Known for its unique range of toner pads, Bellamonster rose to fame in the k-beauty world desiring only one thing: healthy life without skin worries. It aims to free people of “sensitive skin troubles†through formulas that utilize the power of natural ingredients to restore the skin’s natural strength. In particular, it seeks to provide a solution for irritation and inflammation, oil and moisture imbalance, and a damaged skin barrier.
The brand currently offers 5 variations of its famous solution pad, namely Sensitive Care, Stress Out, Blemish Out, Pore Closing, and Real Propolis. Each has been especially formulated to address specific skin concerns, but perhaps the most popular among them is the Stress Out Solution Pad made for irritated and acne-prone skin, which landed a spot in various skincare bestsellers. It is, as I believe, the product that put the brand’s name out there and onto consumers’ wish lists.
Instead of the usual twist cap design, Bellamonster opted for flip-top caps for all its solution pads. Not only is it more convenient, but in a way, it is more hygienic too as you no longer need to hold on to the entire tub — which might be filled with germs and tiny dust particles — when taking out a pad. There is also a dedicated space where you can write down the date you first opened the product. Once emptied, you can easily reuse or repurpose the container. I, myself, plan on painting over the labels and reusing the tub to store skincare samples or DIY toner pads!
Inside the tub, you will find 70 cotton pads measuring 7 centimeters in diameter. Like many toner pads today, they, too, come with an embossed side and a flat side. While you might expect the embossed surface to have a rougher texture, both felt equally soft against my skin, and I find that either does a great job of gently removing skin impurities. There is no one correct way to hold it, but to give you an idea, I place the pad over my ring and middle fingers and secure it with my pinky and pointer (refer to photos below). I did experience some redness, but that was mostly due to the rubbing motion itself.
Unfortunately for those with allergies and skin sensitivities, these pads from Bellamonster are neither fragrance-free nor essential oil-free. In fact, an unknown “fragrance†is explicitly written on the ingredients list. From the moment you open the lid, you will be greeted by the combined sweet herbal scent of the plant extracts infused in the essence. It is quite strong; however, it disperses fairly quickly as well.
The star ingredient in the Stress Out Solution Pad is carrot seed oil, a plant extract often used to soften and moisturize the skin. Rich in antioxidants, it also helps control sebum production, protect against external stressors, and diminish signs of aging. In addition, studies have found that carrot seed oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of certain skin problems. It’s actually unclear whether the brand uses the cold-pressed oil or the essential oil for its Stress Out line, so just to be safe, let’s assume it uses the latter. As such, despite its impressive reputation, those with reactive skin should still be wary as it can cause irritation.
Another key ingredient in the formula is centella asiatica, an herb well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Being listed first on the list, it is what I believe greatly boosted the product’s acne-fighting powers.
To enhance its exfoliating abilities, the essence also contains glycolic acid and lactic acid, which are two of the most well-known and most promising AHAs in skincare. Glycolic acid can be found naturally in sugarcane while lactic acid is derived from milk. The former is considered the more potent acid; however, both of them operate pretty much the same way — removing the dull, dry layer of skin cells atop to reveal the fresher, smoother cells underneath. Specifically, they work by breaking down the “glue†that binds dead skin cells to the surface of our skin. Like essential oils, such acids could also irritate the skin. Yet, the formula was gentle enough for me to use every other day. Moreover, AHAs have a tendency to increase UV sensitivity, so be sure to apply and reapply sunscreen in the daytime!
Each pad carries approximately a fourth teaspoon of the essence. Upon wiping it on my face, my skin feels instantly refreshed. It leaves the area feeling squeaky clean without the awkward tightness, and it did seem to have made it plumper and more moisturized.
Now, my skin is not too prone to acne, although I do still get them every so often, particularly on my cheeks and forehead and especially during “that time of the month.†In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been acne-free during my period. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised to see I did not experience any breakout during this month’s period. Despite giving in to my unhealthy food cravings — as in a pimple-inducing amount of salt and sugar: ice cream! chocolates! chips! — not a single acne developed. I guess we know now why these carrot pads are beloved by so many. Of course, it would not have been a bestseller if it wasn’t effective in the first place.
Final thoughts:
I was worried the frequent use of the toner pads would somewhat damage my skin or cause it to break out. I had an unpleasant experience with a physical exfoliant before and was afraid history might repeat itself. To my surprise, however, it did the opposite of my worries! Bellamonster was a brand I had never heard of until last year, when a skinfluencer I followed mentioned it in one of their videos. I probably won’t use it as often as I did for this review, but I would grab a Stress Out Solution Pad to soothe my skin when it’s breaking out.
**Everyone’s skin is different. What works/doesn’t work for me may not/may work for you. Remember to check the ingredients list and do a patch test before using any new skincare product.
DIRECTIONS / HOW TO USE THE BELLAMONSTER STRESS OUT SOLUTION PAD (according to the label):
After cleansing, gently wipe the skin avoiding eye area with the embossed side. Remove excess dirt with smooth side. Pat the toner in for better absorption. To prevent evaporation, always close cap tightly after each use.
HOW I USED IT:
I used the pads every other day as part of my evening skincare routine.
After cleansing, I would use the embossed side of the pad to gently wipe my face from the center outward, avoiding the eye and lip area. I would then repeat this step using the flat side before going over the other areas: 1) under the chin, 2) down the neck and around the ears, and 3) across the chest. After which, I would leave it to air dry for about 3 minutes before proceeding with the rest of my routine — toner, serum, moisturizer (sometimes).
HIGHLIGHTS:
Centella Asiatica Extract: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, moisturizing
Butylene Glycol: emollient, moisturizing
Glycolic Acid: exfoliant
Panthenol: anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, skin barrier repair
Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil: emollient, antifungal, antioxidant
Allantoin: anti-inflammatory, emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Water: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial
Lactic Acid: exfoliant, moisturizing
Main reference (ingredient functions): INCI Decoder (https://incidecoder.com/)
FULL INGREDIENTS LIST (from the product label): Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Glycolic Acid, Panthenol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Allantoin, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Fragrance, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Dextrin, Cyanocobalamin
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