Neostrata • Toning Solution (8%) • Toners

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nellja on 5/28/2013 11:50:00 PM more reviews by nellja

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Only one week in, will update, but but BUT, I *cannot* believe I've been walking past this for however long. I cannot believe my skin tone and texture has changed so much in such a short time. I've been getting compliments already; the changes are obvious.

Until last week I had: dull, tired-looking skin, poor tone, clogged & not-small looking pores. Am a rosacean with occasional hormonal inflammation.

Over the past month, I've been transitioning from products that didn't work so well anymore. Original routine:
- jojoba oil & Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser to wash pm; much less of the C&C am
-Tactuo (Epiduo) pm, every pm;
- Metrogel am
- various sunscreens, all problematic for one reason or another (irritation or inflammation; shine/tack)

About three weeks ago I started:
- weaning off the am Metrogel due to irritation, and replacing it with a 2% salicylic acid gel (C&C again, would prefer another but it was just there), and
- a tiny bead of BP* spread quite thinly over the face under SS (the thought was, the SA might make the skin absorb more of the SS; better to have the BP there as a barrier)
- Ombrelle's SPF 45 Ultra Light Face Cream, which seems to be protecting skin and also not making it freak out (at all! Thanks MA!)

So that was ok, I had no irritation or further inflammation, all good, but the dullness persisted.

1 week ago: started using this toner every other night, tag-teaming with the Tactuo/Epiduo. All of a sudden, my skin looks brighter, smoother and clearer than it has in years. Pores look tighter and cleaner, no inflammation, no irritation of the rosacea (so far!). I'd resigned myself to thinking I'd forever left this kind of skin in my twenties. And here it is, back!

I think I'll stick to using the Tactuo every 2-3 days to maintain what benefits it gives me, and use this most nights. Just amazing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* akneil on 5/17/2013 11:24:00 PM more reviews by akneil

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I have just started using this toner and so far so good. I was searching for a product with glycolic acid to help with my acne and acne scars. I read the great reviews on here and decided to try it. It is kind of pricy (30$ canadian) but I hear the bottle lasts a long time. I have already noticed that my skin is smoother and i believe it is helping my acne/scars so far. I'm anxious to see the long term results.
I will update after I have used it longer, but I like this product so far!

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hollywaldorf on 3/6/2013 11:08:00 PM more reviews by hollywaldorf

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Along with 50 mg of apo-minocycline, my doctor recommended the Neostrata Level One Toning Solution for me. My pharmacist instructed me to use it once a day, at night, after washing my face, and to leave it on overnight. It stings sometimes, but only a little bit (MUCH less than lemon, if you've ever used lemon as a toner for acne scars). This has improved my skin more than anything I've ever used. My acne has decreased, but I still get blemishes, especially right before my period. I also still have acne scars (red, flat ones, not holes) that are going away slowly.

I have a dermatologist appointment in a few weeks and I plan on asking her her advice. Love that Neostrata is Canadian!

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dahlia4 on 12/1/2012 12:12:00 PM more reviews by dahlia4

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I used this on my face for a year and had mixed results. I currently use it on my forehead, where it keeps the breakouts to a minimum, because it was pretty ineffectual on the rest of my face. It did, however, practically get rid of the acne on my chest and back! The packaging is simple and makes it easy to get every last drop out of the bottle. The biggest downside is the cost, but thankfully the bottle lasts for several months.

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darkmist on 11/16/2012 1:46:00 AM more reviews by darkmist

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am seriously in love with this product. My skin is so smooth now, my hyperpigmentation from old acne scars seem to be fading faster, and I seem to be getting less breakouts/breakouts are healing faster now (I usually break out on chin or have a few on cheekbones). The Level 1 toner was my first ever AHA product and I while I did see some results within 10 days, it's really a month or so in that i really start to see major impressive differences. The instructions tell you to ease into this product if it's your first time using AHAs - YOU REALLY SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS. You should first start off by using once a day or even once a day every other day if your skin is really sensitive. I ignored the instructions since I'm impatient and greedy for results and dove in with using the toner twice a day which resulted in a slight stinging/burning sensation on first few applications and some dry patches. These neg effects stopped after the first week-ish. I also did experience purging - my chin started breaking out more than usual but after two weeks, my skin is a lot clearer and smoother.



