Review: Madagascar Centella Range (Skin1004) – Oh My Stellar!
This product was sent to me for review purposes. Please note that there is an affiliate code advertised.
There are a few ingredients that I consider ‘magic’ for my skin, and Centella Asiatica is one I rave about all the time. It’s often used in products that target acne as it has both healing and soothing properties, whilst also being gentle enough for sensitive skin. I’ve used a couple of different products that heavily feature Centella but the recent ones that I’ve been trying out have been from Skin1004 – the Madagascar Centella Toning Toner and Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule.
Both of these are available from BB Cosmetic individually or in a duo pack. I was lucky enough to try out both but I honestly think that incorporating just one of these into your routine will give you great benefits. I started out using the Toning Toner and then added in the Ampoule for comparison.
The Ampoule is available in two sizes: the 100ml for USD$16.48 (discounted from USD$25) or a smaller 55mL for USD$12. The Toner is also available in two sizes: the 400mL for USD$26.50 or 210mL for USD$15.60.
Alternatively, the Centella Asiatica line is also available in sets, which is what I have here – the Ampoule (100mL) and Toner (210mL) duo. This set specifically sells for USD$27.99 but you can also browse the BB Cosmetic website for others to suit your needs.
If you’re shopping on their website, make sure to also use my code! You can get 5% off with QAL3F6ZA8YZ
Before you head to their website though, lets get into this review!
About the Brand
Skin1004 is a Korean skincare brand that officially launched in 2012. Their hero ingredient is – as you guessed it – Centella Asiatica, more specifically that which is harvested from Madagascar. They claim to have sourced the ideal raw materials and perfected their extraction method for maximum skincare benefits. You will notice that most of their products boast a ‘purity’ level of Centella.
In addition, the brand is passionate about using safe ingredients that are suitable for sensitive and irritated skin, avoiding common irritants like alcohol, parabens, triethanolamine, artificial fragrances or colouring.
Alongside these Centella products, I noticed that they also have a number of wash off masks that are still selling on BB Cosmetic, such as their Zombie Packs. I haven’t used those before but they feel a bit jarring, and highly gimmicky, in comparison to the rest of their range. I’m thinking that these may have been part of their older collection, especially since the logo design is different, though don’t quote me on that!
Packaging – External
The two products that I tried out from Skin1004 have the same sort of external packaging. It’s made from a good quality soft matte finish cardboard with a thicker layer inside, to maintain its shape and keep it safe during postage. My box came without a single dent, which is also a compliment to how well BB Cosmetic packages their orders.
The design of the box, which has modern typography and a photo of the desert, gives a strong indie brand vibe which I actually like. The main features of the product are also highlighted on the side (as you can see above) with an image of the Centella Asiatica ingredient and also the key benefit of the product.
I really love the small attention to detail here such as with the gold printed sticker and, see below, also the embossing of the Skin1004 logo on top. All of this comes together and makes this product (and the brand) look high end and professional. I also like that the design is very consistent across both the Toner and the Ampoule, so the duo would look great as a gift!
Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule (100mL) | USD$16.48 (from USD$25)
If you are a fan of Centella, then the first product that you will probably look into is the Ampoule, because this impressive formula is purely Centella Asiatica. It has multiple skincare benefits such as repairing the skin barrier, regulating oil product, hydrating and soothing.
Key selling points include:
- It really contains only one ingredient – 100% Centella Asiatica extract
- Suitable for sensitive skin as it is formulated with EWG Green ingredients
- Clinically proven to be non-irritating
- As a non-sticky moisturising formula
The Ampoule also has a light, watery texture “with fine micro-sized particles and low viscosity” to allow for instant absorption. It is suitable for all skin types, though especially for sensitive skin.
Packaging
The bottle of the Centella 100 Ampoule is absolutely beautiful and I love its minimalist aesthetic. The bottle is made from a good quality yellow tinted glass with a soft plastic dropper. The translucency makes it easy to see the product inside, which I always prefer.
The design of the packaging is similar to the unit carton in that it has a high end, modern appearance that is popular with indie brands now. I think it’s great and, especially in comparison to their older Zombie Packs, like that it doesn’t feel gimmicky at all! This is again something that I think would be perfect as a gift.
The only downsides that I can see is that the glass is relatively heavy, so would not be the best for travel, and the plastic material for the dropper feels a bit too soft. This may be personal preference, but I prefer something a little bit thicker as I find it easier to control during application.
Personal Experiences
I was planning on using this as part of my evening routine but ended up using it twice a day. This Ampoule has a simple formula, since it only has the one ingredient, so it is definitely suitable for a wide variety of skin types – especially those with irritated or sensitive skin. The potency of the Centella Asiatica also means that it works well to deliver on most of its claims. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice much difference in the oil balance of my skin though.
It has a lightweight, watery formula that absorbs fairly well – though needs a few moments to pat in. It is easy to layer with other products though. On initial application, the formula has a slight cooling effect on skin too, which is great if you want to calm any redness. It also gives an instant boost of hydration, which is really suitable for a glass skin effect.
