Product Reviews Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
33 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Great product if you are not sensitive to the ingredients This product has several ingredients that are often sensitizers. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs or sulfur, avoid this. 3-8% of the population is allergic to sulfa antibiotics. Although there is little antibody-mediated Type 1 immediate hypersensitivity crossover between sulfa drugs and other sulfur containing products, there can be a T-cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction to sulfur containing non-antibiotic substances if you are allergic to sulfa antibiotics.
Niacin flushes the skin as a crucial part of its action. If you remove the flushing, little scientific evidence supports that it is actually doing its job to strengthen the skin barrier, treat precancerous and cancerous skin lesions, and reduce acne and hyperpigmentation. Some literature suggests that if you do not flush from taking internal niacin, then it is not doing an optimal job at reducing cholesterol or other target actions.
Combining salicylic acid and retinols leaves you with a chance for skin irritation. Combining water with any acid, especially retinols, will increase the chance of having a reaction on your skin because you are adding extra -OH groups and reactivating the acid.
Start slow if you have sensitive skin. Make sure that your face is dry. If you add anything on top of this, be aware that adding watery items may reactivate the acids. If you are sensitive, make sure that you top this with an oil instead of, say a lightweight watery moisturizer.
This is my holy grail and I hope they don't change it because a few people haven't done their homework. I have extremely sensitive skin and do my homework on every single item that I put on it. That is how I learned how to use this item in a safe way.
Every item whether it be natural, prescription, over-the-counter, or what have you has the potential to cause an allergic reaction in me. The worst reactions are caused by me not putting anything on my skin and it getting moist such as what happens when you fall asleep on your hand.
Most Helpful Critical Review Meh. Here's the thing... I've purchased this product twice over the past couple years. The first time, I had been using a prescription retinoid for a few weeks and this toner gave me contact dermatitis, severe erythema, and a burning sensation that would not stop for hours. That was a super dumb mistake on my part, although stronger acids did not produce such a severe reaction. Regardless, do not use this in conjunction with topical prescriptions.
The second time, after several years of using said prescription, I'm disappointed to report that this toner does very little for my skin. No burning or redness, but the exfoliation is minimal and what acne I do have isn't affected. Some of the ingredients in this cocktail are great: lactic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, etc. Other ingredients are terrible and will sensitize your skin, so I'd honestly recommend just choosing a cheaper option without the bells and whistles. On a final note, over the counter products should never cause severe erythema or burning. If you're using this product and getting that reaction, stop immediately and work to repair your skin. Healthier skin may react better, so I'm not claiming this toner is dangerous, but use caution.
TLDR: weak, overpriced toner with potential to f your face if you're not careful thanks to unnecessary plant extracts and vinegar.
Reviewed by 33 customers Horseradish BURNS 1
EllaLora from Orlando, FL
I received a trial size in a tarte order I placed recently. This stuff BURNS and makes my skin have a severe reaction. We shouldn't be putting anything with horseradish or sulfur as ingredients on our skin! Read the ingredients list on every skin care product you use.
Excellent Product 5
Las Vegas Lucy from Las Vegas
This is a strong toner and I would highly recommend for those with experience using acids. I love the combination of acids and it really invigorates the skin. This is not made for sensitive skin. Highly recommend for maturing skin.
Game Changer 5
Cris from Portland
I can't skip this in my routine because it helps with the texture of my skin and the appearance of the size of pores. It does burn when you first start using it, but it's worth it to get past that initial discomfort to see the benefit.
Incredible! 5
Ariana from St. Louis, MO
I recently started using this Tarte treatment and all I can say is it's absolutely incredible. My skin was extremely flakey and dry, and after even one use my skin feels and looks completely different. I've used it more than once of course, and the results continue to leave me speachless! Absolutely love this treatment!
Amazing!! 5
Hannah from Waco
This stuff is amazing! I have pretty good skin but lately I've had little bumps (not acne) that wouldn't go away no matter what. This product was recommended to me so I decided to give it a try. It cleared my skin overnight, I was amazed! It left my face red but I expected that with a chemical treatment. Highly recommend this product if you are looking to clear small blemishes.
Splendid. Not for the faint... 5
Miami Bish from Biscayne Bay
I feel amused with reviews complaining that this is too strong, or burns. Clearly those are people that never had chemical or laser peels or anything other than hydrating moisturizer. If you want result you have to endure it. This product is fantastic to refine texture. Just don't mix with the days when you are using other strong acids or if you are low tolerance for a bit of action.
It works okay, but... 2
fakename from AZ
it burns.
Works wonders on adult acne with CORRECT use 5
Lisa from NJ
This is a holy grail product for me. I've been using it since it came out about 3 years ago and I cannot live without it. People are complaining that it burns - yes, it's going to burn the first few times as your skin gets used to the acid, but the burning reduced to a mild tingling within a week of daily use for me. Sometimes if I forget to use it for a few days it will burn again for a day or two upon restarting. Also, it WILL burn if you do not wait about 3-5 minutes for it to completely dry before putting on your serums/moisturizers. Do as the product label says and just wait for it to dry.
