In this article, I will be reviewing four skincare products from the KBeauty brand Tocobo. I have hypersensitive combination oily acne prone skin and I have used these Tocobo products for about 6 weeks.
*ADVERTORIAL
The four products from Tocobo are
Tocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing Foam: RRP $20 for 150ml
Tocobo AHA BHA Lemon Toner: RRP $25 for 150ml
Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence: RRP$30 for 50ml
Tocobo Multi Ceramide Cream: RRP $35 for 50ml
These are available for purchase in Australia from Dermavault. (All prices quoted above are from Dermavault - click here for link )
As you can see, the prices are extremely reasonable for the amount of product you are getting.
All Tocobo skincare products are vegan, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol and silicones.
For the purposes of this review, I used these products over a period of 6 weeks plus.
Review of Tocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing Foam
The Tocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing Foam really piqued my interest. It is a clay based cleanser (good for deep cleansing) that uses coconut as a surfactant. I really liked the idea of coconut as a skincare ingredient as coconuts are packed with minerals and vitamins. It uses pink clay and bentonite clay to help clear out the skin of impurities and oil.
It is like no other clay cleanser I have ever used. Usually I find clay cleansers give me that "tight and dry" feeling after I use them, but this left me with a well balanced feel. I think it is because of the coconut.
The texture is quite different to other clay cleansers. It is a bit more like a creamy consistency. It also does smell strongly of coconut water/milk. The scent does disappear fairly quickly after cleansing. It lightly foams up, so don't expect that "puffed up bubble" texture. It feels pleasant on the skin and my skin does look more refreshed and brighter after using it. I would say that it is a very gentle cleanser.
It does help remove makeup but for the stubbornest long wear waterproof makeup, you will need to use a second cleanse.
I would recommend this to those with combination skin who like clay cleansers as this leaves skin feeling clean and hydrated as well - no tight feeling that you might get with other clay cleansers on the market.
The Actives:
Glycerin and Butylene Glycol - hydration
Saponaria extract - which has been used as an alternative medicine for Centuries. A decoction of the herb is known to have been applied externally to treat itchy skin. This also helps to help soothe and protect the skin from dryness
Pink clay - known for helping to absorb excess oil
Bentonite clay - prized for its clearing and anti-inflammatory properties
Full Ingredients List:
Purified water, glycerin, hydrogenated palm acid (25%), potassium hydroxide, potassium cocoate (2.9%), calamine (1,000 ppm), soapy grass extract (100 ppm), bentonite (9,000 ppm), glyceryl stearate Late, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Acrylate/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Phytate, EDITA, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, Red No.504 (CI14700)
Vegan, Cruelty-Free, No Paraben, Sulfate, Alcohol and Silicone
The Tocobo Coconut Cleansing Foam has a creamy light texture.
When I use the Tocobo Coconut Clay Cleansing Foam, I usually use quite a generous amount (about 1 teaspoon). I like to leave it on for a while as a "clay mask" and then I will rinse it off.
Review of Tocobo AHA BHA Lemon Toner
Of all of the Tocobo products, I was most excited about the Tocobo AHA BHA Lemon Toner. I love lemon as a skincare ingredient and who can pass on the cute packaging?
I'm also a huge fan of AHA and BHA products as I do have quite bad acne scarring around my jawline.
It does have a fresh lemon fragrance that is refreshing. The texture of this toner is a little bit thicker than most toners. There is a very slight viscosity to it.
I applied this every day in the morning and night for a week and I had a reaction to it as it was too strong! This is super effective and I recommend you only use it two to three times a week (start with once a week). I have hypersensitive skin and usually if a product is too strong, I feel a tingle, but with the Tocobo AHA BHA Lemon Toner, I didn't feel any tingle. So I thought it would be gentle enough to use AM/PM everyday. My skin did start to peel and have painful patches after 6-7 days of using it everyday AM/PM (mind you, it did clear up my acne quickly) so I had to stop using it so regularly.
So it is "deceptively" powerful! For hypersensitive skin like mine, I recommend using it only 1-2 times a week. Also don't forget to use a sunscreen while using this.
If your skin is strong enough and you have acne scars/blemishes/dark spots you want to get rid of quickly, then use this everyday AM/PM. It is very effective.
The Actives:
Salicylic Acid - often used for acne treatment
Rosemary Leaf Oil - known for its deep cleansing properties, it also stimulates healing. Another good thing is that is known for detoxifying. It helps trigger circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helps in expelling toxins from the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate - provides some hydration
Glycolic Acid - one of my fave acids, this helps deep exfoliation
Panthenol & Allantoin - these two are known for their soothing and calming properties
Full Ingredients List:
Purified Water, Lemon Extract, Glycolic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Denatured Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Sphingomonas Fermentation Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, White Rice Flower Extract, Orange Peel Oil ,Lime Oil, Orange Flower Oil, Mandarin Peel Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Clario Oil, Hollyhock Extract, Bergamot Fruit Oil, C12-14 Pareth-12,1,2-Hexanediol, Octyldodeses-16, Beta Phosphorus, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Pentylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Citral
Vegan, Cruelty-Free, No Paraben, Sulfate, Alcohol and Silicone
It has a slightly viscose texture. I apply it with my hands using a few drops or I might use a cotton pad if I want more of a cleansing effect,
This Tocobo AHA BHA Lemon Toner is a powerhouse of good acids! Really effective and I saw results quickly.
Here, I am applying it on my dark spots. If you prefer to apply it with your hands instead of a cotton pad, you just need to gently pat on the product.
Yes, I am in love with this cute packaging. I LOVE the cute little lemon on top.
Review of Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence
Biome skincare products have become very popular since 2021. I've been trying so many biome products. So I knew I had to try the Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence.
This is a very light water based essence. There is a bit of a scent to it - smells fresh and when applied my skin does feel like there is something slightly tacky on it. It takes a little while to absorb. Once absorbed, my skin feels like there is a protective film on top of it and a little bit of tightness. i use about 1-2 pumps (that is 1 pump too many already!).
Your skin's microbiome is an ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses on the skin's surface. It works to guard you against pathogens that could affect your skin and overall health. When your skin's microbiome is balanced, your skin looks and feels healthy. The probiotic strains of Bifida and Lactococuss included in this Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence helps to balance out your skin's microbiome. Studies have shown that they are effective against acne.
There are many ways of improving your skin's microbiome and that starts with having a healthy gut. Topical treatments like the Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence also help to speed up the process.
This Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence definitely did help with my acne and acne scarring. This is a gentle treatment essence as it was ok to use everyday. Sometimes, I would use it as a spot treatment.
it is meant to have anti-aging properties too.
The Actives:
Niacinamide - well known for brightening and getting rid of blemishes
Adenosine - studies suggest that adenosine can soothe skin and support wound healing and the natural functioning of the skin. Some studies have shown that it also has anti-aging properties
Glycerin and Butylene Glycol - both known for helping to hydrate the skin
Bifida Ferment Lysate probiotic-derived ingredient - this helps the skin's microbiome
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate and Lactobacillus Ferment - these probiotic strains also help balance the skin's microbiome. They are also known for anti-aging properties.
Full Ingredients List:
Bifida Ferment Lysate, Water, Butylene Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sucrose, Carbomer, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Cellulose Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Tromethamine, Fructose, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance(Parfum), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol
Vegan, Cruelty-Free, No Paraben, Sulfate, Alcohol and Silicone
The Tocobo Bifida Biome Essence has a light weight viscose water gel. There is a faint scent which smells a bit sweet and very fresh.