Packaging wise, it's very simple - a plain white plastic bottle. It's not the prettiest but I'm happy having a boring bottle for an overall lower price point. I don't like the small hole that the lid has as I feel like it's forcing me to squirt out more product than I actually need. I simply unscrew the whole cap and hold a cotton pad to the open mouth and tip over quickly to lightly dampen my cotton round and swipe away. A pump dispenser would've been nice but all in all, no big deal. I don't know how well this will help with teenage acne but if you are suffering from small but constant adult hormonal breakouts, I highly recommend you try out this product! It's totally improved my cranky skin :)


Note: If you live in BC Canada (or wherever they have London Drugs) you should buy the gift sets - you get a full sized toner and a full sized gel cleanser for only ~$27 (so the gel cleanser is free). These sets are available year round so take advantage of them!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

StilettoQueen7 on 6/9/2012 1:32:00 AM more reviews by StilettoQueen7

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

To start, I have oily/acne-prone skin. This product? Saved. My. Skin. Been struggling with acne for the last ten years, and of course over that time have accumulated multiple layers of scarring and red marks. This is keeping pimples at bay - I currently have zero on my face. Zero. All thats left is the red marks, and this is also just sloughing the rest of that away, slowly but surely. You have to give it time though, and use it on a consistent basis (I use it twice daily with the Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser for oily skin, Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture (day) and Neostrata Smoothing Lotion Level 3 (night) - ALL are gems). It does sting, more so if you use it less consistently, but it's not super painful or anything. You're skin does get used to it, but I do feel the sting most if I've scrubbed my face beforehand (with The Body Shop Facial Buffer, which I use 3x a week with my cleanser in the shower - another gem). Also, you will notice some purging if you're using it for the first time, but its just dinky half-assed zits, and as they appear they will go away within a day or so, no biggie. Again, give it time. Results are top notch, and if you pair it with other products that actually work, (see my other reviews) you should see a big difference within a month. I've been able to stop using full coverage foundation and globs of concealer all over my face. Now I use light to medium coverage depending on my day, and I only need concealer for under my eyes and a few dark marks along one side of my jaw. That's it! It's awesome! Definitely give this product a go if other supposed acne-fighting products just arent cutting it. I have repurchased multiple times, and have 3 in stock right now just so that I am never without it :).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

booyaga on 1/22/2012 2:29:00 PM more reviews by booyaga

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

UPDATE: I am almost at the end of the bottle and I am DEFINITELY getting another. Nothing has worked against my acne besides this. It does nothing for blackheads for me but thats fine because my skin hasnt looked this good in years!

I have been using this product for one week. I have had ance for around 6-7 years, and I'm only 17 years old. This toner makes my skin so smooth! I can't remember the last time it was like this. I've only gotten a few very small pimples using this, and right now my skin has none. I am hoping this keeps my acne away so that my scars have time to fade! I love this product a lot, my skin is finally improving.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lollipopgraceE on 9/27/2011 11:06:00 PM more reviews by lollipopgraceE

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I think I am seeing results already, and its only been about a week! :D a tiny bit of an initial breakout but they seem to be going away faster than usual? Btw my acne is moderate to moderately severe, as I usually have at least 2 cysts or "undertheskin cysts" on my face at all times, along with the usual pimples. My pimples seem to be going away faster than normal, will update if anything happens :) Plus this product seems to be giving me a nice glow.

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*TOP REVIEWER* laureg on 8/8/2011 12:11:00 PM more reviews by laureg

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I've been having some skin issues lately (more than usual, in the last year or so), and it just seems like nothing I do/use really gets my skin in shape the way I need it to. Since turning 30, my skin has been in the worst shape it's ever been. My skin was congested, pores clogged, etc. This stuff is amazing, and has contributed greatly to my skin clearing up! I use this as a toner every other day, as I find that it's too much every day. The acids are making my skin much smoother, and are clearing up many of my skin issues, plus preventing new ones. *****edit: consistent use of this stuff has pretty much cleared up my skin problems. I now use this almost every morning, and it exfoliates gently and daily so that my skin is better able to absorb other products. I'm now on my third bottle and love it! Also- soak a cotton pad with this and rub it on your heels for a few days in a row. You will be AMAZED at how fast this stuff will get your heels into shape.

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serendipity1988 on 7/16/2011 8:09:00 PM more reviews by serendipity1988

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

LOVE this stuff! I've used a toner once before and it severely dried out my skin. I used this for a week straight just once a day...and then I got burnt after being at a horse show all day so I stopped using it for a week and slathered on the moisturizers. The moisturizers made my skin break out slightly but for the last 2 weeks I have been back to using the toner once a day and I've noticed a huge difference!! Love this stuff beyond words.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* sfreeman87 on 4/8/2011 12:18:00 PM more reviews by sfreeman87

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I've bought several bottles of the Toning Solution 1, and I've found it to be more helpful to my skin than the Smoothing Lotions Neostrata sells.
It works very nicely to smooth skin, although is a little drying. I found it reduced the visibile pore size, and helped with acne.
If you want to find an easy way to incorporate AHAs into your skin-care, this is a good choice. Like most AHAs this product isn't exactly soothing, but that is to be somewhat expected.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

karmacat on 2/6/2011 12:36:00 PM more reviews by karmacat

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This product is fabulous. I have acne-prone, VERY sensitive skin, and this cleared up outbreaks and diminished old, stubborn scars without irritating my skin or drying it out. It is a bit pricey at around $30, but a bottle of this has lasted me over 6 months with daily use.

