbeauty-wise, you’re likely to get your fill! I spotted at least 15 Korean brands in their lineup. 

For those who want light and soothing skincare, the Jumiso Super Soothing Cica & Aloe Facial Serum (P1,480 / 50ml) is a scent-less, lightly hydrating gel formula that sinks right into the skin and dries with a little bit of tackiness. Another gentle skincare solution is the runny Dr. Ceuracle Royal Vita Propolis 33 Ampoule (P1,680 / 15ml) that has an inky smell but otherwise has no uncomfortable feel. The 33 stands for the percentage of propolis the ampoule is formulated with, so that's another soothing option.

For brightening skin and treating hyperpigmentation, the Dear Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop (P1,200 / 35ml) contains 5% L-ascorbic Acid, which is a more stable type of Vitamin C to have in skincare. It’s runny with a citrusy-herbal scent, but has a warm feel on the skin the first few seconds as you’re smoothing it on. (The warming sensation is reminiscent of my experience with the Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate.) Once it settles on the skin, there is a dewy finish. 

While the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream may look like your typical moisturizer in a jar, the surprise is that brand was able to cop that gooey snail slime texture. And while that makes it tricky to cleanly pick up from the jar (the drippy trail!), it does settle down like regular moisturizer once it’s been blended. TBH, I find it a little bizarre that people would relish in the feel of simulated snail slime on their skin, but I gotta admit that COSRX was able to nail that interesting sensation.

Finally, I got to try The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane (P729 / 30ml) which I would highly recommend for those who are beginning to get into retinol products. The oil medium itself is light and non-greasy, so it makes for an excellent final moisturizing step. I personally didn’t experience any irritation or stinging while using this product nightly. And, of course, as with any retinoid use, don’t forget the sunscreen.

On skincare range alone, I gotta say that I appreciate the spread. And BTW, if you’re missing physical beauty shopping trips but can’t leave the house, LOOK also has an online store that processes same-day deliveries!