Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner for oily acne-prone skin
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Allantoin
Propylene Glycol
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.
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 and acne concerns is provided by Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract, which work synergistically to soothe inflammation and regulate oil production.
- Allantoin and Glycerin further enhance the calming and hydrating effects, ensuring your skin feels comfortable and balanced.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risk of irritation due to its gentle formulation and absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using your soothing toner 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your soothing toner after cleansing, and before your moisturizer or SPF . This helps prepare your oily skin for the next steps.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing the product to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the soothing toner on clean and slightly damp skin to help with better absorption . This keeps your skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
- Always do a patch test before first use to check for any sensitivity. Avoid the eye area and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this alcohol-free toner is widely praised by users with normal-to-oily and sensitive skin for its ability to gently soothe redness and irritation without stripping moisture. Many appreciate its refreshing feel and ability to balance oil production. Some users find the herbal scent and floating flower petals bothersome or the product overpriced for its effects.
Highlights
Gentle & non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “no tight feeling”
- “alcohol-free formula”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
Refreshing hydration Often Mentioned
- “lightweight hydration”
- “refreshing feel”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “leaves skin soft”
Soothes redness Often Mentioned
- “reduced redness immediately”
- “soothing on sensitive skin”
- “helped post-shave irritation”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “overpriced for a toner”
- “not worth the money”
- “pricey repurchase”
Balances oily skin Sometimes Noted
- “controls my oil”
- “mattifies without drying”
- “less greasy t-zone”
- “helped with breakouts”
Annoying petals Sometimes Noted
- “petals stick to face”
- “clogs the dispenser”
- “messy application”
- “petals are useless”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “bottle leaks”
- “dispenses too much”
- “cap breaks easily”
- “messy to travel with”
Scent dislike Rarely Noted
- “smells like old tea”
- “strong herbal scent”
- “unpleasant smell”
- “smells like medicine”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.co.th, kohls.com, kiehls.com, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Kiehl's Calendula Toner one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is one of the best fits because calendula flower extract and burdock root extract work together to calm inflammation and control oil on oily acne-prone skin. Allantoin and glycerin add gentle hydration to keep your skin feeling balanced and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula is gentle and free of harsh ingredients.
Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract make this toner a great fit by soothing redness and helping control oil, while Allantoin and Glycerin keep your skin comfortable and balanced. This gentle formula is very unlikely to cause irritation on oily acne-prone skin.
What does Calendula Flower Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Calendula officinalis extract helps calm red and irritated skin while supporting the healing of breakouts. It has a strong safety profile and is unlikely to clog pores, making it a soothing choice for oily and acne-prone skin.
What does Allantoin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Allantoin helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by soothing irritation and supporting a healthy skin barrier. It is often combined with other gentle ingredients to keep skin comfortable while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner goes in your morning routine right after cleansing and before your moisturizer, and in your weekly routine after a cleansing mask and before your treatment. It is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it helps calm inflammation and balance oil production.
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 gentle formula helps keep your skin comfortable and is unlikely to cause irritation when paired with active ingredients.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this toner daily in your morning and evening routines. Its gentle formulation with calendula and burdock root extract helps calm inflammation and balance oil without any risk of irritation.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin. Its gentle formulation helps calm inflammation and balance oil without harsh ingredients.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Arctigenin improved C. acnes-induced acne inflammation in mice by regulating E2 secretion and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway through targeting CYP19A1.
Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 2024A 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, 2017Topical application of Calendula officinalis extract cream significantly improved skin hydration and firmness (reflected in significant changes in R0 and R6 parameters) in 21 healthy human volunteers compared to a base cream.
Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2011Treatment with standardized extract of Calendula officinalis L. led to a shorter epithelization time and faster healing speed compared to mineral oil in patients with acute skin loss wounds of the hand and fingers healing by secondary intention.
Tissue Barriers, 2022Topical administration of Calendula provides weak evidence of effectiveness in acute and chronic wounds compared to standard treatments based on a narrative review of available trials.
Wounds, 2008Topical 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, 2016A 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, 2020An 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, 2018Treatment with a combination of propylene glycol, ethanol, water, and shampoo was found effective, easy to use, and cosmetically attractive with no observed side effects in patients with dandruff.
Cutis, 1988A moisturizer containing glycerol and propylene glycol reduced transepidermal water loss, decreased epidermal thickness, increased stratum corneum thickness, and reduced dermal inflammatory infiltrate compared to untreated disrupted skin in six healthy beagle dogs.
Veterinary Dermatology, 2020Hydrolyzed corn starch containing maltotetraose activated the NRF2 pathway, upregulated antioxidant-responsive genes, increased NRF2 protein expression and nuclear translocation, and reduced reactive oxygen species levels in human keratinocytes exposed to oxidative stress.
PloS One, 2026Topical treatment with Arctium lappa fruit extract significantly stimulates dermal extracellular matrix metabolism and reduces wrinkle volume compared to vehicle in human subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008An aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. significantly reduced degranulation and cys-leukotriene release in human basophils in vitro and inhibited acute ear swelling by 50% upon topical administration in a whey-sensitized mouse model of allergy.
Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2008Creams incorporating methanolic extracts of olive, burdock, mallow, and marsh horsetail exerted significantly higher moisturizing and skin tearing force effects compared to control cream in rats and mice, with marsh horsetail showing the maximum effect, while licorice extract did not show a significant increase.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Disodium Edta, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Allantoin, Hedera Helix Ivy Stem Extract Extract Leaf, Glycerin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.