Skincare

The Best Toners & Essences for Men

What is a Toner? Used on a cotton pad after cleansing, toners are designed to remove excess cleanser as well as acting as a mild astringent to exfoliate surface dead skin, reduce excess surface oil (or even replenish it in some cases) whilst shrinking and ‘toning’ the pores. There are many different kinds of toners from deeply exfoliating astringents; micellar waters; clarifying lotions and new softening lotions from Asia, designed to increase product absorption.

Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom

Dry / Dehydrated Skin L’Occitane Moisturisers Normal-Combination Skin Photoageing & Firmness Serums Toners & Essences

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Lotion

L’Occitane are at quite an exciting stage as a brand and over the last few years it has been incredible to watch them create hit, after hit, after hit. Since April, I’ve been using the freshly reformulated Immortelle Divine collection with the fabulous addition of the new Immortelle Divine Lotion – a post toner/pre-serum solution,…
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28th August 2013Updated 21st July 2026
Acne, spots & blemishes Dark Spots & Pigmentation Enlarged & Blocked Pores Normal-Combination Skin Oily Skin Toners & Essences

Cosmedica Skincare Vit-C Prep & Tone

Here’s something a bit new and unique that I thought you might like. It’s a toning liquid from American brand, Cosmedica, sold exclusively on Amazon and containing a high concentration of skin brightening, pore tightening and dead skin cell fighting vitamin C. When applied onto the skin, it’s very cooling and fabulously tingly. Strangely, Cosmedica’s…
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27th June 2013Updated 1st January 2024
Acne, spots & blemishes Enlarged & Blocked Pores Face Scrubs Normal-Combination Skin Oily Skin REN Skincare Toners & Essences

REN Clarifying Toning Lotion

A great new product from REN and finally, a great natural and effective alternative to one of my favourite products in the world. It feels completely neutral on the skin but leaves it feeling smooth and ready for moisture. Designed for a combination to combination/oily skin type, this gentle chemical exfoliator uses a natural form…
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6th May 2013Updated 10th January 2024
Acne, spots & blemishes Dark Spots & Pigmentation Dry / Dehydrated Skin Face Washes L’Occitane Moisturisers Oily Skin Toners & Essences

L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Collection

Over the last month, I’ve switched my entire skincare regime to the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening collection. It’s always a big risk to change your skincare regime in one, big wallop as you never quite know how your skin is going to react, therefore I always recommend to gradually change 1 product at a time, but…
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21st April 2013Updated 6th January 2024
Acne, spots & blemishes Dry / Dehydrated Skin Face Washes Sensitive Skin Toners & Essences

Bioderma Micelle Solution Micellar Water

I’m rarely one for a beauty trends, although BB Creams are amazing, specifically the Korean Blemish Balms but Micellar Waters are all the rage and I have to admit, I’m on board. The biggest micellar water offering seems to be revolving around Bioderma, a French brand launching here in the UK this April. From my…
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7th April 2013Updated 21st July 2026
4711 Aromatic Clinique Face Scrubs Face Washes La Mer L’Occitane Men's Fragrance Moisturisers Photoageing & Firmness Serums Toners & Essences

My Favourites for Spring 2013

Versace Eros You can read my full review for Versace Eros here, but this is definitely my favourite for spring. It’s light, sweet and fresh, but with a solid base that lets everyone know you mean business. My favourite notes are the Madagascan vanilla flower and deliciously fresh apple. Versace’s first men’s fragrance launch in…
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13th March 2013Updated 25th July 2026
Face Washes Moisturisers Toners & Essences

Yon-Ka For Men

“Yon”, the river of living and “Ka”, the eternal part of every being, form a symbol of constant regeneration and newfound harmony. Yon-Ka, established in 1954 in the Multaler Laboratories, are pioneers and leaders in aromatherapy and skincare. I was fortunate to get hold of a their skincare system, Yon-Ka For Men, which I have…
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8th March 2013Updated 1st January 2024
Clinique Face Scrubs Face Washes Moisturisers Normal-Combination Skin Photoageing & Firmness Toners & Essences

Clinique 3 Step Skincare System: 2 Dry Combination for Men

After a fantastic consultation at Manchester’s Selfridges, Exchange Square, I was shocked to learn that for the first time in my life, the perfect Clinique system for me is Number 2 – Dry Combination. Most of my life I’ve used Clinique’s Anti-Blemish solutions, but over the last year my skin seems to have finally vanquished…
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22nd February 2013Updated 1st January 2024
Clarins Dry / Dehydrated Skin Moisturisers Normal-Combination Skin Oily Skin Sensitive Skin Skincare Sun Protection Toners & Essences

Clarins Skincare

Clinique and Clarins are two of the UK’s biggest skincare companies in the UK. As you all know, I’m a Clinique accredited consultant, and through my work and this site, continue to be a patron for the company as the products are ridiculously amazing. However, how can I pretend to be any sort of expert…
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12th November 2011Updated 9th January 2024