Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence Review: Sexy Magic Sauce
Hey everybody. I just bought my second bottle of the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence, and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to sneak a review in! 🙂
Check for discounts on Amazon!
Spoiler Alert: I have nothing bad to say about this product, and it’s like the Mona Lisa painting in my life. Translation: it’s a freaking magic potion holy grail in a bottle!
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Benefits.
Snail Secretion Filtrate (90%), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Arbutin, Bee Venom, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ulmus Campestris Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Azelaic Acid, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Human Oligopeptide-1, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine,Panthenol, Allantoin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Arginine.
Sexy Snail Secretion
You may have noticed there isn’t any water in this formula. That’s right! They’ve replaced it with 90% snail slime instead! Alright alright, I know a lot of you are already thinking. “WHAT? SNAILS!?! That’s soooooo gross!” But I beg to differ, just look how cute they are! 😀
Just kidding. Okay, but in all honesty I understand that the idea of putting slimy snail discharge on your face isn’t the most appealing thing in the world. So why would you want to?
For starters, it is composed of a bunch of awesome stuff including hyaluronic acid, allantoin, glycolic acid, peptides, a few minerals like maganese, zinc, iron, copper, and last but not least collagen and elastin. BUT CHILL my fellow skincare addicts. These mostly come in trace amounts. Sigh….
With that said, let’s quickly summarize some of the studies out there on snail mucin. Unfortunately, there isn’t much too go off because the research on this is scarce, but what’s currently available it’s looking pretty promising!
- A study involving 27 adult patients with deep facial burns found that applying a cream with snail extract twice daily for 14 days, was an effective treatment for burn wounds, and a natural alternative to MEBO (a burn ointment). (1)
- An in vitro study showed snail mucin regenerates cells and wounded tissue, reduces the breakdown of collagen, and prevents free-radical formation (important for anti-aging). (2) However, because this was an in vitro study, meaning it was tested on cells rather than on humans directly, it should be taken with a grain of salt. Still cool though! :p
- A 14 week study involving 25 patients who applied snail secretion daily found a significant improvement in fine lines after 8 weeks. (3) This kinda confirms the assumption that snail secretion is good for anti-aging, which the in vitro study above speculated would be the case.
- A 4 weeks study with 20 patients found that snail secretion in combination with hyaluronic acid may help treat eczema (atopic dermatitis). (4)
So again, the research is scarce. But what’s out there it’s looking pretty good!
At the end of the day, you gotta just ask yourself? Would you rather have your skincare products made up of 90% water, which won’t do much for your skin, or 90% snail poop which has all these added benefits? I don’t know about you, but I’ll take dat snail poo! Please, and thank you.
Aloe Vera.
Better known as the sunburned man’s best friend.
(There are two kinds of people in this world.)
Aloe vera is a skincare ingredient that’s been used for over 3500 years. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, soothing, healing, and skin lightening properties. (5)
There’s some preliminary evidence that suggests it may also help treat psoriasis. (6, 7, 8, 9) Here’s what that looks like in case you didn’t know. Yes, it’s painful. :/
Glycerin
A humectant that moisturizes the skin by slowing down the rate at which water evaporates from it’s surface.
Arbutin
Considered a safer alternative to hydroquinone. It’s known for its tyrosinase inhibiting abilities, which helps fade skin discoloration like hyperpigmentation or melasma. In case you don’t know what tyrosinase is, it’s an enzyme responsible for the production of melanin — or the thing that gives pigment to the skin.
Excess melanin production is what worsens stuff like uneven skin tone and sun spots, so it’s important to limit it from going into overdrive mode when trying to treat the brown or red marks left behind from old acne and inflammation.
Quick aside: if you don’t know how to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIE) or post inflammatory erythema (PIE), feel free to check out my guide all about that.
Human Oligopeptide-1
An epidermal growth factor (EGF). There’s some preliminary evidence that EGF increases collagen production — a structural protein that holds connective tissue together and improves atrophic acne scarring and aging skin. (10) It may also help accelerate skin healing, increase skin renewal, and slow down skin thinning which are all important for anti-aging. (11)
When treating acne scars or wrinkles the priority should be on boosting collagen production as this is the best way to remodel the indentations and dips left behind in the skin. So the addition of Human Oligopeptide-1 here, is an awesome plus if you’re trying to fix these concerns.
In fact, I always use the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence after dermarolling to get an additional boost of collagen production.
Bee Venom
This essentially works by tricking your body into thinking it got a bee sting which increases blood flow to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Again, two things which are great for acne scarring, wrinkles, and plumping up the skin. However, the science on whether it actually does this isn’t entirely conclusive yet. Let’s quickly summarize the research out there.
- A study involving 22 women found that applying a 0.006% bee venom serum twice daily decreased wrinkle depth after 12 weeks. (12)
- A 6 week study involving 30 acne patients, found that using purified bee venom serum twice daily led to a 77% improvement on average across all participants. (13)
- An in vitro study found that bee venom promotes cell regeneration and helps treat wounds. (14)
- Another in vitro study found that bee venom exhibits significant protective effects against UV damage which degrades collagen. (15)
Overall, looking very promising but more research is required.
Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract
Not to be confused with the chemical exfoliant Salicylic Acid! This is simply a plant extract that has salicin in it, which could potentially convert into salicylic acid in the presence of enzymes or when taken orally.
However, considering that salicylic acid needs an acidic pH of 4.0 of below to work optimally, you shouldn’t expect the willow bark in this formula to do any sort of chemical exfoliation or unclogging of pores.
With that said, willow bark extract does have some skin soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Bacillus Ferment
A by product made through the fermentation of Bacillus (a probiotic species).
Quick aside: if you don’t know what probiotics are, and the effects they have on the skin — YOU REALLY NEED TO! I can’t recommend them enough.
I wrote a ginormous 5,000+ word article all about them, and how to figure out which is best for your unique skin needs (e.g. anti-aging, kicking acne in the a**, reducing skin sensitivity, achieving the “skin glow,” treating eczema etc.). Here’s the link in case you’re interested.
With that said, the bacillus ferment in this formula acts like a very mild enzyme exfoliant.
Azelaic acid
An all-star ingredient that does a little bit of everything. It inhibits tyrosinase which helps treat hyperpigmentation. It’s an effective keratolytic agent, meaning it sloughs off dead skin cells and prevents dead skin buildup. And unlike benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin, it’s a gentle and well tolerated acne treatment. Best of all, it’s natural part of human skin!
If you want more information about this active ingredient, feel free to check out my guide on Azelaic Acid.
Beta Glucan
A yeast-derived sugar with antioxidant properties that soothes the skin, and is particularly excellent for sensitive or red skin. (16)
Betaine
An amino acid that works like a humectant and reduces irritation.
Adenosine
Has skin-restoring and skin-soothing benefits.
Panthenol
A provitamin of b5 that moisturizers the skin, improves barrier function, and promotes keratinocyte differentiation, meaning it helps keep everything working optimally on the cellular level which is great for overall skin health. (17, 18, 19) It may also help treat dermatitis and burn injuries. (20, 21)
Allantoin
Moisturizers, soothes dry irritated skin, and has some minor exfoliating properties by softening the horny layer of skin. (22) Hmmm…. that sounds kinda sexual. Softening of the “horny” skin. I DIGRESS. O_O
In case you don’t know, the “horny layer” is simply the latin term for the stratum corneum (i.e. the outer most layer of skin made up of dead cells called corneocytes). So yeah, blame the science and latin (not me) for all the funny names they give!
A couple mice studies have also shown that Allantoin helps with wound healing. (23) And last but not least…..
Arginine
An amino acid with antioxidant properties.
And that’s it! Phew. What a long list of beneficial ingredients, huh? Can you now see why I am such a huge fan of the Benton Snail Bee High Content?
It’s because it has a stellar ingredient list that does a little big of everything while cutting out all the unnecessary ingredients that are little more than filler. Almost every single ingredient in this essence has some kind of benefit on the cellular and skin level. It’s INCREDIBLE!
I said it in the beginning, but I’ll say it again: this thing is a holy grail of mine that I don’t see myself replacing in my routine anytime soon. 🙂 And better yet it feels quite glorious on the skin. Lets discuss!
UPDATE 10/30/17: Benton reformulated this essence and replaced arbutin with niacinamide, and snail is now the second ingredient after water. This isn’t inherently bad, in fact, if your primary goal was skin-brightening and fighting hyperpigmentation, then niacinamide is the superior ingredient as far as clinical efficacy is concerned.
However, the new formulation does contain polysorbate 20 as a stabilizer, which should probably be avoided if you’re sensitive to fungal acne.
Application, Feel, and Scent.
As you can see it goes on like a gel but it literally melts into water on the skin — at least that’s how it feels like. It has a good amount of slip, which allows it to spread very easily across the skin without using too much product. Definitely a plus.
It leaves behind the absolute slightest sticky feeling on the skin, which in all likelihood is the glycerin in the formula. However, it’s really nothing problematic, and that’s coming from me — a person who hates the tacky or “velcro feeling” of skincare products.
As for the smell…. it doesn’t have one. At least not one my nostrils can detect. :p
Overall the application process is very solid! 5/5 here.
How to Use the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence.
Because this is an Asian beauty product, and some might be confused by where to place it in their skincare routine, here’s a sample routine considering many things to help you out. Adjust this accordingly depending on what skincare products you’re using personally.
- Oil cleanser or oil cleansing method.
- Gentle pH-balanced cleanser.
- Acid toner (e.g. Pixi Glow Tonic)
- Low pH serums (e.g. ascorbic acid vitamin C).
- BHAs (salicylic acid)
- AHAs (lactic, glycolic, mandelic etc.)
- Retinoids like tretinoin.
- Hydrating toners
- Essence (Use Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence here)
- Serum
- Ampoule
- Emulsion
- Creams, moisturizers
- Face oil
- Sleeping packs or sunscreen.
- Occlusive like vaseline or aquaphor.
Summary.
