Beauty ponders

As you've all may figured out, I value my skin care routine highly. The best make-up look begins with good skin -for me-... That's why I've mainly talked about skin care, but no worries, the make-up is on its way!

After cleansing I like to use a toner. If you use a face wash or a gel, it's not necessary. I like to use a milk cleanser -for my dry skin- and this is best followed by a toner. I don't like harsh toners with alcohol in it, they just damage your skin, I'm always on the lookout for a gentle toner but haven't come across the perfect one yet...

On a beauty/fashion forum I heard a lot of positive things on Mario Badescu's Aloe Vera Toner: contains Aloe Vera (yes - I like), alcohol free, great for sensitive/dry skin. Ok, I'm sold! I ordered it online through beautybay, at 15euro/236ml but you can order it from other websites as well. I like these midranged priced products, I don't want to spend 50euros on a toner (it's a T O N E R).

Our mildest toner for the most sensitive and dry skin. Aloe Vera formula soothes irritation and removes pore clogging debris from skin’s surface. Alcohol free. How to Use: Twice daily after cleansing, pat skin dry and apply lotion-dampened cotton to skin, wiping in an outward direction until cotton comes up clean. Avoid eye area. Follow with moisturizer or night cream.

As you can see the packaging is really simple and the toner is greenish (when applied on cotton pad it's no longer noticeable). To open it, you have to pull the center part of the lid above. I'm a fan of these openings as you can control the amount of product you get on your cotton pad. I don't like those big gaps, they only make you spill or apply too much product. Here's what I mean 'cause my description may be a bit too cryptic.

I've been using this toner for 3 months now (I only use it in the evenings after my milk cleanser) and I still have 1/3 product left, it lasts some time.

This toner is definitely a mild toner, I have sensitive skin myself and it doesn't irritate me or makes my skin red. I don't think anyone with sensitive skin will have a problem with this one. As far as scent goes, I can say it's non-existent, maybe if you try really hard you smell some herbal scent in it but that could also be my imagination.

This toner removes the last bits of my cleanser and soothes my skin, that's basically it. It doesn't work hydrating and it doesn't do anything against my pore-clogging (which it states it should). On a positive note as well : it doesn't feel greasy and sinks in your skin really fast.

I would recommend this toner if you have really sensitive skin and want to use one. For me, I want my toner to be more hydrating and do something against pore clogging. I like using this product but it's not perfect for me...