Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner (Review)
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Sat Mar 13, 2004 9:39 am

I generally like Dermalogica's products. Even when they include things I might prefer weren't in there, they seem to have an expert chemist's hand at blending things together to make them work effectively and feel good, with just the right consistency or 'slip'.

I tried a small bottle of this toner, which comes in spray form, along with some other Dermalogica goodies, like my favorite the Daily Microfoliant. And I'll consider repurchasing it.

A 237ml bottle goes for about $37 Canadian, which I believe is about $27 U.S. as of this writing.

Here's how Essential Day Spa describes it:
"An ultra-light facial spritz of skin-repairing Aloe Vera combined with soothing extracts of Lavender, Balm Mint and Arnica to refresh and hydrate the skin after cleansing and throughout the day. All skin conditions.
Directions:
Spray evenly over skin after cleansing."

You should keep your eyes closed when you do this, and not aim directly at them or it will sting a little. I usually just sprayed it on still-damp cheeks and then lightly patted it around with clean fingertips.

There are some interesting ingredients in this product and others from Dermalogica. For instance, beta glucan. I looked it up and saw research tidbits like: "Beta Glucan has been shown to enhance the envelopment and digestion (phagocytosis) of pathogenic microorganisms."

You can search through an ingredients list of all Dermalogica products in this PDF file at Essential Day Spa's site.

Anyway, the spray seemed to both soften and clean my skin. It has things in it that I like which may be responsible for that - such as sodium lactate, and the most notable ingredient (to me), sodium PCA.

Sodium PCA is a molecule that's reportedly very similar or actually the same to some of the skin's own natural moisturizing factors. I believe Twinlab has a spray product called Na-PCA that many people have liked, but the version I tried had an unfavorable strong scent - may have been eucalyptus.

Anyway, a bit about sodium PCA:
It is a "hygroscopic, attracting moisture from the air" and is used as a moisturizer in hair products and skin products. It's "a stronger hydrating agent than the traditional compounds used for this purpose, such as glycerine, propylene glycol, or sorbitol."

Those with the driest or most sensitive skins might be interested in another Dermalogica spray, called Dermalogica Soothing Protection Spray. I'm eager to try that, which has "green tea, Canadian willoherb, cucumber, licorice and raspberry to dramatically reduce redness and irritation."

Both of these products reside here at the Essential Day Spa site:

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/dermalogica_conditioners.htm

Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:58 am

Hey dh,

Thanks for posting this review! I can't believe how detailed it is, it must have taken you ages to write!

Just for the sake of comparison (because I've run out of my beloved Phytomer Face Dew toner Smile

), have you used other toners before and if so then how does this one stack up? So basically, what has been your fave toner so far?

I hope to read more of your reviews Wink

Mabsy

Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:52 am

You know, I haven't really found many toners that I love. In years past I've used many of the majors' like Lancome, Clarins, Clinique, Estee Lauder, etc.

Also some others like Dr. Hauschka's and Komenuka Bijin and Aveeno's and also one of those Pore Minimizer toners from the drugstore - was it L'Oreal?

And during oily phases I've tried vodka and years and years ago after a day outside, I've braved plain old rubbing alcohol... and then moisturized.

I've liked some toners from Clarins before, but not enough to repurchase. I've used toners mainly as an extra cleaning step with a cotton ball. I suspect the Dr. Hauschka toners are actually somewhat nourishing - they always stuff great ingredients into their products. The Clarins toners were somewhat softening, and if I was religious about toner use, I'd probably go back there and try one again from Clarins... or maybe Yonka... Yonka (beauty supply stores often have this line) has one that smells wonderfully herbal and seemed to soften as well.

The Aveeno one, which has soy, seemed to cause breakouts of all things even though it softened. The Pore Minimizer toner seemed harsh and talc-y. Komenuka Bijin's was a little sticky, as I recall - I think it has sake in it, would have to go find one and read the label to double-check that.

So, anyway, vodka is not a bad toner if you're just looking for cleaning and can tolerate alcohol.

What I liked about the Dermalogica toner was that it did leave my skin softer and probably more clear.. they have a good ingredients lineup in there, and rather than wiping this off with a cotton ball I think it's more a case of letting it sink in.

Sat May 22, 2004 2:24 am

I like this toner... it leaves my oily skin hydrated and yet I feel that the oilness is zapped away at the same time. Does anyone know how this toner compare to their soothing toner?

Sat May 22, 2004 3:05 pm

i still have half of dermalogica mulit-active toner rolling around in my bathroom... i found it quite harsh Confused

for my dry skin and it also has an unpleasant smell, unlike other dermalogica products that i tried. I would rather use phytomer face dew or yonka toner.

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