Months back I was introduced to D'Beauteebox, an Manila-based online store that distributes Japanese beauty products in the Philippines. Contrary to what the name implies, it is not a beauty subscription box. They have a limited inventory of what seems to be products you might find in a Japanese drugstore, two of which were kindly sent all the way to Chicago: White Label Premium White Skin Placenta BB Cream and Cleanser.

The theory behind using placenta in skincare is first, that the hormone-rich organ retains the estrogen and progesterone that maintain skin elasticity; and second, that stem cells within would stimulate cell growth. These concepts have been applied to marketing of both topical (Victoria Beckham's placenta facials) and oral (Chinese urban legends of placenta preservation and consumption) placental products. But they remain theories -- there is no medical or laboratory evidence to support these claims.

I'm usually hesitant about trying skincare I know nothing about, especially those with iffy ingredients like ~placenta. Luckily these two seem to suit my skin just fine!

White Label Premium White Skin Placenta BB Cream

Ingredients:water・cyclopentasiloxane・triethylhexanoin・butylene glycol・glycerin・peg-9 dimethicone・trimethylsiloxysilicate・hdi/trimethylol hexyllactone crosspolymer・octyldodecanol・macadamia ternifolia seed oil・stearic acid・isostearic acid・disteardimonium hectorite・polyglyceryl-2 triisostearate・sodium citrate・ethylhexylglycerin・phenoxyethanol・dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer・squalane・dipotassium glycyrrhizate・alumina・hydrated silica・tocopherol・hydrolyzed collagen・sodium hyaluronate・placental protein・titanium dioxide・aluminum hydroxide・mica・iron oxides　（ci77491）・iron oxides　（ci77492）・iron oxides　（ci77499）・talc

I prefer bases with UV protection, so I like that this BB cream has SPF 25 PA++. It comes in only two shades, ochre and natural beige. Below I am sporting ochre, which fortunately sheers out to match my skin tone, a warm medium. Surprisingly, the slight gray cast that most BB creams come with is absent in this one, immediately moving it up on my list of bases. At PhP 700 for 28 grams it could be cheaper, but it's worth a try.


A smaller-than-pea-sized amount is enough for my face. It offers light to medium coverage, minimizing the hyperpigmentation about my nose and chin. It comes out like a true cream then dries to a powdery finish. What I like about this is that even when I slather on the moisturizer and sunscreen, as I am apt to do in winter, this doesn't get too dewy, nor does it react with the moisturizer to sit mask-like on my face. It's a natural finish.

White Label Premium White Skin Placenta Cleanser

Ingredients:water・glycerin・dipropylene glycol・alcohol・placental protein　・sodium hyaluronate・hydrolyzed collagen　・trehalose・carbomer・hydroxyethylcellulose・arginine・diphenyl dimethicone・triethylhexanoin・ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30・polyglyceryl-10 myristate・butylene glycol・phenoxyethanol

The Cleanser is a mild foaming soap, with a whipped texture similar to Pond's cleansers, but unscented and certainly more gentle. It's free of paraben and mineral oil, for those concerned about that. It cleanses effectively without stripping the skin of moisture, and indeed the placenta extract within is supposed to hydrate the skin. It's a basic cleanser that I use daily for my second cleanse. At PhP 600 for 110 grams, it will last you a long time.

The Wrap

White Label Premium White Skin Placenta BB Cream

Pros: light to medium coverage, natural finish, no gray cast
Cons: limited availability, comes in only two shades, pricier per gram than most BB creams

White Label Premium White Skin Placenta Cleanser

Pros: unscented, gentle, non-drying cleanser that's great for daily use
Cons: limited availability

White Label Premium White Skin Placenta products are available at D'Beauteebox.com.ph, with the BB cream retailing for PhP 700 and the Cleanser for PhP 600.