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Let’s talk about Korean beauty brand Tocobo!
Even if the name isn’t familiar, you’ve probably seen Tocobo products popping up here and there on social media. The packaging is pretty distinctive so they’re hard to miss!
I’d wanted to try their sunscreens for a while, so when StyleKorean reached out and sent me a handful of goodies from the brand, I couldn’t wait to give them a try.
Today I’ll be reviewing the Bio Watery Sun Cream, Cotton Soft Sun Stick and Collagen Brightening Eye Gel Cream. But, as always, if I try out any more Tocobo products I’ll be sure to add them onto the end of this post!
Who is Tocobo?
Founded in 2018, Tocobo is a Korean skincare brand that has gained a lot of traction in the last couple of years.
It’s actually quite difficult to find out any more info about the brand – I have to admit that the website is a little confusing!
But Tocobo is pretty clear on the fact that all their products are vegan and cruelty-free, which is always a good start!
Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream is the lightest sunscreen I’ve ever tried.
Given the name, I knew this was going to be watery, but I don’t think I appreciated quite how lightweight and milky it would be! If I didn’t know it was a sunscreen, from the texture alone I’d probably guess that it was an essence or serum of some sort.
This is a chemical formula that contains five UV filters: Uvinul T 150, Mexoryl SX, Uvinul A Plus, Polysilicone-15 and Tinosorb S.
It also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as niacinamide, skullcap root and adenosine, as well as hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Aside from the consistency, the main thing that stood out to me about this sunscreen when I first tried it was the scent. This smells extremely floral. Imagine you’ve just walked into a flower shop, that’s the only way I can describe it! There is added fragrance in here so that’s perhaps not surprising, but I do find it a little overpowering at times.
I do really love the texture though. Because it is so watery, it melts into the skin with ease. There’s no white cast and also no stickiness.
The finish is super pretty too. It’s dewy but not overly so. It gives a soft, glass-skin look which I think works whether you’re planning on wearing makeup over the top or not.
Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++
I’m not usually a sun stick person – I much prefer cream formulas. However, out of all the sun sticks I’ve tried, I’d say this one is my favourite.
I like that this has a matte finish without feeling overly waxy. As with most sun sticks, this contains silicones so it’s never going to fully absorb into the skin they same way a cream sunscreen does. But it’s definitely not as heavy as some other sun sticks I’ve tried.
This is a hybrid sunscreen, meaning it contains both chemical and mineral UV filters. On the chemical side we’ve got Octocrylene, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Uvinul A Plus and Tinosorb S, while Titanium Dioxide is the sole mineral filter.
There are quite a few soothing ingredients in here, like Turmeric Root Extract, Bisabolol and Sunflower Seed Oil. It also contains Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract which has acne-fighting properties.
Oh, and we can’t forget about the star ingredient, cotton, which is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, helping to calm the skin and reduce redness.
With its smooth, satiny finish, the Tocobo Sun Stick is ideal for oily skin types. I’d probably still use a cream sunscreen formula in the morning, just to ensure you’re getting the right level of coverage. But it’s perfect for top-ups throughout the day to keep the shine at bay.
The twist-up mechanism means you don’t even need to get your hands dirty! Just swipe it onto your face and you’re good to go.
If you find that the sun stick is too firm and it’s pulling at your skin, warm the product up on the back of your hand first, this usually does the trick!
Tocobo Collagen Brightening Eye Gel Cream
Tocobo’s Collagen Brightening Eye Gel Cream has a lightweight, jelly texture that feels super soothing on the eyes… especially if you’re perpetually tired like me!
It’s formulated with a bunch of skin-loving plant-based ingredients, like lavender flower water (which moisturises and quells irritation), neem extract (which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties), and turmeric root extract (which brightens and revitalises the skin).
It also contains niacinamide, collagen and retinol to keep the skin looking plump and hydrated, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Because of the inclusion of lavender water and lavender oil, this does have a slight floral scent. I’d keep this in mind if your skin is sensitive to fragrance but I can’t actually smell it when it’s on my face.
This Tocobo eye gel has little glitter specs dispersed throughout which adds to the brightening effect. You’ll be pleased to know though, that this doesn’t just look like you’ve got sparkly eyeshadow under your eyes. Once the product is rubbed in, the glitteriness is super subtle and I can only see it if I’m looking REALLY closely!
This blends nicely, although it does take a couple of minutes to dry down. I love how cooling it feels when I first apply it and the applicator is great – it makes it really easy to control how much product you’re dispensing.
As for results, I’m not sure I see any quite yet. I mostly use this during the day, as I prefer richer eye creams at night, and while it definitely makes me feel more awake in the morning, I don’t think it has contributed towards a reduction in my fine lines or dark circles. Maybe I should be using it day and night if I want noticeable changes!
Overall, I think the Tocobo Collagen Brightening Eye Gel Cream is a great option for people who don’t like the feel of thick under-eye creams. It’s watery and almost serum-like in consistency which I think a lot of people will enjoy!
Which Tocobo skincare products should I review next? Let me know in the comments!
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