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Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for oily skin; other toners fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Offers moderate soothing and hydration for your oily skin, with cucumber fruit extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice providing calming benefits, though it does not specifically target oily shine.
  • Propylene glycol and sodium pca offer humectant action, and cucumber extract has potential astringent properties, making it generally suitable for oily skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using your soothing toner 3 times a week and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply your soothing toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin with your hands. Let it absorb for a minute before moving on ⏱ to the next step.
  • For the best results , apply your soothing toner to slightly damp skin to help it sink in better.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a quick patch test before using the soothing toner for the very first time.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this toner is widely praised as a gentle, non-drying option that effectively removes residual makeup while soothing dry and sensitive skin types. A notable minority of users with sensitive skin report unexpected stinging or burning sensations, contradicting its 'mildest' marketing claim.

Highlights

  • Gentle and soothing Mostly Mentioned
    • “mildest of all toners”
    • “calmed my reactive skin”
    • “no stinging sensation”
  • Non-drying hydration Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't strip skin”
    • “leaves face soft”
    • “hydrating boost”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “removes leftover makeup”
    • “cotton pad comes off dirty”
    • “cleans grime”
  • Refreshing feel Sometimes Noted
    • “cooling effect”
    • “elegant after-feel”
    • “refreshing in summer”
  • Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like medicine”
    • “weird herbal scent”
    • “off-putting smell”
  • Lack of results Rarely Noted
    • “didn't see changes”
    • “just ordinary toner”
    • “average value”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “lid arrived broken”
    • “cap snapped off”
    • “leaked in transit”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “burned my skin”
    • “stinging around eyes”
    • “turned face red”

Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, ulta.com, macys.com, boots.com, walmart.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner work for oily skin?

This toner works moderately well for oily skin by offering calm and hydration with cucumber and aloe, though it does not specifically target oily shine. An average-fitting toner of this type needs ingredients that effectively address oily shine and maintain hydration without adding excess oil.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily skin?

Propylene glycol and sodium PCA help provide hydration, while cucumber fruit extract and aloe vera offer calming benefits that make this toner generally suitable for oily skin. However, oily skin needs a product that also specifically targets oily shine and helps maintain a balanced, non-greasy feel.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

What does Cucumber Fruit Extract do for oily skin?

Cucumber Fruit Extract helps soothe oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation due to its very safe profile. It provides a refreshing feel and antioxidant benefits that support a calm, balanced complexion.

Fitoterapia, 2013International Journal of Toxicology, 2014

What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for oily skin?

Aloe vera leaf juice helps hydrate oily skin by increasing water content in the outer skin layer without adding heavy oils or modifying water loss. It is also often combined with treatments to help calm redness and reduce acne breakouts.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Skin Research and Technology, 2006

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This soothing toner goes after cleansing in your morning or evening routine to help calm and hydrate oily skin. Because it does not specifically target oily shine, your skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight moisturizers that balance oil and boost hydration.

Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this toner with retinol by applying it right after cleansing to calm and hydrate your skin before putting on your retinol. This product is safe and gentle, though an oily skin routine also needs ingredients that target excess shine and regulate oil.

How often should I use this toner?

You can use this toner daily in your morning and evening routines, as it offers gentle calming and hydration for your oily skin. Because it does not specifically target oily shine, your oily skin also needs products with oil-controlling ingredients.

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile and lacks harsh substances. Skin irritation and a lack of results are only rarely reported by reviewers. Oily skin also needs ingredients that actively control shine and excess oil.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024

  • Apigenin protects against UVA-induced cytotoxicity and senescence in normal human dermal fibroblasts, decreases MMP-1 expression, and when applied topically as a cream in human subjects, increases dermal density and elasticity while reducing fine wrinkle length, skin evenness, moisture content, and transepidermal water loss compared to control cream.

    International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2016

  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

  • Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.

    Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021

  • Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.

    The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024

  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018

  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

  • Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2006

  • Topical chamomile oil combined with a night splint significantly improved the symptomatic and functional status of patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome compared to placebo, while electrodiagnostic parameters showed no significant changes.

    Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2015

  • German chamomile solution applied twice a day healed peristomal skin lesions significantly faster than once-a-day 1% hydrocortisone ointment in colostomy patients, with a mean healing time of 8.89 days versus 14.53 days.

    Ostomy/wound Management, 2011

  • Topical chamomile reduces the incidence and delays the occurrence of phlebitis due to amiodarone infusion in coronary care patients compared to a placebo of lanoline.

    Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2017

  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016

  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020

  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

  • Topical treatment with Urtica dioica hydroethanolic extract accelerated wound closure (92.39% vs 60.91%) and improved epidermal regeneration and hydroxyproline content in rats with full-thickness wounds compared to control animals over 11 days.

    BioMed Research International, 2017

Why other toners fit oily skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Pca, Methylparaben, Allantoin, Cucumis Sativus Cucumber Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camphor, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Extract, Urtica Dioica Nettle Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Betula Alba Extract, Ci 19140 Yellow 5, Ci 14700 Red 4, Ci 42090 Blue 1

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play