The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Obagi
$55 · 6.7 fl oz (198 ml)
An alcohol-free toner built on witch hazel water, with potassium alum as a mild astringent.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
Witch hazel toner plus a panthenol and allantoin toner
Thayers
Witch hazel and aloe astringent step
Round Lab
Allantoin, panthenol and glycerin hydrating layer
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Nu-Derm Toner into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The base of the toner: an astringent that removes excess oil and may calm redness.
Soothing plant extracts high in the list.
Soothing, skin-comforting ingredients.
Humectants that keep the toner non-drying.
No drying alcohol, with citric acid to keep the pH skin-friendly.
Optional
81 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total $10.99
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Running total $27.98
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Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
Anua
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. A watery soothing toner built on heartleaf water, with panthenol, glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Heartleaf is a different calming plant, not witch hazel. Fragrance free.
Not an affiliate link.
Thayers
Why it is close. An alcohol-free witch hazel and aloe toner, the same idea as Obagi's toner at a fifth of the price for nearly twice the size. It skips allantoin and panthenol. Both are fragranced.
Not an affiliate link.
Round Lab
Why it is close. A light hydrating toner that matches the allantoin, panthenol and glycerin side of the Obagi formula. It has no witch hazel, so it does less for oil. Fragrance free.
Not an affiliate link.
Thayers
Witch hazel and aloe astringent step
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowThayers
Round Lab
Allantoin, panthenol and glycerin hydrating layer
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowRound Lab
Anua
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowAnua
A 10% witch hazel (hamamelis) lotion reduced UV-induced redness, though only one of three versions beat its vehicle.
Hughes-Formella 2002 · Skin Pharmacology and Appli…Topical dexpanthenol improves skin hydration and reduces water loss.
Ebner 2002 · Am J Clin Dermatolaqua/water/ eau, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water,aloe barbadensis leaf juice, borago officinalis extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, allantoin, panthenol, glycerin, saponins, sodium PCA, phenoxyethanol, potassium alum, polysorbate 80, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance/parfum, citric acid, benzoic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, alpha-isomethyl ionone, linalyl acetate, hydroxycitronellal, benzyl salicylate, amyl cinnamal, linalool, limonene
We split Nu-Derm Toner into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 81 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner by Anua is our closest single-product match at 59 out of 100 for $21 (8.45 fl oz (250 ml)). It shares Panthenol, Glycerin, Soothing botanicals (centella, chamomile), Alcohol-free.
Nu-Derm Toner costs $55 for 6.7 fl oz (198 ml). The closest dupe costs $21, a saving of about $34. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Witch hazel, Allantoin, Aloe. See our methodology for how we score.
SkinBetter Science · serum
~$28.20 + check priceour build, 4 partsOriginal $225, build ~$28.20 + check price.
Good Molecules + The Ordinary + Byoma
SkinBetter Science · spf
~$56.89our build, 2 partsOriginal ~$75, build ~$56.89.
CeraVe + EltaMD
SkinBetter Science · cleanser
~$38.17 + check priceour build, 4 partsOriginal ~$50, build ~$38.17 + check price.
CeraVe + Vanicream + Minimalist + Aveeno