Where to purchase: Available exclusively at Wishtrend.com
Price: ~$20
Volume: 150ml
Made in: South Korea
What is it?: A Calming Toner containing Centella + Sugars to both Hydrate + Calm the Skin
What does it do?: Meant to calm, Soothe + Repair Damaged Skin
Brand Description: A Lightweight, Liquid Solution that doubles as a Toner + Essence that quickly absorbs into the skin. Calms + Regenerates irritated Skin. Contains >59.12% Centella Asiatica Root Extract (Cica). And Snow Fungus Derived Polysaccharides Help keep the skin moisturised.
Supposedly Good for: All Skin Types (Especially Sensitive).
What I think: I would agree this works on all Skin Types + Especially Sensitive Skins. Due to how lightweight + Watery this is. However, I wouldn’t recommend this to Dry Skins, but Normal / Combo + Oily in particular.
pH: 5-6
Vegan?: Yes
Cruelty Free?: Yes
Packaging: Glass Bottle with a Plastic, Screw Top Lid. This also has a plastic nib that prevents you over-dispensing product.
Directions: Can be used in the AM / PM (To Tone + Prep the skin for the next steps of skincare). Apply after cleansing + Pat Solution onto the Skin or Dampen a Cotton pad and sweep over the Face + Neck.
How I use it: I use this in the PM – Swiping the Face with a Cotton Pad. I also use this if the Skin is slightly irritated, as it helps calm down the Skin (But there is an initial Sting/Tingle when applying onto Irritated/Sensitised Skin). As this is hydrating, I also ended up applying this to the ends of my hair (didn’t have a negative effect). I will say that if I bought this again, I wouldn’t find myself using this everyday, but only during times when the skin is slightly sensitive as this doesn’t have that many bells or whistles and I have toners that do a little bit more for the skin.
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica (Cica) Soothing (And Wound Healing) – Fun Fact – This specific Centella Asiatica Root Extract is in every Cica Cosrx Product – Which I have Swatched + Reviewed HERE.
Polysaccharide = Trumella Fuciformis Polysaccharide (Large Sugar Molecule that Attracts Water – Humectant). This is a Big Sugar Molecule from the Silver Ear Mushroom from China. It contains Glucuronic Acid which is also part of Hyaluronic acid – meaning this product helps draw water into the skin.
Other Notable Ingredients: Panthenol, Allantoin + Biosaccharide Gum-1 (Soothing). Hydroxyacetophenone (Antioxidant).
Full Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Water, Centella Asiatica Leaf/ Stem Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Pullulan, Trehalose, Panthenol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Root Extract
NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE
Texture: Lightweight + Watery! Literally feels like a Watery Toner. That’s why I’m not sure Dry Skins would appreciate this as much as Oily Skins. No sticky or tacky finish. Glides down the hand. It does provide a semi-Hydrating Finish (Not intensely, but you do feel some hydrating). The finish is smooth. The Skin Feels like it can breathe.
Summer or Winter?: Summer
Layerable?: Yes!
Does this Sting if / When the Skin is Irritated/Sensitised (I.e. Through Shaving or Heavy Retinol Use): I know this is meant to protect the Skin but this did slightly sting (not ridiculously so) the skin if the skin’s barrier is broken/sensitised. I’m guessing it’s from the Polysacharide as it’s similar to Hyaluronic Acid. So when initially applying, this stings a bit, but then eventually soothes + calms the skin down once absorbed (i.e. it doesn’t get increasingly stingy and start burning like an acid would).
Swatch Video:
Hopefully you can see from the swatch video how light + watery this is!
Fragrance?: No added Fragrance or Essential Oils – so this really doesn’t have a scent!
Good Under Makeup?: Yes!
How long have I been using this?: Until Completion! Took me about 2-3 Months of Daily PM Use.
The Effect?: Lightly Hydrated Skin that doesn’t itch or burn (slightly cooling effect), as long as the skin isn’t sensitised (i.e. slightly stingy upon application and then smoothes out). In the long term however, I didn’t notice a huge difference to the skin – but I would say this is one of those SOS products that are meant to be used when the skin is reddened/sensitive, to help with skin barrier repair. It’s not something I would reach for in a normal routine (if I’m aiming for anti-ageing or brightening products, I would use a different toner).
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What I like:
- No Fragrance and/Or EO
- Lightly Hydrating
- Layerable
- Lightweight
- Fine Under Makeup
- No Sticky or Greasy Finish
- Didn’t worsen the skin’s condition
- Does help soothe the skin (unless the skin is very irritated/sensitised, this does sting a little due to the Polysacharide)
What I don’t like:
- No remarkable change or difference in the Skin
- Not intensely Hydrating
- Not Really Moisturising
Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.7/5 – This is an absolutely fine, basic Toner/Solution which actually contains some skin-beneficial ingredients (i.e. not just glycerin + water and that’s it). I don’t think it has done anything amazing or magnanimous to my skin, but at least it hasn’t worsened the skin’s condition and it does help prep/prime the skin for serums/moisturisers, as well as provide some light hydration. I also really appreciate that this doesn’t ball up. If I repurchased, I wouldn’t find myself using this everyday but only when the skin is slightly sensitive, as it’s not that exciting to use. I will say, this is better than the Soon Jung Toner (Bit of an upgrade) and on par with the Laneige Phyto-Alexin Toner in terms of both texture + Hydration.
Would I repurchase?: If I required a simple but hydrating + skin-barrier aiding Toner that’s fragrance + EO Free, then yes. I do currently have the other ELMT Toner’s I’m trialling so out of all of them, I think this would be 3rd or 4th out of all 4. Stay tuned for my next reviews on the ELMT line!
Dupe?: For Dry Skins – The Purito Centella Toner (Review HERE) And For Oily / Combo Skins, The Cosrx Cica Toner: (Review 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.
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