Hello, lovelies!
How are you today? It's time to chat about skincare!
You know how popular is Korean skincare and the trend doesn't seem to fade. I personally have made amazing discoveries among the Korean brands, of ingredients and products that are new to me. As usual, my trustworthy place for shopping for Korean brands and products is the specialized boutiques in Switzerland BoOonBox, where I decided to pick this Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence. Keep reading to find out more!

This is my first time using an essence, and in total honesty, it took me a while to figure out where/when in my routine to fit in this product. If you have never heard of the "Asian method of layering", this is basically a method to apply different skincare in successive steps to address different skincare issues. The layering concept responds to the theory that the skin is able to synthesize skincare products in successive layers, starting with the products with the lower density (more liquidy and easily absorbed) toward the products with the highest density (those richer and creamier that take longer to sink in). Normally, a layering routine would be something like this:

1) cleansing or double cleansing,
2) exfoliating and/or toning
3) essence or/and serum
4) oil or/and cream.

You can layer four steps, or you can layer ten! It's up to you.
In my case, I was curious about the essence and when I read the description of Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence at BoOonBox I was immediately tempted to buy it.

Benton Snail Bee High content Essence - 60ml


 Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence is a gel like concentrate formulated with Snail Secretion Filtrate, Bee Venomm, EGF and many other natural plant extract to help improve rough, dry and damaged skin.

The claims

  • soothes irritated skin,
  • contains aloe and willow bark that moisturizes skin
  • hydrates, 
  • has anti aging properties by diminishing fine lines and wrinkles 
  • contains Arbutin Adenosine which brightens and evens skin tone 
How to use

This is labelled to be safe for "all skin types". But as usual, you must pay close attention to the "how to use" instructions. Here is how Jodeth from BoOonBox explains to us how to use it.

After cleansing and toning, pump an ample amount of the gel and apply all over face. Pat for better absorption. 

Tip for a layering skincare routine

This essence has all the necessary ingredients to replace your serum.  But if you are a fan of the Asian layering skincar, then you should know you can absolutely layer this essence with your favourite serum. If you already use a serum with a silicon base it would be best to apply this essence first , then your serum. Same thing if you use a face oil, apply the essence first, then the oil. In the case you use a single ingredient serum (e.g.The Ordinary) you might test which is best. I use a vitamin C serum (reviewed here) that I prefer applying before the essence!

Ingredients:

Here is the full list of ingredients:
Snail Secretion Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Arbutin, Human Ogliopeptide-1, Bee Venom, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Laminana Digita Extract, Dios Pyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ulmus Campestris (Elm) Extract, Bacilus Ferment, Azelaic Acid, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross Polymer, Adenosine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Arginine


My experience


I had already tried other products with Snail secretion in the past and had wonderful results and I have also used several sheet mask from the brand Benton, so I had really high expectations for this Essence.
It has a gel-like texture that feels nice and refreshing on the skin, it can feel a little tacky while applying, but once it sinks in the skin feels perfectly smooth.
I've been using it for about 4 weeks now, twice per day. It is the one step I never skip, I sometimes skip the vitamin C serum, or the face oil, but not the essence! I have been using it regularly and the results are amazing. This all really started as an "experiment" I wasn't even sure if I was going to share it with you. But the results are visible! My skin texture has improve, becoming softer, my pores smaller, I think this essence combines perfectly with my vitamin c serum to battle against dark spots.
On top of that, this essence is really affordable. The bottle contains 60 ml and costs 20.00 CHF.

Bottom Line

I'm so happy with my new essence, the results are definitely there and I don't need to break the bank! If your skin needs feels dry or rough to the touch and needs an extra help in the moisturizing department, if you struggle with dark spots or acne scars (even if they are very old) I encourage you to add this essence your skincare routine.
What about you? what is your "skin-struggle" if any? Have you tried Korean beauty products? Have you ever tried a product with Snail secretion? Let me know in the comments!

Love,
Nati


*The items reviewed were purchased by me unless otherwise stated.