Alba Botanica Acnedote Deep Cleaning Astringent

I'm enjoying this so far but it definitely has a few downsides.

Pros:
- controls oil
-makes skin look very even
- a lot of product in one bottle

Cons:
- not sure if it's helping with breakouts
-takes forever to dry, so makes the morning routine go a little slower
- packaging is annoying, the screw on cap makes it easy to pour too much

I don't want to say it's completely ineffective as far as controlling breakouts because I just got back on birth control a month ago and have been trying out new mineral powders, masks and moisturizers so I'm going to give it some time and see if maybe those factors are what are causing me to break out like a teenager before I say this isn't good for us acne-prone folks.

I bought this due to a recommendation of a coworker who mentioned this when I was asking her for products for acne. Someone on Cafe also mentioned it was a holy grail product. I found this at TJ Maxx for $6. When I used it, there was a stinging sensation momentarily. I used it at night and when I woke up, my face felt sticky. I've used this from time to time but it seems to give me more pimples.

I think this is one of those products that works for some and not others. My skin type is Asian, 40's, constantly has mild, non-cystic acne. The toner is inexpensive but that was pretty much the only bright side for me. It didn't seem to cause any problems when I used it on my chest.

Let me first start by saying , THIS IS AN ASTRINGENT. This is not for sensitive skin, or dry skin. You need to know that your skin normally can handle salicylic acid and lots of alcohol. Even though it has natural and organic ingredients this product can be harsh. My skin is acne prone , combination skin and I can handle salicylic, benzoyl peroxide and high alcohol contents and I still had to be careful . I have had great results using this astringent!!! No white heads, very smooth textured skin, no breakouts, and it seems like the scars are fading as well but that could be due to time taking its course. I've used this product for a few weeks and absolutely love it ! HOWEVER , you have to USE THIS PRODUCT CORRECTLY or it can be bad. When I first got it , I used it twice a day. Big no no. At first it worked then a couple days later it made my skin far too dry , peeling and very sensitive. So I had to change my plan. Now , the PERFECT way to use it. I use it every other day, once a day at night. So for example on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. I know it doesn't seem like much , but it works perfectly and wonderfully. I use I after I wash my face e with my face wash that has 2.5% benzoyl peroxide which works best for my skin, then I follow up with this astringent on a cotton pad, THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY, I follow up with a moisturizer. Yes, it leaves a "sticky" film and yes the smell is strong but after I moisturizer the sticky feeling goes away and so does the smell. Also twice a week I do a clay mask that not only cleanses my pores but also moisturizers my face and after I use a verry moisturizing cream, then later that night I wash my face like normal. This routine has left me with flawless skin, I just need all my scars to fade now!! I will say I have acne prone skin but I don't have cystic acne or acne all over my face , it's mild but I feel someone with moderate or severe acne could benefit even more.

I started using this to replace a Neutrogena astringent, which had become too harsh for my skin. It's noticeably more gentle but still stings more than I'd like. I mostly use witch hazel for toner, but add some of this on the cotton ball, too, mostly for my T-zone. It's cleansing and refreshing without drying, and helps my complexion. Love the green ingredients.

I wish it cost less and that the cap had a narrower mouth to better control the product flow, but I plan to repurchase.

I cannot live without this! Yes, it definitely has alcohol, but that's exactly why this works great. For a long time my skin would be itchy every now and then and keep getting small bumps. Tried everything with no success. Then, I started using this, and the problem gone for ever.

I'd like to start out with no two bodies are the same-thus no two skin types are the same. I have incredibly difficult skin! Everything friends/family had recommended led me to more break outs. I started using this product a week ago...not really expecting results. I have horrible hormonal acne as well as disgusting black heads all over my face. LET ME TELL YOU GIRLS! This product has made a wonderful improvement. Yes, it is strong. It is NOT a toner. It is an astringent. People with overly-dry or sensitive skin should limit use or choose a different product all together. My skin type is a wonderful blend (sarcasm) of combination/acne-prone/sensitive so I only use once a day and follow it up with Alba's Hawaiian oil free moisturizer. The difference in my pores, zits, pimples has already been noticed by co-workers and parents of my students!! I will likely use this product for another couple of weeks to clean up my pores more and switch to a gentler formula daily, using this astringent more for break outs.
I wish there was a control flow top but the price is right if any product is wasted.
My advice is know your skin and know how to use the products before buying :)

I ordered this off of iHerb. It was on sale so I thought to myself why not try something new.
I had never heard of this brand before but I have to say it's working better than I had expected.
I think this product was developed for people with serious acne problems and it works wonder but if you have a zit here and there, once in a while this should not be used all over the face.
This product dries like there's no tomorrow so after using it all over my face twice I decided to just take a cotton swab and dip it in the product and gently rub it on the problem areas only! I try not to touch the health skin at all.
I got a nasty looking pimple on my cheek (that time of the month) and after using this last night I can barely see it anymore. Same goes for my hormonal chin.
It's a good product, very good price buuuut use it with caution.

6/1/2015 UPDATE:
My skin has got used to it and now I can use it all over my face.
On my 3rd bottle.
I absolutely love this. It stings a bit but it is so worth it.
My rosacea and chin pimple pron skin has been looking sooo much better since I've started using this.
I don't use any other toners anymore.

PRO:
dries pimples almost over night
cleans out black heads
tightens pores
evens skin tone
long lasting effect
even helps with psoriasis!!!
super cheap


CONS:
stings a bit
contains a bit of alcohol

I love this. I even got my friend hooked on it. She uses it for her chest and back acne and it has done wonders for her too.

My skin is on thin, sensitive side and this toner burns a lot. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol content, or the essential oils or both. Pros are it's fairly inexpensive and very watery in texture so it dries quickly without leaving any sticky or greasy residue. But it really, really stings. Maybe if you're younger with thicker, more resilient skin it might not hurt as much. I do think the salicylic acid is helping with hormonal acne, so I'll be looking for another toner that has 2% salicylic acid.

This toner is not good for anyone. It has too much alcohol and fragrance that it irritated my skin. It definitely stung badly so if you have any cuts on your skin be careful. I put a spray on the bottle so that I wouldn't have to take the cap off every time to put on the cotton square. Every time i spray the astringent the essential oil fragrances stings my nose.

I highly recommend this toner. It is expensive but works very well. This has helped cleared my acne within a month. Cheap only $7 in my country.

I have cystic acne and this works best with my retinoic acid gel .5% and benzoyl peroxide. This actually works better than my previous favorite andalou naturals oily skin toner.

Cons: Better packaging is needed to control the astrigent flow.