This TOTALLY cleared my stubborn adult acne. I think the beauty of this product is that it's moisturizing as well, at least for a toner, so it doesn't strip your skin which in turn would cause more oil production and more acne. The glycerin in the product buffers the harsh acid. It seems to balance my skin really well, I can actually go two days without washing my face without oily skin like I had before. It does have a bit of a vinegar/sulfur smell, but that is gone within a few minutes. I apply it with a cotton pad in light swiping motions starting at the neck and working outwards from the center of the face.
Bottom line - this product is fantastic if used correctly and is excellent for adult acne prone skin.
Holy grail product 5
Shannanlovesskincare from Walkersville, md
I have been using this product for about a year now and can't live without it ! I can go without make up because this makes me skin look so great ! That and drunk elephant skincare ! The only downside is it's smell is strong but once you put your moisturizer on top after it dries you can't smell it anymore!
NO NO NO 1
Aneela from New Jersey
Put it on my skin after my cleanser, didn't have any effect. About an hour later my eyes are sooo swollen (almost shut), my skin is burning and red. I DONT recommend this at all. The redness is burning up and moving closer to my eyes and I didn't even go near my eyes.
Love it! 5
Melissa from Idaho
I love this product! I bought the trial size to see how it worked before I committed, it works great for me. We are all different and we all require different things for our skin, this works for me as I have oily skin and am prone to hormonal breakouts; my skin is not at all sensitive and responds well to things like glycolic acid and other things of that nature. This helped even my skin tone and reduce fine lines. I used it with the cleanser and brightening gel moisturizer daily.
Too hash and drying 3
Adina from Detroit
I normally use a daily BHA without any problem. I've also used other AHAs without any issues. This, I found to be too harsh for my skin. In no way would I consider this to be a daily exfoliant. Maybe weekly. It just made my skin too sensitive, so that anything applied to the skin made it burn (even soothing creams). It is an effective exfoliant. I did notice my skin was smoother and my pores were minimized. But it also dried out my skin. It's just too harsh. I can get chemical exfoliants that are equally as effective and not as sensitizing or drying. Also, although Tarte thinks "tingling" is a good thing, it's really not. If you're feeling tingling on your skin, it means your skin is taking some sort of damage. That's not good.
BURNED MY SKIN 1
Mauraa from New York
I have relatively normal skin. I get slight blemishes here and there. I thought this would be something nice to use one in a while. First time using it and at first the smell was terrible. I might as well put the vinegar in my kitchen cabinet! After two/three hours my face got super red, puffy, a hot! It looked like i had been out in the sun and got sunburn (it's February and i live in Northern New York) . Do NOT recommend this AT ALL
Great product if you are not sensitive to the ingredients 5
No mascne from Indianapolis
This product has several ingredients that are often sensitizers. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs or sulfur, avoid this. 3-8% of the population is allergic to sulfa antibiotics. Although there is little antibody-mediated Type 1 immediate hypersensitivity crossover between sulfa drugs and other sulfur containing products, there can be a T-cell mediated hypersensitivity reaction to sulfur containing non-antibiotic substances if you are allergic to sulfa antibiotics.
Niacin flushes the skin as a crucial part of its action. If you remove the flushing, little scientific evidence supports that it is actually doing its job to strengthen the skin barrier, treat precancerous and cancerous skin lesions, and reduce acne and hyperpigmentation. Some literature suggests that if you do not flush from taking internal niacin, then it is not doing an optimal job at reducing cholesterol or other target actions.
Combining salicylic acid and retinols leaves you with a chance for skin irritation. Combining water with any acid, especially retinols, will increase the chance of having a reaction on your skin because you are adding extra -OH groups and reactivating the acid.
Start slow if you have sensitive skin. Make sure that your face is dry. If you add anything on top of this, be aware that adding watery items may reactivate the acids. If you are sensitive, make sure that you top this with an oil instead of, say a lightweight watery moisturizer.
This is my holy grail and I hope they don't change it because a few people haven't done their homework. I have extremely sensitive skin and do my homework on every single item that I put on it. That is how I learned how to use this item in a safe way.
Every item whether it be natural, prescription, over-the-counter, or what have you has the potential to cause an allergic reaction in me. The worst reactions are caused by me not putting anything on my skin and it getting moist such as what happens when you fall asleep on your hand.
do not buy!!! 3
Abbey from illinois
if I could give this zero stars I would I get chemical peels all the time. But this product is horrible my skin was so red and inflame no no no!!!! Do not buy i will be returning this. the ingredients seems good which is why I bought it but overall a waste of money and so damaging to the skin I will have to do days of skincare to repair by skins barrier...
The MOST underrated acid product! 5
lanew22 from Boston, MA
This is the absolutely most underrated acid exfoliant on the market. Yes, it smells bad. Horrible actually, like vinegar. But that's what you get when you don't add irritating flowery perfumes to a product-they smell like their actives. But nothing whatsoever compares to the softness I feel THE NEXT DAY after using this product. It's so easy to apply and use in conjunction with other products because it's a toner consistency and then I can layer and layer on moisturizer on my dry, sensitive skin.
