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Shiseido The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener

What it is:A gentle, alcohol-free lotion that instantly softens and rehydrates the skin for enhanced suppleness. What it does:Replenish moisture to keep the skin dewy and soft with this uniquely lightweight formula. Experience a refreshing sensation as it penetrates deeply and heightens the effectiveness of further skincare. What else you need to know:This product is ideal for normal and combination skin.
Average Rating:
4.564 out of 5
4.6
 out of 
5
Open Ratings Snapshot
62 reviews
5 stars
48
4 stars
8
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
3
Questions & Answers:
1 Question | 2 Answers
Sort by reviews for Shiseido The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
Review 1 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
Nay83
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great Softener
-04.07.13
I received this in a starter kit at my local Sephora and it is really good. It smells good and makes my face really soft. I'm really glad I got the starter kit because now I know how great the Shiseido skincare line is.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 2 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
MarineWife09
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Love!
-03.17.13
This is not a toner in the traditional sense of the word. Shiseido combines the toner effect in with its cleanser. Here is how shiseido describes the softener:
Imagine that your skin is a dry sponge. If you put dish soap on a dry sponge it will just sit on the surface and never soak in. If you put water on it first the soap soaks right in. The softener is the water. After you wash and dry you want to make sure your skin is prepped for the moisturizer to soak in completely. This is what a softener does.
This softener is so wonderful and makes my skin so very soft (especially when used with the cleanser that matches). Please try the shiseido system. It rocks!!!!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 3 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
aplus1920
Location:Northern NJ
Age:35-44
1 out of 5
1 out of 5
Totally Underwhelmed
-02.10.13
I was impressed by the reviews for this product about how refreshed and moisturized it made the skin feel. I did not experience any of these benefits. For the price, I just didn't feel like this product was worth it. I returned it.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 4 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
malibou
Location:Los Angeles, CA
Age:25-34
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
I'm sure it works for some skin types
-02.08.13
Explained my breakout tendencies to sales associate and this is what she came up with. I just don't think it's right for me and will return. My skin is a puzzle at the moment and this piece does not fit in helping me achieve clear skin.
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 5 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
sa11y
Location:Cleveland, OH
Skin Type:Normal
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Long time user
-02.02.13
Quick Take: non-drying, refreshing
I've been using this toner for about 4-5 years now. Have tried different products but nothing seems to take off "leftover" makeup and soften my skin like this one. Smells great, feels great and makes my foundation look dewy :)
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 6 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
lena113
Location:San Francisco, CA
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Great toner!
-01.22.13
While living in NY, I used Fresh's Rose Marigold Floral Water toner, but since moving to California, the skin on my cheeks has been getting drier while my T-zone remains somewhat oily. The Hydro-Balancing Softener is great - I use it all over my face and it has not made me break out while still smoothing out the dry skin of my cheeks.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 7 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
jenshaka
Skin Type:Combination
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
I'm hooked
-01.21.13
Quick Take: non-drying, refreshing, acne treating
Officially hooked. There is no softener out there that is better than this.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 8 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
inthecity
Location:Boston, MA
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Really does what it claims!
-01.01.13
This product was recommended to me because all of my moisturizers and foundations felt like they were sitting on top of my skin and balling up rather than soaking in. I was skeptical at first that it would do much because I have not traditionally used a toner-type product in my skin care routine, but I've repurchased three times now. I couldn't believe what a difference this product makes. It really does soften your skin so products penetrate the skin and go on much smoother.
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 9 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
mava0707
Location:Glastonbury, CT
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Soothing
-12.30.12
Quick Take: great for sensitive skin, makes skin radiant
I have acne prone dry skin and have found this toner to be an effective after cleansing product that has soothed my skin without irritating it. Since using this product, the sensitive cleanser, and matching moisturizer my skin has been very soft and glowing and I haven't had any acne. Its a bit expensive for the size though.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 10 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
SpaExpert
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Excellent product - another toner from Shiseido
-12.29.12
Have been using Shiseido for about 6 years now. My skin has been greatly improved! Although this is the not exactly what I used, there's another softener that is equally great. Definitely would recommend for everyone.
