Oh hello! We’re back with the latest installment in the Treatment Lotion saga 😀 You may remember a while ago, I told you about how I fell in love with the Treatment Lotion from La Mer, and how I was a little ambivalent about the ones from Estee Lauder and Clinique.
Well, say hello to the newest one that I’ve been using for the past…erm… few months. I forget these things especially when I use them almost daily. Yep, this managed to worm its way into my affections to stay in daily rotation 😀
This, my friends, is the Bobbi Brown Extra Treatment Lotion. I always feel a little funny talking about Bobbi Brown skincare because it does have a bit of a surprise factor, since most of us are more familiar with Bobbi Brown makeup. That said, while I can’t say that I’ve tried nor been wowed by the rest of the Extra skincare range, I do like this Treatment Lotion.
Are we familiar with the concept of a treatment lotion yet? Alright, just quickly, this is that extra step in an oft times already complicated skincare routine that may have some of you wondering if it’s worth the hassle. It helps to think of this rather like a toner or lotion that infuses your skin with hydration and helps boost whatever skincare goes on top of it.
Unlike the other brands I told you about, the key function of the Bobbi Brown Extra Treatment Lotion is that of boosting hydration and making your skin feel more hydrated, supple and looking better. They don’t quite promise that you’ll see clearer skin or that it repairs anything in your skin. What it does is deliver a boost of hydration and helps skin stay hydrated. No fuss.
I use this as a hydrating toner due to the texture and function, so in my case I’d use it thus:-
Cleansing -> Exfoliating Toner -> BB Extra Treatment Lotion -> Serum -> Oil -> Moisturiser
If you’re looking at that and going “WHAT? Who has the time for that?!” (I’ll do a full skincare routine post soon, promise! It’s just turning out to be quite a monster to write) Then you’d use it thus:-
Cleansing -> BB Extra Treatment Lotion -> Serum -> Moisturiser
I wouldn’t use it on its own even if it does make your skin feel lovely and hydrated because it isn’t a moisturiser. It’s far too light, and it isn’t meant to function that way. Skincare, especially for a hydrating routine, works best when sandwiched and layered so use thin layers of different products and your skin will feel and look a lot better!
As you can see from the bottle above (I shook it which is why you see bubbles) the product is a runny watery gel texture. It isn’t a liquid lotion like Micro Essence and it is a lot thinner than the Clinique Even Better Essence. I find the texture similar to that of the La Mer Treatment Lotion.
When I started out, I was using about 3-4 drops of product until I realised it was actually far too much. So, these days, I use 1-2 drops depending on how my skin feels.
The bottle has a dispenser that works far better than the Even Better Essence one perhaps because the product is liquid enough to be dispensed through a hole yet not so runny as to get everywhere the way Micro Essence does.
What I do is upend the bottle so 1-2 drops fall out into the palm of my hand, spread it and then spread it all over my face. On contact with skin, it seems to take on a more liquid texture and it feels like you’re applying a light liquid gel all over. It is very refreshing and comfortable and absorbs quite quickly into the skin. I don’t tend to notice absorption as I layer my products while damp but it does absorb fairly quickly with no sticky or slippery feeling left on the skin.
Oh and I have to mention a scent which I think is geranium. It smells fresh and lovely so I don’t mind using this twice a day, but do take note of this.
For myself I do find that this treatment lotion does do what it says i.e. boost skin hydration. My skin feels better with it on, and I like how it feels and I like using it. It’s given the La Mer Treatment Lotion a good run for its money!
I’m afraid I don’t have the ingredient list as I got this as a gift, but I’ll update once I do, although I can’t promise when that’ll happen. Perhaps when I replenish but it’ll take a while. I’ve been going at this for a few months and I’m not even halfway through!
In a nutshell
The Bobbi Brown Extra Treatment Lotion is a hydrating lotion that you’d use to help boost hydration levels in skin. The texture is a lovely light watery gel that absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t have a sticky or oily after feel. I find that with regular use, my skin feels and looks better and more hydrated. I do use other hydrating skincare products but the addition of this one has helped to make a difference. I use it like a hydrating toner, if you use that step of skincare, and it works. It is a little pricey, but ultimately, worth it if hydration is a skincare concern.
Pros: Light water-gel texture is very comfortable on skin, Not sticky nor oily, Absorbs quickly into the skin, Makes skin feel more hydrated and look better with regular use, Smells lovely
Cons: A little pricey but lasts a long time
Who will like this: Anyone who is familiar with the concept of a hydration lotion/toner, Anyone looking to boost hydration in their skin
Bobbi Brown vs Estee Lauder vs La Mer vs Clinique vs SK-II?
Alright so I’ve told you about the other treatment lotions I’ve been using from a couple of other brands, so I’ll quickly tell you where this fits in as far as my personal preference goes.
