Shiseido • The Skincare Hydro-balancing softener lotion • Toners

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kimmiehearts on 10/5/2011 5:32:00 PM more reviews by kimmiehearts

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is good stuff. Very hydrating and refreshing, and really helps your moisturizer sink in deeply. Shiseido seems to be THE experts on softeners. Don't go into this thinking it is cleansing, softeners are actually part of the moisturizing process. Use with the Shiseido Facial Cotton and you are good to go. I recommend this for normal to dry skin. If you are on the oily side, get the Pureness softener, and also save yourself around 12 dollars.

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kaakim on 5/15/2011 5:01:00 PM more reviews by kaakim

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Best toner I've ever used! I've tried other brand toners, such as Clarins, EL, Clinque, Lancome, etc, but this is the best. I've used it for almost 6 years now, and will be using it. Highly recommanded.

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JTel on 5/10/2011 4:51:00 PM more reviews by JTel

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have very sensitive skin so in the past when I've used alcohol-based toners, it really stripped my skin of the essential lipids. With this toner, I've found my go-to-product. I have the one that doesn't contain alcohol, and it is very gentle on the skin. Yet it clears off any residual makeup etc that may be missed in the cleansing process, along with hydrating the skin. I dispense one pump into my right palm and then just smooth it evenly over my face; I'm lazy, I should be using a cotton ball/pad oops. I bought a back-up of this toner already. Used it for 6 months now so it's definitely a tried-and-true product for me :)

Note: I don't know about you but I have a drawer full of back-ups that I'm not using. Like a graveyard of backups haha so a word of advice to not buy them unless they're your absolute HG product. Cuz now since I luvv trying new things/or found better products, I can't even give them away LOL.

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innerchild on 3/20/2011 8:05:00 AM more reviews by innerchild

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

(Overall: 5, Price: 5, Packaging: 5, Repurchase: Yes)

This is the only product from 'The Skincare' line from Shiseido that I'm impressed with. It really serves the purpose as a softener. This I know for sure when I use a comedolytic like Differin the night before and the next morning, I use this and on my cotton pad were a lot of brown dead skin cells. Gross, but truly incredible since it's just a toner that looks and feels like water. It's really gentle on the skin and the fragrance is light and pleasant. I love how it preps the skin well for whatever else you're planning to put on it. I also like the convenient pump packaging. Love it! I don't mind the price because it's something that I actually like.

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wonderfulJ on 1/9/2011 9:55:00 PM more reviews by wonderfulJ

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This is a very lovely product. I received a sample and after a few days went out and purchased a bottle. It is very hydrating and gives a plump and firming look to the skin. I love using it in conjunction with The Skincare extra gentle foaming cleanser. No cons besides it being pricey, but you get what you pay for. I will continue using this and will repurchase. :)

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suikey on 1/7/2011 7:19:00 PM more reviews by suikey

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I just finished my first bottle and got a second one. It adds moisture to my skin and doesn't irritate it at all. I did not see magic here but does feel it helps keeping my skin hydrated day and night. Yet I don't like the night cream in the same line and may have to switch to other products if I find a night cream in some other brand.

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candicec on 9/6/2010 6:08:00 PM more reviews by candicec

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

love this, have gone through so many bottles of this stuff. i put this on right out of the shower. it is a great toner/moisturizer that is light and refreshing. love the light smell too.

CC

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kornwipha on 4/7/2010 4:22:00 PM more reviews by kornwipha

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This toner broke me out. I don't know why I usually break out with alcohol free toner. This is not the first time for me anyway. The SA didn't believe me that this caused my pimples on my face after a few time of using. But this was the only one new thing I used at that moment. Anyways it was abit overpriced for me. I didn't feel any good when I used it. Nothing so special for me at all. Sorry Shiseido..

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*TOP REVIEWER* loriyu on 1/20/2010 5:26:00 PM more reviews by loriyu

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is part of my everyday skincare routine (including the Skincare Gentle Cleansing Foam). I wasn't big on toners before, even the alcohol-free ones, because I still broke out (I used to have bad acne, but now I only have a few zits here and there). But it does seem like adding this to the cleanser (which I've used much longer than the toner) really has helped my skin be clear on a regular basis.