- Ingredients: 5/5
LOADED with skin-loving ingredients like 90% Snail Secretion Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Arbutin, Bee Venom, Willow Bark Extract, Bacillus Ferment, Azelaic Acid, Human Oligopeptide-1, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Adenosine, Panthenol, Allantoin, and Arginine in addition to a ton of extracts! Just look at how LONG that list is! Almost every single ingredient in this formula does some good for the skin.
- Benefits: 5/5
Anti-aging, brightens skin tone, (probably) increases collagen production, soothes and moisturizes, treats discolorations, and helps repair wounds.
- Application: 5/5
Melts into water when applied on skin, spreads easily, and is hardly detectable once dried.
- Packaging: 5/5
Comes with a nice pump dispenser in a sweet bottle. No complaints!
- Value: 5/5
Awesome price for a great formula that will last you a while.
Overall: 5/5 — BOOM. Holy grail status achieved! That makes it the 2nd product on this entire blog to reach this level (the other being COSRX BHA).
If you haven’t put two and two together yet: I love this product! It has a ton of benefits and is VERY WELL tolerated across a plethora of skin types and concerns. I can’t recommend it enough, and give it Simple Skincare Science stamp of approval! Try it and see for yourself. 🙂
Hope you’ve enjoyed reading this review!
Warmly,
—f.c.
Tell your friends why snail poo is totally in. Share this!
Hi,
Great site! I’m interested in Benton products. I’ve only used the Aloe and Propolis Soothing Gel. I’d like to hear your feedback on how the Snail Bee High Content Essence compare with the Snail Bee High Content Skin?
dgman
Hey, dgman!
Glad you enjoy the site. 🙂
I think they are the same product haha. The “Snail Bee High Content Skin” is probably just the old name. I believe Benton wanted to make it more clear to their customers that this product is considered an “essence,” and should be used as such. Otherwise, it could easily be mistaken for a very light gel moisturizer.Edit: I’m a newb. Don’t read.
Hmmm…are you sure?…a lot of sites, including Benton’s own website, are still selling them as separate products to be used in the following steps: cleansing>skin>essence>lotion>steam cream. Some reviewers claim that the “skin” version is like a toner and the “essence” version is like a light moisturizer. Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I might just have to try both to see which one works best for me.
Ah, shoot! You’re completely right. I have no idea where my mind was during that comment. Sorry about that!
Like you said the “skin” is used during the toner step. I haven’t used it personally, so anything I say would be speculation. But the ingredient lists are very similar. I’d imagine the major difference is a lower pH and slightly less moisture. The toner would be used more as a prep step, and the essence as a treatment/serum.
Sorry I can’t be of any more help here. :/
Just ordered this “sexy magic sauce” thanks to you! I should use after my Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence right? Would there be a wait time in between?
Hahaha, yay! I hope you enjoy that snail poo. :p
They’re both considered “essences” but some people actually use the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence as a gel, so it would go on after the COSRX Galactomyces. Galactomyces also has a thinner consistency, so even more reason to use it first. 🙂
As for wait times, just until the galactomyces is absorbed enough. This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
Have you ever tried the cosrx one? The snail mucin essence? I’m still in dilemma whether I should buy the cosrx or benton. Some reviews said that the cosrx is more slimey than benton. Do you have any suggestion or advice? Thanks and good review btw, keep it up!
Hey there, Vanny. Great question!
I’ve actually been trying the COSRX 96 Snail Mucin for the past few weeks. I’ll probably do a full review of it soon.
I like both! The COSRX is definitely more slimy, but I have found that it dries less tacky than Benton. It has a velvet feel on the skin.
As for my recommendation, I would say the COSRX is better if your looking for more hydration. This stuff is pretty moisturizing, and I’ve even been able to use it as a standalone moisturizer during the day.
If your skin is oilier, I think Benton is the better option. The COSRX snail mucin may feel like too much.
Both have worked the same for me in terms of reducing the redness I get from overzealous exfoliation. If anything, the COSRX might be just a tiny weensy bit better.
I have also been wondering this myself. I just switched over to the Cosrx after my second bottle of the Benton. But I just recently got into azelaic acid (which is how I found your site!) and didn’t realize Benton contains it until this article. It sounds like Benton is better for pih and redness and Cosrx is better for hydration. Maybe the percentages of arbutin and azelaic acid in the Benton were too minimal for me to have noticed a difference when using it? I do enjoy the goopier consistency of the Cosrx. Makes me feel like I’m really getting that snail-y goodness.
Hiya! Would you use this essence before or after Vitamin C (SAP) in your skin care routine? Thank you! x
Hi there! It depends on the pH of the SAP serum. Most are in the higher range (pH 6), so 90% of the time they’ll go after the benton essence, but there are a few SAP serums that have a lower pH (around 4). These would go before Benton.
I started reading your site a few weeks ago, and I wanted to thank you for your amazing advice. Taking vitamin A supplements totally cleared my acne, and acid exfoliation/clay masks helped with my other skin issues. I bought some snail gel based on your recommendation too, and it’s amazing for hydrating oily skin and reducing redness. I loved it so much I purchased a big 300g tub of snail gel to use on the rest of my body, because it’s great for dry patches and scars.
I also appreciate that you take time to research everything. There’s so much empty hype surrounding skincare products, and I’m sure your posts have helped a lot of people like me!
