Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic Review

Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic
2.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
4.9 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
1.2Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic has to offer:
 
✅ Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.4 out of 10.
✅ Slight anti-wrinkle effect: Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic has an anti-wrinkle rating of 1.2 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
✅ Soothing: Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

  

Key Benefits of Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic:
 

🔵 Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 4.9 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Sodium PCA (est. ≈2.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

❗️ Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

💧 A Humectant Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🟣 Slight Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 1.2 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Glycolic Acid (est. ≈4.0%),
 a highly effective ingredient in peelings but with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy in leave-on skincare products, as supported by a single clinical study. This study, involving 72 participants (Thibault et al.), demonstrated that a lotion with 5% GA reduced the fine wrinkling score by 6% after 34 days of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without GA).
 
📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some additional anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

🔴 Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water (est. ≈3.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ May Increase Skin Photosensitivity Due to Glycolic Acid

This product contains glycolic acid, a popular AHA known for its ability to exfoliate and brighten the skin. Its action works by removing dead skin cells, revealing new, more delicate skin that is particularly vulnerable to sun damage.

As a result, using products with glycolic acid, regardless of concentration, may increase the skin's sensitivity, making it more prone to sunburn or irritation when exposed to UV rays.

To counteract this increased sun sensitivity, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect your skin during glycolic acid treatment.

❗️Please always check the manufacturer's instructions for using the product, either on their website or product label.

⚠️ If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides moderate humectant moisturizing suitable for oily skin
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
Provides slight anti-wrinkle efficacy
✅ Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, specifically Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May increase skin photosensitivity due to glycolic acid
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants
   

Summary: Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic
, when used alone, provides lightweight, moderate humectant moisturizing, making it suitable for oily skin. As part of a moisturizing routine, it offers a subtle humectant enhancement, beneficial for all skin types.
 
Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic contains ingredients with proven evidence of anti-wrinkle efficacy that may offer a slight anti-wrinkle effect. As a result, you can expect a positive, though relatively minimal, impact on wrinkles.
 
 
With a high concentration of soothing ingredients, Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic has the potential to calm and comfort irritated skin. Whether you’re experiencing redness, irritation, or general sensitivity, its soothing properties may help restore balance and provide relief.
 
That said, there are some things about Neutrogena Pore Refining Face Toner With Witch Hazel Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic worth noting.
 
Looking at its moisturizing profile, we found that it doesn’t contain any occlusive ingredients, potentially allowing the moisture attracted to the skin by humectants to evaporate. Therefore, if it’s used as the only moisturizer in a routine, it’s recommended to pair it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones.
 
This product contains glycolic acid, a popular AHA known for its ability to exfoliate and brighten the skin. However, glycolic acid - regardless of concentration - can increase skin sensitivity, making it more prone to sunburn or irritation when exposed to UV rays. Therefore, it’s recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during glycolic acid treatment.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Glycolic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Function:
Origin:
Sodium PCA
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lactate
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
4.9
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 4.9 10
4.9
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
All humectants 4.9 10
4.9
All humectants
4.9
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
1.5 /10 5 4 1.2
Total
1.2
Glycolic Acid
1.2
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
4
Anti-wrinkle rating
1.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
0.3
All antioxidants 1.3 3 No
All antioxidants
1.3
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
1
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
3
1.5
1
0.3
All soothing 5.8 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
5.8
3
1.5
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Glycolic Acid
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycolic Acid

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) WaterA fragrant, astringent essential water obtained by steeping and distilling the twigs and leaves of the witch hazel plant. It leaves the skin feeling tight and refreshed after application and helps with the healing of small cuts on the skin.
Sodium PCA
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Sodium PCAOne of the most important parts of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Sodium PCA is used in skincare for its fantastic humectant properties.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Sodium Lactate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Sodium LactateA sodium salt of lactic acid. Its main function is as a humectant but it can also serve as a pH adjuster. Additionally, sodium lactate can also be used as a chemical exfoliant due to its close chemical relation to lactic acid.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AlcoholAn effective antimicrobial ingredient that kills bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses. It is also an excellent solvent and astringent. Alcohol helps to create lighter and less viscous products. It can, however, be dehydrating and skin-sensitizing.
Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf ExtractA fragrant extract obtained from the mature leaves of the Eucalyptus tree. It contains cineole, the main constituent of eucalyptus essential oil.
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf ExtractA fragrant extract derived from the leaves of peppermint. It contains a pleasant-smelling essential oil, as well as plenty of antioxidant flavonoids, terpenes, and phenolic acids.