Only Stila Product I'm disappointed in

For a product that claims "Toner, reinvented," this alcohol-free toner doesn't add anything new or all that exciting. If anything, its core ingredients may just leave your skin feeling confused! The water-based formula contains a high amount of a type of clay known as montmorillonite, which is absorbent, not moisturizing. The formula also contains several fragrant plant extracts that pose a risk of irritation, and are often seen in "natural" AHA exfoliants. This toner doesn't exfoliate and ingredients such as sugar maple extract do not work like tried-and-true AHAs such as glycolic acid.

Toner is something that can be pretty hard to review, as it's something that doesn't always feel like it's making much of a difference on skin, but Stila Undercover Conditioning Toner & Moisture Prep is different. For starters, it's a thicker toner, with a syrupy texture (but without any stickiness) that feels more like a serum when applied to skin. It works to nourish skin with conditioners to do more than just tone skin. It hydrates skin while also performing a whole host of anti-aging wonders and is alcohol free (unlike may toners.) I found this toner to be immediately hydrating, as it sinks into skin leaving it feeling softer, and feeling ultimately clean. I quite like to use this after I've used a mask, as it feels really nourishing, and soothing on skin. Unlike most toners, which don't really feel like they've done anything, this does seem to leave skin brighter and as mentioned, smooth and hydrated.