Where to purchase: From Yesstyle HERE (You can use my code: CVQFZA to receive % off!)
Price: ~£20
Volume: 340ml
What is it?: A toner which both tones and exfoliates the skin – to prep the skin for makeup.
Good for: Prepping the skin for makeup (by I think – drying it out and lightly exfoliating the top of the skin). The company also states that this is good as a toner before applying the rest of your skincare products, to remove impurities after cleansing (which is what I do) and as a way to ‘freshen up your face’ during the day.
Directions: ”Moisten a cotton pad and gently sweep across the face.”
How I use it: I applied this after cleansing – fully saturated a cotton pad and then swiped the excess dirt off my skin before going on to my serum. I used this both in the AM and PM.
Key Ingredients: Rose Flower Water (to either calm or potentially irritate the skin), Witch Hazel Water (to potentially dry out the skin), Papaya Fruit Water (supposed to be exfoliating)
The brand says that: This isn’t just a cleanser but mildly exfoliates with Willow Bark and Papaya Extract – this helps swipe away dead skin cells. Therefore this helps with promoting a brighter skin tone and a smoother texture for makeup application or further skincare step application. The addition of Lavender water, rose water and orange fruit extract are also supposed to hydrate the skin. Personally I find these ‘Key’ ingredients as either drying or potential irritants. I think the addition of Papaya extract as an exfoliator is ok though (I believe the Huda Wishful Skin Scrub contains this too as an exfoliator, among other things).
Packaging: Looks chique. It’s a velvet-finish, matte LARGE bottle (they do offer smaller sizes), with a shiny black twist cap. It’s also a square-shaped bottle, fits nicely into ones hand. A lot of product tends to come out so I was careful not to tip too much out.
Full Ingredients: Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Butylene Glycol,Propanediol, PEG-7 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Pentylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Xylitol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Water, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit/Seed Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Rose Flower Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Thuja Occidentalis Leaf Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Laveder)Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita(Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Mentha Spicata Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, OriganumVulgare Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Octanediol, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Protease, Alcohol Denat., Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
So this contains tonnes of Essential Oils and Fragrances. Also this contains Pure Alcohol (contributes to that tight/drying feeling of your skin after application. Anyone who has easily irritated skin and already sensitised skin, as well as open sores/acneic skin I think, would really have a problem with this product. It also dries out the skin – not a fan of this at all and the ingredients list, just looking at all the botanicals in here signals potential irritation to me.
NOTE: Skincarisma have a full product ingredient breakdown here and also InciDecoder HERE
Texture: It’s straight-up water. And due to the addition of Alcohol, this dries down very very fast (and also feels cooling to the skin). In terms of how it makes my skin feel after application – it feels dehydrated which of course makes one feel really ready to put on a serum / moisturiser after. This does sting if you have any open sores/acne, I think.
Fragrance?: YES! Smells very rose-y and botanical (with an underlying note of alcohol).
Good Under Makeup?: Yes because it’s basically water.
How long have I been using this?: I used it until it was about 3/4 down and since this is a large bottle, I would say just over a month. But I did discontinue using it because I couldn’t handle the smell of alcohol and the way it gave my skin a tight feeling.
The Effect?: Skin that feels squeaky clean – which isn’t ideal.
What I like:
- Big bottle
- Nice packaging
- It does help remove dirt from the face (i.e. swiping the face with a cotton pad after cleansing)
- I like that it exfoliates the skin
- Addition of Witch Hazel – some people like it for the pores
- Low pH (4.5)
What I don’t like:
- Alcohol smell is potent – and that ‘drying’ effect of alcohol really feels like it’s sucking out the water from my skin
- Way too many botanicals for my liking – this does smell like flowers
- Drying
- Potentially irritating
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 1.5/5 – This, to me is like a botanical-smelling bottle of alcohol. I would rather use this as antiseptic then apply it again as a toner. For some people they really enjoy this, but I have acne prone sensitive skin and I just don’t think that using this, especially for a long period of time, would help improve the condition of my skin. And for that, it’s a pass.
Would I repurchase?: No
Alternative: I would say the Muji Light Toning Water HERE
Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.
