Acwell 5.5 Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner for oily acne-prone skin
Licorice Extract
Rheum Palmatum Root Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Psidium Guajava Leaf ExtractHigh
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few cleansing 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 offers moderate benefits for your oily skin and acne concerns, with ingredients like Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract providing soothing and antioxidant effects to help manage breakouts and oiliness.
- The inclusion of Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract aids in seboregulation, further supporting your oily skin type, though stronger actives could enhance results for acne.
- The product is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like licorice root water and green tea extract, and lacks harsh or prohibited substances.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using your cleansing toner 3 times a week, and move to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your cleansing toner after cleansing, and before using your moisturizer or SPF. This fits smoothly right into your daily skin care steps.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the cleansing toner into your skin. Avoid rubbing it and let it absorb for a minute before layering other products.
- Apply the cleansing toner on dry skin for better tolerance against blemishes and breakouts. Clean and dry skin helps the product work best for oily types.
- Avoid the eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use and pair with SPF in the morning.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 3.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is widely praised as a "holy grail" cleansing step that effectively removes lingering impurities while balancing the skin's pH without stripping moisture. Users with dull or sensitive skin frequently report a noticeable brightening effect and improved texture, though a small minority experience breakouts or dislike the herbal scent.
Highlights
Deep cleansing ability Mostly Mentioned
- “removes dirt left after washing”
- “cotton pad comes off brown”
- “great for removing makeup residue”
- “cleans pores effectively”
Brightens and evens tone Often Mentioned
- “fades dark spots and acne scars”
- “gives a nice subtle glow”
- “skin looks more even and radiant”
- “helps with hyperpigmentation”
Hydrating and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “skin feels plump and moisturized”
- “doesn't leave face tight”
- “absorbs quickly without drying”
- “leaves skin feeling soft”
Gentle for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “soothing for sensitive skin”
- “mild and calming”
- “no stinging or redness”
Scent preference Sometimes Noted
- “strong herbal licorice smell”
- “scent is too potent”
- “smells like medicine”
- “dislike the citrus/bergamot fragrance”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me small bumps”
- “caused cystic acne flare-ups”
- “broke me out immediately”
- “skin reacted poorly”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “cap broke easily”
- “bottle leaks when traveling”
- “hard to control amount poured”
- “plastic feels cheap”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves a tacky film”
- “feels slightly sticky after application”
- “residue sits on skin”
- “felt a bit heavy”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, sokoglam.com, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Acwell Licorice Toner a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Acwell Licorice Toner is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because it combines licorice root extract and green tea extract to help calm breakouts and manage excess oil. These ingredients provide soothing and antioxidant benefits that are safe and gentle for your skin type.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a good fit for oily acne-prone skin because it contains licorice root extract and green tea extract, which help soothe the skin and manage breakouts. These ingredients, along with other plant extracts, provide antioxidant effects and help control oiliness safely without harsh substances.
What does Licorice Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Licorice extract helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing redness and swelling. It also targets acne-causing bacteria and may help fade dark spots left behind by breakouts.
What does Licorice Root Water do for oily acne-prone skin?
Licorice Root Water helps calm red, oily, acne-prone skin by lowering skin stress and managing breakouts. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help keep your skin clear and smooth.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleansing toner goes in your evening routine after your makeup remover and cleanser. It helps calm your skin and manage oiliness and breakouts with soothing licorice root and green tea extracts.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleansing toner in your routine alongside retinol, applying the toner first and following with your retinol treatment. It is unlikely to irritate your oily acne-prone skin, as it features soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm.
How often should I use this toner?
This cleansing toner fits into your evening routine as an extra step after cleansing to help manage oiliness and breakouts. It 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 on oily, acne-prone skin because it contains soothing and calming ingredients like licorice root and green tea extract that help manage oiliness and reduce skin irritation. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and the formula lacks harsh substances that typically trigger heavy clogged pores.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023Topical application of the rhubarb charcoal-crosslinked chitosan/silk fibroin sponge scaffold effectively mitigated hepatic lipid accumulation, decreased inflammation, and attenuated oxidative stress in db/db mice via the AMPK signalling pathway.
Lipids in Health and Disease, 2024Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022A moisturizing cream containing 2% l-carnitine and 5% EGCG significantly reduced sebum levels and improved skin hydration in ninety subjects with seborrhea over 4 weeks, showing greater anti-sebum efficacy in the combination group compared to the l-carnitine group alone.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023A toner with 6% guava extract significantly reduced skin oiliness on the forehead and nose compared to the base toner in 21 volunteers over 28 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Pre-incubation with guava crude extract significantly decreased apoptotic and dead cells and markers of oxidative damage while improving antioxidant enzyme activity in human dermal fibroblasts subjected to AAPH-mediated oxidative stress, compared to cells subjected to stress without prior pre-incubation.
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Licorice Root Water Root, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Poloxamer 184, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Psidium Guajava Leaf Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Sodium Citrate, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Cimicifuga Dahurica Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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