The “problem” with some skincare is in how they can deliver all sorts of lovely positive results to your skin and yet when it comes down to the crunch, you’d never repurchase or even consider repurchasing it because you just can’t stand the artificial fragrance it’s infused with.
Ladies and gents, meet my love-hate-and-hate-again relationship with the very popular Biotherm Life Plankton Essence which has received a lot of raves. The thing is, I can understand the raves, because this liquid lotion does do what it promises to do – leave skin more hydrated, softer and smoother.
Biotherm says this effect can be seen in as little as 8 days. 8 days! Well, if you’ve never used a similar sort of hydrating lotion/essence then yes, you will see a marked difference. But if you are already using a similar sort of essence or lotion then no, you won’t see a thing in 8 days, but over 2-3 weeks you may notice a positive effect on your skin.
The Biotherm Life Plankton Essence is an essence. It’s not a toner, and it’s not a serum. It’s a lotion that contains high concentrations of active ingredients (in this case, life plankton, a micro-organism that has regenerative properties) in a medium that is as liquid as a toner. By now, most of us will be familiar with textures like these.
But if you’re new to using a product like this one, think of it like the very popular SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. Products like these are a common inclusion in Asian (Japanese and Korean) skincare regimens. They’re less common in Western brand skincare but they’re catching on.
You can use this after cleansing and before your serum and moisturiser, or after cleansing, acid tone, hydrating mist and then this essence (which is how I use it).
You have to shake up the bottle beforehand. I noticed that if you don’t, and allow the product to settle, there is a sediment at the bottom. Shaking it up mixes up everything and the liquid that is dispensed is more cloudy than if you didn’t shake it up.
I like to just dispense 2-3 drops in the palm of my hand and then apply/pat it onto my skin. It is just like water, and it absorbs very quickly into the skin without any hint of greasiness or stickiness. It isn’t messy as some people will lead you to believe and I’d prefer not to use a cotton pad with products like these, because I feel that you waste product. But do whatever makes you happy 🙂
And as a skincare product that promises to renew my skin and make it softer and smoother and more hydrated, it ticks all the boxes. I noticed a result in 3 weeks. Not in 8 days as claimed, but then I have been taking care of my skin so 8 days isn’t something I’d actually believe would show any result for me. If you’ve not used a similar product or don’t place a lot of emphasis on hydrating serums or lotions, then you may notice a difference to your skin more quickly.
My skin does feel softer and smooth and is definitely hydrated. If this was any other product, I’d be keeping it as a staple. But my biggest bugbear is the fragrance.
I’m perfectly fine with natural scents or even if it’s a bit smelly, if it was natural. The problem however, is that Biotherm has chosen to infuse this with a strong, powdery perfume that to my nose, stinks. As I always say, scent is a personal thing so I’d not judge this product too harshly by my standards, if I were you, but because it is so strong, I’d caution those with sensitive skin to proceed with caution. Fragrance is a known irritant of skin and sensitive skin is naturally more prone to irritation.
But seriously, fragrance like this has no place in skincare in my view, and every time I use it, which is twice a day, I physically choke a little. Yes, melodramatic, but true. I absolutely detest the scent with every fibre of my being and this is why although this product does work well for my skin, and I might even finish this bottle, I’d not go anywhere near it again with a 10 ft pole. Just sayin’
IN A NUTSHELL
The Biotherm Life Plankton Essence is a liquid lotion that primarily promises to regenerate and hydrate your skin. With regular use, I can attest to this benefit. My skin does look and feel better with regular use. However, my problem with this product is the strong powdery fragrance it is infused with. That is, I feel, unnecessary and spoils what is otherwise a decent product.
Usage: Cleansing -> 2-3 drops of Biotherm Life Plankton Essence patted on with hands -> serum -> moisturiser
PROS: Not sticky or greasy, Absorbs easily into skin, With regular long term use, skin feels and looks more hydrated and smoother
CONS: Very strong powdery fragrance, Not portable as the bottle is heavy glass
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who isn’t sensitive to strong fragrances in skincare and who want a product that addresses hydration in skin
For those interested, here is the ingredient list for this Biotherm Life Plankton Essence.
This isn’t a new product so I’m sure many of you have given it a go. You don’t have to agree with me naturally, but I’d like to know what you think of it 🙂
Have you tried this essence lotion? Do strong fragrances deter you from using or continuing with a product that works?
The thing is that if this was a smelly product (You don’t know smelly till you’ve tried Perricone Cold Plasma, I swear!) I might actually be able to handle it. This doesn’t smell of the salty sea air. It smells of a garden of heady night blooms by the sea that lie around your head like a fog. Now that, I can’t handle 😛
Paris B
Biotherm Life Plankton Essence Price: RM190 / 125ml Availability: Biotherm counters
LeGeeque says
June 18, 2015 at 8:41 amThis smells a little like (heheheh, pun unintended, sorry for being smartasery) Clarins Bi Serum Intensif. Clarins’ is very gentle and has very little fragrance. I can detect a tiny hint but it dissipates very quickly after. Also sounds like a hydrating lotion. Good Lord, everyone, if that’s what you’re after get thee on Cosmetic Skin Solutions’ Hydra B5 that’s jampacked with hyaluronic acid. It really packs a punch. Not an affiliate to CSS btw. And yes, I agree – BIotherm is notorious for fragrances in their skincare.
