Review: The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner – The new I’m From Rice Toner?

Where to purchase: The Ordinary: LINK / Sephora: LINK / Space NK: LINK

Price: £12.40

Volume: 100ml

Made in: Canada

What is it?: A milky toner containing 30% Saccharomyces Ferment (Yeast Ferment) and squalane.

Aims to: Reduce textural Irregularities, Dryness + Uneven Skin Tone + reduce the look of dark spots.

What the brand says: This gently exfoliates the skin (i.e. without the use of acids, so this is also aimed at sensitive skins) and hydrates (meant to be long-lasting) it while improving skin radiance, and also helps improve the skin’s barrier to protect it against environmental aggressors.

Supposedly Good for: Dry Skins

What I think: I would agree that this suits Dry skins over Oily skin types.

Vegan?: Yes

Cruelty Free?: Yes

Eu-allergen-free?: Yes

Malassezia Suitable?: No

How long does it last after opening?: 12 Months after opening

pH: 5-6.0 (not acidic)

Packaging: Glass bottle with a screw-top cap. It also has this nifty plastic dispensing tab within to stop you from pouring out too much product.

Directions: Apply in the morning and evening using a cotton pad or fingers.

How I use it: As I have Oily-combination skin, I apply this in the PM (when it’s cooler and dry-er). I don’t use a cotton pad, as it would drink up too much of this particular product, so I use my fingers. Also, due to the moisturising texture of this toner, I use this sparingly, to try and avoid too thick of a (slightly suffocating) film on top of the skin.

Why Yeast Extract? aka Saccharomyces (Aka Yeast) Ferment Filtrate?: It contains Beta-Glucan, which is both soothing and a light antioxidant. The Filtrate is very moisturising, skin fortifying and creates a film on the skin.

-These papers help support Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate’s skin-reparative and moisturising capabilities: LINK / LINK / LINK.

Other Key ingredients: Squalane (A skin-identical emollient that moisturises the skin) / Chlorphenesin (Antibacterial).

-In order to improve the dark-spot fading capabilities of this toner, it would have been nice to include niacinamide (good duo). However, you an simply apply a Niacinamide serum on top to enhance a skin-brightening routine, like the Geek & Gorgeous B-Bomb Serum (Swatches + Review HERE), or The Ordinary’s Niacinamide serum (LINK).

Full Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Yeast Extract, Squalane, Lauryl Glucoside, Myristyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full ingredient breakdown HERE

Texture: This is a lightweight, emollient liquid (you don’t need to shake the bottle) that runs down the hand and starts to absorb quite quickly. It leaves a dewy finish and is definitely moisturising / hydrating. You can feel as this spreads out and absorbs, that it leaves behind / forms a film on top of the skin. This film helps retain moisture in the skin. That being said, for my Oily-Combination skin, like the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (Review), it makes this product less breathable, especially during the hot summer months, and can make my skin feel like it’s sweating, which isn’t a comfortable feeling. So, applying less is more suitable when using this product, especially for oilier skins.

Sticky?: No. Not even if I apply a lot of product.

Greasy?: The more product you apply, the more dewy the skin will look. My face doesn’t feel oily exactly, but that film that forms on top of the skin becomes more prominent as I apply more product. It makes sense why Dry skins would appreciate this more emollient finish compared to oilier skins.

Balls up?: No.

• As you can see, this is indeed a milky liquid.

This wants to run down the skin immediately, so it shows you its liquid nature.

Does this Sting if the Skin has been Irritated / Sensitised by Shaving/Heavy Retinol Use?: Heavy retinol use- no. Applying after shaving; yes.

Summer or Winter?: Dry Skins = All-year round. Oily Skins = Winter PM.

Layerable?: Yes

Swatch Comparison: No Product (Left) VS Product (Right)

As you can see, this forms a film / layer on top of the skin and gives a dewy / moisturising finish.

Video Swatch:

• As you can see, this is not sticky or tacky. This is very thin and runs down the hand. This absorbs quite quickly and makes the skin look slightly more dewier / moisturised.

Fragrance?: Fragrance + EO Free. This doesn’t smell the best, it smells a bit ”chemical-y”.

Good Under Makeup?: For Dry Skins – Yes. This does not ball up, but it is emollient (slightly greasy, so could separate foundation, especially if you apply too much of this toner).

How long have I been using this?: 3-4 Months.

Will I use until Completion?: Yes.

