Sana Nameraka Honpo Medicated Wrinkle Brightening Review 💕

Hi all you AB lovers! A few days ago I posted my PINK skincare routine. [Here is the post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/s/WXODW4fdwn) And a few of you wanted me to review the Sana product. I’m not sure what people want to know so I’ll just write about what I know, my experience, etc. Feel free to ask questions and I’ll do my best to answer them if possible.

Brand: SANA – Nameraka Honpo
Line: Medicated Wrinkle Brightening
Color: Pink
Products: Lotion a.k.a. Toner (200ml), Milky Lotion a.k.a. Emulsion (150ml), Serum (50ml), Eye cream (20ml), Mist Lotion (150ml), Night Cream (50g).

Apart from all their products having Fermented Soy Milk extract, all the products in this pink range are marketed to contain the main active NIACINAMIDE, followed by pure retinol. The mist lotion is marketed to contain ceramides, and the Serum I believe is the only one that contains lactic acid (in addition to the niacinamide and retinol).

I was able to try the Mist Lotion, Lotion, Emulsion, Serum, and Eye cream at Matsukiyo multiple times so I got a feel of all the products before finally buying the Lotion (200ml) to use for myself.

Mist Lotion – fine spray, similar to Curel or Eucerin spray. Doesn’t feel sticky.

Lotion (a.k.a. Toner) 200ml – This is like a translucent liquid. Not super water but not as thick/heavy/sticky as Hada Labo gold lotion. It’s got enough body for it not to drip out of my hands during application but not heavy or sticky to apply. Absorbs well. I believe it’s advertised as fragrance-free. I did smell something. It’s subtle and rather faint. Minty? Hospital-y? Is it alcohol? I’m not sure but for someone who doesn’t like fragrance and prefer unscented stuff, I was fine with this.

Milk Lotion (a.k.a. Emulsion) 150ml – This is an opaque white emulsion. Similar to Naturie Hatomugi Milk but more fluid. If anyone has used dProgram’s Moist Care Emulsion, it’s the same in texture. Standard emulsion.

Serum – This one is in a pump bottle which I quite like. It came out extremely similar to the lotion in terms of visuals and texture. Maybe just a little bit more clear, more fluid but not by much. Everything felt same. I just know that the serum contains lactic acid too whereas the Lotion does not.

Eye cream – thick in texture, stays put well. doesn’t feel heavy. I haven’t used many eye creams so can’t comment much.

Night Cream – no tester available, did not try.

Why I chose Lotion: So I have pretty much locked down what I like to use for my other products such as cleanser, toners, and moisturizers. Please check out my PINK Skincare routine for my full line up of my other products. I wanted an anti-aging product with retinol that I could add to my routine instead of substituting something. The lotion or serum were good choices since I can add them and layer other stuff on. I decided against the serum because of the lactic acid, I already have Salicylic acid in my routine. So I went with Lotion 200ml.

My experience: For reference, I have sensitive dry skin. I have used one other weak retinol product before (Hada Labo H.A Retin Serum) but never niacinamide. I have fair asian skin complexion. So… The first night I put this on, it was so nice. It did not sting my face at all. It absorbed quickly. Layered well with my other products. The faint scent felt refreshing and clean and not perfume-y if you know what I mean. I woke up to pee in the middle of the night and saw myself in the mirror. The were one obvious ‘white’ patch on my cheek. Kind of like a cheetah pattern but just the one ring on my cheek. I wasn’t thaaat alarmed because it was one shade lighter than my normal skin. I didn’t feel any pain and I was also still in sleep mode. Anyway, I woke up in the morning and felt like my sunspots were visibly one shade lighter than they were. I felt good. Like wow, is this for real? Is it that effective? Then later in the day, I started getting pimples. I didn’t think anything of it. That night, I used the Lotion for the second time. All good again. No stinging, I felt perfectly fine. Next morning, I noticed lotssss of tiny pimples forming all over my face. I haven’t used a product that broke me out in so long, I wasn’t sure. I consulted a skincare friend and they said maybe I’m allergic to the niacinamide since I’ve never used something with niacinamide before. I’ve tried applying the product to elsewhere on my body, inner thighs, inner upper arms… all good, no indications of allergy. I stopped using the Lotion 2 nights now and my skin is already doing better. So right now I’m gonna wait a couple weeks for my skin to fully turn back to normal and be strong again… and will start trying it again. I have a feeling it’s not an allergic reaction. Maybe just a reaction to a new ingredient? I don’t know, if anyone has guesses, I’m all ears.

So yeah, that’s where I am now. I’m sensitive so I usually feel products sting my face but this one was all good, felt so good. It’s still promising and I’m determined to give it another go. If anyone already has experience with niacinamide and retinol, this shouldn’t be a problem. I believe it’s rather gentle too. Even though it’s considered quasi-drug in Japan, they can’t put too high a percentage.