Name: Toning Lotion with Iris
Brand: Clarins
Size: 200ml
Price: $20.00
From Clarins’s website:
A refreshing alcohol-free floral distillation in apple green which cleanses, purifies, moisturises and softens.
What I liked:
– keeps my oily t-zone shine-free for a few hours
– removes any traces of makeup left by your cleanser
What I didn’t like:
– I didn’t find it very soothing
– works just like any regular toner
– strong scent
– the price
Regular readers of my blog know that I don’t user toner. My skin seems to consider it an unnecessary step in my routine and doesn’t look any worse nor better if I don’t use it. But a while ago, Clarins released some kits containing a few of their most popular products at a bargain price and the one I chose had a travel-size bottle of the Toning Lotion with Iris, designed for Combination/oily skin, so I gave it a go.
The toner, packaged in a see-through bottle which is very handy as you can see how much product is left in it, is green in color. Yes, green. I had never seen a green toner before, but I think it looks cool. The scent, not so much. It’s kinda pleasant but unfortunately overpowering too which I dislike. But how does it perform?
Well, my skin is combination with an oily t-zone and I find that the toner keeps the shine at bay for a few hours, before those ugly shiny patches start appearing again. And if your cleanser doesn’t remove all traces of dirt and makeup from your face, this will finish the job off nicely. I found the toner gentle but not particularly soothing and does nothing that any other toner on the market won’t do for much less money.
The toner is alcohol-free (which simply means that it doesn’t contain Alcohol Denat), but it includes witch hazel which contains high levels of alcohol and tanning, which can both be very irritating. However, its concentration is not that high and it didn’t irritate my skin. But if yours is sensitive, this is something to take into consideration before purchasing. It also contains Retinyl Palmitate, a form of Vitamin A that has powerful antioxidant properties. Unfortunately its concentration in this toner is too small to provide any anti-aging benefit to the skin.
Overall, this is an average toner with a very expensive price tag. It works and does what it is supposed to do but so do lots of other toners that cost much less. I’d only recommend it to those with oily skin that need a toner with astringent properties and don’t mind splurging. And at least, there is enough in the bottle to last you a few months.
Available at: amazon.com
Summary
Overall, Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris is an average but expensive toner. It keeps shine at bay for a few hours and removes all traces of makeup that may be left on your skin by your cleanser but don’t expect anything more than that. The scent is quite strong too.
Rating: 3/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. In addition, the review contains an affiliate link. For more information, please see my disclaimer.
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10 comments
It is a shame the toner does not do much for you. I guess that’s why I love Japanese toners. They feel like serums and they actually have some moisturizing power. But like this toner, the Japanese ones are also very expensive.
Dao, I’ve never tried a Japanese toner because of the price. But if I had to buy an expensive toner I’d chose a Japanese one over this. At least that moisturizes, which is something most toners don’t really do. This one is just average and performs just like any drugstore toner.
I think the thing that would bother me the most is the strong scent. I just don’t want me face to have a strong scent. I leave that to other products.
Trisha, that bothered me too but I got used to it after a while. But toners shouldn’t have such overpowering scents, I agree.
yeah the price is on the steep side, i usually only use cheap toner 🙂 l
Xin, I prefer cheap toners too. The expensive ones are just as good as those so no point in spending more. 🙂
Hi Gio,
I’m running out of my favourite toner (clinique) and was thinking of trying this out.. Don’t mind some scent but I’m a little averse to witch hazel so thank goodness I read this first!
Mary
Mary, I’m glad this review helped you. I usually avoid witch hazel in my skincare products too but this one came in a set so I tried it anyway.
Hi
Thanks for the post. I was wondering if it is necessary to use the same brand of cleanser, toner, moisturiser etc? I dont and i havent had a problem, however the lady at the clarins counter (I just started using the EArly wrinkle corection serum and cream) says i mus not use so many different brands. Im confused?
Roxann, there’s nothing wrong in using skincare products from different skincare brands. SAs are instructed to say that to their clients only to sell more but there’s no truth in it whatsoever.