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Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic
Kiehl's

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic

Efficacy0/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Cleansing
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic from Kiehl's is dual-phase facial toner that helps remove excess dirt and toxins for cleaner skin.”
Source: Ulta

This product does not seem to contain cleansing agents and might not be able to remove dirt and oil efficiently.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Menthoxypropanediol + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~7.8–11.7%est.
MenthoxypropanediolUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Hamamelis virginiana leaf water—High~0.1–0.3%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.05–0.2%est.
Zinc gluconateTypically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skinMedium~0.45–1.05%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Alcohol denat.~7.8–11.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Glycerin~3.7–5.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Propanediol~2.7–4.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Silica~2.2–3.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Zinc oxide~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant

More about Zinc oxide
Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Helps thicken the product consistency

More about Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer
Kaolin~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MattifyingAnti-blemish

A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color

More about Kaolin
Zinc gluconate~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-agingAnti-blemishExfoliationAnti-oxidationEvens skin tone

Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin

More about Zinc gluconate
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAntibacterialReduces irritationAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Avena sativa kernel flour~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier

More about Avena sativa kernel flour
Menthoxypropanediol~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Menthoxypropanediol
Hamamelis virginiana leaf water~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Hamamelis virginiana leaf water
Allantoin~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishReduces irritationReduces rednessExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin
Salicylic acid~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishExfoliationAnti-inflammatoryAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Alcohol denat., Glycerin, Propanediol, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Zinc oxide, Methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, Kaolin, Zinc gluconate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Avena sativa kernel flour, Menthoxypropanediol, Hamamelis virginiana leaf water, Allantoin, Salicylic acid

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Kiehl'sRare Earth Pore Refining TonicYOUR PRODUCTObagiSUZANOBAGIMD Balancing TonerOFRAWest End Micellar WaterBiodroga MDCleansing Fluid - NEW CLEAR +
Match—37%35%35%
Price—$40.00——
Shared key ingredients—1 of 62 of 62 of 6
Key difference—PanthenolCopper GluconateSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Medium Low
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. 3
    Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreensncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen productsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorodsiopscience.iop.org
  6. 6
    ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cellsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic
Kiehl'sRare Earth Pore Refining Tonic
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