COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner for oily acne-prone skin
Propolis Extract
Honey Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
PanthenolLow
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for oily acne-prone skin; the toners alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers general hydration and soothing benefits for your oily skin and acne-prone skin due to propolis extract and honey extract, but these ingredients are not specialized for targeting acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Glycerin and panthenol provide humectant action that may be too heavy for oily skin, offering only partial benefits for your primary concerns.
- The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin feels fine.
- Apply your hydrating toner after cleansing and before putting on your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it ⏱absorb for a minute before adding your next product.
- Applying the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin helps your face absorb it better. This keeps your oily skin balanced and hydrated.
- Be sure to avoid the eye area when applying. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any reaction.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly praised for delivering deep hydration and a radiant glow, making it ideal for dry, dehydrated, or dull skin types. It effectively calms redness and soothes active acne without feeling heavy. Some users with sensitive skin appreciate its gentle formulation. A small number of users reported experiencing breakouts or a sticky finish.
Highlights
Deep hydration glow Mostly Mentioned
- “Glass skin finish”
- “plump and dewy”
- “instant healthy glow”
- “bouncy skin”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “Viscous but lightweight”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “glides on smoothly”
- “not greasy”
Soothing healing Often Mentioned
- “Calms redness instantly”
- “heals popped pimples”
- “soothes irritation”
- “reduces inflammation”
Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
- “Fragrance-free”
- “no stinging”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “simple ingredient list”
Allergic reactions Rarely Noted
- “Itching and redness”
- “allergic to propolis”
- “heated sensation”
- “rash on cheeks”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Triggered fungal acne”
- “caused whiteheads”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “cystic acne flare-up”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “Did absolutely nothing”
- “just expensive water”
- “no brightening effect”
- “hydration didn't last”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Left a tacky residue”
- “feels sticky if layered”
- “too heavy for humidity”
- “didn't dry down”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, pickyskincare.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is COSRX Propolis Toner a weak match for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner provides general soothing and hydration, but it lacks specialized ingredients to target acne and breakouts. Its humectant ingredients may also feel too heavy for oily skin. A product of this type needs oil-controlling agents, excellent hydrating and soothing properties, and ingredients that actively address blemishes while balancing skin health.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this toner a poor fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and panthenol are the main ingredients that may be too heavy for oily skin. A toner for this skin type needs oil-controlling agents and specialized ingredients to target acne and breakouts, rather than just heavy moisture.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Propolis Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Propolis extract helps calm breakouts and redness on oily, acne-prone skin while fighting the bacteria that cause pimples. It works to reduce redness scars and clear up lesions, making it a helpful addition to your routine for clearer skin.
What does Honey Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Honey extract helps calm oily acne-prone skin while keeping it soft and smooth. It acts as a natural treatment that supports healing and provides antimicrobial benefits to help manage breakouts.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner goes right after your cleanser in the morning routine, and it is also used after a cleansing mask during your weekly routine. It provides general soothing and hydration, but oily and acne-prone skin needs ingredients that specifically target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to damp skin and following with your retinol once it absorbs. This product is safe for your skin with no risk of irritation, though oily skin of this type needs specialized ingredients that target acne, blemishes, and breakouts rather than heavy hydration.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this hydrating toner in both your morning and evening routines after cleansing. It is safe for your oily skin and unlikely to cause irritation, though its ingredients may feel too heavy for your skin type. Oily acne-prone skin of this type needs lightweight ingredients that specifically target blemishes and breakouts.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, but it may occasionally cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin because some of its moisturizing ingredients can feel a bit heavy. Oily and acne-prone skin needs lightweight products with ingredients that actively target blemishes and breakouts while keeping hydration balanced without heaviness.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical propolis application significantly reduced postoperative pain, hemorrhage, and accelerated wound healing in patients undergoing tonsillectomy compared to a control group.
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology, 2018Topical treatment with ethanol propolis extract resulted in complete mycological and clinical cure in 56.25% of patients with onychomycosis, demonstrating non-toxicity and effective antifungal activity against Trichophyton spp. both in vitro and in patients.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2018Honey-based dressings reduced mean healing duration, length of hospital stay, and VAS pain scores compared with povidone iodine-based dressings in 1236 participants.
Journal of Wound Care, 2021Topical honey application improved the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and healing time compared to acyclovir cream in 16 adult patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes lesions.
Medical Science Monitor, 2004The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Why other toners fit oily acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Propolis Extract, Honey Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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