Where to purchase: From the Open Formula Website HERE
Price: £13.81
Volume: 60ml
Made in: The US
What is it?: A spray-on toner that contains seaweed extracts
Brand Description: An alcohol-free toner that aims to re-balance one’s skin pH. Contains Red + Brown Algae (seaweed) which contains sugars + amino acids and minerals to help moisturise + soothe the skin.
Supposedly Good for: Dry, dehydrated or Sensitive skin. Protects from dry patches and flakiness.
What I think: I wouldn’t call this a particularly moisturising toner BUT I definitely think dehydrated skins could find it useful to spray this just after a toner (and dry skins as well) just for an extra layer of mild hydration. And ESPECIALLY for sensitive skins – I think this could be great BECAUSE if your skin is sensitised and it’s hard to swipe your face with a cotton pad, a mist is nice to reduce that friction/irritation caused from rubbing. But also this mist, even when my skin was irritated/skin barrier was compromised – this did not sting at all. So I would recommend to sensitive and even oily skins (this is lightweight).
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Plastic bottle with a spray-nozzle (and a cap). It’s not one of those sprays that shoot out product and attack you, but it’s also not as gentle as a mist that comes out from a can. It’s in between. But it never annoyed me, the spraying mechanism.
pH: 5.4 – 6.5
Directions: ”After cleansing, saturate cotton ball with toner. Apply to the face and neck in a circular motion. Alternatively, spray directly on the face from 6″ away. For best results, follow with a mosturizer.” – From the Open Formula Website.
How I use it: I used this after using a toner as an extra soothing layer and layer of (very light) hydration. So I used my Isntree Green Tea toner which I swipe the face with a cotton pad, and because my face still wants some hydration (and also cuz my skin does get mildly irritated sweeping with a cotton pad) this was nice to spritz the face straight after to keep it from getting hot and to soothe it. I think 2 sprays is enough, but I’m extra, so I liked to do 4 sprays for good measure. I will say that that did sink down onto my top, so less is more!
Key Ingredients: 17% seaweed extract – The seaweeds:
- Hypnea Musciformis Extract – Skin protecting (From red algae)
2. Sargassum Filipendula Extract – Skin protecting (From brown algae)
3. Gelidiella Acerosa Extract – Skin protecting (also from red algae)
Full Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Sargassum Filipendula Extract, Sorbitol, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
As you can see this is a short and sweet inci list. I appreciate that there are no essential oils or fragrance.
Texture: This is literally a water / wet texture. It feels like water on the skin. It doesn’t leave a texture, it’s not sticky. The good thing I think is that although this is like water, it doesn’t feel like it makes my skin drier after spritzing it on. Of course you need a moisturiser / serum after, just to lock all that goodness in.
You can see with the spray, the liquid isn’t running down my hand and making a mess – that’s how adequate the spray is.
Fragrance?: None!
Good Under Makeup?: Yes
How long have I been using this?: Until Completion (about 2 months)
The Effect?: Soothed skin – not intensively hydrated, but not irritated.
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What I like:
- Didn’t irritate my skin (even when skin is sensitised and easily able to be irritated).
- Soothing
- Not drying (i.e. I don’t feel like it takes the moisture from my skin)
- I like the spray mechanism (doesn’t just attack my face)
- No fragrance
- No Essential Oils
What I don’t like:
- Would like some added beneficial skin ingredients (if I’m being greedy) – i.e. niacinamide, some added peptides and hyaluronic acid. But I can understand more actives may also incur more chance of irritation, so perhaps keeping the ingredients as they are aims to ensure calmed skin.
- Excess spray can land on one’s shirt/clothes (so less spraying onto the face may be better).
- Perhaps just a tad-softer spray would have been absolutely ideal, but it’s not like this attacks my face.
Overall Rating and Conclusion: (Rating in terms of the mists I have tried): 3.9/5 – genuinely a nice spray! I was pleased that didn’t seem to dry my skin out or irritate my skin (as some mists do).
Would I purchase?: Yes! Really good for those with angry/inflamed and irritated skin.
Dupe?: I thin the Dear, Klairs Fundamental Ampoule Mist is slightly better (as it’s also bigger too) – My Review HERE and HERE
My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.
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.
