Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner For Combination and Oily Skin,

What does it promise: Restore skin's healthy balance with the hydrating Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner from Paula's Choice. Potent antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients and anti-inflammatory agents help reduce redness and inflammation. Eliminates mild dryness or flaking Leaves skin beautifully smooth 100% fragrance- and colorant-free I used it during my pregnancy, not every day, but instead of the Ordinary. It is quite mild for me and is getting a nice evened out tone for my face. It does not irritate, but it is not enough if I get any inflamed skin - it doesn't really treat it (though I was not expecting it, of course). I can't say it reduced my pores visibly but they were getting less gunk inside - that's for sure. It is a very nice calming toner and I ... MoreWhat does it promise: Restore skin's healthy balance with the hydrating Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner from Paula's Choice. Potent antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients and anti-inflammatory agents help reduce redness and inflammation. Eliminates mild dryness or flaking Leaves skin beautifully smooth 100% fragrance- and colorant-free I used it during my pregnancy, not every day, but instead of the Ordinary. It is quite mild for me and is getting a nice evened out tone for my face. It does not irritate, but it is not enough if I get any inflamed skin - it doesn't really treat it (though I was not expecting it, of course). I can't say it reduced my pores visibly but they were getting less gunk inside - that's for sure. It is a very nice calming toner and I am glad I ordered a couple of bottles right away.

I've been using this cleanser on and off for about 7 years because I'm stupid and try other brands thinking there's going to be something even better out there, but find myself continuously returning to it because honestly nothing else compares. It removes makeup and cleanses skin with ease but is gentle and leaves skin feeling fresh, soft and moisturised. It may seem more expensive, but you get a huge bottle and only need a little bit of product. It's honestly one of the only cleansers I've used that makes a noticeable difference. 10/10.

A repeat purchase... For multiple reasons.

I've been using this toner for 2+ years now, and when I first purchased it, I had combination skin (severely oily in my t-zone and severely dry everywhere else). My t-zone was so oily that I used to have to apply makeup primer on my eyebrows just to be able to use eyebrow products (and I've barely ANY eyebrows as it is, so not using eyebrow products wasn't an option) lest they smudge and dissolve upon application.I originally purchased this to treat my enlarged, congested pores, but, instead, a few weeks into using I noticed that my oily t-zone was transformed and I no longer required the usual primer for my brows.My entire face transformed, and 'normal' became the new norm. I had to update all my skincare products!But it was gentle. I don't find it drying or ... MoreI've been using this toner for 2+ years now, and when I first purchased it, I had combination skin (severely oily in my t-zone and severely dry everywhere else). My t-zone was so oily that I used to have to apply makeup primer on my eyebrows just to be able to use eyebrow products (and I've barely ANY eyebrows as it is, so not using eyebrow products wasn't an option) lest they smudge and dissolve upon application.I originally purchased this to treat my enlarged, congested pores, but, instead, a few weeks into using I noticed that my oily t-zone was transformed and I no longer required the usual primer for my brows.My entire face transformed, and 'normal' became the new norm. I had to update all my skincare products!But it was gentle. I don't find it drying or irritating as others have suggested, except for once when I had overexfoliated, and, thus, it remains one of my favourite skincare products, as I appreciate how well it absorbs, how well it controls oil, and how soothing it is.... (Even if I didn't get much luck in the pore-reduction or decongestion department.)In fact, last summer my Fitzpatrick 1-complexed husband got horribly sunburned on the lake at our cottage and was devastingly sore and uncomfortable from face to feet. I was reminded that my SKIN BALANCING Pore-Reducing Toner contained some wonderfully soothing ingredients, and it was worth a shot at treating his sunburn, since we had nothing else.I don't know if it was the ceramides, the panthenol, the chamomile, or all of it, combined... But it worked.. So well! Within just hours his angry, red skin had calmed & cooled itself, & relieved him of pain, and within a few days of consistent reapplication he was healed. Totally normal. Amazingly, he enjoyed it so much HE kept asking ME for reapplication. I didn't have to bug him like I do with his SPF.This summer, I've prepared with SPF 50 & 60(!), but I'm bringing this again, just in case.

I had done my morning ski...

