I’m not a summer person. I like a cloudy, rainy day that doesn’t make me sweat and doesn’t burn freckles into my skin. But, alas, it’s summer and today the high is 95 F (35 C). The outdoor heat + the dryness of the indoor air conditioning = very unhappy skin. I prefer light yet effectively hydrating products, and today I offer you a new release in the world of Korean skincare - Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Toner. It’s currently available on* eBay but some other products from this line are on Amazon.
This toner is recommended for the following skin concerns:
Poor oil-water balance (too oily/too dry)
Oily dehydrated skin - yes, oily skin can be dehydrated and produce even more oil to try and compensate for the lack of hydration
Dry skin
Dull skin
Sensitive skin
Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Toner was clinically tested at KC Skin Research Center Inc in April 2018 and proven to have a skin irritation grade of 0.0. It contains no artificial fragrances and no volatile/drying alcohols such as ethanol and denatured alcohol, which makes it perfect for sensitive, dehydrated skin. It has a slightly acidic pH of 6. All of the ingredients are rated as green/safe by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). The toner is fragrance and color free and has no scent at all.
Active ingredients:
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) seed and flower extracts - “theobroma” comes from the times of the Mayans and means “god food” and is rich in minerals and nutrients that moisturize and nourish the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) - attracts and holds moisture better than any other natural or synthetic polymer. It’s not abrasive like exfoliant-type acids and is completely safe to use in the summer. It doesn’t increase skin’s photo sensitivity (sensitivity to light). In basic terms, it attracts environmental moisture to the skin to hydrate it.
Willow bark extract - known for its soothing, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it contains phenolic acids (salicin and salicortin) and flavonoids, tannins, and minerals for healthy skin. Willow bark extract can be effective in treating acne prone skin.
Madecassoside - one of the principal bioactive components in the Centella asiatica plant; helps speed up healing processes in the skin while working as an antioxidant.
The product comes in a chic 150 ml plastic bottle with a twist top. It easily pours into the palm or a cotton disc for quick application.
How to use:
Apply to a clean face with either hands or cotton discs
Pat in lightly for best absorption. Use more than one layer for extra hydration
Follow with the rest of your routine (serum, lotion, etc.)
My impressions:
The product’s “mild and moist” name is spot on. This toner is amazing for the summer - it’s light but very hydrating, and works well for the fans of the 7 skin method (applying toner up to 7 times in a row for ultimate hydration). I have combination skin with an oily t-zone, and if it gets dehydrated in the summer, the oil production skyrockets to compensate. Having a light yet hydrating product is very important, and I’ve had good results with this Benton toner. I’m a little sad it doesn’t smell like chocolate but oh well, not having any artificial fragrances is nice. I also appreciate the clean/safe ingredients - that is something that is important to my family. My skin is soft and plump and I haven’t had oiliness issues.
Consistency-wise it’s similar to water and gets absorbed very quickly. There is no sticky residue. I usually do 1 to 3 layers of it in the mornings. It’s perfectly suitable for night as well, but right now I have a different toner I’m trying to finish up in the evenings. Overall, I can confidently recommend it for any skin type in need of hydration. The toner is available on* eBay and hopefully eventually Amazon.
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I bought this product on 0.8L
*affiliate links
Benton Cacao Moist and Mild Toner Ingredients: theobroma cacao (cocoa) extract, aqua (water), butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed extract, sodium hyaluronate, salix alba (willow) bark extract, salix nigra (willow) bark extract, madecassoside, theobroma cacao (cocoa) flower extract, zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, pulsatilla koreana extract, usnea barbata (lichen) extract, betaine, xanthan gum.