I’ll be honest with you, I’m not calling this a review of the trial kit because I haven’t tried all the products yet. I’ll follow up with reviews of the other products once I’ve tried them properly – I just didn’t want to wait to do this review!
This first pair of reviews will cover the Regena Toner, then the Regena Facial Milk and the Regena Cleansing Oil. I found these products really good so I’m keen to try the foaming cleanser, moisturiser and face oil.
The packaging
The products are mini versions of the full size and they’re sleek and understated. I wouldn’t expect such a colour pop to be so classic – they make me feel like I need an upgrade to my dressing table to match.
For the cleansing oil, toner and milk, the bottles have a little plastic cover over the bottle opening so too much doesn’t run out. Divine!
And then there’s the cosmetics bag: it’s a lovely taupe shade made with bamboo, which is fast-growing, a material that eco-conscious brands use.
I can see myself using this bag after I finish the trial kit because it’s well-made and more stylish than a lot of my cosmetic bags. Oh and it has some little compartments, ideal for taking samples when you travel!
The fragrance
Please, please read the “how to use” instructions for these products – the amazing fragrance demands special treatment!
So what does it smell like?
Luxe fragrances are in a class of their own: I talked about how amazing the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask was in my review.
However, Waphyto’s fragrance is so complex that it makes the Sulwhasoo seem a bit one note, which feels like an outrageous thing to say…
Waphyto use a carefully selected blend of essential oils to create their fragrance so I’m not surprised that it’s truly wonderful!
A rose fragrance is the first thing I notice but then I immediately realise it’s not a generic rose fragrance: it’s deep and multi-layered, which is great because I sometimes find rose sickly sweet.
The rose is contrasted with woody and herbal notes that balances the familiar sweetness of the rose. Then there is spice that warms the fragrance and adds a rich roundedness to it.
It makes me reflect that so many rose aromas in cosmetics are quite simple: Waphyto has taken the classic scent of rose but elevated it.
The ingredients
Both products have powerhouse, antioxidant-rich extracts which will help with keeping your skin happy as well as helping your well-aging journey! I’m going to talk about ingredients that are used in both products in this section and notable ingredients.
Glycerin will give your skin a big dose of hydration and propanediol is a good moisturising ingredient. I usually avoid products with propanediol higher up in the ingredient list because I’ve had issues with it absorbing. But both the toner and milk absorb perfectly so it shows how well formulated these products are.
Marigold (Calendula), Centella, Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) and Camomile oil are calming. You can read more about Centella here.
Whilst the calming ingredients may also be soothing, Noni (Morinda Citrifolis) and Cherry Blossom (Prunus Yedoensis) are key soothing and anti-inflammatory extracts.
White Mulberry (Morus Alba), Chrysanthemum and Job’s Tears (Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed) even skin tone.
Artichoke is also anti-inflammatory and can also have an effect on skin roughness and elasticity, which I wrote about in my Axis-Y Artichoke Intensive Skin Barrier Ampoule review which you can read here.
As you might know from my previous reviews, I highlight key ingredients but for Waphyto, it is pricey and there’s so many excellent extracts that there’s a real benefit to considering the effects of each.
As I mentioned, Waphyto uses essential oils for fragrance, rather than artificial perfume. Not only is the fragrance of these products wonderful, the essential oils may give your skin additional benefits: Palmarosa Oil (Cymbopogon Martini) is anti-acne, whereas Sandalwood and Chamomile are moisturising. This link will give you more details about essential oils in skincare products.
Even the fragrant components of this product could benefit your skin! Not only do the specific essential oils have individual benefits but they can also help your skin microbiome, which can improve your skin health. You can read more about the importance of the microbiome here.
Don’t forget your sunscreen, as some essential oils can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Of course, we’re all wearing sunscreen but don’t forget it in winter either!
Thoughts on the Regena Toner
This has a lovely serum-type texture whilst being watery enough to count as a toner. I very much enjoy a thicker texture for a toner because I want to apply enough to hydrate my skin but I don’t like it through my fingers or sitting heavily on my face.
The texture also feels moisturising, which contributes to the fact that I can use less products when I use the Waphyto and still have great skin! I’ll write more about this in the next post.
I have used some toners with thick textures that take a while to dry. Despite it being moisturising, it dries so quickly!
I do like to apply multiple layers of toner but I’ve found this one so hydrating that one layer is totally fine for day time use. However, multiple layers aren’t sticky and, because the fragrance is so nice, it gives me that spa-at-home feeling.
Finding joy in my routine is really important to me and the Waphyto products absolutely do that!
I also like the way the fragrance is noticeable when I apply and fades so it’s mot overpowering but I’ll get little hints of it throughout the day.
As you’ll see me say regularly throughout this series of reviews, a little goes a long way so whilst these products are not cheap, the price reflects not only the quality but also that they will last you a long time.
Final Word
This isn’t really a conclusion as I have a lot more to say about this range: next up is the Regena Facial Milk and Oil Cleanser!