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Medik8 Press & Glow for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Medik8 Press & Glow

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other toners fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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

  • Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
  • Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 4.0k+ reviews

Users frequently report that it hydrates well, creates a perfect base for makeup, and pairs effectively with Vitamin A (retinol) routines. Based on a very large amount of data, this should be definitely taken into account. A small minority experienced dryness or a lack of visible results.

Highlights

  • Gentle & non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
    • “Gentle enough for twice-daily use”
    • “No stinging or redness like other acids”
    • “Does not strip the skin barrier”
  • Improves glow Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin looking glass-like and radiant”
    • “Noticeable everyday glow”
    • “Smoothed out my texture significantly”
    • “Skin feels baby soft immediately”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels hydrating rather than drying”
    • “Leaves skin feeling fresh and plump”
    • “Acts like a moisture magnet”
    • “Doesn't leave face feeling tight”
  • Packaging & usability Sometimes Noted
    • “Love the press pump dispenser”
    • “Easy to use and refillable”
    • “Controls the amount of product perfectly”
    • “Sustainable refill option is a bonus”
  • Caused dryness Rarely Noted
    • “Made my face very dry and tight”
    • “Left my skin feeling parched”
    • “Too drying for my winter skin”
    • “Highlighted dry patches”
  • No results Rarely Noted
    • “Didn't notice any difference”
    • “Just felt like water”
    • “Not bad, but not amazing”
    • “Saw no change in hyperpigmentation”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “Expensive for a toner”
    • “Price is ridiculous for the amount”
    • “Refills are still quite pricey”
    • “Not worth the money compared to others”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Caused stinging and redness”
    • “Broke me out in tiny bumps”
    • “Too harsh for my barrier”
    • “Experienced irritation after a few days”

Sources: lovi.care, medik8.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, lookfantastic.com, sephora.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Medik8 Press & Glow work for oily skin?

Medik8 Press & Glow works moderately well for oily skin by smoothing texture and calming the skin, though other products fit it better. An exfoliating toner for oily skin needs effective ingredients like salicylic acid or strong exfoliating acids and calming extracts that control oil, minimize pores, and manage shine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Skin Research and Technology, 2023

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

This toner fits oily skin through gluconolactone, which provides moderate exfoliation to gently smooth texture, alongside soothing aloe vera and prickly pear flower extract. To work best for oily skin, a product of this type needs stronger oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or willow BHA to manage shine and minimize pores.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023

What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for oily skin?

Polyhydroxy Acid helps oily skin by balancing oil production and lowering skin pH while remaining very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation. This type of ingredient works best when it also includes calming and purifying ingredients to keep pores clear and skin smooth.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Gluconolactone do for oily skin?

Gluconolactone helps clear up oily skin by reducing both red and blocked bumps similarly to harsher treatments but with fewer side-effects. It is unlikely to irritate your skin and may improve overall skin texture when used regularly.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This exfoliating toner goes in the evening routine after cleansing, as Lovi routines place exfoliating steps and treatments then for simplicity and safety around sun exposure. It works safely on oily skin without harsh irritation, but oily skin also needs stronger ingredients for significant oil control.

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

You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your routine and following it with your retinol product. Because this toner uses a gentle PHA, it is unlikely to cause harsh irritation when paired with retinol, though you should watch how your skin feels and space them out if dryness occurs.

How often should I use this toner?

Start by using this toner once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps prevent irritation while giving your oily skin moderate exfoliation.

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it features a gentle formula with soothing ingredients and low irritation risks. An exfoliating toner for this skin type typically needs stronger oil-balancing and pore-clearing ingredients to prevent breakouts effectively.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Opuntia ficus-indica extract and its isorhamnetin-glucosyl-rhamnoside suppressed nitric oxide, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production in vitro and inhibited croton oil-induced ear edema in vivo.

    BioMed Research International, 2015

  • 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

  • Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023

  • Nanoemulsions containing 1% Opuntia ficus-indica extract demonstrated suitable stability and successfully increased the water content of the stratum corneum for 5 hours after forearm application.

    Molecules, 2015

  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997

  • 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

  • Opuntia ficus-indica extract activated AHR-NRF2 signaling, inhibited reactive oxygen species generation, and upregulated filaggrin and loricrin expression in human keratinocytes.

    Journal of Medicinal Food, 2015

  • Pre-treating normal human keratinocytes with an Opuntia ficus-indica cladode water extract protected against UVA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by inhibiting free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion.

    Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2017

  • Mucilaginous and methanol extracts of Opuntia ficus-indica flowers accelerated wound contraction and improved cutaneous repair compared to the control group in rats.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2015

  • A 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, 2018

  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018

  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

  • An acai oil-based organogel containing hyaluronic acid showed no cytotoxicity and provided a high level of hydration, thermal protection, and hyaluronic acid release after 6 hours of application in in vitro and ex vivo tests.

    Pharmaceutics, 2024

  • Phenolic compounds from açai fruit, specifically malvidin and cyanidin derivatives, strongly protect immortalized fibroblasts against UV-A-induced oxidative stress by preventing ROS production, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation, and stress-pathway protein phosphorylation compared to unprotected irradiated cells.

    Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2017

  • Nanotechnological hydrogels containing desonide nanocapsules and açai oil increased epidermal drug retention and reduced ear edema and inflammatory cell infiltration comparably to a commercial formulation with twice the drug concentration in an animal model of acute skin inflammation.

    Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 2022

Why other toners fit oily skin better

Ingredients

Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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