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Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
Benton,  first cleanse

Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water

the claim

The Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water is naturally-derived and said to give a refreshing and calming effect on tired skin while mildly cleansing. The product revitalizes irritated, stressed-out skin with redness and helps to ease acne.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
 

the science

Tee Tree Oil  is an essential oil with a fresh camphor scent derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, native to Australia. Aborigines have been using its healing qualities for thousands of years. Tea Tree Oil is made up of around 100 substances, including terpenes which are responsible for the ingredient’s reputation as a remedy. Tea Tree Water is basically Tea Tree Oil dispersed in water, whereas Tea Tree Oil  is the product distilled from the leaves. This product incorporates these two ingredients at a combined concentration of 70%.

Due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antifungal properties, Tea Tree Oil has been typically used in low concentrations to treat conditions such as acne and skin infections. A study from the University of Minnesota found Tea Tree Oil to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide at treating acne but without the negative side effects of redness and peeling. Its ability to remove excess oils from skin by pushing out stale sebum deep within pores prevents blackheads and acne forming. Furthermore, natural astringent properties are also said to diminish the appearance of large pores.

As Tea Tree Oil contains volatile linalool, limonene and eucalyptol which can be sensitizing, it should only ever be applied in a diluted form to skin, as presented in this instance by Benton.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
 
Butylene Glycol  improves the effectiveness of other skincare products. It increases the penetration of ingredients with higher molecular weights to ensure their maximum benefit is achieved. It also displays humectant properties, drawing moisture to the skin from the atmosphere to boost hydration. The same properties make Glycerine a popular inclusion in cosmetic products. It deeply hydrates the outer layer of the skin by drawing moisture in while simultaneously reducing its evaporation rate on the surface.

Rounding off the ingredient list are Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate and Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate which are cleansing agents; Sodium Chloride also known as regular table salt, added for its preservative function and Dipropylene Glycol a solvent.
 

the ingredients

Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water, Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerine, 1,2-Hexanedoil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Chloride
 

the packaging

The Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water is packaged in a plastic bottle with controlled flip top cap dispenser.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water Dispenser Detail
 

the analysis

The analysis proves extremely clean, both the CosDNA and EWG reports, awarding this product a green flag, confirming a gentle formulation. This is to be expected with such a short ingredient list free from PEGs, sulfates, artificial colorants and fragrance.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water CosDNA Analysis
 

the application

The Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water can be used as a makeup remover or morning cleanser. Wet a cotton pad with the product and gently wipe over the entire face. Place the wet cotton pad for a while on parts that need thorough cleansing and then gently wipe. (Using an eye makeup remover is recommended to erase eye makeup).
 

the scent

As the name suggests, the Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water has a distinct camphorous tea tree oil scent.
 

the cost

The price of the 200ml bottle is around USD$18.00.
 

the availability

The Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water is available at Korean skincare online retail stores such as Style Korean and Yes Style.
 

the expiry

The product has a two year shelf life and must be used within 6 months of opening.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
 

the performance

I was surprised to read that the company name Benton is inspired by the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, reflecting the brand’s philosophy to restore skin back to its original, healthy condition without resorting to using harmful ingredients. The Benton Tea Tree Oil Cleansing Water is a classic example of such skincare.

It comes in a clear plastic bottle with simple label, giving it a clean appearance and minimalist style. It’s a good weight and easy to handle. The flip top cap makes controlled dispensing simple, even with one hand operation. Upon opening, the natural smell of tea tree is obvious but not overpowering. The liquid looks like regular water although shaking the bottle activates the cleansing agents and it foams.

In trialing this product, I used it as I would a micellar water, to remove makeup and sunscreen as well as general impurities built up throughout the day. The instructions clearly advise against applying it around the eyes as even in the diluted form essential oils are known irritants, particularly problematic around the more delicate eye area. Although the concentration of tea tree oil in this formulation is suitably low and hence the potential for reaction similarly unlikely, should tea tree oil come into contact with eyes, it may result in redness, surface irritation and discomfort. Given that, I think Benton is taking a responsible stance and erring on the side of caution with this warning.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water Before And After
I applied this by wetting a cotton pad and swiping it across my face, of course avoiding the eye area. Light makeup and sunscreen can be erased using 1-2 lightly soaked cotton rounds, heavier makeup with 3-4. Skin contact made no impact in terms of sensitivities or stinging. It feels very gentle and the medicinal scent is reassuring in this way.