How Long will that take?: Another 4-5 Months (as I use the fingers).

The Effect?: Immediate: Moisturising / Hydrating. The brand states that this provides 8-hour moisturisation, and I would agree that this remains on the skin for a long time, because of that film that’s formed on top of the skin (doesn’t ball up). Long Term: Moisturised skin. This has also helped ”nurse” my skin when it was feeling sensitive (due to Retinol use).

What I like:

• Fragrance + EO Free
• Cruelty-Free
• Lightweight
• Fast-absorbing
• Did not sting / irritate my skin (unless the skin was sensitised)
• Moisturising + Hydrating

What I don’t like:

• Can feels too rich/emollient in warmer weather (as someone with Oily-Combination Skin)
• Not the best scent
• Not the biggest fan of the film that forms on top of the skin (to lock moisture into the skin)

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 3.8 (nearly 3.9) / 5 – I like the ingredients in this toner. It is gentle, it is definitely moisturising, and I have begun to see (slowly) some nice, oncoming results. However, this toner isn’t a perfect match for my oily-combination skin and I find it a little too emollient for my skin. I am also not the biggest fan of the film that forms over the skin (to keep moisture in), particularly during the summer months, as it makes my skin ‘sweat’, It also means that this toner doesn’t feel like it fully absorbs/dissipates into the skin. I would recommend this to dry skins who would appreciate this finish and texture more.

Would I repurchase?: Yes. Although I found this more suited towards dry skins, I can still use this toner, I just need to have a ‘less is more’ approach when I use it (i.e. I am still going to use this to completion). I would repurchase this particularly over the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (see below). However, if I had to decide, I would probably choose the I’m From Rice Toner over this (see thoughts below). But I would also choose the Purito Oat Toner (see thoughts below).

Dupe?: The Rohto (Hada Labo) – Mentholatom Facial Moisturiser Gokujyun Ageing Milk is also moisturising (good for dry skins) and contains an ingredient called NAG (which I explain more about in The Ordinary’s NAG + Aloe Serum – REVIEW), but does not contain Saccharomyces Filtrate. It pairs NAG (which is skin brightening and reduces the look of wrinkles) with Niacinamide (which also helps with fine lines and dark spots in an effective duo) and improves skin texture too.

Available at Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

For Oilier skins: If Saccharomyces if what you are after, then the Missha – Time Revolution – The First Essence 5X (Swatches + Review HERE), as this is water-based (i.e. it is hydrating > emollient).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK

How does this compare to other Milky Toners / Essences (Alternatives):

The Ordinary’s toner is very similar in texture to the Laneige Cream skin refiner (Full Swatches + Review HERE). Both are unscented and both are very emollient / moisturising. The Cream skin refiner is even thicker (and stickier). Interestingly, although both have similar textures, I would recommend The Ordinary’s Toner as it is less sticky.

Available at: Beauty Bay: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Adore Beauty: LINK / Selfridges: LINK

• The Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Toner is another texturally similar toner (milky and moisturising). It is slightly more lightweight than The Ordinary’s toner however (slightly more suitable for Normal-Combination Skins). It focuses on moisturisation, soothing + hydration. Both are vegan + cruelty-free and unscented.

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The Dr.Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Essence (Swatches + Review HERE), once you shake the bottle, is milky and also emollient/moisturising. I found it less greasy and it formed less of that film on top of the skin. It focuses on soothing, moisture and hydration. This also contains saccharomyces ferment filtrate. (both are vegan + cruelty-free and unscented).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK

• The I’m from Rice Toner (Swatches + Review HERE) is milky and lightweight. It also forms less of a film on top of the skin compared to The Ordinary’s toner. This does not contain Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, but, it does contain Niacinamide (brightening and sebum-balancing), so it’s a little more suitable for combination skins. It does mean that it’s a little less suitable to those who are reactive to Niacinamide. (both are vegan + cruelty-free and unscented). Texturally, I prefer the I’m From Rice Toner (for my Oily-Combination Skin).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Soko Glam: LINK / Wishtrend: LINK

• The Purito Oat-in-Silky-Toner is another great textural alternative for Oily skins! It is lightweight, not sticky and less greasy than The Ordinary’s Toner. It doesn’t contain Niacinamide, so it is more like The Ordinary’s toner where it focuses on hydration and moisturisation and soothing (from the Oat Seed Water).

Available at: Yesstyle: LINK / Stylevana: LINK / Look Fantastic: LINK

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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