Syrene Travel Companion Set

Where I got it

I picked this up ages ago from one of those Chinese souvenir shops (IYKYK) for around $90? I really don’t remember. I got attracted to the brand from their new posters that was plastered all over the storefronts. They gave me heaps of hydration vibes, ocean vibes and immediately I can sense association with marine-ingredients. Syrene is a New Zealand brand and is not currently available in Mecca Maxima and this set is RRP$129.99 on Mecca and on their own website.

From the Syrene website: Established in 2016 and proudly made in New Zealand, Syrene has been led by a team of women who understand skincare. Our products are set out to use ingredients found both in the sea and in nature, known for their properties of gentleness and restorative care. Syrene has been developed with the modern woman in mind, who live a busy life, like us, who need reminders to find moments to relax, be mindful and look after her skin using effective, quality products.

What I got

This is the Syrene Travel Companion Set. Essential as a carry-on component, or perfect for your next getaway, this kit offers a complete skincare regimen containing mini size versions of the Aqua Oil to Foam Cleanser, Aquagel Refreshing Toner, Aqualight Moisture Gel Lotion, Aqua Intense Cream, Aqua Restore Eye Essence and Aqua Hydrating Masque (4 packets). Parabens, sulphates and gluten. Syrene are conscious about sustainability, therefore they’ve started using Ocean Waste Plastic in their packaging—they use plastics that have been collected from the oceans and recycled into new packaging.

How I find it

Aqua Oil to Foam Cleanser (30ml). An oil cleanser that removes makeup for a refreshed feeling. The oil formula transforms into a gentle foam when activated with water, clearing clogged pores without stripping skin’s moisture. It gently cleanses, protects and hydrates your skin, leaving it soft with a natural glow.

Ingredients: Glycerin, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Water (Aqua, Eau), Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Quaternium-75, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Durvillaea Potatorum Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Linalool, Limonene

This is an oil-based cleanser that has a lot of glycerin and coconut-derived surfectant (Cocamidopropyl Betaine). I am quite surpised at how much fragrance this has to be on the 5th item on the list. It does have a scent, smells sort of herbal and spa-like, but it is not strong. A cleanser will probably stay on your skin for about a minute or so, therefore it shouldn’t be a big problem. My skin has no sensitivity issues with this cleanser at all and it does emulsify and rinses off cleanly. One thing I would like to point out is that this oil has a very slight warming sensation when you apply it on the skin.

Aquagel Refreshing Toner (30ml). A unique hydrating gel toner that cleanses deep into the pores, removing excess residue and improving your skin’s tone and texture, leaving it soothed, rejuvenated and balanced. Used regularly, it will enhance moisture content for a soft, firm complexion.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance (Parfum), Galactoarabinan, Triethanolamine, Soluble Collagen, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Honey (Mel, Miel), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sea Salt (Maris Sal, Sel Marin), Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090).

This toner is actually designed to be used with a cotton round or your reuseable pads. I like to pat this onto my skin with my palms because my skin is usually really clean after my double cleansing, so I don’t really need to use this for further cleansing. Instead, I love this runny gel-like toner for it’s hydrating and refreshing properties. It does have a hint of licorice scent to it in my opinion, but that is really light. It doesn’t leave my skin feel tacky or slippery, but it keeps my skin moist for about a minute while I apply my next skincare step.

Aqualight Moisture Gel Lotion (30ml). A lightweight, silky lotion that glides over your skin and absorbs instantly, supporting hydration and balance. It helps protect your skin from environmental factors throughout the day, while helping unlock a youthful, supple radiance.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Galactoarabinan, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Honey (Mel, Miel), Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Fragrance (Parfum), Carbomer, Xylitol, Soluble Collagen, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethanolamine, Metrosideros Excelsa Flower/Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090)

This moisture gel lotion is really lightweight and it has a fresh feeling on the skin. This is what I would go for in the morning, but if you have dry skin, this is probably just a lightweight hydrating serum for you and you will either need to use the intense cream and/or something more emollient. My combination-oily skin loves this during the day and it is enough for me even in winter weather.

