(images from www.sjalskincare.com)
– Mineral Källa Energy Tonic (above)
Currently the only toner from Själ, Mineral Källa comes with a spray dispenser. Some of the key ingredients are rice bran extract and ginseng extract.
The product contains benzyl alcohol. When it is towards the top of the ingredient list, it can irritate the skin. But, as it is second to last on the ingredient list of this product, it is very unlikely to cause skin irritation.
Overall the toner sinks in fairly easily, but, compared with one of my favorite toners, Lancôme’s Tonique Doucer, I feel that Mineral Källa is slightly less calming.
The product does not contain parabens.
– Kura Intuitif Cellular Repair Cream
It is the more emollient one of the two facial moisturizers from Själ. Some of the moisturizing agents are squalane, borage seed oil, glycerin, grape seed oil, and a small amount of shea butter and mango butter. It is alcohol free.
Even though the product is targeted at those with dry or very dry skin, the texture is not overly dense or balmy.
One thing worth noting is that both products contain a small amount of gold and silver. Even though it is one of Själ’s main selling points, there are some potential issues with these ingredients. Gold could be a skin irritant and there is no research showing that it has benefits when applied topically on the skin. Also, while silver does have disinfecting properties, it should not stay on the skin for a prolonged period of time. (Information from Paula Begoun.)
I think the two products would have been better formulated had these two ingredients been left out. The Energy Tonic would have suited most skin types and the Cellular Repair Cream, with its soft and smooth texture, would have suited those with normal or dry skin.
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Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus
Skincare Review: Crème de la Mer
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello PJ, Was interested to hear about Sjal from Sweden. I haven’t heard of this range before.
Thank you for enlightening me.
Your reviews are always so interesting. I am a fan of Lancome toners too. I suffer from sensitivity so have to be very careful and know I can always rely on Lancome. I also love the Hydra Zen. I have some of their Neuro calm range to try. My local rep is very sweet and spoils me :0)
Please feel free to visit my blog when you have time. Wishing you a good weekend Chloe :0)
That brand was new for me. I’ve never heard of it and I live in Sweden. But it doesn’t seem to be available here either – that’s a bit odd.
Hi Chloe,
Thank you for reading this review.
I used to really love Hydra Zen, and I used it for about 5 years. Then the formulation changed (quite substantially) about a year and a half ago. Even though the product was still well-formulated, my skin didn’t like the new version as much. (The formulation changed once during the five years I was using it, but the change was very minimal.)
Many Lancôme skincare items are decently formulated. But I wish some of the others didn’t have alcohol…
I have been visiting your blog from time to time, and I will definitely continue to do so. :)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts again, and enjoy the rest of the weekend! :)
Emelie,
I see. I think I might have been confused about the country of origin of the brand and I have amended the first paragraph of this review. My apology for the confusion.
Thank you very much for bringing this up!