-5points
0out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 11 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
jillfleming
Location:Monterey, CA
Age:25-34
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
So far, so good
-12.23.12
I read a lot of reviews and decided to go with this toner. So far I like it (although i haven't seen any drastic results...yet). A little pricey, but goes on nicely, has a pleasant smell, and hasn't irritated my sensitive skin.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 12 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
j0nj0y
Location:Los Angeles, CA
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Love the way it softens my skin!
-12.11.12
Quick Take: non-drying, refreshing, softening
This toner has a permanent spot in my beauty routine. This is the 4th time I've purchased it. It's moisturizing and softening for my combination skin. I tend to have dry spots along the jawline and around my corners of my lips. The rest of my face can get oily. I purposely don't use "oily skin" products because I find they strip my skin from its natural oils causing an overproduction of oils. By keeping my skin well-hydrated, I'm less prone to big break-outs. I use this toner after washing and drying my face. I squeeze a half-pump into my palm, rub my clean hands together and then gently pat my face with the toner. I notice using this toner before applying moisturizer allows for better absorption and balances out washing off the natural oils of my face.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 13 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
shuang1105
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Good lotion for moisture
-11.10.12
This is the second time I buy this product. It is observed quickly and protect the skin effectively with a spf15. And the price for this product is fair. So it is good to have a try for u.
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 14 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
washingtoncaps
Skin Type:Normal
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Soothing !
-09.26.12
Quick Take: soothing
This is a great product, makes skin soft and hydrated and glowing.
I tried it over my irritated, red face (after a harsh exfoliation) and it was very very soothing, calmed the redness and the burn ! LOVE iT !
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 15 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
732dvm
Location:Hoboken, NJ
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
The best, but you'll pay for it.
-09.14.12
Quick Take: refreshing, non-drying
The best. I recently switched to a Clarins toner b/c this one was kind of cost-prohibitive, but I think I'll be coming back after the bottle is finished. I've often left for work forgetting to put on moisturizer since my skin is so soft after this product! I love the smell and that it's alcohol-free. I just wish it wasn't so expensive :(
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 16 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
nessanguyen
Location:Anaheim, CA
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Smells wonderful
-07.29.12
This is a great softener. I was using the Shiseido Brightening Lucent softener and this one is definitely cheaper and workers better. I definitely recommend this one over the other brand (at least for my combination skin).
-2points
0out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 17 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
dalucy
Location:los angeles, CA
Skin Type:Combination
Age:25-34
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
time to move on
-07.11.12
Quick Take: refreshing
i used this softener for several years and preferred it when it had a soothing, gel-like consistency. now it feels just like water which takes the "specialness" away from it. i do not like that it has parabens and is chemical based though i understand that it works for a lot of people. i think there's a lot of comparable products on the market that will work just as well. the ingredients and the price point will make this the last bottle for me. i will definitely search for a more natural alternative that provides similar effects that will be kinder to my wallet since it's so easy to go through a bottle! sounds like a huge list of requirements, but i'm sure something better is out there.
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
Review 18 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
aracelip
Location:Oakland, California
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Medium
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Shiseido Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
-03.24.12
Quick Take: hydrating
I originally bought this "lotion" after reading The Japanese Skincare Revolution so that I can make a "lotion mask". I absolutely love how this smells and it leaves my skin feeling so hydrated. I can see a great improvement in my skin since using this everyday as a lotion mask. My skin is more plump, soft and hydrated.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 19 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
an23
Location:NY, NY
Skin Type:Combination
Skin Tone:Olive
Age:25-34
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
really nourishing
-03.06.12
Quick Take: refreshing, non-drying
I prefer this product to the other shiseido toner: the alcohol-free Hydro-Nourishing lotion,
This one is more gel-like and really penetrates the skin leaving a sponge like feeling,
I love this one! And its thick enough that I dont need to use a cotton-pad when applying it
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 20 for The Skincare Hydro-Balancing Softener
hannahdaniel
Location:wichita, ka
Skin Type:Dry
Age:18-24
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
love
-02.14.12
i like this one, it is really good for my skin
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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