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Benton PHA Peeling Toner for oily acne-prone skin

Benton PHA Peeling Toner

Superior

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.

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

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start using your exfoliating toner once a week and slowly increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or other treatments.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid any harsh rubbing .
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and completely dry skin to ensure the best results .
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use daily SPF while using exfoliating active products.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this toner is highly regarded as a gentle exfoliant suitable for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin, often called a beginner-friendly acid that refines texture without compromising hydration. Many users report a dewy glow and reduced flakiness, though some find it too mild for significant results compared to stronger exfoliants.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “no irritation whatsoever”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “mild enough for daily use”
    • “no stinging”
  • Hydrating Often Mentioned
    • “skin slurps it up”
    • “leaves a dewy finish”
    • “feels like a hydrating toner”
    • “not drying at all”
  • Clean ingredients Sometimes Noted
    • “fragrance-free”
    • “unscented”
    • “no alcohol”
    • “soothing cornflower water”
  • Smoothes texture Sometimes Noted
    • “removes dry flakes”
    • “skin feels softer”
    • “makeup applies better”
    • “texture is refined”
  • Poor pump Sometimes Noted
    • “squirts everywhere”
    • “pump is too strong”
    • “messy application”
    • “hard to control amount”
  • Too mild Sometimes Noted
    • “underwhelming effects”
    • “no visible difference”
    • “takes weeks to work”
    • “too weak for exfoliation”
  • Price/volume Rarely Noted
    • “bottle is small”
    • “finished too quickly”
    • “expensive for the results”
  • Sticky finish Rarely Noted
    • “sticky upon drying”
    • “tacky residue”
    • “takes time to absorb”

Sources: lovi.care, stylekorean.com, seouloftokyo.co.za, picky.com, hwahae.co.kr, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Benton PHA Peeling Toner one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?

This toner is an exceptional fit because lactobionic acid and sodium gluconate gently smooth your skin and clear breakouts, while oleanolic acid helps control oil. The formula also includes soothing ingredients that calm your skin without any risk of irritation.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Lactobionic acid and sodium gluconate make this toner a great fit by gently smoothing texture, while oleanolic acid and enantia chlorantha bark extract help control oil. These ingredients work safely together to keep your skin clear and calm without causing irritation.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing both inflamed and non-inflamed spots similarly to stronger treatments while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or damage your skin barrier, making it a well-tolerated choice for oily and acne-prone skin.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

What does Lactobionic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Lactobionic acid helps calm and smooth oily, acne-prone skin while gently exfoliating without irritation or breaking down the skin barrier. Because it is very gentle and deeply hydrating, it works best when paired with ingredients that control excess oil and clear pores.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliating toner fits into your evening routine after cleansing. It helps smooth your texture and control oil without causing irritation.

Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by alternating them or applying the toner first in your routine, but because it contains gentle acids like lactobionic acid, it is unlikely to cause irritation when used thoughtfully. Using a gentle exfoliating acid alongside your routine helps smooth texture while keeping oil and breakouts in check.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your skin handles it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The gentle formulation is unlikely to cause irritation.

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging, as its gentle exfoliating acids smooth texture and control oil without irritating your skin. It has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients, making it very well suited for keeping oily acne-prone skin clear and calm.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.

    The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010
  • An emulsion containing 10% lactobionic acid significantly reduces human skin surface pH without causing skin irritation or barrier impairment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provided antiaging benefits comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen while demonstrating enhanced mildness and better tolerance in subjects.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Combining a 20% lactobionic acid peel with aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion increases skin hydration, improves elasticity, and decreases transepidermal water loss in 20 Caucasian females compared to lactobionic acid peel alone.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Carboxytherapy alone and combined with lactobionic acid, ferulic acid, and ascorbic acid significantly reduced vascular dark circles and combined pigmentation in the tear trough and lower eyelid of 39 Caucasian participants.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024
  • Lactobionic acid improved skin barrier function most compared to other AHAs and BHAs when tested on an ex vivo porcine skin model, confirming significant barrier-protective effects and enabling toxicity evaluation of cosmetic ingredients.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • A 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, 2017
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001

Ingredients

Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Pca, Propanediol, Chrysanthemum Morifolium Flower Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Ceramide Np, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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