Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner for acne-prone skin
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Allantoin
Propylene Glycol
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for acne-prone skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin and acne-prone concerns as Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract work synergistically to soothe inflammation and reduce breakouts.
- Glycerin and Althaea Officinalis Root Extract further enhance hydration and calming effects, supporting overall skin balance.
- The formula is safe for your skin, free from harsh ingredients and containing soothing agents like Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract.
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
★4.4Overall 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 Herbal-Extract Toner one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This toner is one of the best fits because Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract work together to calm inflammation and help reduce breakouts. Glycerin and Althaea Officinalis Root Extract add moisture and extra soothing care to keep your skin balanced and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract make this toner a great fit because they help soothe inflammation and reduce breakouts on acne-prone skin. Glycerin and Althaea Officinalis Root Extract further support this by enhancing hydration and calming the skin.
What does Calendula Flower Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Calendula officinalis extract helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing redness and swelling. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help soothe angry breakouts when used in your daily routine.
What does Allantoin do for acne-prone skin?
Allantoin helps calm redness and supports the skin barrier, making it a soothing addition to routines for acne-prone skin. It is often paired with ingredients that clear pores and reduce oil to keep acne-prone skin balanced and comfortable.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This soothing toner fits into your morning routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer, and into your weekly routine after a cleansing mask. It helps calm inflammation and reduce breakouts on acne-prone skin.
Can I use it 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 your retinol treatment. Using soothing ingredients helps reduce the irritation and dryness that can happen when you use retinol.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this soothing toner daily as part of your morning and evening routine to help calm irritation and reduce breakouts on acne-prone skin. Its gentle ingredients work to soothe inflammation while keeping the skin balanced and comfortable.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin because it contains soothing ingredients like Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract and Arctium Lappa Root Extract that help calm inflammation and reduce breakouts. It also lacks heavy, pore-clogging oils, making it a safe choice for your skin type.
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, 2008A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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.
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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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