I had done my morning skincare routine by the time this was delivered this morning, but I was keen to try out the texture so I put the tiniest dot on my left hand. It spread everywhere, took a few seconds to sink in and I thought - "cool, feels nice". 3 hours later I'm driving home from a meeting, my hands roughly at 10 and 2, and I look down at said hands. This magical liquid gave me a full Madeline Ashton moment no word of a lie. For the uninitiated, my left hand looked like it did when I was 25 and my right hand was dry, red and aged. This clearly has very potent hydrating and soothing properties which is what I'm looking for from my toner to help reduce the side effects of Tret, and I cannot wait to start using this product proper. Hi Alex, Thank you for that ... MoreI had done my morning skincare routine by the time this was delivered this morning, but I was keen to try out the texture so I put the tiniest dot on my left hand. It spread everywhere, took a few seconds to sink in and I thought - "cool, feels nice". 3 hours later I'm driving home from a meeting, my hands roughly at 10 and 2, and I look down at said hands. This magical liquid gave me a full Madeline Ashton moment no word of a lie. For the uninitiated, my left hand looked like it did when I was 25 and my right hand was dry, red and aged. This clearly has very potent hydrating and soothing properties which is what I'm looking for from my toner to help reduce the side effects of Tret, and I cannot wait to start using this product proper. Hi Alex, Thank you for that great review. Sounds like you have found your ideal toner, at least for your hands, anyway! I hope that your face appreciates it just as much. Please feel free to contact us at Customer Care if you need any further product recommendations. Best wishes, Natasha - Paula's Choice Customer Care Team.

Not for me sadly

Had heard really great things about this from a friend and was excited to try it and see if it reduced my pores. I had been using the BHA 2% for a month when I added this in and perhaps it was just too much too quickly for my skin as it began to sting upon using it and even moisturiser then stung after. My skin flared quite badly and became very sensitive. In theory it should have been fine for my combination skin and was recommended in my routine, but at this stage in time it wasn't doing any good for my skin so have stopped using it. I wouldn't be put off by this generally if you're thinking of trying it, but some things work for your skin and some don't, its really trial and error. Just wish I had been able to buy a smaller size to test it out as will now likely ... MoreHad heard really great things about this from a friend and was excited to try it and see if it reduced my pores. I had been using the BHA 2% for a month when I added this in and perhaps it was just too much too quickly for my skin as it began to sting upon using it and even moisturiser then stung after. My skin flared quite badly and became very sensitive. In theory it should have been fine for my combination skin and was recommended in my routine, but at this stage in time it wasn't doing any good for my skin so have stopped using it. I wouldn't be put off by this generally if you're thinking of trying it, but some things work for your skin and some don't, its really trial and error. Just wish I had been able to buy a smaller size to test it out as will now likely have to gift my unused bottle to a friend if I don't try it again in the future!

Sensitive to Niacinamide?

I started using PC products about 6 months ago, and have really loved the results with most of them. I started with the CLEAR products which got some menopausal/maskne under control. At 54, I am also looking for anti-aging ingredients and added the peptide booster which is wonderful for my skin. To address acne scarring and discoloration, I added the Vitamin C and azeleic acid boosters. I use the BHA 9 to address sebaceous hyperplasia spots and any congestion that pops up. My skin is the clearest it's been in a looong time.The only two products that my skin seems to do poorly with are the Niacinamide 20% and the Pore Reducing Toner. Each time I've added them to my routine to address pore size, I break out. So I've discontinued using them as it seems I am sensitive ... MoreI started using PC products about 6 months ago, and have really loved the results with most of them. I started with the CLEAR products which got some menopausal/maskne under control. At 54, I am also looking for anti-aging ingredients and added the peptide booster which is wonderful for my skin. To address acne scarring and discoloration, I added the Vitamin C and azeleic acid boosters. I use the BHA 9 to address sebaceous hyperplasia spots and any congestion that pops up. My skin is the clearest it's been in a looong time.The only two products that my skin seems to do poorly with are the Niacinamide 20% and the Pore Reducing Toner. Each time I've added them to my routine to address pore size, I break out. So I've discontinued using them as it seems I am sensitive to these two products.

Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner "Bye Bye Blackheads"

I bought this product for my 14 year old suffering from acne (I think hormonal.) It immediately caused redness & irritation. He told me my face is burning. The next day we saw some small red patches on his face where he had no problems as a matter of fact those areas on his face still have the look of baby face. Let me tell you why we still give it 4 stars. He had some big and stubborn Blackheads on his nose and when he woke up we can see them closer to the surface and we were able to remove at least one big one without a problem. I believe this happened after the 2nd time he used the product. He is taking a break from it, but wants to try it again just on the nose to see if the rest of the blackheads come out to the surface so that we can extract them without ... MoreI bought this product for my 14 year old suffering from acne (I think hormonal.) It immediately caused redness & irritation. He told me my face is burning. The next day we saw some small red patches on his face where he had no problems as a matter of fact those areas on his face still have the look of baby face. Let me tell you why we still give it 4 stars. He had some big and stubborn Blackheads on his nose and when he woke up we can see them closer to the surface and we were able to remove at least one big one without a problem. I believe this happened after the 2nd time he used the product. He is taking a break from it, but wants to try it again just on the nose to see if the rest of the blackheads come out to the surface so that we can extract them without damaging the skin. I wish we knew what exactly cause the burning and irritation.

This is the PERFECT toner for my oily skin!!!!

So I've struggled with oily skin my entire life. I live in the south so it's really hot outside & my skin would be slick with oil by noon daily!! I tried so many products including witch hazel, ACV, & tons of expensive products. Nothing worked for me & i had resigned myself to having an oily face forever. Well now i found the perfect toner for my skin that doesn't leave my skin too oily or too dry !!!! And it softened my skin too & shrunk my pores which have always been big (for context, i am an African American woman in her late 20s)! I hate that i didn't discover this product sooner, but the least i can do is recommend this brand to everyone - which i do all the time !!! Now that my skin is less oily, I have fewer to no breakouts & my skin is clear!!! Do yourself ... MoreSo I've struggled with oily skin my entire life. I live in the south so it's really hot outside & my skin would be slick with oil by noon daily!! I tried so many products including witch hazel, ACV, & tons of expensive products. Nothing worked for me & i had resigned myself to having an oily face forever. Well now i found the perfect toner for my skin that doesn't leave my skin too oily or too dry !!!! And it softened my skin too & shrunk my pores which have always been big (for context, i am an African American woman in her late 20s)! I hate that i didn't discover this product sooner, but the least i can do is recommend this brand to everyone - which i do all the time !!! Now that my skin is less oily, I have fewer to no breakouts & my skin is clear!!! Do yourself a favor & try this product !

Transformative

I recently left a 4-star review for this, seeing as it didn't really do much for my very enlarged, congested pores.... But on second thought, it certainly lived up to its title, as it BALANCED my SKIN. And more than that, it transformed it.Ever since I started using this, my skin went from severely combo to completely normal. Simple. Calm. Uniform.It's been over a year and yet everyday I'm still amazed as I complete my AM/PM routines at how soft my skin is, and how healthy and balanced it has become.No more oily t-zone and parched cheeks.No more mismatched products trying to accommodate two different skintypes.I'm "normal" now.I recently started tretinoin and feared the worse (as we all do, given the horror stories) but to my delightful surprise, my ... MoreI recently left a 4-star review for this, seeing as it didn't really do much for my very enlarged, congested pores.... But on second thought, it certainly lived up to its title, as it BALANCED my SKIN. And more than that, it transformed it.Ever since I started using this, my skin went from severely combo to completely normal. Simple. Calm. Uniform.It's been over a year and yet everyday I'm still amazed as I complete my AM/PM routines at how soft my skin is, and how healthy and balanced it has become.No more oily t-zone and parched cheeks.No more mismatched products trying to accommodate two different skintypes.I'm "normal" now.I recently started tretinoin and feared the worse (as we all do, given the horror stories) but to my delightful surprise, my microbiome and moisture barrier is in tact and taking it like a champ.I think I owe a lot of that to this, here, product, as there's so many skin-loving ingredients in it. (Ceramides, Chamomile, and Panthenol, oh, my!)So long as one has a good moisturizer, SPF, and gives their skin some days-off from acids, retinols, and actives, this product should be soothing and not bothersome or irritating.(Yes, it might sting after a Salicylic Acid cleanser or night of Glycolic Acid, but not after a simple gentle cleanser or night of Hyaluronic Acid... Get me?)Though, one could likewise alternate it with a more 'nourishing' toner, too, as we don't HAVE to stick to one product, only.In fact, you probably should cycle your skincare according to its needs.But note: I even use this to treat my husband's awful sunburns! In fact, it's the only thing that he's ever found, not just results but, immense relief from! That should speak for itself.This stuff is magical in its own right, and underrated for all the wrong reasons.