Author:

***This review is not sponsored. Everything written is our own opinions, and if you are to use this product remember YMMV.

Product:

When we were first introduced to K-Beauty and trying to figure out our very first 10-step routines, the first essence that we both tried was the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence. After researching the best products for beginners, we both discovered the Benton brand and how highly praised their skincare line was in the online Asian Beauty community. The Benton line was extremely affordable and had mainly positive reviews online, excluding the past issue with their products not having an adequate preservative system (read more about that issue here). So, we both thought it was a pretty safe bet and added it to the cart of our very first Memebox purchases. Now that we are a bit more experienced with K-Beauty and have tried some other products, we thought we would look back on this first essence purchase of ours and see if it was a good choice.

The Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence claims to be suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and troubled types. By using snail secretion filtrate instead of water, bee venom and other natural ingredients, this essence is supposed to be safer and healthier for skin. It is also supposed to help improve rough and damaged skin, moisturize, lift skin, and help brighten your skin’s appearance. Do we think the essence lives up to all of these claims? Not exactly.

Ingredients:

Ingredients & Drug Facts in translated to English Original Korean Ingredients & Drug Facts Additional information

(Click on pictures to zoom in and read captions)

Here are the magical ingredients:

Snail Secretion Filtrate-is a HG of skincare; not only is it a moisturizer, it also smooths skin tone, and helps with cell regeneration (anti-aging).

Glycerin-is a moisturizer that has skin repairing ingredients.

Aloe-is a moisturizer that helps reduce inflammation and irritation; it works well for all skin types.

Arbutin-is a whitening agent that inhibits the production of melanin; the polymer that creates dark pigments in the skin.

Bee Venom-is an astringent that helps with skin regeneration and plumps the face.

Here are the cursed ingredients:

Butylene Glycol-is a potential acne trigger of 1 on CosDNA.

For the full list of ingredients and analysis, click this link.

How to use:

When first dispensed, it comes out like a light gel. When slightly rubbed in, it still feels a bit gel like. When more fully rubbed in, it becomes almost watery. When fully rubbed in and absorbed, it leaves a slightly sticky residue that goes away quickly.

(Click on pictures to zoom in and read captions)

What Benton says to do:

**Taken directly from box

After washing the face, dispense an appropriate amount into your palm, and evenly apply to the entire face.

What we do:

After double cleanse, toning, and actives, dispense 1 to 2 pumps onto hand.

Apply by gently spreading it all over your face.

Pat skin for better absorption.

Also apply to neck and chest if desired.

How it worked for us:

After testing the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence over the past couple months, we overall unimpressed. Due to our K-Beauty routines our skin has obviously shown improvement, but is any of that the work of this essence? We think not. We find that when it comes to our routines, this essence just fades into the background, while all the other products show real promise and some kind of result. If one thing can be said about this essence, it’s that it’s very hydrating and didn’t cause any irritation. So if you have sensitive skin and are in need of a safe essence that won’t irritate, or need a little extra hydration, this might be the essence for you. However after all the hype online, we have to say this essence is a bit of a let down. While we didn’t have any adverse reactions from it, we also didn’t have any major positive results either. That being said, we won’t be putting this product back in our check out carts anytime soon.

Pros:

Can be a nice hydrating step

Safe for sensitive skin

Didn’t cause breakouts

Affordable

Travel-friendly, hygenic packaging

No scent

Cons:

We didn’t really experience any of the results that it promised: Didn’t help with brightening Didn’t help with “lifting skin” Didn’t help smooth skin

Slow at being absorbed into skin

Left a bit of a sticky feeling

All around no noticeable results

Final Rating:

Rating Scale

1-Bad, had a reaction, would not buy again

2-Did not work

3-Worked, but nothing special

4-Great product, but has the potential to be replaced

5-Holy Grail, it’s the cat’s meow!

This product may be a nice essence for beginners, but when looking for more of a result, this essence is not the way to go. We were disappointed we didn’t see any truly noticeable results, so won’t be repurchasing this anytime soon.

Where you can purchase it:

Memebox for $11.00

Wishtrend for $15.99

Jolse for $15.78

RoseRoseShop for $9.38

Amazon for $15.11 (available with prime if you have it)

**Be sure to check out our coupon code page for discounts on some of the sites listed above!