The Secret Key Aloe Soothing Moist Toner was my first foray into K-Beauty back in January. Its promises of soothing, skin-softening effects for all skin types had me intrigued. I stalked yesstyle.com for weeks, but it was constantly out of stock - a good sign, I thought. Popular products must be winners, right?
Unable to snag it from yesstyle, I took a chance on Amazon. Though I risked authenticity buying from an independent seller, the deal was too tempting to pass up - 248ml of 'soothing' toner for just £13.65. Several weeks later, it arrived, presumably fresh off the slow boat from Korea.
The quantity and price seemed like a great starting point for my Korean skincare journey, especially since I planned to use it in layers as part of a 10 or 12-step routine.
Application can be a bit messy if you use your hands - it tends to run everywhere when you try to pat it on in layers like an essence. I never used a cotton pad, not wanting to waste a drop of this precious liquid! There was no stinging, burning, or tingling on my skin or eyes. I planned to decant it into a spray bottle for easier use.
The toner itself has a clear, thin, and lightweight texture, almost like slightly thickened water. It absorbs into the skin after about 20 to 30 seconds. As I write this, I'm giving it another try to provide the most up-to-date review possible!
To sum up, it's possible I'm allergic to one of the 'beneficial' ingredients, or perhaps one of the fillers. The Disodium EDTA might have increased the potential for ingredients to penetrate deeper, possibly causing a skin reaction. However, I suspect I'm more likely allergic to one or more of the preservatives or fragrances used. I also have to consider that, since I bought it from Amazon, there's a chance it might not be a genuine product.
While this toner didn't work wonders for me, it doesn't mean it will cause reactions for everyone. Given its impressive list of beneficial ingredients, it might be worth a try. At this price point, you have little to lose and potentially beautiful skin to gain.