Hey, Erik! Thanks for lovely compliment. It means a lot! 🙂
I’m actually in the middle of writing a very thoroughly researched post and decided to take a break because my brain feels like mush. Couldn’t help but come here and reply first though haha. :p
Glad you’ve been enjoying the content on the site, and awesome to hear that vitamin A cleared your acne! It’s something I recommend in my guide to diet and acnne. I’m glad your skin’s loving snail. I never thought of buying a tube of it for body use, but great tip! Might have to do that.
I love your reviews and guides, so full of useful information! They’ve helped me make quite a few decisions lately. I’ve read wonderful things about COSRX 96 Snail Mucin (and may still give it a whirl), but the Benton Snail Bee product seemed like it would be a little better geared for my troubled skin. My order arrived today, but the essence is yellow/amber instead of clear =/ I’m thinking it must have turned?
Hey, Aubrey. Glad you find the information useful! 🙂
A slightly yellow/amber color is perfectly normal. I’ve gone through 3 bottles of this stuff and its never been crystal clear. I know it’s hard to tell from the photos I posted, but there is slight yellowish/brown tinge to it.
Next time I take pictures I’ll make sure it’s in better lighting. Sorry about that!
Ah hah, that’s relieving to hear. Some other pictures I came across made it look like a clear essence, but many of them are from a few years ago before the contamination fiasco. I’ve read snippets from comments and such that the formula has a little color to it now, but nothing I could confirm.
Thank you for verifying, now it’s time to start patch testing! Oh, you don’t need to apologize for the lighting, you’re photos are high quality and really helpful. With those and your replies I’ve got the whole picture, so thank you!
hi again! i love reading your post, full of information that i havent even hear before 🙂
i am thinking to try benton essence cause it looks sooo promising, but i am using secret key starting treatment essence right now and i love it too. can i just use them both? considering the benton one is more like gel type while the one that im using right now is watery essence.
Thankyou!
Hi, Iav. It’s completely fine to use both of them.
Hi, thank you for such an informative site! I’m in Korea for work and was eyeing the Benton Snail Bee essence, but have a few questions:
(a) I’m allergic to aspirin, so any products containing salicylates (homosalate, octisalate, salicylic acid) tend to irritate my skin and cause redness and small bumps. Would the willow bark here pose a problem?
(b) if I use Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum, in which order should I apply these products?
No problem! Glad you enjoy it. 🙂
I would personally stay away from it. Willow bark contains salicin which might give you problems. Benton snail bee essence would go before Mad Hippie.
This is the first leave on product that hasn’t stung and instigated a bunch of pimples ^_^ Cosrx snail essence burned and turned my skin into a war zone of varied issues. It was so bad that I actually preferred to step out my door with hydrocolloids on my face than debut the popped whiteheads. I think I’m gonna have to allow you to be the voice in my head about patch testing…cause the thug life ain’t for me anymore!!!!X’D
Um yeah so this stuff ROCKS my lil socks so far. still need some more time to know for sure if HG but dang this stuff soothes my skin. gonna cry now bye D’X
Woohoo! Was this after a patch test? How has it been treating your rosacea since? Glad you’ve decided to leave the thug life behind. :p It wears us down eventually. Haha
hahaha yeah thats old me! Yes I did a patch test this time. my skin feels pretty calm and hydrated lately but it still looks red and I keep getting new red marks (not even from pimples) 🙁 I don’t think any products can help me much with that problem. anyways. it is less inflamed so thats good:)
Hmmmmm. I wish I knew more about rosacea. :/ Are you using any moisturizer? By any chance have you tried CeraVe Cream? Not PM since that has niacinamide which could cause further redness/flushing. CeraVe Cream is as basic as it gets in terms of moisturizers but has the added benefit of having ceramides to repair barrier damage. I would prefer this to CeraVe Lotion as well since it doesn’t have any esters. Just a thought!
f.c., no worries dahling^_^ thanks for your helpfulness , rosacea is a whole other beast. i’m starting to think I’ll just have to accept my look, or try to save up one day to blast it all with vbeam. I’ve tried so many moisturizers and they hate me so I use none. Threw in the towel a while back as the treatment was ending up being the main cause. Never tried cerave cream tho cause I’m sensitive to petrolatum.
probs just gonna focus on the problems inside my body and getting inflammation down and let my own skin prove what it is capable of, then maybe it will begin to accept more things.
Its kindof hard to let go of control when rosacea has me over a barrel….but hey maybe its time to just take a breath and quit while I’m (sortof) ahead :3
Hello! Do you happen to know what the percentage is for azelaic acid in this product?
Hi there, Allison! I don’t unfortunately but it’s probably in to low of concentration to have any noticeable benefit. I think the highlight ingredients of this Benton serum are aloe vera and snail poo.
Hey there! Which one would you say it’s best, Benton or MISSHA Time Revolution First Treatment Essence? For a 29y girl with a neverending case of hormonal (cystic) acne on the chin, and blackheads and large pores on the nose area :-/ I use Drunk Elephant’s TLC, 2x/week, C-Firma AM or PM, Peekee/JuJu Bar for cleansing, and just ordered CosRX Blackhead Liquid… i’m missing the niacinamide for treating my acne scars, redness and hyperpigmentation spots.
