SheaMoisture Clarifying Toner for Problem Skin African Black Soap with Tea Tree Oil 4.4 oz Review
Our verdict
SheaMoisture's Clarifying Toner combines African black soap and tea tree oil for oily and acne-prone skin, and a 4.3 rating from 1,500 reviewers makes it one of the more widely reviewed toners in this lineup. At $9.75 for 4.4 ounces, it is priced as an accessible drugstore option.
Check price on AmazonBest for
People with oily or acne-prone skin who want an affordable clarifying toner built around tea tree oil and African black soap.
Skip if
You have dry or sensitive skin, since a detoxifying, oil-free formula aimed at oily skin may feel stripping for drier skin types.
- Priced 49% below the category median ($19.20 across 452 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.3/5
4.3 average across 1,500 owner ratings
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Popularity4.2/5
1,500 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
SheaMoisture built this toner around African black soap and tea tree oil, two ingredients associated with clarifying and detoxifying oily skin. It is labeled oil-free and paraben-free, and Unilever, which owns SheaMoisture, manufactures it at scale, which likely supports the accessible $9.75 price.
The formula is positioned for oily skin and acne concerns specifically, with moisturizing and detoxifying listed as the two core benefits, a combination meant to clear excess oil without leaving skin feeling completely dry. The 4.4 ounce, about 122 milliliter bottle is sized for regular daily use rather than as a trial size.
With 1,500 reviews and a 4.3 rating, this is one of the more heavily reviewed toners here, and the units bought in the last reporting month shows steady ongoing demand. The rating is solid rather than exceptional, which tracks with a budget-friendly clarifying toner that some oily-skin users love and others find only average.
Pros
- Large review base of 1,500 with a solid 4.3 rating
- Affordable at $9.75 for 4.4 ounces
- Oil-free and paraben-free formula
- Tea tree oil and African black soap aimed at oily, acne-prone skin
- Backed by the established SheaMoisture and Unilever brands
Cons
- Not formulated for dry or sensitive skin
- 4.3 rating is solid but not top of the category
- Detoxifying, oil-focused formula could feel drying for some
- Small bottle size relative to price for daily long-term use
Performance notes
Tea tree oil is commonly included in clarifying formulas for its association with managing oil and supporting a clearer-looking complexion, which lines up with the detoxifying benefit claim here. African black soap is traditionally used in a similar clarifying role, often for oily or acne-prone skin. Because the formula is labeled oil-free, it is built to avoid adding extra oil back to the skin, which fits the moisturizing-without-heaviness approach the brand describes.
What buyers say
With 1,500 reviews, this toner has one of the larger review bases in this set, and a 4.3 rating across that many buyers is a meaningfully consistent result. The combination of high review volume and steady monthly purchases suggests this is a repeat-buy staple for oily and acne-prone skin shoppers rather than a one-time trial purchase.
More from Brand
Similar women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers to consider
Frequently asked questions
Is this toner drying for oily skin?
Formulas built around tea tree oil and black soap are designed to manage excess oil, and the oil-free label supports that focus, but some oily skin types may still find it drying with frequent use. Starting with once daily and watching how your skin responds is a reasonable approach before moving to twice daily.
Can this toner help with acne breakouts?
The product is recommended for acne-related use and includes tea tree oil, an ingredient often associated with supporting a clearer-looking complexion. It is intended as a supporting step in a routine rather than a treatment on its own, so pairing it with a dedicated acne treatment may give better results for active breakouts.