Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera for oily acne-prone skin
Witch Hazel
Aloe Barbadensis
Rose Extract
Cucumis Sativus Extract
GlycerinHigh
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by grapefruit seed extract and citric acid, which offer mild keratolytic action and pH modulation, respectively, though targeted ingredients for acne are absent.
- The product offers excellent hydration due to glycerin and aloe vera, which moisturize the skin, but these benefits are supportive rather than directly addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin feels fine.
- Apply your hydrating toner after cleansing and before putting on your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it ⏱absorb for a minute before adding your next product.
- Applying the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin helps your face absorb it better. This keeps your oily skin balanced and hydrated.
- Be sure to avoid the eye area when applying. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any reaction.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly regarded for its gentle, hydrating, and non-drying formula, which is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin, effectively reducing redness and acne. A small number of users reported experiencing breakouts or finding the rose scent too strong, with some noting a lack of significant improvement in skin texture.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Often Mentioned
- “doesn't dry me out”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “skin feels nourished and balanced”
- “gentle on the skin”
Hydrates and softens Often Mentioned
- “skin feels very hydrated after”
- “leaves my skin feeling soft”
- “immediately hydrating”
- “skin feels smooth”
Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “removes any excess oils”
- “cotton pad turned a little yellow”
- “removes residual dirt”
- “skin feels clean”
Pleasant rose scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells beautiful”
- “scent is subtle yet lovely”
- “refreshing smell”
- “light rose fragrance”
Reduces acne/redness Sometimes Noted
- “acne has reduced in size”
- “calms irritation from sunburns”
- “reddish spots recovered”
- “helps clear my skin”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused a couple of cystic breakouts”
- “experienced breakouts”
- “pimples became very dry”
- “sensitization to my skin”
Drying over time Rarely Noted
- “drying effect on the skin”
- “skin could feel dry”
- “felt a little stingy”
- “tight feeling”
No visible results Rarely Noted
- “didn't do much for me”
- “didn't notice any glow”
- “kind of meh”
- “pores looked the same”
Scent too strong Rarely Noted
- “scent is very strong”
- “don't like the smell”
- “smell was a bit strong”
- “fragrance contains ethanol”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, target.com, iherb.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because it offers excellent suitability through mild exfoliating action and pH balancing, along with great hydration from aloe vera and glycerin. It has a very safe profile that is unlikely to cause irritation since it lacks harsh or prohibited ingredients.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for your oily skin thanks to grapefruit seed extract and citric acid, which help gently balance and smooth the skin without causing irritation. Glycerin and aloe vera also provide great supportive hydration to keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Witch Hazel do for oily acne-prone skin?
Witch hazel helps calm redness and balances irritated skin by reducing inflammation and soothing acne-prone areas. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may support clearer skin when used in your routine.
What does Aloe Vera do for oily acne-prone skin?
Aloe vera helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing redness, bumps, and breakouts while keeping the skin smooth. This plant-based ingredient also supports clearer skin and helps improve overall skin texture.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This hydrating toner is used in the morning after cleansing and before moisturizing, and in the evening after your cleansing toner. It is unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, while glycerin and aloe vera help keep your skin feeling soft and moisturized.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this hydrating toner with retinol by applying it after cleansing and before your retinol treatment. This product helps keep your oily skin comfortable, while its safe ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation during your routine.
How often should I use this toner?
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin and can be used daily in both your morning and evening routines. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin balanced, though you will still need targeted treatments for breakouts.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation, though a few reviewers have reported occasional breakouts. Glycerin and aloe vera help keep your skin hydrated, while grapefruit seed extract and citric acid provide mild surface care without harsh ingredients.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.
Phytochemistry, 2001Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025A 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, 2018Topical 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, 2018Topical 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, 2010Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020Transgenic 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, 2024Copper 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, 2021Topical 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, 2024The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water Rose Flower Water, Citric Acid, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Hydroxide
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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