These are MISSHA’s ingredients:
Saccharomyces ferment Filtrate, Bigida Ferment Lysate, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Polyquaternium -51, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Betaine, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Pirper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Beta vulgaris (Beet) Root extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Trehalose, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Clycerin, Raffinose, Tromethamine, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, 1, 2 – Hexanediol, Caprytyl Glycol, Hexapeptide – 9 Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate.
That’s a hard question to answer, it depends on your skin. For example, since I have fungal sensitives I can’t use the missha essence because it has saccharomyces ferment. The best way to know is simply trying it out and seeing which one you like better. Sorry I can’t be of more help. :/ Missha is a good product tho! And if I didn’t have stupid sensitivities you better believe I’d be using it!
Hi f.c.! You stated above that the essence should come first before the serum. I am planning to use the “DECIEM The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%+ Zinc 1% ” (hope you can also make a review to this 😉 ), this serum has actives so am I still going to use the essence first and not the one that has actives so that it will penetrate better into my skin if as close as to my bare skin? thank uuuuu.
Hi there again, May! Yeah, I still haven’t tried any of the ordinary products, but that niacinamide serum looks like a solid option, and would probably be the first one I try. Hmmmm, it’s hard to say which one would go first. It would have to be the thinnest one. Looking at videos online it looks like the ordinary niacinamide is pretty thick, so I would hazard a guess to use that one after benton snail bee essence.
Thank you so much for creating this website. 🙂 I have read almost everything you posted about PIE, haha! For me, I have very bad PIE on cheeks but no active acne. My main concern right now to treat (I’m already getting vascular laser for the PIE) is to get rid of the perpetual “plugs” on my nose cheeks and forehead. They make my pores look HUGEEEE. No matter what I do, the plugs never go away, they are always full of something, even if its clear/oil. Do you think the BHA would help with that?
I already have a routine of k beauty products that is working VERY well, but have not really addressed this issue. I’ve been using glycolic acid pads to no avail, maybe they are too harsh?
Thanks!
Hey there, M. Glad you’ve enjoyed the website and read lots of it! I’m flattered. :p Yes, BHA would definitely work for those blackheads/plugs, and it’s a better option than AHA because it’s oil soluble, meaning it’ll get inside of pores to clean out the gunk. AHAs primarily work on the surface of skin.
Hi there again, f.c.! 🙂 (told you, I’m now really obsessed with your site haha!) Since I’m really convinced now that I’ll purchase this sexy sauce soon (thanks to your wit! <3, though this one is quite pricey for a student like me T_T) I just want to know how long did this one take you to consider that this has really helped you with your acne? And based on your blogs, I noticed that you put some other actives and or treatments on your face like BP/Azelaic Acid/BHA, and other awesome moisturizers and occlusives. This one is just a plain gel that's packed with beneficial ingredients. So yeah. How come that you really gave this a Holy Grail status? (hoping that u get my point hehez. 🙂 )
Hi there, May. The main reason I like this product is because of the snail mucin. It helped calm down the redness around my face and seems to heal things a lot faster. I wouldn’t say this actually does much for active acne though. In terms of what helped my acne the most, BP, sulfur, and azelaic acid area all great options.
Hi f.c.! I just can’t thank you enough for this amazing website you’ve made. I recently bought 3 samplers of this essence and I wasn’t really expecting that much for the result that it could give me but damn! my active acnes were calmed after 20 mns of applying it onto my skin plus my closed comedones seemed like they were lessened. Ugh, I still can’t believe about the magic and miracle and whatsoever this essence has performed!. I’m really thankful that someone like you exists to help people who’ve also been suffering from acne T_T *i crie*, you are heaven-sent for me <3
Oooooo, you’re too nice to me. 🙂 p.s. saw your comment on instagram haha…. :p
HAHAHA. ?
Hi,im sorry if i too fussy but what is human oligopeptide 1 exactly? I mean,is it from human?how they collect it?and i dont mind putting snail slime to my skin but i’ve heard they collect it from snail with some ways that make the snail suffer (talking about animal rights) is that right,or its just hoax,can you find out? (Because i’m searching and still cant found the truth)thank you very much.
Yes! I don’t mind putting snail slime on my face but I can’t get over the possibility of animal cruelty, even if it’s just a snail. Snails produce mucin in response to stress and they obviously don’t produce very much of it. I read that to produce enough they have to “stress out” the snails by giving it shocks or something horrible like that. That’s like forcing cows to have calves and giving them growth hormones to produce more milk, I find that more disgusting than the thought of rubbing snail goop on my face.
I almost forgot about the bee venom too! Apparently, they put an electromagnetic plate on the top of the beehives and run a current through it causing the bees who touch it to get shocked and sting the plate, releasing venom but not killing the bees. Still, seems pretty screwed up to me.