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Java on 3/23/2009 3:37:00 PM more reviews by Java

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Used this years ago when Skincare was first introduced, it was OK back then but I was not impressed so I stopped using it. Bought it again this Spring, and this newest formula is absolutely horrible!


First, too much preservatives - the listed preservatives (Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben) are in the middle of the ingredients list instead of the last where they should be. Within a day, my face was scaly and itchy. Second, too little "good stuff", i.e. Sodium Hyaluronate, Thymus Serpillum Extract, are listed last in the ingredients, even behind Fragrance. At this little concentration level, I highly doubt they will have any benefit at all. At $34, this poorly formulated toner is way overpriced.


So sad, Shiseido used to have some good stuff. But all their recently (a couple of years) reformulated facial products are big failures in my book.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* linhle777 on 6/13/2008 12:54:00 AM more reviews by linhle777

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have always use this toner and it works the best better than Proactive I like the powder in it becausse it takes up the oil in my skin. I LOVE IT! If you use with your fingers to put on your face you save so much. The bottle lasts me for close to a year.

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ANAYA79 on 5/15/2008 7:58:00 PM more reviews by ANAYA79

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have sensitive, acne-prone skin. My dermatologist advised me to use products that say "non-comedogenic" on them. I bought this about two weeks ago. The first time I used it, my face tingled and was a little red. It didn't feel like it was meant for sensitive skin.
Sales associate at Nordstrom told me if my face gets red, I should stop a week and try again. So I did as she told me. I used it a week later and I broke out with red bumps all over my cheeks.
I don't understand what ingredient is causing this, especially with No Alcohol. I am going to return this and will not be repurchasing.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kuby007 on 3/22/2008 9:06:00 PM more reviews by kuby007

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I didn't realize how important toning was until I started using one again. For some reason, I stopped using a toner for a few months and my skin was very dry and rough and my moisturizer wouldn't sink it very well. Recently, I purchased this toner as part of Shiseido's The Skincare line, and I have noticed HUGE improvements! I can't say it's this toner alone that has saved my skin, but I am sure that it's not a step that should be skipped. If I don't use this before applying moisturizer, the moisturizer does not sink in as well as when I do use this just prior to moisturizing. I love the fact that it's alcohol-free since I have very sensitive skin and it does not make me break out. It's a wee bit pricey, but IMO it's totally worth it because it makes a really big difference.

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brightpinkflowers on 2/18/2008 12:25:00 PM more reviews by brightpinkflowers

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Skin: combination/oily Age: 22
This product does not do wonders for my skin, in fact, i feel that kose toners are better for me. It feels great upon application, very hydrated, but the feeling is 'lost' after a while, and my skin starts to look shiny again. This is not worth the price in my opinion.

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rigashi on 1/23/2008 12:37:00 AM more reviews by rigashi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is definitely one of the BEST toners I have ever used! It's definitely better at sealing in moisture and softening your skin than cleaning off any remaining residues or tightening your pores, but I have never used a toner that spreads as easily as this one, with so little product! And of course, it works! :) My Shiseido cleansing foam doesn't leave any residue, and my Missha cleansing oil clears off all traces of makeup... so hydration is mainly what I'm looking for. This hydrates my skin quite well--and it's all I need for moisture in the summer--but it also allows my skin to absorb moisturizer much more quickly. It's a bit on the expensive side for a toner, but it's well worth it for me!


Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Xylitol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Fragrance (Parfum), Citric Acid, Dimorpholinopyridazinone, Citronellol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysolecithin, Tocopherol, Thymus Serpillum Extract

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* KiuKiu on 1/6/2008 2:53:00 PM more reviews by KiuKiu

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I've always loved the softeners from Shiseido, and this is no exception. I love the fragrance it has, it smells so good AND it does not react to my rosacea! Love it love it love it! I don't put this on a cotton pad, in fact, I just pump this into my hand and apply it to my face. It is very liquid-y, so I have to press it in my palms and quickly put it on my face or it will just roll off my hands like water. After I put this on, I put on my moisturizer. If I do not put this on, my moisturizer takes forever to sink in. But when I use this, my moisturizer sinks in really quickly, leaving my face really soft and touchable. I love it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* fermidiracgirl on 12/15/2007 10:39:00 PM more reviews by fermidiracgirl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

they say this isnt a "toner" but a "softener", meaning, its not supposed to help cleanse or exfoliate the skin, but rather acts to soften and moisturize the skin. And if you use other shiseido The Skincare products, you'll realize that the cleansing foams have a tendency to be a little drying or rinse off "squeaky clean", and so its nice to have this "softener" before your moisturizer. Also, having the skin slightly damp and slightly moisturized before using an actual moisturizer makes the moisturizer more effective, and skin is softer as a result. The product itself - its alcohol-free and lightly fragranced, and very gentle. I love the smell, its floral, like roses. My skin is definitely softer after using it, much more comfortable especially with the cold weather. Very expensive - $33 for 5oz. but hey, its shiseido so you know it wont be cheap. still, thats no excuse. But the bottle has a pump and also a cap over the pump which is really convenient. I need 3 pumps for one cotton pad, though I could probably get away with 2. The bottle itself is plastic, thank god, great for travel. Will repurchase.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

raegreen on 12/13/2007 8:58:00 AM more reviews by raegreen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I choose this product to write my first review because it was my first product I purchase after surveying here. First of all, I would like to thank all the community here for being so helpful and willing to share their experience and comments. Because of that I’m able to purchase wisely without ending up with another lousy piece of product. At least I know what to expect before using it ;-p

Shiseido Hydro-Balancing Softener is a really good product and it is my first time using a toner after such a long long time when I found out I was allergic to it. Probably it’s the alcohol or some ingredient that most toner has but I’ve tried many brands, from drugstore to counters (Clinique, Biotherm etc) It’s ironic because my skin is not sensitive but I’m yet only sensitive to toners.

This particular product works amazing for me. It does what it stated, it really hydrates my skin after my facial wash. Once I dab it on to my skin quickly absorb it and it felt relax. It’s quite crucial as I notice that my next application (either moisturizer or other chemicals) absorb better when my skin is relax and a little hydrate. I have to give it a 4 star because it’s a bit too hydrating for me as my skin is oily skin and if I put on a moisturizer, it’s going to be very heavy and oily on my face. So if I opt for 2 in 1 thing (toner + light moisturizer) this will be the perfect choice. But then it’s best if I choose one step less hydrating so I went for the Pureness range, also Balancing Softener (Alcohol-Free). It’s perfect for me and now I’m on my second bottle. In a long run my skin really improves a lot. My skin got better, my pimple on my forehead reduce, so as the blackheads on my nose, and my skin texture began to change. I don’t know whether they have any exfoliating properties inside but probably when your skin is well balance and have sufficient moisture, your skin texture becomes better.

So guys, if you are allergic to toner in somewhat reason you don’t know, try this out, it will not disappoint you. I was told before that it is okay to skip the toner in my regimen because I’m allergic to it, but now I dare to say that toner is more important compared to the moisturizer.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

cad82 on 10/15/2007 3:09:00 AM more reviews by cad82

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This softener does a great job of prepping my skin for moisturizer. Sometimes it makes my face tingle a little bit but does not cause any redness or irritation. I feel like my moisturizer is better absorbed after using this product. I use it together with the extra gentle cleansing foam also from the same line and am happy with the results. I did hear about a newer version that has exfoliating qualities but since i have sensitive skin I'm wary of trying a toner that isn't alcohol-free. Will definitely repurchase once this one runs out.

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eggtarts on 6/7/2006 5:41:00 AM more reviews by eggtarts

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

i cannot believe i haven't written a review for this! it's a really great toner to use. it is supposed to "soften" and prepare your skin to absorb moisturizer better, and it actually works! my skin is better (texture-wise) and brighter (eventhough the product does not claim to). another plus factor is the relaxing, soothing scent i get a whiff of as i gently work the softener on my skin.

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