The Body Shop Seaweed Clarifying Toner

This toner is made by the Body shop and is created for use with the rest of their Seaweed Deep Cleansing line for Oily Combination Skin. It comes in a 200 ml, 6.75 ounce bottle and retails for $12.00.

It contains bladderwrack seaweed from Ireland and some studies have shown it to help the skin increase collagen, improve skin elasticity and it is shown to be rich in anti-oxidants which help fight free radicals. Also in the product is cucumber extract which is known to reduce redness and swelling. How these help the skin to be rid of excess oil and sebum is unclear.

Some ingredients listed were Castor oil and Benzyl Alcohol. Castor Oil is known to oil cleansing afficianados as a deep cleansing oil but also an oil that women whom are pregnant and nursing should avoid. Benzyl Alcohol while being low on the list is a drying agent for skin, however if you are using the system because you have oily/combination skin that may not be a concern.

This product had the same odd "plant food" smell that the Vitamen E toner had and while not disgusting it was not pleasant either. I soaked my cotton ball and swiped my face with the toner and was immediately reminded of being a teenager.

There was an immediate tingle, not a burning sensation, it was like using noxema. It was like a non-alcohol version of Seabreeeze toner, with a $12.00 price tag and without the ability to take off as much gunk.

On the whole although I really quite enjoyed the tingle that this toner gave me, I was put off by the smell, the ingredients were not impressive enough, and the idea of putting seaweed which in itself retains mercury, on my face was off putting.

Honestly after having seen a lot of toners and used many of them, If I was looking for a toner for oily/blemish prone skin, I would recommend L'oreal Plenitude Shine Control Double Action Toner. For half the price of most costly floral waters and atomizers you can get a great toner that works so well the ingredients have not changed much in the 8 some years since I have used it in high school.