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Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • Highly suitable for your combination skin as aloe barbadensis leaf juice and cucumber fruit extract offer humectant and anti-inflammatory actions, respectively, to soothe and hydrate.
  • Allantoin and cucumber fruit extract provide excellent calming effects that hydrate and reduce redness, offering moderate benefits for your acne and blemishes.
  • The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like cucumber fruit extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice.

How to apply

  • Use your soothing toner AM and PM daily to help keep breakouts under control.
  • Apply this soothing toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin and let it absorb.
  • Pat the soothing toner onto clean, slightly damp skin for the best absorption.
  • Always do a patch test before first use and avoid getting the soothing toner in your eyes.

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

What makes Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This toner is a great fit because cucumber fruit extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice help soothe and hydrate acne-prone skin without harsh ingredients. Allantoin and cucumber further calm the skin by reducing redness and providing moderate benefits for blemishes.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This toner is a great fit for acne-prone skin because cucumber fruit extract, aloe vera, and allantoin help calm redness and hydrate. These soothing ingredients work together safely to reduce blemishes without irritating dry or sensitive areas.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

What does Cucumber Fruit Extract do for acne-prone skin?

Cucumber fruit extract helps calm acne-prone skin by soothing irritation and reducing inflammation. It also provides antioxidant and antibacterial properties that are unlikely to cause cellular toxicity, keeping the skin clear and balanced.

Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018

What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for acne-prone skin?

Aloe Vera Leaf Juice helps calm acne-prone skin and may reduce redness, bumps, and spots when used consistently. Studies show it helps clear breakouts and keeps skin smooth by fighting blemish-causing factors.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2014

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This toner is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because ingredients like cucumber fruit extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice soothe, hydrate, and calm redness. You can use it in your morning routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer, and again in the evening after cleansing.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

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

You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to soothe and hydrate your skin before using your retinol treatment. This formula is safe for your skin and helps reduce redness and irritation when paired with active treatments.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use it?

This soothing toner is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and can be used daily in your morning routine. Its gentle blend of cucumber fruit extract and aloe barbadensis leaf juice helps hydrate your skin and reduce redness without causing irritation.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and features soothing agents like cucumber fruit extract and aloe vera. These ingredients help calm redness and hydrate the skin safely.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Is it 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
  • 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

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.

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