Yes, to produce the snail secretion they’re usually stressed. There are a few ways they do this, two of which involve poking them or feeding them salt water. They aren’t killed in the process because that would produce unwanted chemicals, but the poor boogers do live an annoyed existence. :/
Thank you…i wonder why there is not so much information about this in the internet.it seems so “secret”, i dont know,maybe its just me
being silly :-]
Can you find out about human oligopeptide too? :-> by the way,your initial is exactly my husband’s initial,he is fc too. :-}
What do you want to know about human oligopeptide? If you’re wondering if it’s derived from animals, most likely not. That’s how it was originally isolated in the 60s, i.e. via the lower jaw of mice because animal saliva has EGFs, which is why animals lick their wounds (stimulate cell growth/regeneration). Most EFGs found in skincare products today are isolated from plants and have high purity/bioactivity. Here’s a video of how Bioeffect (a company) produces their EGFs. Note: this video is 6 years old, and similar manufacturing process have become the norm.
<:-0 poor thing… Why cant they just let them free and collect their slime without hurting them?I guess that because the slime wont be enough?
Hello F.C.! I’ve read your PIE posts and I’m obsessed with anything related to them since I have major scarring and PIE is taking up the majority of my cheeks right now.. I feel very unconfident when I walk out without makeup on. Do you think Benton would help significantly with my acne scarring? I’m on the Acne.Org regimen for about a month, using AHA+ as well, and it has helped heal my active breakouts and I rarely even breakout anymore. Just trying to fix up my PIE and hyperpigmentation, as well as atrophic scarring! My skin is on the sensitive side as well, and almost anything can break me out. But recently, while using Dan’s products, I haven’t been breaking out! Will this significantly help with the PIE, and the redness of my scars? Do you recommend any other products along with my regimen to clear up this PIE? (With respect to my college budget if that’s possible!)
THANK YOU so much for this blog. It has helped me learn more about my scarring and what I can do to achieve flawless skin like yours (YES, your skin looks pretty much flawless now!)
p.s. I’ve tried subscribing to your mailing list, but when the confirmation email came, there wasn’t a link for it! I hope you can fix this when you read this, OR maybe it may even be fixed before you read this. But I’m desperate to get on that mailing list. Your posts are like the holy grail for me.
Hi there, C. Sorry for the late response! Just wanted to let you know I read your email. Thank you for the super sweet message! You are too kind! 🙂 and, of course. Feel free to share anything you want, wherever you want.
As for your question, the Benton essence might help a little bit to target PIE because there is arbutin in it (and PIE overlaps with PIH), but just remember the most important thing will be time and patience. Rest assured those pesky red marks will eventually fade. I’m not sure if you’ve read it, but my post on PIE covers all the treatment options. Hope that helps!
Hi fc! Can you please tell me if I use cosrx bha liquid blackhead power at night time, can I use Benton snail serum after waiting for 20 mins?
Hello there! 🙂
Hmmm my new bottle of Essence is crystal clear now and more warery than before… I got it directly from Korea (ebay) and asked the seller about it- he told me thats normal now. Does anyone else made this experience? The bottles before were a bit yellow and more like a gel, and had a liiittle smell… now no smell. I hope the ingredients are the same….:(
This was a very instructive post, not to say fun. Thank you 😀
hi! this is my first time in your blog but i must say, this post is very helpful. Youve even convinced me to buy benton. But you know, im still hesitating which should i buy. The thing is, i have oily skin and i break out often. Here are the products that im eyeing to buy:
– Muji cleansing oil
– Human nature balancing facial wash
– ordinary lactic acid 10%
– (?)* ESSENCE: Missha’s or Benton’s
– (?)* SERUM: ordinary niacinamide or skinfood serum or can you help me what should i buy haha
– (?)* MOISTURIZER: help huhu
Im from the philippines. And you know, the humidity and all. Again, i have an oily skin. Hehe pls help. Thank you!! 🙂
Hi there, Camille. If you have oily skin, you can never go wrong with Benton Snail Bee Essence. I find it incredibly light. I even used it the entire time I was in central america during vacation (humidity was intense! 90% most days, so similar to the Philippines :p)
is my routine alright? (I need help from an expert hehe)
AM
1) Salicylic acid daily cleanser cosrx
2) Clarifying toner BHA/AHA cosrx
3) Cosrx snail essence
4) Cosrx summer pore minish serum
5) Nature republic aloe Vera gel
Note: the tiny pimples on the right side of my cheek became slightly itchy and swelled up a little after the AM routine (nothing serious though, just a bit cautious)
PM
1) Salicylic daily cleanser Cosrx
2) Benton snail bee toner
3) Benton snail bee essence
4) Nature republic aloe Vera gel
And I’m also planning to add in a hada labo premium lotion in my routine (I have combination skin)
The order looks all good to me. :p
Thanks! Greetings from Pampanga btw!!
Hi!
Head about the past contamination issues with Benton, does this Essence need to be kept in the fridge? Any there any guidelines on what sort of skincare product need to be kept in the fridge? Thanks!
Just checking my understanding that this snail bee stuff is ok for the fungal/malassezia sufferers?
Hey! Thanks for all the dedication you put into this website 🙂 I stumbled upon it looking for solutions to my seb derm and slight rosacea. All of the antifungals irritate my skin due to the other inactive ingredients. The snail bee essence caught my eye and I was wondering what your thoughts are on using this product on active seb derm. Thanks so much
Hello! Would this product get rid of PIE acne scars?
