Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner for oily acne-prone skin
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
1,2-Hexanediol
Butylene Glycol
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026
- Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2021
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin as Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract effectively controls sebum production and calms inflammation, addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula provides excellent hydration and antioxidant benefits, further supporting your skin's health and resilience.
- This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 20.0k+ reviewsThis toner is highly regarded for its ability to deeply hydrate and plump sensitive and dehydrated skin, with most users reporting a glowing complexion and reduced redness. A very large amount of data suggests this product is a cult favorite. Some users with very dry skin found it insufficient on its own, and a small number experienced breakouts or a sticky finish.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Saved my dehydrated barrier”
- “leaves skin plump and glowing”
- “perfect for 7-skin method”
Fast-absorbing texture Often Mentioned
- “Viscous but sinks in fast”
- “not sticky at all”
- “feels like a serum but lighter”
Soothing and calming Often Mentioned
- “stopped the itching”
- “no stinging on raw skin”
Minimalist and fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No fragrance is a huge plus”
- “simple ingredients list”
Insufficient hydration Sometimes Noted
- “Did nothing for me”
- “skin felt tight after drying”
- “not moisturizing enough alone”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Gave me tiny bumps”
- “broke me out in cysts”
- “clogged my pores”
Heating sensation Rarely Noted
- “Face felt hot”
- “turned my skin red”
- “warm sensation upon applying”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Left a sticky film”
- “felt tacky on my face”
- “took too long to dry down”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, soco.id, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is a superior fit because Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract helps control oil production and calms inflammation to manage breakouts. The formula also provides deep hydration without heavy feel, while its gentle ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract makes this toner a great fit because it helps control oil and calm inflammation for your breakouts. The formula also includes ingredients like Butylene Glycol and Hydroxyethylcellulose that provide deep hydration without feeling heavy on oily skin.
What does Astragalus Root Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Astragalus Root Extract helps calm oily and acne-prone skin by reducing inflammation and fighting oxidative stress. Because this skin type needs to stay balanced and clear, a product like this works best when it includes soothing ingredients and antioxidants that protect against irritation.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2026
What does Water do for oily acne-prone skin?
Water acts as a base to hydrate oily, acne-prone skin without adding heavy oils or clogging pores. Keeping such skin adequately moisturized helps maintain a balanced barrier and is unlikely to cause breakouts when formulated in lightweight products.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner goes in the morning and weekly routine right after cleansing and before your moisturizer, and in the weekly routine it also follows your cleansing mask. It helps hydrate your skin and controls excess oil without causing irritation.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to hydrate and soothe your skin before putting on your retinol treatment. This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this hydrating toner daily in your morning routine to help control oil, calm breakouts, and keep your skin feeling smooth and balanced. Its gentle formula is safe for your skin and 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 or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin because it contains soothing ingredients and lacks harsh components that typically cause irritation. Reviewers rarely report breakouts from using it.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Hydroxyethyl cellulose as a structural modifier in surfactant-free cosmetic serums limited moisture loss to approximately 5% after 30 minutes and improved structural uniformity compared to HEC-free formulations.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026Topical application of a 0.1% amla branch extract gel demonstrated superior anti-skin aging efficacy, including skin lightening, enhanced elasticity and hydration, and wrinkle reduction in 20 volunteers compared to a placebo over 84 days.
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2021Applying a lotion containing probiotic ferment lysate VHProbi® Mix R for 30 days significantly decreased transepidermal water loss and skin redness while significantly increasing skin moisturization compared to baseline in participants with sensitive skin.
Scientific Reports, 2023A preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol showed no delayed Type IV dermal sensitivity reactions in 200 subjects when tested as a 15% mixture in carbomer gel and in a cosmetic formulation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009Astragaloside IV promoted keratinocyte migration, stimulated wound closure, improved skin strength, and exhibited anti-scar effects by decreasing collagen I/III and TGF-beta1 secretion in vitro and in vivo compared to blank controls.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2012Astragaloside IV-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle-enriched hydrogel topically delivered sustainable drug release, enhanced keratinocyte migration and proliferation, and strengthened wound healing while inhibiting scar formation in a rat full-skin excision model compared to controls.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013The combination of astragalus extract and mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes promoted wound healing and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines in a murine skin wound model.
Regenerative Medicine, 2022A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.
Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022Sensory skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols increased with alkane chain length, whereas 1,2-hexanediol showed the lowest objective skin irritation potential compared to both shorter and longer chain lengths, and percutaneous absorption negatively correlated with alkane chain length.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Topical application of a novel gel containing 18% potassium complex, 10% dimethylisosorbide, and 72% aqueous hydroxyethyl cellulose provides rapid pain relief and inhibits chronic inflammation in patients with TMJ disorders, muscles of mastication, and myofascial pain usually within 5 minutes.
The Journal of Oral Implantology, 2007Fabricated dissolving microneedles composed of sodium hyaluronate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and gamma-polyglutamic acid exhibited structural integrity, sufficient mechanical strength for skin penetration, in vivo dissolution within 1 hour, and no erythema or edema with rapid pinhole disappearance in mice.
Drug Delivery and Translational Research, 2026Incorporating hydroxyethyl cellulose into a niacinamide-based moisturizing cream enhanced skin hydration performance, improved thermal stability, and increased morphological integrity compared with the HEC-free formulation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026
Ingredients
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.