SHISEIDO Pureness Balancing Softener Alcohol-Free
It's been years since I last used any Shiseido products. Even though my mom isn't into beauty anything, I always associated the brand with a more mature audience since I grew up seeing it fill my aunt's vanity. Especially the thick and rich Benefiance line, which also has a grandma-esque aroma IMO.
Shiseido Pureness Mattifying Moisturizer Oil-Free was one of the first higher-end brands I tried as a teenager as per said aunt's recommendations. She thought it would suit my then skin type well since she very much trusted the brand with their anti-aging products. I might have accompanied it with the Pureness Balancing Softener Alcohol-Free but perhaps I didn't; I don't have any memories of it in particular, good or bad, and I think I know why after using it for the last month or so.
Shiseido's description:
Give your skin power over shine and imperfections.
Bring new radiance, softness, and balance to blemish-prone skin with this refreshing, alcohol-free softening lotion. Lightly rehydrates, leaving skin smooth and comfortable.
For all skin types.Dermatologist-tested.
Directions
Saturate a cotton pad and smooth over face after cleansing.
Ingredients
WATER(AQUA/EAU), DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, XYLITOL, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM CITRATE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), SODIUM METAPHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, DIMORPHOLINOPYRIDAZINONE, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, SAXIFRAGA SARMENTOSA EXTRACT, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT (ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT), TOCOPHEROL, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, GREEN 3 (CI 42053), HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) LEAF EXTRACT, YELLOW 5 (CI 19140), BENZOIC ACID
Toner 150 ml / 5 fl oz
Shiseido (USA retail): USD $24.50
Macy's & Sephora: USD $24.50
Packaging
Comes in a light blue bottle with a pump dispenser and an accompanying cap. A fresh bottle does come with a sliver of a security seal sticker to indicate if it's been opened or not. I have come to appreciate watery toners that come in pump bottles since it controls how much product I use and reduces the chance of creating a mess because of stray droplets.
Color, Texture, Finish & Scent
The watery liquid is blue-tinged and has a light/clean perfumy scent (that doesn't linger long). It doesn't leave any residue or tackiness.How I Apply
I use 2 pumps of the toner on a cotton round and wipe my entire face and neck, mostly after my morning cleanse...sometimes also at night (but I usually prefer something with AHA or BHA in the PM).Thoughts & Recommendations
In my younger years, this kind of softener a.k.a. toner would have been the type of product that made me question whether a toner is a necessary step in the routine. For one, it is pricey! It also doesn't seem like it does much other than wipe remaining dirt, if any, off my face.While those two thoughts don't just change with age, I have just grown accustomed to the act of using a wipable toner...because I like to see that it does pick up stuff sometimes even after a double cleanse. Price-wise I think there are cheaper options available that does essentially the same thing, has a similar ingredients list (i.e. Thayer's Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free), yet still formulated without fluff things like fragrance and color.
I haven't used the Thayer's toners in a very long time so I can't attest to how it'll actually compare.
I didn't have any issues with it; no rashes, no breakouts, etc. Since I don't typically follow-up with my skincare products right after cleanser, my face does dry up between the cleansing and toner steps. In that regards, the softener did what I wanted—refresh and rehydrate my face while picking up any residual dirt and dust. The hydration effect isn't long-lasting but that is what the rest of my skincare routine is for. I could see it suitable for oily, combination, to normal skin types; those with drier skin would probably want something more nourishing.
If my aunt hadn't gifted me with a bottle of the toner, I would definitely not have dropped almost USD $25 on it for myself. The Shiseido's Pureness Balancing Softener is pleasant to use, just nothing spectacular in my books. Having it be alcohol-free and pH balanced is great but then there are things like fragrance and color in it which seem a little unnecessary. I am not sensitive to them but there are people who are. Unless you are someone very brand loyal to Shiseido, I would skip this toner. Maybe it's time for me to revisit Thayers again?
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