Benton just dropped a new version of their Snail Bee High Content Essence — and the internet is fighting for its life in the comments.
The original was that sticky, soothing, post-acne miracle in a bottle. This one swaps the old preservative system for something “cleaner.” But clean doesn’t always mean better — and my skin had opinions.
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It’s still a hydrating, calming essence with snail secretion filtrate and bee venom. Still $28 for 100ml. Still claims to soothe redness and fade marks. But the texture? Different. The vibe? Different.
New Preservative Blend
No more phenoxyethanol — they went with sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. Less irritating for some, but also less shelf-stable.
Thinner Consistency
The original was almost gel-like. This one runs. Drips off your finger if you’re not ready.
Slightly More Alcohol
Not enough to sting, but enough that my post-retinol skin noticed on day one.
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The hero lineup mostly stayed intact — snail mucin and bee venom are still front and center. But they swapped out some extracts and bumped up the niacinamide. That’s smart for brightening. Less smart for anyone who liked the original’s ultra-gentle feel.
- Snail Secretion Filtrate: Still the star — soothes, hydrates, repairs
- Bee Venom: Still here — calms breakouts without drying
- Niacinamide: Higher up now — helps fade marks faster
- Salix Alba Bark Extract: New addition — gentle exfoliation, but can tingle
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First pump: watery. Almost like a toner. Absorbs in about 8 seconds — no residue, no tackiness. My dehydrated combo skin drank it, but my dry patches? They wanted more.
Two weeks in: the redness around my nose is noticeably calmer. But I also got two tiny closed comedones on my jaw — something the original never did. Not a dealbreaker, but worth watching.
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PIE marks from a breakout in week one faded faster than usual — thank you, niacinamide. My texture is smoother. But the hydration doesn’t last as long as the old formula. I need a cream on top now, which I didn’t before.
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It’s not the same essence. If you’re loyal to the original, you’ll notice. But if you’re new? This is still a solid, affordable option for calming irritated skin — just don’t expect the old magic.