I never understood why women use toner. It may help remove the last traces of impurities left on your skin, but what does that say about your cleanser?
Some toners hydrate skin, but if you need more moisture, why not switch to a richer moisturizer?
And don’t get me started on astringents. They dry out my skin like crazy, and irritate it too.
So, I’m not exactly eager to add a toner to my skincare routine. Maybe that’s why it took me a couple of years to try the small sample of Maria Galland Silky-Soft Lotion, which I had found in an old Glossybox…
Thankfully, the formula hasn’t changed, so it’s not too late to review it. Did it make me change my mind about toners?
Sadly, not. Here’s why:
What’s In Maria Galland Silky Soft Lotion?
GLYCERIN + HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Unfortunately, Maria Galland Silky Soft Lotion lists ingredients in alphabetical order, rather than order of concentration. This makes it hard to figure out if it has enough of the good stuff to do the job.
I’m guessing it has plenty of Glycerin, just because that’s usually the main ingredients in toners. This moisture magnet attracts and binds water to the skin, increasing its moisture content.
All that extra moisture makes your skin so plump and soft.
Related: What Is Glycerin & Why Is It In All My Skincare Products?
CHONDRUS CRISPUS (CARRAGEENAN) EXTRACT TO SLOW DOWN WATER LOSS
Don’t let the long name scare you. It’s a red algae that grows in the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe. It’s full of carrageenans, a group of substances that create a barrier on the skin that prevents water loss.
The more moisture stays into your skin, the softer and suppler it gets.
Texture
Maria Galland says the toner has gel-like consistency, but that’s not how I would describe it. It’s just slightly thicker than water. Runny. Messy.
Fragrance
Coconut and vanilla. Delicious.
How To Use It
Morning and night, straight after cleansing.
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Performance & Personal Opinion
Maria Galland Silky Soft Lotion is one of the most disappointing products I’ve tried. It’s true I never expect much from toners, but I do expect something.
I got nothing. It was the same as applying water on my skin… Could it be it just doesn’t agree with my skin type?
Maria Galland says the lotion is for normal and sensitive skin that tends to be dry. Mine is combination tending to dry during the colder winter months.
Maybe for dry skin, the tiny amount of extra hydration this toner provides would make a difference. For me, it didn’t. As I said, my skin wasn’t noticeably softer and smoother when I used it.
I also didn’t find it soothing, but then my skin rarely gets irritated. Overall, nothing special here.
Related: How To Treat Combination Skin
Who Is This For?
No one. You may as well splash water on your skin.
Who Is This NOT For?
Again, I don’t recommend this.
Packaging
Maria Galland Silky Soft Lotion comes in a large bottle with a pump dispenser. It’s much more practical than the smaller sample size I have.
Does Maria Galland Silky Soft Lotion Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIMS | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Intensively moisturising and soothing the skin. | It doesn’t provide that much hydration and soothing care. |
| A softly melting gel texture. | More runny than gel. |
| pH 5.0 – 5.5: restores the natural pH level of the skin to preserve the cutaneous ecosystem. | Most skincare products are formulated at this pH, so this isn’t anything special. |
Price & Availability
€31.67 at beauty salons.
Do You Need It?
No. Save your money.
Dupes & Alternatives
- Cosrx Galactomyces Alcohol-Free Toner ($16.00): Available at iHerb and Revolve
- Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Toner Normal To Dry Skin ($21.00): Available at Paula’s Choice
Ingredients
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Aqua, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Ci 14700 (Red 4), Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Eugenol, Glycerin, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Limonene, Methylisothiazolinone, Parfum (Fragrance), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Scutellaria Baicalensis (Root) Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Carrageenan, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Trehalose, Ulva Lactuca Extract, Xanthan Gum
Aw, what a shame that it doesn’t do anything for your skin 🙁
Melissa, it was very disappointing indeed. 🙁