Thayers Lavender Alcohol-Free Toner with Witch Hazel Aloe Vera

A bit of background: I've used toner in the past, and eventually gave it up because it seemed an unnecessary step in my already layer-ful skin routine. Plus it tended to sting my skin. Then I got to trial Thayers...

The fragrance: Yummy. Yes, it's lavender-y, but not stale, flowery, granny lavender. It's light and fresh, with almost warm vanilla undertones, and I absolutely love it.

The formula: It's the usual, very liquid toner texture. But that's where any similarity with other toners I've used ends. There's no stinging. No drying. No tightness. My skin immediately feels refreshed and super-clean but deeply moisturised.

The results: For context... my skin's dry and 54 years old. It feels tight after every cleanse, even though I use ultra-gentle cream cleansers only. And it often feels uncomfortably dry during the day and in the morning when I wake, even though I pile on moisturiser every day and night to combat this. Enter Thayers. For the two weeks of the trial, I used it morning and night, and my skin has never felt so hydrated and happy. It's dewy. Actually dewy! I'm using less moisturiser than normal in the morning, yet by the end of the day my skin's still bouncy and plump - with no 'top-ups' during the day. Same thing in the morning. I'm gobsmacked, frankly. I had no idea a toner could make such a difference.

Conclusion: Thayers claims that this is a 'gentle, non-drying toner that acts like a remedy to hydrate skin all day' and that it will give you 'glowy, moisturized skin that looks and feels healthier'. In my case, this is not an exaggerated claim. It absolutely does exactly what it says. I'm delighted I got to try it, and even more delighted that NZ stores now stock this item. I'll be buying more.

Nice product to use. Most toners leave my skin dry but Thayers toner didn’t and left it feeling refreshed. Air had a nice smell that wasn’t too overwhelming. I also really liked the packaging. Would recommend and use again.

My skin felt really good after using the toner, it felt really healthy and full of mositure. My skin looked amazing as well..would recommend it.

Having the opportunity to trial this toner couldn't have come at a better time, as I was wanting to kick my skincare routine up a notch. This toner has been the perfect product to add into my routine. I have noticed since using this product my skin is looking brighter and seems less congested than it was before I started using it, and it definitely picks up anything you miss with your cleanser. I am always a little skeptical about trying toners as they usually make my skin feel really tight and sting during application, more than likely due to the alcohol content in the ones I've tried. This toner is non-distilled witch hazel (so alcohol free), which doesn't sting my skin at all and I don't need to rush to put moisturiser on straight away as there is no tightness when drying. I'm loving the lavender scent that goes with this toner as its very calming but not too overpowering. I'm impressed with how versatile this toner is because not only can you use it to cleanse and tone your skin, I've found that it works perfectly as a setting spray thats great for your skin - and at the low cost of $15.99 per 355ml bottle, its a fraction of the $50+ I spent on my last setting spray! Easily accessible as it can be purchased either in-store or online from the Chemist Warehouse. Such a generous sized bottle that has gone a long way so far. The packaging is simple but works well for the product, and it would be easy to spot on the shelf when purchasing. The bottle cap allows only a small amount to be dispensed at a time which works great since the product has the same consistency as water. I tip a very small amount onto a microfibre cleansing pad/cloth and apply to my face, or you could also use a cotton pad. This is a product I am definitely keeping permanently in my skincare routine, and I've even got my sister with very sensitive skin wanting to give it a go as well. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it, its a great product!

I really wanted to like this toner as I’ve been hoping to add a toner into my skincare routine for awhile. Coming into the colder months, my skin is starting to get a bit dull and on the dryer side, so a toner with witch hazel and aloe seemed like a good fit. The packaging itself is nice, the design fits well with the brand and it looks nice enough sitting on my vanity. You also get a good amount of product in here compared to other toners which are often 250ml. The toner has a nice scent, it isn’t overpowering and it doesn’t linger too long on the skin, so fine for people who are a bit more sensitive to overly scented products. Unfortunately I just found the toner did nothing for my skin, and if anything it dried it out more than it already was. It feels refreshing and is nice to swipe over after removing my makeup to ensure I’ve got a totally clean base before applying moisturiser, but in terms of actual skin benefits, this product wasn’t for me. Perhaps if you had oily skin this would be a better fit.

This toner feels like nothing at all. It feels like you're applying water on your skin but with the added benefits of lavender and toning your face.

It's alcohol free so there's no irritation. I even accidentally swiped it on my eyelids (forgetting it's not make up remover) and there was no stinging or reaction from this. My skin didn't dry from this formula.

The packaging is unique. I like that the label is paper-based so it can be recycled easily with the bottle.

This toner feels so luxurious when you use it. It smells relaxing and left my skin feeling soft and plump. It was hard to see visible skin results in such a short timeframe, but I’ll keep using it and I expect good things.

I really enjoyed using this product. The light scent made it very pleasant to use.

I have sensitive skin, so I'm always wary when I try a new product, but this one felt gentle and hydrating on my face.

I also appreciated the bottle. It's a generous size and has an easy to use flip top lid - no fighting to get the product out! As an additional test, my clumsy self even dropped the bottle on my tiled floor and it didn't break. Yay for good packaging! A final note on the packaging - this product is cute. I love the simple, classic presentation. I'm happy to have this product out on the bench instead of tucked away in the cupboard.

So why not 5/5? It includes fragrance, an ingredient I try to avoid in my products. Fragrance is a name that can be used to cover any ingredient - safe or dubious - so I try to steer clear of products with fragrance.

This is a lovely product that is good for my skin. If you're more concerned about the end result than the ingredients, this is a good product to try.

Thayers Lavender Alcohol-Free Toner with Witch Hazel is a spa day in a bottle! Not only does it smell like a field of lavender (which is basically the equivalent of a day at the spa), but it's also alcohol-free, so you won't feel like you just dumped a bottle of vodka on your face.

But seriously, this toner is amazing. It's perfect for those with sensitive skin (like moi) because it's gentle and soothing. And the witch hazel works wonders for reducing redness and inflammation. Plus, the lavender scent is so calming and relaxing, it's like a mini holiday for your skin.

And let's not forget about the packaging - the cute little bottle with the vintage-inspired label is just too adorable. It's like something out of a French apothecary! So, if you want to add a little spa-like luxury to your daily skincare routine, Thayers Lavender Alcohol-Free Toner with Witch Hazel is the way to go. Trust me, your skin (and your senses) will thank you.