Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent - 10 Oz Review
Our verdict
Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent is a classic drugstore toner for normal skin, unscented and built around an aluminum sulfate based astringent, priced at just $9 for 10 ounces.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Normal skin types who want a classic, affordable, unscented astringent toner for everyday cleansing.
Skip if
You have dry or very sensitive skin, since traditional aluminum sulfate astringents can feel stripping for those skin types.
- Priced 53% below the category median ($19.20 across 452 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 389 owner ratings
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Popularity2.7/5
389 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["Sea Breeze's Original Formula is one of the long running names in the astringent category, built around aluminum sulfate tetradecahydrate and formulated for normal skin. It comes in a 10 fluid ounce bottle and is unscented.", "The formula is paraben free and sulfate free in terms of cleansing agents, and the brand describes its purpose simply as cleansing. It's recommended for use on the face, applied the traditional way with a cotton pad after washing.", "At $9 and a 4.6 star rating from 389 reviews, it's an affordable, well established option, though it's worth noting that traditional aluminum sulfate astringents tend to be more drying than gentler modern toners, which suits normal skin better than dry or reactive skin."]
Pros
- Very affordable at $9 for 10 ounces
- Unscented, straightforward formula
- Paraben free and sulfate free
- Solid 4.6 star rating from 389 reviews
Cons
- Formulated for normal skin, less suited to dry or very sensitive skin
- Traditional astringent base can feel drying with frequent use
Performance notes
The key ingredient is aluminum sulfate tetradecahydrate, a traditional astringent salt used to help tighten the feel of the skin and control surface oil. It's a more old school astringent approach compared to some of the gentler, extract based toners in this category, so normal skin types are likely to get the best balance of cleansing without excess dryness.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average from 389 reviews reflects steady satisfaction with this long running, budget friendly astringent.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Sea Breeze astringent good for oily skin?
It's formulated specifically for normal skin, so while some people with oily skin do use it, those with very oily or acne prone skin may want a formula built for oil control specifically, and those with dry or sensitive skin may find it too drying.
Does it have a fragrance?
No, it's listed as unscented, which makes it a straightforward option for anyone who wants to avoid added fragrance in their toner.
Is it paraben free?
Yes, the formula is listed as paraben free and sulfate free.