Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner for oily acne-prone skin
Squalane
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Willow Bark Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
GlycerinHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even 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
- This toner is highly suitable for your oily skin and acne concerns, as betaine salicylate and microcitrus australasica fruit extract work effectively to exfoliate and minimize pores. Willow bark extract further aids in seboregulation, addressing oiliness and breakouts.
- The inclusion of cucumber fruit water and lavender flower water provides additional soothing benefits, complementing the active ingredients for a balanced experience.
- The product demonstrates a strong safety profile with no reported irritation risks for oily skin, thanks to its gentle formulation and absence of harsh components.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly regarded for its gentle exfoliation and pore-minimizing effects, with many users appreciating its hydrating formula that avoids the dryness often associated with BHA products. Most users with oily and combination skin report smoother texture and clearer pores. A small number of users experienced breakouts or found the fragrance irritating, and some noted issues with the packaging or a sticky residue.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling clean but not stripped”
- “most hydrating BHA I've used”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “doesn't damage moisture barrier”
Hydrating formula Often Mentioned
- “sinks in nice and hydrates”
- “leaves skin bouncy”
- “moisturizing toner”
- “restores radiance”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “face feels so smooth”
- “texture was significantly different and softer”
- “got rid of rough patches”
- “skin looks flawless”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “delicious cucumber scent”
- “light and refreshing smell”
- “botanical scent”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “clogged pores disappeared”
- “pores look really clean”
- “helps reduce pore appearance”
- “cleared up sebaceous filaments”
Expensive price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for a toner”
- “expensive but worth it”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “good but pricey”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “comes out too fast”
- “needs a different stopper”
- “runny product spills easily”
- “shards of glass in bottle (rare)”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “covered in blemishes overnight”
- “caused deep throbbing acne”
- “got breakout after use”
- “messed my whole face up”
Fragrance irritation Rarely Noted
- “fragrance caused redness”
- “irritating for sensitive skin”
- “don't like the lavender oil”
- “strong scent”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves an oily film”
- “feels a bit sticky”
- “shinier look to the face”
- “takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, biossance.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, influenster.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit because betaine salicylate and willow bark extract help clear pores and control oil, while cucumber and lavender water soothe your skin. It is also unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin due to its gentle formula.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because betaine salicylate and willow bark extract help clear pores and control excess oil. It is unlikely to cause irritation while helping to keep your skin balanced.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.
What does Bha do for oily acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear up breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing excess oil and calming redness. It works deep inside pores to clear away dirt and oil while keeping skin smooth and comfortable.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an oily, acne-prone routine as a cleansing toner step in the evening, starting once a week before gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Its gentle formulation and soothing ingredients make it unlikely to cause irritation while helping to manage oiliness and clear pores.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your evening routine and following with retinol once your skin has adjusted. This gentle approach helps minimize potential irritation while targeting breakouts and oiliness.
How often should I use it?
Start using this exfoliating toner once a week in your routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. Its gentle formulation is unlikely to cause irritation on oily and acne-prone skin.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as its gentle exfoliating ingredients help keep pores clear and balance oiliness without irritation. A very small number of reviewers have mentioned breakouts, which may happen when starting any new exfoliating product.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol).
What the research says
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024A 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, 2017The 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, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Willow Bark Extract, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Squalane, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Betaine Salicylate, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water Rosemary Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water Lavender Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Oil Leaf, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Amber Powder, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citronellol
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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