Where to purchase: Available on Yesstyle HERE – You can use my Discount Code: CVQFZA to get % off. You can also purchase on Stylevana HERE (Discount Code: SAHANNAH).
Price: ~£17
Volume: 50ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: A thick toner containing 50% of Hyaluronic Acid forms. In particular; 5 types of Hyaluronic Acid (for deep hydration).
Brand Description: An upgraded version of the original toner from Isntree. Containing 5 types of HA for both moisture + hydration to penetrate deep into the skin. This has a viscous, ampoule-like quality, enhanced with Aloe + a patented combination of plant extract to provide a skin-plumping ampoule-like toner, to prevent skin dehydration + improves the skin’s barrier.
Supposedly Good for: Dehydrated + Dry Skins – Isntree state that this is good for those who require a deeply hydrating toner, immediate moisture replenishment, and for skins who feel tight after cleansing, or who have dry + flaky skin.
What I think: I think dehydrated skins would love this and those with sensitive skins. I also think dry skins (i.e with flaking skin) could enjoy this. Oily skins may not be a fan of the gloopiness, but I would say that this product does almost disappear after being absorbed, so oily skins could use this but reduce the number of skincare steps needed as this acts as both a serum + toner in terms of thickness.
Winter or Summer use?: I think that this would be more suitable for use in the Winter than the Summer months
Packaging: A plastic bottle with a screw top and a safety cap dispenser so you don’t pour so much product out. (I’m not a fan of safety cap dispensers on products that are very thick as it takes quite a few shakes to get the adequate amount of product you want out).
Note: This toner is gel-based, containing 5 types of low, middle and high molecular hyaluronic acids to provide hydration deep into the skin.
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Shelf-life: 30 months before opening / 6 months after opening.
Directions: ”After cleansing, apply an appropriate amount to a cotton pad or onto the fingers and pat into the skin until fully absorbed” (from the Isntree website).
How I use it: I sometimes use this as a toner, so I use this with a cotton pad and swipe the face with it. However I can’t use it as a toner if applying a silicone-based serum (like the Stratia Vitamin C) BUT I can use it on top, as a serum, once the silicone base has evaporated after being absorbed/rubbed into the skin.
Sometimes I use this as a serum or essence, and if so, I apply it with my fingers. I do think this works better as a thinner layer of product (so as a toner with a cotton pad) just to reduce the chance of balling up / pilling with other products.
Key Ingredients: The Hyaluronic Acids included are: 1. Hyaluronic Acid, 2. Sodium Hyaluronate, 3. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 4. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, 5, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer – these are small, middle and large molecular sizes to help penetrate different layers of the skin (see the diagram for reference).
This toner also contains a patented combination of 7 types of plant extracts called ”MultiEx BSASM” – which are: Green tea leaf extract, Liquorice Root Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract – these help retain moisture in the skin.
This also contains Biosaccharide Gum-1 which helps increase moisture retention, and a patented pairing called ”Phyto-oligo” – containing Aloe Leaf Extract + Althaea Rosea Root Extract, to provide moisturisation and improves the absorption rate of the product.
Full Ingredients: Water, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum (Japanese Knotweed) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Betula Alba Juice, Portulaca Oleracea (Green Purslane) Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Panthenol, Cellulose Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Scutellaria Baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap) Root Extract
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS + Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Acids – THEN PLEASE WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO BELOW.
Texture: This has a slippery, yet dense texture. It contains an ampoule-level of thickness or viscosity. This is definitely gel-based. This has a gloopy, thick and has a full texture! But it does not mean that this is is unpleasant or that my skin can’t breath. It really soaks the skin and coats it with hydration. It reminds me of the Fenty Skin ”Full Fat water”. This is definitely thicker than the Niod Multimolecular Hyaluronic Complex which also contains 5 forms of HA.
It’s easy to spread this along the skin, and it takes 30 seconds for this to go into the skin and settle. It doesn’t mean that this product disappears however.
