Combination skin is a gift that keeps on giving - too much nourishment and it gets shiny in the t-zone; not enough - and the dry parts flake while the oily ones get even oilier to compensate. Lovely. Of course, that’s exactly the skin type I have.
Typically, I use the same skin care products on the entire face. However, recently A’pieu (a spin-off brand by Missha) came out with a special item for the t-zone - A’pieu Hamamelis T-zone Serum. It’s available on eBay and Amazon. It instantly caught my eye, so I bought a bottle.
The main active ingredients are:
Hamamelis (82%) - also known as witch hazel, this herb has been long known to regulate sebum production and make pores appear smaller
African Spider Flower Leaf extract - rich in moisturizing flavonoids
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit extract - soothes the skin and normalizes its oil levels
The packaging reminds me of the good old roll-on deodorants. In Russia, the brand Fa was very popular. I clearly remember dropping mom’s glass bottle into the sink and breaking it, then scouring the whole kitchen (including the stove) as an apology before she got home. Thankfully, the A’pieu bottle is plastic, not glass.
How to use:
There are two ways of applying this product.
You can simply focus on the t-zone after toner and before moisturizer.
Or you can use the packaging design for a gentle all-over-the-face massage. If you are prone to water retention overnight, try storing the bottle in the fridge, then rolling it all over your skin to de-puff.
My impressions:
At first, I didn’t really “get” the A’pieu Hamamelis T-zone serum. Applying something to only the center of my face seemed strange, although I liked the roller ball and not having to use my fingers. But now, after a few months of use, I am a true fan. The slight post application stickiness goes away quickly, especially after the rest of the routine is applied. The pores really do look cleaner and smaller. The skin is beautifully matte the whole day, without being dry.
I especially like using the serum after a deep cleanse / peel. When all of the blackheads are removed, the pores can be left large and open, ready to get clogged all over again. This serum shrinks them back to the appropriate size. I recommend this to anyone with enlarged t-zone pores or shine issues. You can read my other A’pieu reviews here, serum reviews here, and pore care reviews here.
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A’pieu Hamamelis T-Zone Serum ingredients: Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide, Xylitol, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Choleth-24, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Menthol, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propanediol, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Cleome Gynandra Leaf Extract, Tocopherol