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:36 pmHmm the Clarins on in the blue bottle? I remember I liked it but their tendency to heavily fragrance their products too have me scrambling for a mask sometimes, no matter how good they are for my skin. And yes, the CSS Hydra B5 is on my to-buy list!
Sukie says
June 18, 2015 at 9:54 amHahaha!!! The Perricone Cold Plasma sure stinks, doesn’t it? =D Mum bought it on a whim and she thought the tub had gone off. Dad took a whiff and said it smelled like a fish market. Biotherm products’ scents sure are overpowering, I’ve used the Aquasource range over the years and the scent does linger. Looks like I’ll be giving this a miss!
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:37 pmOh Lordy, that one’s a stinker! I remember the first time I tried it, the smell almost did me in. Smells like a fish market for sure – your dad is absolutely right! But it was a good product. Just that I couldn’t quite handle going to bed smelling like a fish market most nights LOL! Yes, I do find Biotherm overpowering in the scent department myself too. I could never used Aquasource. For some reason, it’d break me out all the time!
robert c. says
June 18, 2015 at 1:14 pmThe way your described the scent haha “garden of heady night blooms by the sea that lie in your head like a fog” dont know why but sounds tempting to me lol. Anyways, more often than not I too dislike heavy fragrance in skin care products especially those artificial ones. Though, I’m fine with products that has a mild “aromatherapy” smell to it.
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:38 pmHahaha you might like it Robert – one person’s stink is another’s perfume! 😉 I don’t mind a ‘natural’ sort of fragrance. But when there’s a heavy powdery or floral scent, my nose tends to shut down on me.
Lily says
June 18, 2015 at 2:43 pmI actually really really like this product. Fragrances don’t irritate me, and like you said, it’s a personal thing. I thought it smelled like shaving cream, and while I didn’t like it, it didn’t make me puke at all. I sampled one Sunday Riley serum and that smelled like dead fish. I couldn’t even use it the second time. I will repurchase it once I’m done with my current bottle too. Dare I say it rivals the Estee Lauder Micro Essence in terms of performance!
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:51 pmYeah fragrance is so personal but I’ve found myself troubled more and more by artificial/perfumed scents these days. I’ve been warned repeatedly about the Sunday Riley products being stinky so I’m bracing myself to try them! Just arrived in the mail and I’m hoping they don’t stink too much eeps!
ShopGirl says
June 18, 2015 at 11:38 pmThe scent doesn’t sound too bad, Ms. P, but yes, scent tolerance/ appreciation is a deeply personal thing so I certainly won’t blame you for the pass.
I have to say that I used a product once that was apparently natural but it outright stunk like death and I could only put up with it that one time and even then, I ended up rinsing it off. It was truly putrid.
Skincare should be about doing good and feeling good too; not torturing myself with a scent I can’t stand.
Too bad this Biotherm product didn’t work out for you as it sounds quite functional.
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:52 pmI think to anyone who likes floral type scents, they wouldn’t mind the scent in this one. I just found it too all-pervading for a skincare product. The thing about natural products is that if they don’t control the scent, the odds are that mixing a bunch of “natural” products together will result in a smelly concoction! This product isn’t bad, but no, the scent just wasn’t for me 🙁
Tracy says
June 19, 2015 at 12:00 amHahaha so funny! I know what you mean about scents being personal-I can’t stand a lot of the Pai products because I can’t stand the smells, but everyone else loves them. For me they’re too RIPE. 😛 I want to try this! But I think I’ll sniff it first so thanks for the heads up!
Paris B says
June 23, 2015 at 1:54 pmLOL on the contrary, I’ve enjoyed using most of the Pai products so far. That’s what makes scents and fragrances so personal right? I would suggest taking a smell first. A lot of people don’t even mention the scent so I’m thinking I’m just sensitive. Age and all that 😛
Francesca Ee Ai Lim says
November 10, 2015 at 9:09 amHave you used Estée Lauder Micro Essence before? I think the scent is much more better and it works well on sensitive skin.
Paris B says
November 10, 2015 at 4:25 pmYes I have, Francesca, I’ve talked about it here. I thought it was OK. Not crazy about it, but it most definitely smells a heck lot better than this Biotherm one!
Dot Bourne says
July 14, 2016 at 7:18 amI bought the Biotherm Plankton mask on a whim at the duty-free. I could not have read the ingredient list because of the tiny white writing on the pack. The perfume is over-the-top for me. And some of the other chemicals are questionable.
I somehow trusted Biotherm to be a bit more natural after buying a mask years ago in a pharmacy in Paris and the assistants assured me they couldn’t sell anything impure. It was the best clay mask I ever used then they changed the formula!
I can’t use this on my upper lip because of the smell. I won’t be buying it again.