Aqua Intense Cream (15ml). A luxurious night cream that nourishes and provides long-lasting antioxidants, for a healthy skin barrier against environmental factors. It softens, moisturises and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while leaving you with a natural glow.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Propanediol, Jojoba Oil/Macadamia Seed Oil Esters, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Honey (Mel, Miel), Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Soluble Collagen, Macropiper Excelsum Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Sodium Phytate, Phytosterols, Tocopherol, Alcohol Denat., Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090)

As per the name of this cream, it is more intense. For my skin type, this is already a rich night cream level intense, but my sister who has dry skin, also tried this and was disappointed because she had to apply 2 layers of this cream to feel it is sealing in moisture. You can see that this cream is thicker and more opaque than the gel lotion and I like this use this at night or dry winter days. Even though it is more intense, the cream is not sticky on the skin and there is not thick residue on the skin.

Aqua Restore Eye Essence (3ml). An eye gel helping restore skin elasticity to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Only a droplet is needed to help firm, brighten and reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eye. The beautiful moisturising essence calms to combat puffiness, leaving eyes refreshed.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Dimethicone, Propanediol, Squalane, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Diheptyl Succinate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polysilicone-11, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xylitylglucoside, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Panthenol, Anhydroxylitol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sorbitol, Soluble Collagen, Xylitol, Fragrance (Parfum), Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Tocopherol, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sodium Phytate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pantolactone, Potassium Sorbate, Alcohol Denat., Citral, Limonene, Linalool

I am no a big advocate for using eye creams or not using eye creams. I believe that if your moisturiser is the correct consistency and if it is not too rich, you can apply it around your eye area. I just make sure it is not going to give me millia around the eye area and make sure I don’t need to use strong pressure to apply anything around my eyes. If I need to go away on holiday and this is the only cream I have on me, I will apply this all over my face no problem. I seldom spend heaps of money for eye cream or eye serums unless they are really interesting. Some eye products do have an illuminating quality to it or a tint, so those products I would strictly use on my eye area, but a hydrating product like this, I don’t think it is essential.

Aqua Hydrating Masque (4ml x 4). An overnight gel masque that restores critical moisture to a dry complexion. It melts into your skin while creating a deep reservoir of hydration, providing antioxidants to protect your skin from the environmental drivers of ageing and leaves skin dewy and plump.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Honey (Mel, Miel), Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum), Triethanolamine, Soluble Collagen, Cyathea Cumingii Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Blue 1 (CI 42090).

One packet of this hydrating mask was enough for approximately 3 uses and I use this over my serum, but I do know that people use overnight masks over their moisturiser, but that is just too much for my skin to handle. I think for my dry-skin sister, that she could apply this hydrating mask over her intense cream if she doesn’t find the cream rich enought for her. I apply about 50% more of the size shown in the picture above all over my face and it did take my skin a good 20 minutes to absorb and it does sit on the skin, creating a bit of a film on top. In the morning, I wash this off and I can still feel a little bit of slippery feeling, but it rinses off easily and my skin feels really plump and moisturised.

Overall

The only product they have in their range that is not in this travel set is their Aqua Power Sheet Mask and I don’t really mind because I prefer the overnight mask because I can just apply it as a wash-off mask and it is more eco-friendly (less waste). I really enjoy the lightweight feeling on most of the products on my skin, even the Intense Cream is not too rich which is great for my combination skin. If I do need more hydration and moisture, I just use the overnight mask as an intense treatment. All of their products contain fragrance, but not all of them are high up on the ingredients list, but if you do not want any fragrance in you skincare at all, these are not products you should go for.

If your skin is basically normal to combination and no particular skincare concerns, you should give these a go. The entire range focuses on hydration, so you will need to add in your own specific serums for things like brightening, exfoliating, fine lines and wrinkles, etc.  For me, I definitely want to alternate the range with some of my more active products like BHA, Vitamin C, Peptides, Retinols, etc.

I have a full skincare routine using Syrene products on my IG story under the Skincare highlight. Check it out and follow me there! 🙂