Review: Darphin Tonique Fraicheur (Refreshing Toner)

My supply of facial toner ran out a month ago, and when I was just about to head to Myer to get my usual Clinique toner, a thought struck me. I’ve been using a Clinique toner continuously for 15 years now. In between Clinique toners, just to save money, I used toners by Simple, hut I’ve always, always gone back to Clinique. A feeling of rebellion swept over me when I turned away from Myer, and headed to Mecca Cosmetica instead to check out other toners. One by Darphin caught my eye and along with Geekchic’s 10% discount on Strawberrynet, I requested that she added that to her shopping basket as well when she was getting her essentials from the website.

Description:

Fresh-scented, alcohol-free toner with Fig Extract and Banana Tree Flower, revitalises and tones for a totally clarified, refreshed feeling. Prepares skin for further treatments. Use AM and PM to face and neck. Use after appropriate cleanser. Dermatologist tested.

This time, instead of decanting the toner onto a spray bottle, I poured it out onto a piece of facial cotton, and patted it on my skin instead of during the usual swipe-one-swipe-two-swipe-three-and-I’m-done routine. Honestly? I didn’t feel a difference on my skin, not with this toner anyway.

As a toner, it does the job. It removes any last traces of dirt and/or makeup from the skin, as all toners should. Nothing really fantastic about it.

A snag though – this toner (along with other Darphin toners) is heavily fragranced. I was contemplating on whether to get it or not as I’m not into fragranced skincare products. Throwing caution to the wind, I decided to take the plunge with this one, and after a month of using it, the scent started to put me off. It broke me out for a bit in the beginning, but cleared in a couple of days.

Shall I repurchase this? Chances are, not likely. If the rebellion streak continues, so shall I continue to search for another toner, or essence perhaps (try SKII maybe?). If not, then I guess it’s back to Clinique. Just as well, a large bottle of that baby lasts me over a year, so that’s quite a lot of savings there.

Darphin Refreshing Toner (200ml) retails at AU$48 at Mecca Cosmetica, and is also available at Strawberrynet for AU$45.

What I like about it: Non-drying liquid, works as a facial toner should.

What I do not like about it: Heavily fragranced.