Better skin overnight 5
Tori from Tampa, FL
I'm obsessed with the knockout line! Previously I used the Rainforest of the Sea collection, but with the pandemic, I've been getting "maskne" and breakouts like I'm a teenager again. I bought the face wash from this line knowing I'd had good experiences with Tarte in the past, and it exceeded my expectations. My skin was brighter and softer after one use, with noticeably clearer skin over night. I purchased this toner later, and I'm so glad I did. It only lightly tingles in my opinion, I've experienced no burning as other reviewers stated. It does have a vinegary odor, but it fades quickly and doesn't bother me a bit. Sometimes I experience light redness, and I usually need moisturizer after using it, but my skin is so much clearer and softer now. If I go to bed with pimples, I wake up with clear or almost clear skin. I also use it on my chest and neck breakouts. I've tried every face scrub, toner, and treatment known to man, and this is my favorite line by far. Buy the trial size if you're on the fence, you won't regret it. I follow this up with the Rainforest of the Sea moisturizer, and use the Amazonian clay foundation with spf to protect my skin from the sun (this toner makes you more susceptible to sun damage). I'm turning 30 this year and after months of battling acne and my worst skin ever, with less than 8 weeks of using this line I finally feel comfortable saying this is my best skin ever.
stellar ingredient list. stellar results. 5
smooth skin from NYC
Please never change this formula. It is very strong, but I prefer it that way. For some people, this may be a once a week treatment. For me however, if I do it everyday, it brings whiteheads and blackheads to the surface so that I can then use a physical exfoliator or microdermabrasion to remove them.
It is a little sticky, and acts as a great substitute for moisturizer on hot and sticky days. Sometimes, I can skip makeup, priming, and moisturizing steps. I use this topped with a mineral sunscreen and then a light dusting of powder to bring the sunscreen to my color.
It does burn, however I feel that they warn you about that when they named it a tingling treatment. I have used it for nearly a year and only feel a burn when my skin is irritated for another reason, like being rubbed raw by a mask.
I'm happy to say that the only smell is the smell of the ingredients. was a product smells like nothing, often that means that it is heavily laced with a masking fragrance so that it becomes "unscented". Acids are supposed to smell sour and the smells appropriately sour.
Please do not change! 5
blazeyface from San Francisco
This stuff is awesome. There is a learning curve with acids, if you're not careful you can burn yourself. I find the best method is to apply to a clean, but DRY face. I towel dry after washing and apply, letting it work for 20 minutes before I apply moisturizer over the top. It smells like vinegar, which is what you want as fragrance can be incredibly irritating. I moisturize with fragrance free Cerave PM.
I definitely switch up my acids depending on my own needs, but this stuff always does the trick-- relieving congestion in my t-zone, minimizing dark spots and scarring, and softening the rougher skin I get along my jawline.
Please never change this formula. If people are unhappy with this product, there is no shortage of other options, but my me this is a holy grail.
One of the best 5
Crystal from VA
This is a great alternative to p50 at a fraction of the cost. Do some research before using this product so you know what you can and cannot mix with this as it is an acid.
EFFECTIVE 4
cheyanne from conroe tx
this has to be the most effective toner on the market. it's burns but boy does it work. i may use it a bit too much but my skin THANKS me every time i use it.
Meh. 2
Lizzie from TN
Here's the thing... I've purchased this product twice over the past couple years. The first time, I had been using a prescription retinoid for a few weeks and this toner gave me contact dermatitis, severe erythema, and a burning sensation that would not stop for hours. That was a super dumb mistake on my part, although stronger acids did not produce such a severe reaction. Regardless, do not use this in conjunction with topical prescriptions.
The second time, after several years of using said prescription, I'm disappointed to report that this toner does very little for my skin. No burning or redness, but the exfoliation is minimal and what acne I do have isn't affected. Some of the ingredients in this cocktail are great: lactic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, etc. Other ingredients are terrible and will sensitize your skin, so I'd honestly recommend just choosing a cheaper option without the bells and whistles. On a final note, over the counter products should never cause severe erythema or burning. If you're using this product and getting that reaction, stop immediately and work to repair your skin. Healthier skin may react better, so I'm not claiming this toner is dangerous, but use caution.
TLDR: weak, overpriced toner with potential to f your face if you're not careful thanks to unnecessary plant extracts and vinegar.
Don't give up! 5
michelleee from Texas
When I first used this treatment it burnt so bad that I almost didn't try it again! But after giving it a couple more tries I've grown to love it! Makes my skin feel so soft and smooth after using.
holy grail 5
britt from orem, utah
cannot live without this in my routine.
Tingling Burns 4
Zwei from TX
I tried it in my morning skin routine, wasn't a fan of the burn however by the next morning I felt a difference my face was smoother, and the redness on my cheeks has lessened slightly. I now do this treatment every so often, and it helps keep my skin feeling and looking soft and fresh. I'm curious to try the other products in this line.