The applicator has an angled end which may make this easier to apply directly to the face
Overall, I think that this Ampoule worked and delivered on most of its claims. This is a product that I actually prefer to use at night, mostly because of my skin type. With my combination-oily skin, this leaves me with a bit too much dewiness on my skin. For daily wear, I think I would need something with better oil control as well as something that is able to fully absorb faster.
SO WHAT IS IT?
An ampoule containing 100% Centella Asiatica extract
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 5/5
- PACKAGING | 3/5
- ABSORPTION | 4/5
- HEALING | 4/5
- HYDRATION | 4/5
- SOOTHING | 5/5
- OIL BALANCE | 1/5
OVERALL RATING? 7.4/10
THOUGHTS? If you have sensitive skin or want to add a good concentration of Centella Asiatica to your skincare, then you may like this. The product actually performs quite well but I just feel like it doesn’t fit in perfectly to my routine. I may continue to use this but it won’t be something that I reach for on the daily.
Madagascar Centella Toning Toner (210mL) |USD$15.60
The Toning Toner has both hydration and exfoliating properties and is specifically targeted for irritated/sensitive skin, though I personally think that a lot of people will enjoy using this. It contains PHA to gently remove dead skin cells, helping to smooth and brighten skin, as well as preparing skin for the rest of your skincare routine.
In addition, the formula is made of 84% Centella Asiatica extract to “deliver intense hydration and soothe irritated skin, providing relief for skin conditions such as eczema, acne, psoriasis.” The BB Cosmetic website also states that this toner contains added Hyaluronic Acid and Betaine for added hydration, giving “a soft and supple complexion.”
For those with sensitive skin, you’ll also be happy to know that Skin1004 only uses EWG safe ingredients too (i.e. without irritants).
Packaging
In comparison to the Ampoule, the packaging design is actually quite similar – it has the same minimalist, modern aesthetic that I love! However, the toner uses tinted plastic instead, allowing it to be lighter but still retain its sturdiness. It also has a matte finish plastic cap which is good quality and twists smoothly – again, it is a small detail that really elevates the design.
Although this toner comes in both a 210mL and a larger 400mL size, but I think that the smaller one is already very substantial – most of the other toners I have are closer to 150mL. I can see myself getting a lot of use from this product, since I enjoy the formula and functionalities (which I will discuss below), but I would be hesitant to get the larger bottle just because I don’t want it to go off.
Personal Experiences
The Toner is actually the first product that I tried out of the two and I really enjoyed it – which I expected. It is refreshing on first application and the formula is super hydrating, so I can use it both day and night. I had a couple of break outs and this worked well to soothe my irritated skin and to encourage healing during the day (especially since I’m not wearing much make up now).
Since this formula contains both Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid, I found that the hydration benefits were quite long lasting. I often use this alone in the morning (or with just the ampoule on top) and found that my skin stayed soft and smooth for the rest of the day – no reapplication or misting needed.
On the flip side, my main critique for this toner is that I didn’t actually notice any exfoliation nor brightening benefits. The PHA didn’t seem to affect my skin enough to visibly boost the rest of my skincare routine either.
The opening of the bottle is foil sealed for hygiene – it does not have a stopper
In general, I would recommend this toner if you are after long lasting hydrating and soothing benefits but not for brightening or exfoliation benefits. I don’t think that it fulfilled all of the product claims but it is highly effective for those it did.
Personally, this toner is a great fit for both my day and night routines, but especially in the morning as an easy refresher. It absorbs easily, has long lasting benefits and can be easily layered with other products. I have the 210mL bottle and, if I were to repurchase this, I would stick with this size. The 400mL would just be excessive give my current skincare collection.
Here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A hydrating and mildly exfoliating toner containing 84% Centella Asiatica
RATINGS
- PRICE POINT | 5/5
- PACKAGING | 4/5
- ABSORPTION | 5/5
- HEALING | 4/5
- HYDRATION | 5/5
- SOOTHING | 4/5
- EXFOLIATION | 2/5
OVERALL RATING? 8.3/10
THOUGHTS? The Toning Toner is a good one to try out if you want a simple product that is effective and also suitable for sensitive skin. The price point is great too! In my opinion, the 210mL bottle is more than sufficient – especially if you are trying this for the first time.
Out of the two products, I definitely think that I enjoyed the Toning Toner more! Although it isn’t pure Centella Asiatica, it still did a great job of hydrating and soothing my skin, as well as encouraging skin healing. Since the formula is thinner (which is expected for a toner vs an ampoule), it was easier to use in the mornings. I also feel like the effects were longer lasting, though that may also differ depending on environmental factors.
In the end, it really comes down to your personal preferences and your routines too! If you’ve used these before, let me know which you preferred and why – I’d be curious to hear the different opinions.
If you haven’t tried these out yet, then pop over to the BB Cosmetic website and, of course, don’t forget to use my code for 5% off: QAL3F6ZA8YZ
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