Paula's Choice • Skin Balancing Toner • Toners

liseyloo on 5/12/2013 9:55:00 AM more reviews by liseyloo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Been using this since January and it has done absolutely nothing. The only thing I like about it is it doesn't leave skin feeling tight and dry after use. Other than that, though, this is a complete waste of money.

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trixiebee on 3/25/2013 7:25:00 PM more reviews by trixiebee

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Wow! I received this toner bottle in a shipping box with no seal over the opening, no shrinkwrap around the top, nothing. I'd never buy an open bottle off the shelf and can't understand why this is considered okay. Will not order from company again.

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LucyLastName on 12/29/2012 8:43:00 PM more reviews by LucyLastName

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I don't think toners are necessary in a skin care routine, but since I have combination skin and can't really use moisturizers without lighting up like a Christmas tree, this toner has become a staple in my skin care routine.
Just to put my routine in perspective. Morning : cleanser, 2.5%BP and Clindosyl cream with SPF15. Evening: cleanser, toner, BHA 1%, Retin-A 0.05%, Resist Skin Brightening Treatment. Once a week, I use BHA9 and Resist Retinol Serum.
PROS: This toner is light weight, non-irritating, fragrance free. It reduces any tightness in my skin. When going out to an important event, I'll often skip all the steps in my routine, just wash my face and tone it. Makeup stays on so much longer. This is basically my super light moisturizer for my oily skin.
CONS: It gets used up fast, so I find myself pouring it into my palm, so as to not waste any, but that application takes a lot of practice to not be messy.

I think this has some potent ingredients and is definitely not suited for every skin type. If you have very dry skin or are using all kinds of other products with active ingredients, it might not be the product itself that is causing you problems - it just might not sync with your skin care routine. It's all about experimenting. That's why I like that Paula's Choice has samples.

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

elin22 on 12/25/2012 7:24:00 PM more reviews by elin22

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I wanted to like this toner but it made my skin red and irritated. I tried it a few times before giving up. I'm not sure what the culprit ingredient was. My skin is combination and sensitive and for some reason Paula's Choice products are really hit and miss with me.

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

oxonbrillo on 10/17/2012 6:57:00 AM more reviews by oxonbrillo

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Black    

All the good ingredients, but it's just not for me. From the first use, it irritated my skin and gave me little skin bumps over my face. As soon as I stopped using it the bumps and rashes disappeared. I don't know which one but there's no doubt that some ingredient in this product doesn't go well with some people.

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

CobraRose on 9/25/2012 7:14:00 PM more reviews by CobraRose

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

This is soothing and refreshing at the same time. I have very oily skin, and it provides just a bit of moisture in the winter. I also like it as a pick-me-up in the summer heat and humidity.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mapn on 8/30/2012 7:27:00 AM more reviews by mapn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I’ve tested this toner a few times and every time it burns and tingles my skin. And after using it, I break out in rash that disappears with a change of skin care regime. Can’t figure out which ingredient is the one that's problematic for me...

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

*TOP REVIEWER* Arachne on 7/15/2012 11:58:00 AM more reviews by Arachne

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

After reading a few of Paula's books I decided to try her line. This toner leaves my skin refreshed and I know all those antioxidants are contributing to the over all health of my skin. I know this because since using this toner, my skin looks so much healthier! It's very gentle and even feels like it's got moisturizing properties in it because my skin never feels tight or dry like it had with other toner I've tried. My skin feels smoother and the pores on my chin are less clogged. I believe it also calmed the redness I sometimes get when I'm stressed.

8/12/12 UPDATE: Still think the products are great, but I got bored. The fact that there is no fragrance doesn't make me feel like I am using a luxurious line. I gave to my husband and he loves!

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*TOP REVIEWER* lizzea on 6/14/2012 3:25:00 AM more reviews by lizzea

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this on and off for years and it's really not one of my favourites from this line... I have been a user and fan of PC products since 2007 but like most lines, there are a few misses for me and this one is unfortunately one of them. Whenever I use this for a few months I really don't see much of a difference or improvement to my skin, it does remove any extra makeup after my normal cleansing but no more than when I use any other toner really. I prefer Proactiv's revitalising toner over this one, even though I wanted to love this toner so much, it just hasn't worked for me over the last 5 years which is a shame, because I use the PC balancing cleanser and RESIST moisturiser and LOVE them so much.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* peunwha on 5/18/2012 3:53:00 PM more reviews by peunwha

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this toner.
this is only toner makes my skin hydrated and soft while no breaking out, no irritatation. the one thing I really like about it is that it hydrate my skin very well while it doesn't give stiky or greasy feeling. not drying out after.
I've used sooo many high-end products.. but this is much cheeper and works the best. I don't know about other reviewers, cause everyone has different skin type. for me ( sensitive dry skin) , this works best

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

momominky on 4/24/2012 7:27:00 PM more reviews by momominky

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

While I love the idea of nicotinic acid, sadly this toner did nothing for me. It's weightless as described and goes well under moisturiser or makeup, but for me is an uneccesary step in my routine.

