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I recently finished my Biologique Recherche Lotion p50, and wanted to find a replacement that I could purchase locally. After considering the possibilities, I searched the Sephora website and settled on the Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. It’s been about a month since I began using the product, and it’s a gem!
Backstory
Me being me, when searching for a new exfoliating toner to replace the greatness of Biologique Recherche, I began with a little research. I looked up the ingredients of the Lotion p50 and compared it to past products I’d used. The biggest difference was the combination of lactic acid with malic, phytic, and salicylic acids. Plus, the lactic acid was higher up on the list which means that the product contains more lactic acid than the other acids.
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is notably gentler than glycolic acid. The acid is great for acne prone and mature skin because it effectively exfoliates without irritating the skin. Lactic acid is an ingredient in many anti-aging products because it hydrates the skin which promotes softness.
In the past, products containing high amounts of glycolic acid have not been acceptable for my skin, so I determined that I should search for a product that contained a significant amount of lactic acid, but also combined other acids into the mix. With that criteria in mind, I searched Sephora’s website and the only product that fit the bill was the Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner.
Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
Lotion p50 smoothed my skin, reduced the appearance of my pores, and kept them clog free. All without drying out my non oily areas or causing unnecessary irritation. The Balancing Force Oil Control Toner had a lot to live up to. Product claims include solutions for oiliness, pores, acne and blemishes.
Welp, I can say that the product lives up to the hype. My skin hasn’t erupted since using the Balancing Force toner, nor has it become dry. Furthermore, the product pairs quite well with my vitamin c serum and moisturizer. I was skeptical because the Balancing Toner does contain glycolic acid, but I took a chance and won.
The toner does leave my skin looking matte, which is perfect for makeup application. Plus, the cost is half the price of the Lotion p50 at $26. I tested the exfoliating quality of the product, and it does give gentle exfoliation that lasts a couple days. Which is why I only apply the Balancing Toner to my skin every other morning.
Considering the quality of the ingredients and the product performance, I would say that the Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner is a steal!
