How to cite:
Wong M. Purito Centella Unscented Toner and Serum review. Lab Muffin Beauty Science. July 13, 2020. Accessed June 11, 2023.
https://labmuffin.com/purito-centella-unscented-toner-and-serum-review/

This post is sponsored by Purito.

I reviewed the Centella Green Level line from Korean brand Purito last year, and the most common question was if there were versions available without essential oils. Purito then released an unscented version of their popular organic sunscreen which I reviewed here – now they’ve followed up with unscented, essential oil-free versions of the toner and serum as well! (There aren’t unscented versions of the Recovery Cream and Eye Cream yet, but based on these products I’m assuming they’re working on them.)

What does Centella do?

The star ingredient in Purito’s Centella Unscented Toner and Centella Unscented Serum is Centella asiatica extract, frequently included in “cica” products that are popular in Korea and France.

Centella asiatica is a herb traditionally used in Asia that contains antioxidant chemicals called terpenoids. These substances have displayed a range of really useful properties on skin in studies, including wound healing, pigment-fading, anti-irritation and anti-wrinkle effects. A lot of these terpenoids – particularly asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside – are also added separately to products.

Related post: Skincare Ingredient Spotlight: Centella Asiatica

Centella Unscented Toner

Purito Centella Unscented Toner ($23.10 for 200 mL), just like the original Centella Green Level Calming Toner, is an alcohol-free toner with a skin-friendly pH of 5.5. It has the same 10% concentration of Centella asiatica extract as well, and comes at the same price point. It also contains skin-soothing panthenol (also known as vitamin B5), and humectant moisturiser hyaluronic acid which helps hydrate skin.

There are some subtle differences in the ingredient list between the original and unscented toners, but this comes at the end of the list, so I don’t think they’ll make a huge difference. Aside from the removal of bergamot, geranium, ylang-ylang and rose oils, there’s also removal of the emulsifiers used to dissolve the oils, and the addition of madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid.

Related post: Purito Centella Green Level Review

Texture-wise, this toner is a watery clear liquid that’s practically identical to the original, and sinks in just as quickly. It’s very lightweight and doesn’t leave any stickiness or tackiness on your skin. I don’t think you could rely on this product for much hydration, but it’s an excellent way to incorporate centella extract into your routine without interfering with other products, or feeling like you’ve applied too many layers.

Centella Unscented Toner ingredients: Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Panthenol, Carbomer, Allantoin, Arginine, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA

Centella Green Level Calming Toner ingredients: Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Carbomer, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Arginine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil

Centella Unscented Serum

Purito Centella Unscented Serum ($20.50 for 60 mL) is the heavy-hitting centella product in the unscented range. My favourite product from the Centella Green Level range was the Buffet Serum, and Purito have again tried to replicate the original serum as closely as possible (great news for people sensitive to essential oils!).

Like the original, this serum has a whopping 49% centella extract, along with extra centella components asiaticoside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. I still haven’t seen a product with a higher amount of centella extract!

There’s also anti-aging peptides palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 (pal-KTTKS), palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (pal-GHK), palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (part of Matrixyl 3000) and palmitoyl dipeptide-10, plus anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant adenosine and panthenol. Unsurprisingly skincare superstar all-rounder niacinamide (vitamin B3) also makes an appearance, as well as ceramide NP (for barrier repair). The serum is very hydrating thanks to moisturising humectants glycerin, hyaluronic acid and glycols.

Related post: What Is Niacinamide and What Does It Do in Skincare?

Like with the toner, the serum replicates the original in terms of texture and application – it’s again a clear gel in a pump bottle that leaves a slightly tacky feeling on your skin that’s incredibly hydrating while still lightweight and comfortable. I used the original to keep my skin happy while I was on an international flight, and it worked impressively well!

I’ve been finding this serum particularly useful for my skin when it’s irritated, such as when it’s cold and windy, or when I’ve used too much tretinoin and my skin is peeling. Because it’s so lightweight, it’s easy to fit into both day and night routines if you want.

Again, just like for the original serum, I’d recommend consistent use. I personally didn’t see results after one night (apart from the hydration, which is a near-immediate effect). Trying it for a minimum of 3 consecutive nights should let you know whether it’s suitable for your skin.

Centella Unscented Serum ingredients: Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Carbomer, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine

Centella Green Level Buffet Serum ingredients: Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Carbomer, Arginine, Sclerotium Gum, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Ceramide NP

Centella Green Level Unscented Sun

Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ (RRP $18.90 USD for 60 mL) is also part of Purito’s unscented range. I’m not sure what else I can say about it that I didn’t cover in my original review – it’s fantastically light and comfortable to wear, and doesn’t clog my pores like many sunscreens do. It made it onto my favourite sunscreens list, and it’s still very comfortably there.

Related post: My Top 6 Favourite Sunscreens

Verdict

I was very impressed with the original Green Level products, and it’s fantastic to see that Purito are willing to invest in reformulating these products into unscented versions for people who can’t handle the essential oils! These are really useful products to have in your arsenal, particularly the serum – again, it’s my favourite product and I’m glad that more people will be able to use it.

For more information on Purito, you can visit the Purito website.

This post is sponsored by Purito; however, the content is all based on my independent research and my honest experience. This post also contains affiliate links – if you decide to click through and support Lab Muffin financially (at no additional cost to you), thank you! For more information, see Disclosure Policy.