Due to the popularity of the original Supple Preparation Facial Toner, Klairs have newly launched a second version – the Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner – which now omits the essential oils found in the original, to cater for more sensitive skin types.
Klairs’ brand philosophy is simple skincare at an affordable price, focusing only on necessary ingredients that are gentle for the skin and omitting parabens, alcohol, colorants and artificial fragrance. They are also cruelty-free and environmentally-conscious.
Supple Preparation Facial Toner VS Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner vs Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
SIMILARITIES:
They both have the following claims:
- Deeply moisturising and hydrating
- Balances pH level of skin
- Cleans and soothes
- Helps prep the skin to absorb and boost the effectiveness of follow up skincare products
- Main ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, beta-glucan, centella asiatica extract and lipidure
- Formulated with various botanical extracts
- Made in Korea
Both are priced at USD21.99 for 180ml / 6.08fl.oz on Wishtrend.
Both have a clear coloured, viscous formula that looks identical out the bottle so you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference by sight.
DIFFERENCES:
Slightly different box packaging – both made from recycled paper
Packaging – the original Facial toner comes in a dark brown almost-opaque bottle and it is difficult to see how much product is in there unless you hold it up to the light. The Unscented toner in comparison has a transparent bottle making it very easy to see how much you have left. It was also interesting to note the little ‘bubbles’ suspended in the product (which the original also has, but I never noticed until I saw it in the unscented version.
Pockets of bubbles in the Unscented version are normal whether you shake it up or not
Ingredients list
Ingredients – the most important and crucial difference in these two products. The Unscented toner contains all the same beneficial ingredients as the original Facial toner but omits the essential oils which are highlighted below:
#1 Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1
#2 Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca, Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Copper Tripeptide-1
The essentials oils are extracts from plants and fruit. They can generally be a controversial inclusion in skincare because while it has antioxidant and moisturising benefits for ageing, dry and dehydrated skin, they are highly fragranced, and can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin types, especially with long-term overuse.
Therefore, if you know you react negatively toward essential oils, then the Unscented toner is a perfect alternative because it still has all the great ingredients found in the original such as:
- Sodium hyaluronate – highly moisturising
- Centella asiatica extract – reduces pigmentation, calms irritation and inflammation, improves skin texture
- Licorice root extract – improves uneven skin tone and has brightening effect
- Beta-glucan – soothing for sensitivity, reduces redness and has antioxidant properties
- Althaea rosea flower extract – soothe and soften
- Aloe vera extract – anti-inflammatory
- Portulca oleracea extract – antioxidant, skin soothing, anti-ageing properties
Scent – the original Facial toner has a really pleasant herbal scent which comes naturally from the essential oils. The Unscented toner is as the name suggests – but due to the lack of essential oils, it has a very light ‘chemical’ type of smell which comes naturally from other ingredients. It’s not very obvious unless I sniff it up close and it doesn’t linger, but it strongly reminds me of that white clinical smell when you’re at the dentist. Neither one bothers me at all but if you’re sensitive to fragrance you’ll certainly prefer the Unscenter toner more.
Thoughts/Results:
Bottle opening is a good size to dispense the product – comes out easily
Overall, both versions are pretty much identical in formulation, both are alcohol free and have very similar skincare benefits and results.
I have read a few other reviews of this unscented toner and it’s a bit strange that everyone has differing views on the viscosity of both toners. Some think the Unscented version is lighter than the original, some think it’s thicker and others think they’re the same.
I was curious as to why opinion is divided so I alternated between them both every day for 2 weeks. But I didn’t notice any major difference so perhaps it comes down to different skin types. When I did actually pour a drop of both on my hand to compare, the Unscented toner is actually very sliiightly thicker in consistency and the original ran down my hand a little more. For facial application however, this difference is virtually undetectable in how it applies, feels and absorbs (to me anyway). The only way I can differentiate is through scent.
Original on the left. Unscented on the right. The Unscented looks slightly thicker and less runny
Both are hydrating, absorb into the skin well and leave it feeling hydrated, soft and plump. Doesn’t leave behind a tacky finish
My skin type is currently normal with oily t-zone and gets slightly dehydrated throughout the day; it absorbs both toners beautifully and they really help to hydrate, soften and plump my skin after cleansing without leaving a heavy sticky feeling. This is a great first step in your skincare routine to prep your skin to absorb subsequent products better.
As this is primarily a hydrating, moisturising toner, it works much more effectively to pour a bit in your hand and pat it directly onto your face. (It is also perfect for the 7 skin method). It can still work if you pour it onto a cotton pad, but I don’t think you get the full plumping effect you get compared to when you pat it in. However, if you like using toner on a cotton pad and primarily for removing the leftover excess of dirt/makeup that your cleanser has missed, then you might prefer a more astringent, watery toner. For this reason, I do prefer to use these Klairs toners more in the morning and then if I’ve had a day of wearing a lot of makeup, I will use a less viscous toner to sweep over my face with a cotton pad and then go in with Klairs – almost as a first essence step, and sometimes if I’m more dehydrated I will do 2 or 3 layers of it.
Both Klairs toners remind me of the Hanyul Rice Essential Skin Softner in terms of consistency – gel-like and viscous. (All three are similar in their moisturising, plumping effect, but Klairs is more affordable than Hanyul and is alcohol free).
I would highly recommend either the original Facial toner or the Unscented toner for all skin types (unless you know you are sensitive to essential oils, then go for the Unscented), but they both perform just as well as each other and feel super gentle and calming on the skin. People with dry and dehydrated skin or in dry climates will definitely appreciate these products a lot, but even oily skin types can use this because it really is not heavy at all.
To purchase either the Unscented or Original toner, visit Wishtrend.
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Disclaimer: I received the Klairs Unscented Toner courtesy of Wishtrend and all thoughts and opinions provided in this review are my own honest views and have not been influenced for any purpose.
