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Yes, the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner does contain Salicylic, Glycolic and a Polyhydroxy Acid. No, I still don’t think it will have a relevant exfoliating effect. But it might influence how your pores look – through a different pathway, not through exfoliation.

We have talked about pore size and how their appearance can be influenced before already, so today let’s focus on the toner. (More info: How to minimize your pores)

What did I think?

What the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner claims

Exfoliate away excess sebum and dead skin cells with this gentle toner. Enlarged pores are caused by a build up of irregularities in the pores. To help avoid the problem in the long-term, this toner controls the production of sebum for all around better skin health.

Facts about the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner

Prize and size

One pink tinted bottle contains 210 ml and is available for 15,20 $ on the website here. The opening is just the right size to be able to pour toner in the palms of your hand without having to wait too long, but also without spilling it everywhere.

Texture and smell

Despite looking pink in the bottle, the product itself is completely clear, has no scent and behaves pretty similar to water in terms of runniness.

How to use the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner

As it is with most toners, you can either apply this with a cotton pad or with your fingers, and I prefer the latter. (More info: What is a toner and do you need one?)

Applied to the skin the toner has no tackiness, but also doesn’t feel hydrating, which is kind of an odd feeling – I associate applying toner with a layer of hydration, so it feels weird to apply one without that feeling. Quite on the contrary, my skin felt drier afterwards, not dry as in tight or flaky, but dry as in less oil on my face. Depending on your skin type you could either use it twice a day, something I would only recommend if you are really oily, once a day in the mornings to help control shine over the course of the day or, like me, on occasion – using it regularly was too much for my more mature skin. But then again I am probably not the target audience for this line.

Ingredients of the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner

Centella Asiatica Extract (50.47%) so|aox|h, Aqua(Water) solv, Propanediol solv|h, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Hydroxyacetophenone aox, Betaine h, Mineral Salts, Panthenol so|h 0 0, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate vc, Disodium EDTA chel, Butylene Glycol h|solv 0 1, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract so, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) Shell Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract surf, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid h, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Allantoin so 0 0, Citric Acid buff, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid exf, Gluconolactone exf|chel, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so|pres, Glycolic Acid exf|buff

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
First things first, of course the main ingredient is again Centella Asiatica Extract, the signature ingredient in all SKIN1004 products, claiming multiple skin soothing and repairing benefits. (More info: The benefits of Centella Asiatica Extract for your skin explained) In addition you will find soothing Panthenol and Betaine as well as Mineral Salts, which according to the brand is Himalayan Pink Salt. (More info: The benefits of Panthenol for your skin explained)

This is what, in my opinion, has the slightly drying effect on the skin, as it absorbs the sebum. If that has a long term sebum reducing effect or the opposite, the skin gets more oily with time due to the produced sebum being removed, is something that is discussed frequently online. My take on it is that the amount of sebum produced is mostly influenced by hormones and less by products applied topically, so I wouldn’t expect it to change the amount of sebum produced. It might affect the visible size of the pores though if it removes the sebum from the pores when applied.

The acids present, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Gluconolactone, a Polyhydroxy Acid, are exfoliating, but I still doubt they have a relevant exfoliating effect in this formulation, simply as they appear so low on the ingredient list. (More info: The benefits of acids for your skin explained)

Does it live up to its claims?

Hm.

While it has the means to absorb excess sebum I don’t really think it is exfoliating.

How does it compare to…

pixi Glow Tonic

Another gentle exfoliating toner with 5% Glycolic Acid, aimed not so much at pores but at general texture and pigmentation. I would assume the Glycolic Acid concentration here is higher than it is in the SKIN1004 offer, but still low enough to be tolerated even by sensitive skins. If it isn’t excessive oiliness you want to address, this one is probably the better option.

You can read my full review of the pixi Glow Tonic here.

Paulas Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This is probably the best known toner for addressing pores and pore concerns, and for a good reason. Ever since I tried it for the first time it has been a staple in my routine, despite the 2% Salicylic Acid certainly not being a low concentration. It is what keeps my pores clean and looking their best though, and even though it is pricey, I would always opt for this one if large pores were my biggest concern.

You can read my full review of the Paulas Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant here.

pixi Clarity Tonic

The Salicylic Acid version to pixis Glow Tonic, and probably better for those that have very oily skin than the original. If the concentration of Salicylic Acid here is higher than it is in the SKIN1004 offer isn’t something I can say for sure, but I suspect it is. It was too drying for my skin to be used on a daily, but might work for oily skin or teens struggling with congestion.

You can read my full review of the pixi Clarity Tonic here.

Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner to?

I am certainly not the target audience for the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner, which aims to reduce sebum on the skin to minimize pores. The sebum reducing effect is too drying for my more mature skin and certainly better for those struggle with really oily skin, maybe in their teens, especially if you want to use it regularly. As I need my toner to add extra hydration, this one will not earn a permanent place in my routine.

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