I apply it in the evening, and when I wake up in the morning, s my skin is brighter, smoother....just better!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Tina68 on 1/23/2011 4:44:00 PM more reviews by Tina68

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I am disturbed by the amount of makeup and dirt this product picks up from my face after cleansing. Here I'm thinking I've been doing a pretty good job washing and cleaning my face and one swipe of this stuff and I can see it isn't the case at all. I use it once in the morning and again at night. I love it and my skin loves it. It has a pretty steep price tag, but I don't care. I will pay for stuff that actually works. Will never be without it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

eiliec on 1/14/2011 7:03:00 PM more reviews by eiliec

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have one of the worse type of skin there is, combination with super sensitive skin. I've tried many types of products during my teens and early 20s but nothing has really helped with my acne prone skin. Tho it was never super serious, *many bumps and occassional bigger problems* I've never really had clear skin. Ive tried other products from Neostrata, so I decided to give the toning solution a try. During the first 2 weeks, I didnt really feel that it was much of a difference, until I start noticing that the small bumps I used to have, and the occassional pimples had all gone away. I've been using the product for 4 months now, and my skin has never looked better! Even if I was to get a tiny red bump that would have results in a bad pimple before, they all go away within 1-2 days with the use of a toner. Therefore since I started using the toner, I have yet to get any pimples.

The price is around 20-30 dollars per bottle, that lasts around 2-3 months if used twice a day. Not sure if its a sensitive skin thing, but a tingly feeling occurs every so often when you apply it *almost to the point it might feel itchy* but it did not make me break out/ get a reaction.
*and I get rashes daily just by occurance such as dust/abrasion on skin*

Definetly much better than a lot of the expensive products out there!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* bex9 on 11/8/2010 3:49:00 PM more reviews by bex9

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Even after accutane my skin was still problematic, and very prone to clogged pores that would easily become pimples or blackheads. This toner has been magnificent. I use it twice a day, in the evening I use it under differin. I work out and swim numerous times throughout the week, and no longer having to worry about foundation and concealor is priceless. I don't overly like the neostrata smoothing lotion, but have had great luck with the new vichy normaderm face lotion, it's moisturizing and also has chemical exfoiliators.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mkeddie on 9/9/2010 10:44:00 AM more reviews by mkeddie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Love this. No pimples since I started using it over a month ago. I use the neostrata daytime smoothing lotion and toner plus the night repair cream (can't find a review for that one) and I have been using the peeling solution for two months. I am 46 have no wrinkles,I know genetics play a role in that but I feel these products do help a lot. I will be repurchasing all of the above since I got asked for identification twice at the liquor store in a month, they asked if I was over 30!!! I'm in Canada so the name of the night cream might be called something different than other countries. I am also going to buy the toner in the stronger formula for my 18 year old son who has acne, see if it helps.

Thanks Neostrata!!!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* songtothesiren on 7/5/2010 9:05:00 PM more reviews by songtothesiren

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I've noticed a difference in my skin after using this. My skin seems smoother, brighter, my pores don't seem clogged anymore, and any blemishes I've had are smaller. This also helps with the prevention of blemishes. My skin really likes glycolic acid, so I don't have any irritations/reactions with this product. The packaging is great, it comes with a cap that you can flip up and down, but I usually take it off, so I can pour it directly on to a cotton pad - there is also another sort of seal with a small hole to prevent the product from flowing out. I really recommend this to anyone with oily/acne prone skin.

Edit: I love this, but hate how it has such a high amount of alcohol in it.

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RLSCS on 6/26/2010 7:06:00 PM more reviews by RLSCS

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I've had nasty stubborn blackheads on my nose for over 25 years and have tried many things to get rid of them. I'm extremely pleased at how dramatically this product has improved this skin problem for me. I am still on my first bottle but blackheads are almost completely gone! :)

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sofi333 on 5/13/2010 6:38:00 PM more reviews by sofi333

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

this product is horrible for sensitive skin. i have used alot of acne cleanser before but nothing made my react like this toner. it didn't break me out but gave my tiny bumps under my skin that were noticeable in the light. fortunately after i stopped using it they went away.

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littlemissmach on 4/17/2010 9:11:00 PM more reviews by littlemissmach

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

This is very smoothing on my skin, however, I can see how it could irritate sensitive skin. I have skin that can tolerate all kinds of things, so though it might be too harsh for other people, it works well for me. I use this in the evening and it does a good job of smoothing out my skin, which has a tendency to look "blocked" (little pimples, blackheads, etc).

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