I’m a big fan of Innisfree products, especially the green tea line of skincare. This line is ideal for someone who has oily to combination skin and it works by balancing or in other terms, regulating the skin’s lipid and moisture content while maintaining hydration.
But what is the Innisfree Balancing Skin EX and how is it used? In simple terms, this is a liquid toner. It is made with Jeju green tea and thus it works by moisturising, refreshing, hydrating and restoring the skin’s balance.
My experience
Before I transitioned to the Innisfree Balancing Skin EX I was using the Nivea Mattifying toner. As the name suggests, I was looking for a toner that can curb my skin’s excessive production of oil without leaving it too dry.
Sure, this toner served me well, but the Innisfree Balancing Ex was very instrumental in maintaining the skin’s balance as I had wanted. It is slightly viscous in texture, different from other toners which are usually watery. Nonetheless, once you apply it gets absorbed very fast.
What I like
I like the Innisfree Balancing Skin Ex milky consistency, over the very watery toners, which can be hard to manage if they’re not packaged in a spray bottle. On the other hand, due to this toner’s viscous texture, it becomes easy to manage and to apply using your fingertips without worrying about spillage, making a mess or getting it into my eyes.
This toner doesn’t feel heavy or sticky. Rather, it is lightweight, refreshing and has a soothing effect on the skin. Once applied, it hydrates and leaves the skin looking smooth and dewy. I find it a perfect base for a glowing makeup look.
How to use
After cleansing my face and applying the Innisfree green tea seed serum I follow up with the Innisfree Balancing Skin Ex. Unlike other toners, the Innisfree toner is applied after the serum and not before. This is because it is lightly viscous than the serum and the rule of Korean skincare is to apply cosmetics from lightest to heaviest.
Scent
The Innisfree Balancing Skin Ex has a very refreshing scent just like the serum. It smells like green tea leaves, although the scent remains subtle.
Packaging
The Innisfree Balancing Skin Ex comes in a 200ml green transparent bottle sealed with a white cap. You can find it in other travel sizes, including the 100ml and 25ml.
As you can see on the paper box, I have indicated the date I first opened the bottle so that I can keep up with its shelf life. It’s wise to do so since it’s not advisable to use watery products for more than 12 months. They are most prone to bacteria and contamination.
Ingredients
The main ingredient found in the Innisfree Balancing Skin Ex is the green tea. It contains 16 amino acids that aid in the restoration of clear and glowing skin.
Other ingredients as indicated on the box it comes in include; Water, Propanediol, butylene glycol, hydrogenated polyisobutene, 1-2 Hexanediol, Betaine, Behenyl Alcohol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Fragrance, Glyceryl caprylate, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Acrylates/c10-30 Alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis leaf extract.
You will notice a similarity of ingredients in the Innisfree green tea line of skincare products. If used together, the products complement each other to maintain the skin’s oil-water balance, rid the face of whiteheads and minimise pores, especially for oily skin.
Final verdict
Scent: 5 out of 5
Hydrating effect: 5 out of 5
Sebum control and balancing effect: 4 out of 5
Cost: 4 out of 5
Cost & availability
Besides kbeauty here in Kenya, you can get this product on Amazon or eBay. I purchased mine from eBay at $15.00 equivalent to Ksh 1500.
I would recommend this Innisfree balancing skin ex toner to someone who is starting out in the Korean skincare journey and to someone with oily, combination or sensitive skin.
Read on to find out the benefits of adding a toner in your skincare routine
Here are other Innisfree products you should check out.
Product Review: Is The Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum Worth The Hype?