I was instantly impressed with how well this water removed my surface makeup. There was no need to rub or apply firm pressure. It simply lifted. Even long stay lipsticks disappeared without too much effort. Having said that, eye makeup is always the hardest to remove efficiently and this had to be achieved with an alternative product which adds a step to the routine. The above image shows swatches of lipsticks including long stay varieties, brow pencils and eyeliners including water proof, liquid and pencil types. The centre image shows the results after a single swipe, the last indicating a full cleanse was achieved after less than 10 seconds of light massage. Although not recommended for eye makeup, the image shows that it is effective at its removal regardless.

The cleanse leaves my skin feeling refreshed. I think the scent contributes to this sensation as it is an integral part of the experience. Camphorous fragrance always triggers refreshing and medicinal reflections, at least for me personally.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water pH Measure
As a morning cleanser, it performs equally well. Oils and general impurities that may build up on the skin overnight are easily, gently and effectively removed without the skin feeling stripped or dry, an observation supported by an ideal, slightly acidic pH. Benton claims a measure of 6, my test confirming around 5.5. The absence of lab conditions would account for the variation.

However, what I didn’t like, was the residue left behind. It feels much like the aftermath of using a micellar water. As such, when I used it as an AM cleanser to freshen and neutralise oils, I followed up with a light rinse of water to eliminate that after feel. In my PM routine, that sensation was eliminated by a second water based product as part of my double cleanse.

One of the main reasons tea tree oil is introduced for cleansing is its ability to control acne. Fortunately, I don’t suffer pimples any more, however I am prone to blackheads caused by my normal-to-combination skin. I was interested to see how far this product could go towards controlling such bumps. Observations indicated an improvement in oil control which in theory should improve my situation over the longer term. However, after completing the bottle, I didn’t actually notice any change in the number or size of blackheads. I think this would be more effective against regular pimples that form due to a build up of bacteria.

Finally, the water is said to have calming properties that reduce redness. My chin is probably the most sensitive part of my face and will sometimes flare up in response to environmental factors, stress or topical reactions. None were observed during the trial so I cannot attest to how well the cleanser responded to redness on the face. And by the way, I’ve found this to be a a nice soother after waxing or shaving body hair too.
 
Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
 

the conclusion

The Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water effectively removes makeup, making it a good first step in a night time skincare routine. In doing so, the only disadvantage is that it doesn’t safely remove eye makeup since tea tree is an essential oil which can cause redness, surface irritation, inflammation or discomfort if it comes into contact with the eyes. Therefore, an additional step is required to achieve a full face cleanse.

If it’s more important to control acne than to have an all-in-one cleanser, then this overhead is probably worth it. If you don’t suffer breakouts, then you may find an oil cleanser that removes all makeup suits you better since it reduces the number of steps and products required to perform the evening routine. It’s a balancing act dependent on how you prioritise these functions.
 

the summary

Pros Cons
Safe, fragrance free formulation Only available online for Australian customers
Gentle enough to use twice daily Not suitable for eye makeup removal
Cleans without drying
Balances facial oils
Excellent alternative to micellar water
Soothes skin after hair removal
Ideal for oily, combination and acne prone skin

 

the references

Benton’s website and provided product information
Tea Tree Oil webMD
Tea Tree Oil Wikipedia
The Tea Tree Skin “Miracle” – The 7 Benefits of Tea Tree Oil Body Ecology
16 Beauty Benefits of Tea Tree Essential Oil for Skin, Hair & More Beauty Munsta
Tea Tree Oil Paula’s Choice Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary
Butylene Glycol The Dermatology Review
Dipropylene Glycol Truth In Aging
Can Tea Tree Oil Cause Blindness? Kate Beck
What is Glycerine and how effective is it in skincare Samantha Miller

 

the disclaimer

Please read in context with my disclaimer.
 
This product was provided to me free of charge by Benton for review. This post only includes my honest opinion and experience of this product and is in no way influenced by Benton or any of its representatives.
 


 

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