Review: Hada Labo Toner/Lotion (Light)

Where to purchase: Available on Yesstyle HERE

(Use my Code CVQFZA to receive % off your purchase)

Price: ~£17.96

Volume: 170ml

Made in: Japan

What is it?: This is the lighter version (lighter in texture) of the regular Hada Labo Gokujun lotion (review here). This formula is ‘mildly’ acidic i.e. to try and match the skin’s barrier so as to not cause issues. And is of a lightweight consistency to prep the skin for maximum absorption of the next skincare steps.

This contains: 3 forms of HA: Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (nano hyaluronic acid), acetyl hyaluronic acid Na, Hyaluronic acid Na – which work to hydrate the skin and keep moisture locked in for longer.  The HA are supposed to lock in moisture and keep the skin supple and ‘bouncy’. Apparently this helps balance sebum production.

Good for: The company state that this is for oily and acne prone skin. I would agree and I would also say skins that live in hot and humid weather (where usually you want more lightweight products). The company even state that this Light lotion can be used in warmer months on its own to moisturise the skin.

Made in: Japan

”The mildly acidic pH formula and the lightweight consistency instantly replenish and protect the skin’s moisture barrier after cleansing, preparing the skin for maximum absorption of skincare products that follow.”

In this Youtube Video, you can see LIVE Video swatches of the Toner!

Packaging: Bit plastic bottle with a flip-top cap and a hole to dispense product out of.

Directions: Can use in the AM and PM onto cleansed skin, dispense a few drops of lotion into your palm and then pat into your face. OR use a cotton pad saturated with lotion and swipe. Moisturiser should be used after (and of course, SPF in the AM).

NOTE: This is good that they have stated to apply something moisturising afterwards, because this is a lotion/toner – I could not leave this as it is on my skin and would have to apply a moisturising step on top.

How I use it: I cleanse, then saturate a cotton pad with this, swipe the dirt from my face and then move on to serums.

Key Ingredients: The Key HAs in here are:

1.”The Nano HA” a small molecular size that is able to penetrate deeper into the skin to hydrate the inner skin layers.
2.The Super HA (apparently) has ”twice the moisture retention capacity of HA.” This helps lock in a large amount of moisture into the skin for hydration.
3.The regular Hyaluronic Acid – this is regular HA and helps form a barrier on the skin to retain moisture and prevent moisture loss.

Video: I included the toner in my Skincare Cupboard tour on Youtube! I also discuss a little about the toner

Full Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl, Lauroyl Glutamate, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.

It’s not actually as long as one would think. I like the addition of Glycerin (humectant).

NOTE: Skincarisma have a ingredient list breakdown HERE and the InciDecoder have an ingredient list breakdown Glycerine = a humectant. Sodium Hyaluronate – also a humectant.

Texture: This is light! Lighter than the regular Hada Labo Lotion – It almost feels like water. It’s not sticky, it doesn’t ball up or pill under my makeup or SPF.

NOT GREASY. No greasy layer is left on the skin.

I will say now – this isn’t intensely hydrating or moisturising. It’s not extremely refreshing, but I don’t think that is the point of a toner? I do think you would get this effect if you layered this product on your face (maybe 2-3 layers). But I don’t do that, I use this specifically to wipe of dirt from my face before applying hydrating serums. So this does a good job at prepping the skin, not irritating it, providing me with lightweight hydration so that I can move on.

I would say that this is slightly thicker than the Muji toner and thinner than of course the regular hada labo toner and much thinner than the dear klairs toner.

Fragrance?: No! Which is why I like it.

Good Under Makeup?: Yes, it appears to be fine!

How long have I been using this?: A month

The Effect?: Lightly hydrated (not crazy hydrated like a serum would provide), skin that isn’t irritated.

What I like:

• Lightweight
• No fragrance / EO
• A lot of ml for the £
• Hyaluronic acid (different forms, not just 1 – which I prefer, more hydration)
• Didn’t irritate my skin
• effective at removing dirt from my face post-cleansing

What I don’t like:

• Not VERY hydrating (the regular lotion is more hydrating and I think this would require more layers to really get that hydration in)
• Not very Moisturising

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4/5 – Absolutely this wont be good for those with dry / very dry skins, but those who are oily or live in hot and humid weather, I think, would enjoy this! I don’t like any heavy formulas on my skin and I enjoy this toner. It is basically the same texture (a tiny bit heavier) than the Muji Hydrating Toner. My skin can breath in this and it doesn’t ball up / pill under products. No fragrance and no EO, good ml for the price. Yes this isn’t remarkably hydrating or moisturising, but it does a good job of 1. providing me with some Hyaluronic acid 2. prepping my skin for serums and 3. not irritating my skin.

Would I repurchase?: Yes! I much prefer this to the regular Hada Labo lotion. It doesn’t ball up / pill under my spf or makeup and other serums which is so important for me. I like how lightweight it is, you get a lot of ml for the price.

Dupe for?: This is a dupe, I would say of the Niod MMHC – as this does contains multi molecular forms of HA (but the niod contains more forms which means more hydration i.e. penetration into the skin on different layers). But this isn’t a bad dupe!

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.