My only issue is that if you apply a heavily silicone-based product on top, then it will cause pilling/balling up. The only product that has done that for me is the Stratia Vitamin C serum, which has a silicone base (which is why that company states to use the Serum on clean skin first, and I have since learned my lesson). But all the other creams and serums I have used this with (so far) has been fine and layerable.
Also once this dries down, it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky and yet is still present on the skin.
NOTE: If you apply a lot to the skin, you do feel that typical hyaluronic acid ”tightening” of the skin (which kind of reminds me of the ordinary’s serums).
As you can see, it has that ”full-fat” look to it. It’s thick and easily spreadable (not sticky or tacky).
It simply provides some nice hydration to the skin.
Comparison: Before + After
Youtube Video: Live Swatching the Toner + Information!
Fragrance?: No Fragrance / Essential Oils – I don’t get a strong scent from this either.
Good Under Makeup?: As this is quite thick – I wouldn’t recommend it for under foundation, as like the Purito Centella Toner – it may ball up if your foundation is heavily silicone-based. So I would strictly recommend this for non-makeup use. Also make sure your SPF isn’t heavily silicone-based to avoid layering issues.
How long have I been using this?: For 2 months. But I will continue to use until completion! (takes a while to get through! I’m nearly halfway through and I’m quite generous with my application).
The Effect?: Hydrated Skin
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What I like:
- This feels both Hydrating
- Thick texture – doesn’t simply disappear and feel more drying.
- No added fragrance
- No irritation
What I don’t like:
- Can cause layering issues under specific products (i.e. under silicone-based products – like the Stratia vitamin C serum), this tends to ball up/pill – so one must be careful to use the correct products under this.
- I find I can’t really use this in the AM due to the thickness AND also due to the layering issue (i.e. under silicone-heavy spfs this may ball up).
- Sometimes I want a thinner, strictly hydrating Hyaluronic Acid product to really disappear into the skin (so I can use a moisturising product on top), so reach for thinner products rather than this (i.e. the Ordinary Marine Hyaluronics or the Isntree Bifida Ampoule), as sometimes this can be just a bit too thick.
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.9/5 – A nice ‘full fat’ serum/toner/ampoule (however you want to use it). I would say this is an upgraded version of the Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Toner. I think this is a really great ‘rescue’ product for those who are suffering from dry skin or really tight skin, as I think this would inject a lot of hydration back into the skin. This of course reminds me of the Hada Labo Premium Lotion in terms of its multiple Hyaluronic Acid components, and also the thickness/texture. I think they’re both good, perhaps this Isntree toner feels a bit more ”luxurious” on the skin compared to the Hada Labo (however there is an updated version which might feel different now),
But I will say it can cause an issue under heavily silicone-based products on top, so you have to be a little careful what you layer on top of this. I do think for oily skins or those in hot and humid weathers, this might be too much. It depends how you use it however, and you can adapt it to your routine. I do like the gloopier feeling this product provides, without it being sticky or tacky. It does hydrate my skin, and I like the multi-molecular hyaluronic acids in here, as well as the other skin-beneficial ingredients added to either brighten the skin, retain moisture and also to soothe the skin.
Would I purchase?: Yes I would – as I think this is great if I’m travelling and can’t take too many products with me (this is quite multifunctional and I can change the amount I apply on the face for a different effect). It didn’t seem to sting or irritate my skin.
Dupe?: I think this is a good dupe for the Hada Labo Premium Lotion! My Review of the Premium Lotion is HERE
Purito Centella Toner or This Toner?: The Purito Toner is specifically for calming and soothing the skin. So it’s food for angry, sensitive skins (and is thinner). Whereas this toner is purely for hydration. So if you are dry, tight and have dry patches – this could really help! I personally prefer the Isntree toner in terms of texture + ingredients over the Purito Toner.
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.
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My Skincare Regime 
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