It’s a very close thing for me, but I’ll say that this is, for me, on par with the La Mer Treatment Lotion. I find they both have a similar texture, but La Mer is a little more runny and a bit more fragranced as compared to the fresher geranium scent of this BB one. I do like how this one doesn’t claim to do a lot, but excels at what it does i.e. hydrate skin.
I prefer this to the Estee Lauder Micro Essence and Clinique Even Better Essence simply because I wasn’t sold on the Micro Essence and the Even Better Essence didn’t quite do it for me. SK-II FTE as I have often said is a wash out for me because it breaks me out like crazy but I included it here because it’s the most popular treatment essence out there.
So mathematically speaking, here’s how they rank for me:-
La Mer Treatment Lotion = Bobbi Brown Extra Treatment Lotion > Estee Lauder Micro Essence > Clinique Even Better Essence > SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Have you tried this Bobbi Brown Treatment Lotion? Have you tried any of the other treatment lotions out in the market?
I must say this one surprised me a little but in a nice way. If the La Mer is out of budget, give this Bobbi Brown one a go. It’s still pricey, I don’t deny but it is still more affordable than La Mer. It doesn’t boast many other claims other than hydration, if that matters to you, but for me, that’s all that matters for now so I’m happy 🙂
Paris B
Bobbi Brown Extra Treatment Lotion Price: RM210/150ml Availability: Bobbi Brown counters and stores
Yay, finally! I was contempleting to get this, cos I just dont find its Extra skincare range impressive for me. It was…ok…. if only there is an ingredient list, that would be much better for me to decide. Hehehe.
I don’t know if they can get you a sample in store but I guess there’s no harm asking 🙂 I do like this a lot but unfortunately do not have the ingredient list just yet. Will update when I do 🙂
Another treatment lotion. I love the one by La Mer but am not using it at the moment. I wanted to try and see the efficacy of another face serum. So far so good. Now I’m thinking how am I going to slot in the treatment lotion since the face serum has been living up to its claim.
Ooh which face serum is that, if you don’t mind? 😀 I suppose if your face serums does all it’s meant to then maybe you don’t need the lotion anymore? For my routine, I still use one but it might be too much for some 🙂
I’m using Human Heart Nature Overnight Elixir. It’s like the budget version of MRC and ANR. I am wow-ed by the result. I’m stopping La Mer Treatment Lotion for the time being because I’d like to see whether HHN OE lives up to its claims or not. I’m thinking to include La Mer Treatment Lotion into my routine again. Most probably, AM routine.
Ooh you have me intrigued! I love a good Elixir so I’ll check this out, thanks! 😀
Somehow, the treatment lotion doesn’t go well with OE. I’ll use OE without treatment lotion, PM. For AM, I can use treatment lotion + hydrating serum.
On a side note, some people experience breakouts after using OE. I didn’t experience breakouts (touchwood!) after using OE.
Ah thanks for pointing that out. I’ll probably pick it up in a couple of months once I’m a little more settled and have the luxury of time to consider adding more things to my stash. Definitely keeping this in mind 🙂
I bought this using the vouvher from your MWSxBB workshop! 🙂
I think its a good addition to my skincare routine.
It does give my moituriser an extra hydration boost, and my skin does not dry up easily even when I use products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Ooh whew! I’m so glad it works for you Sasha and that you like it too! 😀
Somehow, with the various treatment lotions I’ve tried (freebies/samples only) I keep gravitating back to SKII FTE. The Estee Lauder Micro Essence did not make much of an impact. Guerlain’s Blanc de Perle was just ho hum. La Mer – I cringe at the thought of the price tag so have not dared to contemplate.
I feel a very strong itch coming to check this out – at the very least, a sample of it. If it works, I think it’s a slightly cheaper alternative to SKII – and I get to have some change to the routine. Yay.
I don’t blame you JK, I have no doubt the SK2 FTE is good stuff, just that I can’t use it >.< I wasn't terribly impressed by the Micro Essence so I didn't quite get the raves. The selling point was that it made ANR work better but erm... no 😛 Actually La Mer is a wee bit cheaper than SK2 LOL! But you know, I bet you could wheedle a sample out of the girls at the counter and give it a go? 😉
Oh, this sounds like a lovely product. I’m currently using a different treatment essence, but I do have to use quite a bit of it for my skin to feel hydrated. I might try this one next. 🙂
Ooh I’m curious, which one are you using Emy? 🙂 See if you can get a sample of this to see if you’d like it?
The price range is a lot less traumatising than La Mer so I may just have to give this a shot. Let’s just pretend my room doesn’t look like I sell skincare as it is. Intrigued!
