It has already been a couple of months since I unboxed my last LF Beauty Box, but there’s still one product left out of that box that I really wanted to review. It did take me a while to do so since I really wanted to test it thoroughly and I also have a ton of other products I want to test and review, but now after about 2 months it’s finally time for me to review this Gatineau Gentle Silk Toner. So, if you’re interested in finding out what this toner is like, if it’s actually gentle and if I like it or not, make sure you continue reading!
Because I got this in my LF Beauty Box, which usually doesn’t come with many full size products, this is a little travel size bottle. Mine comes with 50 ml of product and for a travel size product that’s a really nice amount. It’s enough for a week, or maybe even a two week, vacation or trip, but you can obviously use it at home as well. Anyway, the packaging of the toner is very simple. The bottle has a pretty unique shape and is completely clear. The lid is white and it’s just one of those screw off lids. The only decoration on the bottle itself is the little sticker with the name of the brand and a bit of information regarding the product. Aside from that it’s pretty simple.
Normally I do like simplicity in packagings, but for some reason I feel like this packaging is a little too simple and also a little too plastic-looking. And that’s okay, but Gatineau is a rather expensive brand so I would appreciate it if their products would come in an expensive looking packaging instead of a very basic plastic bottle. The full size bottle is basically the same, but instead of a screw off lid it has one of those lids you can pull open.
Gatineau Gentle Silk Toner (400 ml) – €36,45
Enough about the packaging, let’s talk claims. According to Gatineau this is a cleanser that cleanses and tones the skin. It’s alcohol and silicone oil free and it’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin types. On the Lookfantastic website it also says that this will refresh and clarify the complexion without drying it out. It removes traces of makeup and closes up your pores without causing irritation. It has comforting ingredients that are supposed to soften and condition the complexion to leave it feeling silky and smooth.
Overall it sounds like the most perfect toner ever. In general I find it really difficult to find toners that are free of alcohol, so the fact that this is an alcohol free toner already makes me really happy. Because it’s free of alcohol it could be that those girls who’s skin usually react to toners (because of the alcohol in there) can use this product and that’s just amazing. My skin doesn’t always react badly to alcohol, but I have already noticed that when I use this my skin doesn’t get as red as it does when I use other toners that do have alcohol in them.
It also says that it’s silicone oil free. I personally don’t mind silicones on my face, but if you do for whatever reason, this product could be great for you!
One thing that really stood out to me the first time I used this toner is the scent. It has a very elegant and feminine scent. On one hand I really like that about it, however it does mean that there is perfume in here which can be irritational to the skin. And I think it’s so sad that when you finally find a toner that is free of alcohol it does have perfume. However, if you don’t mind perfume it’s a great thing because the scent is really, really amazing in my opinion. I love it!
When it comes to removing traces of makeup I think it does a good job. Toners are usually the last step of your cleansing routine and the step before moisturising, which means that at this point there’s only a bit of makeup left on your skin, not a full face. If you try to remove a full face of makeup using this you have to work really hard, but if you actually use it for what it’s made for, which is removing the last left overs of makeup, it does work really well. It makes your skin feel and look completely clean and fresh and I like that.
Talking about fresh I feel like this toner really has a refreshing effect. Even though it’s something I only use in the evening when I’m removing my makeup, which isn’t necessarily the time of day where you need refreshing, I can appreciate this feature. Sometimes after a long day it’s just great to use a refreshing product so you feel nice and fresh before you go to bed. This might not make any sense at all, but I kinda hope it does.
Aside from removing traces of makeup, Gatineau also claims that this product closes your pores, softens the skin and leaves it feeling silky and smooth. Of course these claims are a bit over the top and exaggerated, but in a way they are definitely true. I mean it doesn’t not do that, but it also isn’t a miracle product or anything like that.
What I’ve noticed throughout the testing period of this product is that it really has a smoothening effect. It’s very hard to describe, but after using this product my skin feels very silky, like all of the texture and unevenness is gone. Like the skin of a baby. Of course this feeling doesn’t last forever, it’s probably there because of some kind of ingredient and when that ingredient is done working it’s magic or if it’s faded off of your skin that feeling is gone, but I do really like the way it feels.
The only claim I’m not that sure about is the pore-closing claim. Like I always say when it comes to things regarding pores, I find it really hard to see whether that’s true or not, but overall it’s not like I looked in the mirror after using this and saw a very big difference in my pores. So it might do something to them, but not anything you can see.
Overall I do really like this toner. I like that it has a nice smell and I like that it’s actually quite gentle because of the fact it’s alcohol-free. Compared to other toners this is way more gentle to my skin and it causes way less redness which is something I really like about it. I also like that it actually removes the last traces of makeup on my skin, that it feels refreshing and that it actually leaves my skin feeling silky and soft. I really like this product!
And that’s pretty much it for today’s review. I hope you enjoyed reading it and be sure to let me know if you’re familiar with the brand Gatineau and also let me know which toner is your current favourite!
Let Me Know What You Think!