Hey there! Thanks to you this wonderful thing is also in my life now and doing wonders for my acne-prone and sensitive skin! Thanks again for your time and dedication:)
I was reading a bit about Arbutin, and although it is efficient (or should be) at treating PIE, the percentage of it matters, health-wise. Do you happen to know the % of Arbutin in this Benton essence? I was reading a maximum of 4% is considered border-safe.
Hello FC🤗
I have used the Benton product and have been fine, so thought I would also try the other one with Aloe and propolis, but got a horrible break out!
I had just gotten my skin back to “normal” and now this happened again.
I am so confused, I don’t know what is safe anymore!
I have been using the Noziral shampoo twice daily for two weeks,followed by Douxo pads, then the Benton snail serum in day or Azailic acid gel then serum at night.
The Benton aloe and propolis caused a breakout and so did the Eucerin urea cream.
I am scared to use Vaseline as I have been getting loads of red spots around my lips and chin in the morning.
Would you have any advice, I really don’t know what to do now..
Thank you!
Guys
I am using benton
so the routine should be
1. Hadalabo face Wash (tamagohada)
2. Hadalabo Shirojyun lotion and directly combined with this benton product
3. Azelaic acid 20%
4. BP for the acne or tretinoin or glycolic 10% cream
Is that oke..?
Thank you
Can this help with just hyperpigmentation alone as well? Also do I’m trouble with acne and blackheads can this alone help or I need other products along with it if so can you tell me what can help?
Hi,
I just ordered this product and am wondering when to use it in my skin care routine and if I should use it morning and night? For the morning, I use AHA, Hada Laba Lotion and Cera Ve Moisturizer and at night I use the Cosrx Morning Cleanser, Hada Laba Lotion and Cera Ve Moisturizer.
Hi there, Victoria. It can be used both day and night. It would go after the Hada Labo Lotion!
U missed to explain that it contains of Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, which is a silicone oil.
When silicone there, then everything heavenly inside are going for lesser benefit.
so??
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is not a silicone oil. It’s a crosspolymer, and used as am emulsifier / suspending agent, and is very mildly film forming so wouldn’t affect the absorption of other ingredients.
It seems like Benton is reformulating their products and the high content essence is one of them.
According to this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/73vvpt/news_benton_reformulation/ , they replaced arbutin with niacinamide and snail is now the second ingredient after water.
It will be good if you can update this article with the new list of ingredients and what is your opinion on the change.
AND ADDED POLYSORBATE 20?!?! For f*cks sake! 😩 😩 😩 😩
f.c. sad news… Benton is reformulating:
http://bentoncosmetics.com/product/snail-bee-high-content-essence-60ml/19/?cate_no=68&display_group=1
Aqua(Water), Snail Secretion Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, sh-Oligopeptide-1, Bee Venom, Plantago Asiatica Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ulmus Campestris (Elm) Extract, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Adenosine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Polysorbate 20, Lecithin, Arginine
I wonder if COSRX mucin power essence is now a better choice
Why must all good things die? Fml. 😩 😩 😩 😩
Oh but the replacement of arbutin with niacinamide is a good thing because arbutin has similar side effects to those of hydroquinone! I did not want to by this Benton product because of arbutin but maybe now I will give it a chance.
Wanted to buy it, but arginine is bad for cold sores :/
I get cold sores too and I try to avoid foods high in arginine, but I wouldn’t have thought that it would be a worry when it comes to skincare? Have you experienced a breakout due to a skincare product?
No I’m just worried about it because I’m really susceptible to getting them.
Now Benton claims they didn’t change the formulation. They’re just “re-listing” its ingredients to comply to more strict standards.
See source: http://bentoncosmetics.com/article/notice/1/11373
That’s confusing.
They also sent this email regarding the niacinamide/arbutin issue to UnderdogUprising on AsianBeautyAdvice Reddit:
“Dear Customer
Thank you for your keen interest in Benton and contacting us.
First, we understand your concerns about the changes and we apologize for the lack of detailed explanation.
Concerning the changes in the ingredient list, we inform that there is no actual change in the main ingredients percentages and the changes resulted from the way of listing the ingredients.
As Benton products are manufactured in a CGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) facility and compliant with EU regulations, we are adopting more strict standards in ingredient listing, separating each ingredient into more detailed level, which is more informative to consumers.
As a result of the new listing, some components (water, preservatives, and butylenes glycol) of each ingredient are separated, totaled up, and listed separately in the ingredient list. For example, water shows up in the lists. It is not that water is added to the formula, but water in each ingredient is separated and listed separately.
Secondly, we are replacing arbutin, a brightening ingredient in Snail Bee Essence and Mask Pack with niacinamide like the rest of Snail Bee products.
This is because we have concluded that niacinamide is a more stabilized ingredient, and more suitable for different skin types than arbutin.
Lastly, Butylene glycol in the new Aloe BHA Skin Toner and Snail Bee High Content Skin is not newly added to the formulas, but it is listed separated from each ingredient.