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*TOP REVIEWER* georgia21 on 3/29/2012 2:45:00 PM more reviews by georgia21

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

It made my dry sensitive skin feel dry and irritated.

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Arosci on 3/17/2012 11:49:00 AM more reviews by Arosci

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Other, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I cannot comment about the refreshing effectiveness of this toner as each time I tried to use it I felt a light buring sensation on my whole face, as well as sudden redness.
Maybe this comes from some very active ingredients Paula uses in her products but I have this reaction only with this toner, the Hydralight Toner and at a higher level with the Moisture Boost Toner (nothing with the Skin Recovery Toner or the Resist Toner)... the main ingredients in common between these three toners I react to is the preservative system.
Won't buy again.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* polarpooch on 2/12/2012 12:07:00 AM more reviews by polarpooch

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

i really, really like this toner. i have been using it for about two months. i think of it more as a treatment rather than a "toner". i have very oily skin and this does a nice job of helping keep it somewhat under control. that's saying something, because until this toner, NOTHING made a lick of difference. this really does seem to balance out my skin. most of the time this is all i even need for moisture in the morning. i love that it's loaded with antioxidants and niacinamide. it's water light. a bottle lasts a very long time. i also love her RESIST toner, but this one works better for daytime.

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

aykhan on 1/28/2012 8:31:00 PM more reviews by aykhan

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is another Paula's Choice product that I've been using over the past year. It makes my skin feel great and removes the last layers of gunk without irritating or drying my skin.

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aessop on 1/25/2012 6:45:00 AM more reviews by aessop

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I wanted to love this toner. At first my face fell in love with it. My pores practically disappeared and my skin looked dewy and smooth. But after a week, I noticed red blotches on my face. Some of them were itchy and turning into zits. I hoped and prayed it wasn't the toner but once i stopped using it, the condition disappeared. I believe Paula's Choice makes excellent products so I am willing to give this toner the benefit of the doubt. Obviously a certain ingredient did not agree with me. Maybe I'll try the hydralight toner next.

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

Mouldy on 11/19/2011 4:23:00 AM more reviews by Mouldy

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

Wow! This is a new discovery for me. I have used the 2% BHA for a few years now, and wanted to try a PC toner too. I used the BHA under foundation because I love the firming effect it has, however by the end of the day or night my skin was very oily. With the toner however i get a similar result but much more oil control! I just apply after cleansing, don't use any other products and apply my foundation. I then rub some toner together in my palms and pat on again OVER the foundation..seriously try it, the most glowing, slightly dewy but not oily finish ever! Works amazing with Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. Looking forward to the results this will give my skin in the long run, but already a believer!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

savliving on 9/5/2011 2:43:00 PM more reviews by savliving

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have purchased this toner twice now. I mainly use it at night before tretinoin gel. I also used under tazorac. Niacinamide does awesome things for my skin. I tried Cerave PM only to breakout and EltaMD Clear broke me out. I really wanted niacinamide in my skincare and this fits so well. I know I could make my own but honestly I like this stuff so much to keep purchasing. The clarity of my skin is great with this toner and the anti-inflammatory properties are nice as well. Will update if anything changes. 1/5/12 I wanted to add a note about the nice customer service as well. My bottle had a defect in the cork and they replaced it with no issues on the spot.

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

erin1025 on 9/1/2011 10:43:00 PM more reviews by erin1025

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I love this toner. It has made my combination skin perfectly balanced and I never get an oily forehead anymore, even though it's the middle of summer. I use it every morning and the rest of the products I use are from Paula's Choice CLEAR anti-acne line. I will definitely buy this again - it's the best toner I've ever used.

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

inouerinn on 8/29/2011 4:40:00 AM more reviews by inouerinn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is my HG toner. I use this twice a day.

In the mornings, after cleansing, i apply this toner with cotton pad, followed by a well formulated mineral based sunscreen/foundation with sunscreen.

At nights, after cleansing, i apply this toner again with cotton pad, followed by Jan Marini's Factor A Plus Mask every other night, rotating with Obagi's Tretinoin Cream 0.025%.

This cult ritual brings total changes to the way my skin look & feel!

Sometimes when i don't feel like using cotton pad, i pour a small amount on my palm, press my palms together then i press my palms gently against my face.

But one thing i hate about this toner is the packaging, to be precise the cap or should i say the rubber thingy inside the cap. When i close the cap tightly after using, usually the rubber would comes off the next time i unscrew the cap. That is annoying.

I wish Paula could come out with better packaging.

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