We tried it: Shiseido Skin softeners

Shiseido's new line of softening toners/image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

For a few years now, toners and softening waters have been all the rage in Asia (where, let's face it all of our biggest beauty trends start) and now they are finally starting to make it big in America. Just last month the New York Times ran an article about the rebirth of toners and how they were 'having a moment' in the beauty world.

But for most of us the word "toners" recalls images of super antiseptic Bonnie Bell or Sea Breeze type products that we dutifully soaked our skins with in our teen years in hopes of 'drying up' pimples. Of course as adults, we are all older and wiser (at least I hope I am!) and have learned that all that over stripping only leads to MORE skin problems down the road. 

Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence/Image:C.Hope for Style Wylde

So what is with the new generations of toners? How are they different than the Sea Breezes of yore?  And what is a "skin softener"? In order to get the answers I checked out the line of toners and softeners from uber-beauty brand Shiseido (which the company sent to me specifically to test and review) to find out what all the fuss is about.

First the facts, what I tested and what they are supposed to do:

White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener ($48) - brightening formula prevents dark spots and hydrates.

WrinkleResist24 Balancing Softener ($44) - age-defying Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid N re-texturizes skin.

Benefiance Pro-Fortifying Softener ($58) - skin-fortifying softener with Nutrition Infusing Technology for maturing skin to restore resilience, firmness and suppleness.

Eudermine Revitalizing Essence ($56) - First launched in 1897, contains Bio-Hyaluronic Hyper Complex to protect skin.

Now the results, first let's talk softeners.

Before even applying the products I noticed a major difference from the toners I have used in the past; there was no alcohol scent and no hyper perfumey scent. All of these products had very little detectable scent other than a very fresh and light one similar to what you might find in a moisturizer. The textures of the actual product was really different as well, especially the Benefiance NutriPerfect Pro-Fortfying Softener which was thick, almost viscous, and did not "soak" in to the cotton pad I used to apply it to my skin, making it easy to smooth on all over without using very much of the product at all.   

Upon application, all of these products FELT really different too. No burn, no sting, no 'tight' feeling. Instead my skin felt smooth and supple, soothed and conditioned instead of dry and itchy.

And after a few days... Definite improvement could be seen! I did see a decrease in dark spots from old acne and and overall brightening, but again the most dramatic results seemed to come from the Benefiance NutriPerfect ProFortifying Softener, which seems to be greatly improving skin texture, minimizing the appearance of pores and even 'firming up' some areas around my jaw and cheeks. It should be said that I am a BIG believer in using products as a preventative instead of corrective measure, so the fact that this particular product was billed as 'for mature' skin didn't deter me, infact it attracted to me to this one over the others.  I like to stop the wrinkles BEFORE they happen, and this feels like a great new weapon in that war.

Finally onto the Eudermine Revitalizing Essence

Packaged in a gorgeous ruby-red glass bottle with a vintage ball stopper, the Eudermine Revitalizing Essence feels special before you even put it on. As I smoothed it on it felt refreshing and soothing and I imagine it would be a must have product after a long flight or an intense workout. This type of product sometimes called "essence" or "waters", was HUGE in Tokyo last time I was there, with nearly every shop from ultra-high end department stores to tiny boutiques offering up a wide array of options. And after previously trying more than my fair share of them, I can honestly say Shiseido's Eudermine Essence is one of the best in the market. 

 For more information on these, and other products in the Shisiedo collection visit the brand's official website.