Let me start this review on Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel with what impressed me the most: the super simple & focused ingredient list that I look for in any hydrating product.
This gel is another star in the Benton line. Like the toner I reviewed (Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner) before, this little green wonder is comprised mostly of aloe leaf juice which has solid proven skin benefits.
The Benton brand is one of the first Korean skincare brands I had ever used in a regime.

Brand claims

This gel moisturizer is made with over 80% Aloe and propolis that help soothe irritated skin, fade acne scars, brighten skin tone, and even maintain hydration throughout the day. It is also made with naturally derived ingredients.

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel Ingredients

Key ingredients

Aloe Vera

Aloe has an astonishing amount of uses. The skincare industry loves aloe because it contains a number of beneficial vitamins (A, C, E) and antioxidants. It’s also over 99% water*, which is great for moisturizing and hydrating damaged skin. Did I mention that it also boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties?

Another thing that really stands out to me is that water is not the first ingredient on the list. Go grab your nearest moisturizer or product and read the list of ingredients, go on now, go ahead, I’ll wait. Ok, are you back? Look at that bastard. What’s the first ingredient? It’s Eau, isn’t it? If it’s not Eau then it’s Aqua, and if it’s not Aqua they went the plain route and just said Water. Eau, Aqua, Water, same difference and that’s the #1 most prominent ingredient. The Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel uses mostly aloe leaf juice! So it’s just that much more moisturizing and high quality.

Propolis extract

If you’re not familiar with it you might be wondering what the heck propolis extract is. If you’re an idiot like me you heard the word propolis and wondered if they had distilled the essence of some ancient Greek amphitheater but no, propolis is actually a product that bees produce. Propolis is the stuff that keeps the hive from rotting and keeps the germs at bay. It has antibacterial properties and has been used in natural medicines and biomedical research for its attributes as an antioxidant, an emollient, and an antimicrobial.
So propolis is actually pretty rad stuff and you want it on your face.

Contains Soothing & anti-inflammatory ingredients

These ingredients are rich in antioxidants & having wound healing abilities like aloe extract, green tea extract, propolis extract, Portulaca extract, aloe leaf juice powder, cucumber extract, etc.

Contains anti-bacterial ingredients

You will be glad to know that some famous K-beauty plant extracts in the gel like Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract & Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract have anti-microbial properties to kill bacteria on irritated skin

Rich in Humectants, amino acids, and emollients

Apart from having soothing & anti-bacterial components, the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel also contains humectants like glycerin, Butylene Glycol, etc, amino acids like arginine, betaine, etc, and emollients rich plant extracts. These added ingredients bring moisturizing factors to it as well.

What it doesn’t contain

I’d also like to point out that this Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel touts it’s “8 free system” as they put it, which means it’s free of 8 gnarly things you don’t want in your skincare which are parabens, mineral oil, essential oils, alcohol, benzophenone, chemical preservatives, steroids, artificial fragrance, and artificial coloring.

What type of skin is it for

I definitely agree with their claims that this product is for every single skin type. It holds benefits for everyone across the board and that’s pretty impressive. Sensitive skin will love this because of how soothing it is, oily skin will love how light it is, dry skin is going to love how moisturizing it is, and every skin is going to love how much it nourishes. This is a little skincare gigolo and it’s got thrills for everyone.

Packaging

The packaging is amazing because it comes in a squeezable opaque green color tube that has a flip-open cap. The tube has a nozzle opening out of which the required amount can be taken easily without overflowing, thus making it travel-friendly.

Fragrance

The fragrance is pretty much nonexistent and it only carries its natural aloe scent.

Texture

Now, I had someone bring to my attention that the other natural aloe products they’ve used in the past were too sticky and they wondered if this, and the aloe toner reviewed earlier, were sticky as well. I can tell you this product, as well as the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner, are absolutely not sticky at all. The texture is a light clear gel that glides onto your skin and absorbs pretty quickly upon application.

Effectiveness on skin

As far as its moisturizing benefits I would say that an oily skin type could probably get away with using this alone as their primary moisturizer. Personally, I use it in my regime along with the Benton steam cream (another upcoming review).

Performance with actives

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel works really well with any kind of actives like AHA/BHA/retinoids etc. I have used it as a base before applying actives on my skin which helped me minimize the purging. It just works like a hydrating serum to reduce itchiness & tingling caused by actives. I have used it as a buffering agent post applying AHA toner and it just soothed my sensitive skin.

Skin types & Weather

I adhere to a Korean skincare routine which I will write about in detail later but basically, the bones of it go like this: cleanser-toner-essence-gel-cream. If it’s summer and you’re oily you could forgo the cream. I myself have a normal to dry skin type and I’m in the midst of a harsh dry winter right now so I couldn’t get away with the gel only. I’m going to venture to say though in the summer months I probably could.

Results on acne marks & hyper-pigmentation

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel won’t work on existing dark spots and hyper-pigmentation but it definitely helps control them. It minimizes the chances of acne marks by providing the required nourishment to inflamed areas & acne spots.

How do I use Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel?

1. After cleansing and toning;
2. Take a pea-sized amount on your palm and spread it all over your skin, focusing on red and irritated areas. Pat it using your fingers instead of massaging it. Repeat if you need more hydration;
3. Follow up with any active-based serum (if you use it in your routine);
4. Seal it with a face oil or a moisturizer.

One suggestion though that I took from the beautiful Skin and Tonics blog is to squirt out your product and add a few drops of Argan, maracuja, or baobab oil to your gel for that extra oomph. I do that now, and I love the results.

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel PROs?

• Lightweight and extremely hydrating
• Soothe & Calm the inflamed skin
• Relieve itchiness on the skin
• Non – sticky & absorbs instantly
• Non- irritating for sensitive skins
• Soothes the acne wounds
• Works well in non – AC humid conditions
• It can be mixed with concentrated actives like AHA/BHA/retinoids
• Fungal acne safe
• Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and Essential oil-free
• Water-based oil-free formula
• Balance oil production on oily skin
• Pocket Friendly

Cons

• Less moisturizing, so you will be needing a moisturizer or oil to seal the hydration into the skin.

If you want to show some love to your skin and be extra gentle, maybe try the soothing Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner.

Ultimately, hydration is the key to healthy and soft skin. Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel works like a serum in providing sufficient hydration without any stickiness. It is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. it repairs the damage caused by UV rays by providing instant relief to stressed skin. I would highly recommend it to every skin type but especially to oily skin beauties because it’s an oil-free water-based light formula to keep your skin relaxed while providing balanced moisture.

So the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel would be an excellent asset to your skincare team, and with the impressive resume it has behind it you should be hiring.
The Benton gel gets a full five out of five. Another great job, Benton!

Available on Amazon*.
Overall: 5*