At first I wasn't sure if this even did anyting for my skin but then I realized it really helped give my face extra hydration and kept my pores tight. So I don't think it is a crucial step but it is a nice one to have for dry yet breakout prone skin :)

This is the second Thayer's witch hazel variety I have tried (the first was the peach). I love this one even more and will definitely continue to purchase - although I do intend to try out the medicated superhazel next.

Pros:
Alcohol free - I have finished a bottle, using twice or more daily and experienced no dryness.
Effectively takes of my makeup. Though I don't think it would remove waterproof or particularly stubborn eye makeup.
No scent!
Like any witch hazel product, this helps immensely in keeping my skin clear and soothing it when it's red and irritated.

Cons:
Something about this alcohol-free formula causes this product no to go as far as other Thayer's products. It works great, but I feel like I have to apply A LOT more to my cotton ball to get it onto my face.
Also, it's a very simple product. While that is one thing that I love about it, it also means that I could mix aloe and undistilled witch hazel to make it myself quite easily and inexpensively.

I use the unscented version a couple times a week. It is very nice, not harsh at all, cleansing yet moisturizing. A little does go a long way, so even though it's pricier than most witch hazel brands, it's very long lasting. I even mix it with some bentonite clay powder and do a nice facial a couple times a month. Best thing, NO ALCOHOL. It's really hard to find a toner w/ out either isopropyl or denatured alcohol, which is drying and irritating to skin.

Very good basic toner. No harsh ingredients. I use the fragrance-free version. Love it! Rose petal one smells too strong. I love that this toner gets rid of flakey skin without being harsh. Aloe in this moisturizes my skin a little and preps my skin for retin-a.

It didn't do too much for my acne, but it kept my skin somewhat moisturized without it being too oily.

I have oily, very acneic skin. Natural cleansers of all kinds - creamy or gel - just kept leaving my skin feeling irritated and parched. So I decided I'd just cleanse my skin with witch hazel. Thayers was the only one I could find that was alcohol-free. I use the one with lavender since I love all things with lavender in it. I use cleanse my face with three cotton rounds drenched in this stuff. It removes most of the dirt. The aloe and vitamin E are soothing. But there's too much glycerin in this and it makes my skin feel sticky and that annoys me.


ETA (11/27/2009): I stopped using this on my face and now I use it on my scalp to get rid of build up. Very gentle and works like a charm.

I am currently using Retin-A and salicylic acid cleanser. These two products definitely makes my skin irritated. This toner is almost a god-send. I use this twice a day after cleansing, with a cotton pad, followed with hydrating serum and moisturizer. Is it a miracle product that will smooth away wrinkles and cure acne overnight? No. However, it really helps calm my skin from the dryness and purging of acne while I'm going through such an intense regimen, without worrying about pores getting clogged up. The ingredient list is simple, with great ingredients like aloe, grapefruit seed extract and vitamin E that can benefit skin in the long run. And of course, the witch hazel. I believe this is the best drugstore toner out there.

This is a great alcohol free toner and the scent is nice and light. It seems to control my acne and it's moisturizing without being greasy.

great stuff to use to remove make up and use before your toner. its cheap, efficient, doesnt break out my sensitive acne prone skin.

Ladies, keep this in the fridge, your pores will love you!
Edit: left my skin feeling like it had a film on it....broke out and switched to Dickinsons witch hazel, what a difference. My skin felt much cleaner and refreshed.