I feel like I should be signing up for Skincare Hoarders Anonymous 😛 But I’ve been a lot better in recent times after realising what my skin likes and that skincare has a much much shorter expiry date than makeup 😛 Doesn’t stop me though 😀
I’m reasonably sure we have joint ownership of SHA. Denial is a fine thing indeed! Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to succumb to marketing! I’ve already found stuff that works, yet I keep tinkering! The life of a guinea pig *sigh*
You said it! Being a guinea pig, having a wandering eye and lifetime membership of SHA is a horrible horrible combination LOL!
Paris, how does this one compare to Hada Labo SHA hydrating lotion?
It’s less sticky and you don’t have to do the whole pat pat routine for it to sink into the skin. Performance wise, it seems to leave my skin feeling softer although in terms of hydration, both do the same thing 🙂
I got a sample of this. Tried a few days but didn\’t notice anything different. Then a few days later, I redeemed samples on estee lauder\’s micro essence. Used for a few days together with ANR and saw better hydrated skin. Bought a full size during Bonuslink member\’s day. Have been using it for a few months and am quite happy with it. Maybe I will try the BB treatment lotion sample again after this to see if it would change my mind?
I’m the opposite of you Ktee 🙂 My skin wasn’t happy with Micro Essence and I use ANR regardless so I realised it didn’t matter what ANR was paired with because it’s always worked for me 🙂 Still, I say stick to the product that works best for you because we will all take to different products differently.
Hi Paris!!!
I just left a comment on your la mer’s treatment lotion post last night, as I was comtemplating which pdt to get, their treatment lotion or the Hydrating infusion toner. And now comes this BB treatment lotion, whIch is cheaper than La Mer! What should I do? Haha
Maybe I should skip La Mer’s treatment lotion and get this instead? And with the extra $$, I get La Mer’s oil absorbing tonic for my oily skin? Decision, decision, decision….. It’s so hard to be a skincare addict nowadays. :p
LOL What a conundrum 😛 Here’s what I suggest. Try to get a sample of both the La Mer lotion and the BB lotion and then see which your skin likes better. I like the La Mer Treatment Lotion but I also found that the BB one made my skin feel “fresher” but they’re really too close to call so I can’t quite decide 😛 I’m not personally a fan of the Hydrating Infusion toner so that one I’d pass.
Lol! Because of your rave reviews, I have ended up purchasing the Ren Clarimatte Clarifying Toner and also the Hada Labo one as exfoliating toners and I have been considering whether I should get a hydrating toner as well. Perfect timing on the post definitely, and I might just pick this up soonly once I’ve recovered from my REN shopping spree 😀
LOL! Have you caved for the double toning routine to? 😀 Actually you can use a rose water face spray in the meantime. I was using the Melvita Facial Spray for a while until I got into these treatment lotion things 🙂
this seems lighter on the pocket. would love to grab this. I have always liked Bobbi brown’s toner and I guess they got this formulation right, then?
I’d never used their toner before this so I can’t compare but this one is lovely! It still is rather pricey though >.<
Went to Bobbi Brown a couple of days ago and they said that the toner is for those with dry skin. They didn’t recommend that I use it. So, I was happy with just the normal toner, kinder to the pocket 😉
btw, thanks for reconnecting me with BB. i remember how much i like their hydrating toner. got myself some other stuff too while i was there -.-
Haha yay! I’ve never tried their regular toner and what else did you get?! Share share! 😀
I love love love that cleansing balm u let me try and I’ve held myself back for awhile until I couldn’t stand it any longer! And since I made a mistake in buying one scrub to substitute my favourite walnut scrub from ole henriksen which I hated, I decided to go back to what I know and bought the adzuki scrub from bb. This is why I cannot visit a bb counter often. Lol!!! ????????????????
Ooh you bought the cleansing balm! It’ll last you a while and was the scrub the one that’s dry and you can mix into stuff? They showed me you can mix some of that into the balm too so it exfoliates but I didn’t buy that 🙂
I haven’t tried this but I’m currently using the Extra Bright Advanced Brightening Serum and I am wow-ed by it! I’m even thinking of repurchasing my second bottle because the compliments I’ve received on my skin are crazy I almost don’t want to believe them. It has evened out my skintone and faded my post-acne marks 🙂 Never been so impressed by a high-end skincare product!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about their Extra Brightening skincare range so it’s good to know that it works for you Shari 🙂 I’ve stopped using brightening skincare for a while so I’m not about to try it but you know, curiosity will get the better of me I’m sure! 😉
I am looking for a treatment essence, and will definitely this this one after reading your reviews. Thanks!
Hmm this one treats hydration if that’s your concern but little else to be honest! So if what you want is a treatment product then you might have to look at SK2 or EL Micro Essence depending on your concerns 🙂
I started using this one week ago. I have combination to oily skin and I use it twice a day. the thing is that I do not need any extra moisturiser cause this feels like enough for me but it gives nice plump to my face and glossy smooth look. like the make up artist I use this one under foundation and every time and everyo e skin looks amaizing. the firs product ever that I am amaized with