Azelaic Acid is omitted from the list, because the raw material supplier discontinued the ingredient.
To sum up, the changes in the ingredient lists are not actual formula changes; it is rather the different way of listing. There is no difference in the overall efficacy and texture of the products.
Should you have further inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
Kind regards
Benton”
Source https://np.reddit.com/r/AsianBeautyAdvice/comments/75g3dp/psa_bentons_reply_on_product_reformulation/
My Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence has just arrived today and I’ve checked the ingredient list. Polysorbate 20 is listed there, though :'(
👏🏼Your👏🏼site👏🏼is👏🏼amazing. So informative. So NOT filled with fluff; only the essential stuff, which makes it so much easier to sift through. Thank you so much!
Hi there! I’ve been binge reading your site for a few days now and am super excited to use all the new knowledge I’ve gained. I want to thank you for making all the information available and easy to understand! You’re amazing!
I started this article convinced I would immediately order this product once done reading… however… I am massively allergic to bees. Is there any chance you know of a different snail poo product that doesn’t contain bee venom and won’t cause issues with my sebhorreic dermatitis? I”m having a hard time finding anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! If I am using the snail essence, mad hippie serum, and azelaic acid, which order should I use them in?
Just ordered a bottle, and it has polysorbate 20 in it now. 🙁 I hate reformulations.
I have seborrheic dermatitis, and I tried this.. It gives me small blemishes and small pimples. It is not bad, but I can see that my skin looks worse after using it. I am not sure if it is allergy or it is just clogging the pores 🙁
Omg, I’m obsessed with your blog right now but this one has me all kinds of confused. Ampoules, essences, serums, emulsions… what the heck is the difference?! I’ve just started delving into the world of oils… previously I was a 3-4 step kind of girl.
Hi f.c.! long time lurker here, first time commenter. huge fan of your blog!
i know this is an old post, but i was wondering what you think of benton’s reformulation of this essence? its been a HG for me too, but i’m unsure whether to repurchase now given the new ingredient list.
And then everything changed when benton reformulated this ;-;
I started using this essence 3 years ago and your post was one of the reason why. I loved how calming it is for me and repurchased twice before trying out other essence. When cosrx proplis ampoule broke me out, I took a break then moved back to this. Two weeks later I started having A LOT of grainy bumps comedone like sandpaper face and I was so confused. It got so bad that my roommate started pointing it out but I hardly thought it was this essence. A bit of digging in reddit convinced me that the reformulation was the cause.
And me being such a benton fan, I stopped using it on my entire face and use it instead the left side of my face because I really really can’t believe how drastic the reformulation was and still want to cling on to benton 🙁
Dear SSS: I love your blog and it has helped me learn a lot in the short time I’ve been reading. I actually found this blog while hunting for reviews for this very product. My question here is about the routine you outlined in this review which lists two different types of toners. In a previous article you mentioned that toners are not necessary if your cleanser is pH balanced. I was curious to see the additional benefits of using two different types of toner a few steps apart, and their necessity. Also, would using exfoliating glycolic acid toner in conjunction with a hydrating, pH balanced (say avocado + vitamin c&e rich) toner be harmful to my combination (but not acne-prone) skin? Thank you for your time, I hope to hear from you soon!
Hey!
I’ve been following your site for a long time and my skincare routine is basically all the products you’ve suggested! I just wanted to make a point and say that this product has now changed a few ingredients and people are generally complaining that it’s breaking them out and now it’s less effective. So sad since it was your holy grail! I was so stoked to try this out until I learned it had changed. 🙁 Ah well, any other products you suggest for moisturizing, helping with aging/wrinkles and overall skin texture? Thanks! LOVE YOUR PAGE!!
was your fungal acne survey written after this? this formula has changed, and now has ingredients that can be exacerbating?
I saw this post and as a rookie bought this without checking the ingredients. It has been reformulated with Polysorbates and I am pretty certain that I have a malessezia problem. Do you think I could try it out nonetheless? I am kind of afraid now
Hi,
I’ve just found your blog recently and it’s truly is amazing, seriously! Thank you so much 🙏
Just a quick question: Have you ever tried Cosrx Snail 96?
It’s just that I’ a little bit skeptical of what has happened to me before with snail product. Around 2014, I tried Mizon snail cream, and it I got horrible break out. Some people says that it’s purging but lookibg back again, I dont think it was. Then, I even tried Retin-A, well, that was totally purging, it was my nightmare. People say purging normally last for 6 months, but it was more than a year for me and it hadn’t stop until I gave up (I still have so much acne scar from both Mizon and Retin-A until today). During those time, I used Benton Snail Bee for healing and moisturizing my skij. My skin neither didnt like it nor loved it. I was like… okay maybe snail is not for me.
But recently, I have found out Cosrx snail essence, the brand itself is famous for ance and scar problem. So I really want to have another chance with snail product. Long story short, Just want to ask if you have ever tested this one?
Hi there! Just found out your blog like few days ago and i love how u make scientific explanation on skincare ingredients easy to understand 🙂
I was wondering, if i applied The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Hyaluronic Acid 1% before the benton snail essence, would it be a problem? i mean would the ingredients clash? Thx