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Obagi Nu-Derm Toner for dry sensitive skin

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

Obagi Nu-Derm Toner

Caution

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the toners alongside fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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

  • Offers moderate hydration for your dry skin due to glycerin and panthenol, but lacks sufficient emollient ingredients for optimal moisture retention.
  • While the formula contains soothing Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Allantoin, its primary benefits are general skincare, not specifically targeting dryness or flakiness.

How to apply

  • You can use this hydrating toner AM and PM every day to keep your skin soft. Always remember to pair it with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this hydrating toner right after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • For best results, apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture.
  • Be careful to avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 1.8k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with aging, sensitive, and hyperpigmentation-prone skin highly recommend this alcohol-free toner for its ability to remove lingering impurities without stripping moisture. It is frequently praised for balancing the skin's pH and preparing the face for subsequent treatments, leaving the complexion feeling fresh and soothed.

Highlights

  • Non-drying hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “does not dry skin”
    • “leaves face soft”
    • “alcohol-free formula”
    • “feels hydrated”
  • Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “removes last traces of makeup”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean”
    • “removes excess oil”
    • “gets all dirt off”
  • Prepares skin Sometimes Noted
    • “preps for serum”
    • “helps products absorb”
    • “essential step”
    • “balances pH”
  • Soothing calming Sometimes Noted
    • “soothes redness”
    • “calms sensitive skin”
    • “feels cool”
    • “refreshing sensation”
  • Pore refinement Rarely Noted
    • “tightens pores”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “smooths texture”
    • “refines skin surface”
  • Availability Rarely Noted
    • “often out of stock”
    • “hard to find”
    • “shipping delays”
    • “backordered”
  • Fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “scent is too strong”
    • “contains fragrance”
    • “smells like perfume”
    • “prefer unscented”
  • Packaging design Rarely Noted
    • “hard to dispense”
    • “bottle leaks”
    • “hole is too small”
    • “wish it had a pump”
  • Price Rarely Noted
    • “expensive for a toner”
    • “pricey”
    • “costly”
    • “wait for sale”
  • Sensory feel Rarely Noted
    • “feels sticky initially”
    • “leaves a film”
    • “tingles slightly”
    • “watery consistency”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, obagi.com, eskinstore.com, skinstation.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

Why does Lovi advise caution with Obagi Nu-Derm Toner for dry sensitive skin?

Lovi advises caution because this toner offers only moderate hydration and lacks enough softening ingredients to lock in moisture for dry skin. A product of this type needs rich moisturizing and calming ingredients that support the skin barrier, keep moisture locked in, and avoid potential irritants.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this toner a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?

This toner is a poor match because it includes witch hazel water and fragrance, which may cause dryness and irritation for sensitive skin. A product for this skin type needs rich moisturizing ingredients like plant oils or butters and calming agents to lock in hydration and support the skin barrier.

What does Witch Hazel do for dry sensitive skin?

Witch hazel helps calm irritated, sensitive skin and reduces redness while supporting the skin barrier to lock in moisture. Because dry skin needs extra care, a product of this type works best when it also includes rich, nourishing ingredients that deeply soften and soothe dry patches.

Phytochemistry, 2001International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022

What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for dry sensitive skin?

Aloe vera leaf juice helps keep dry skin hydrated and increases water content in the outer skin layer. It is unlikely to cause irritation and is well tolerated by sensitive skin, though a product for this skin type also needs soothing ingredients and barrier-repairing components like ceramides.

Skin Research and Technology, 2006Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011

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

This toner goes after your cleanser, morning and night, but this specific toner is a poor match for dry sensitive skin because it lacks sufficient rich, softening ingredients to lock in moisture. Dry skin needs a toner packed with soothing plant extracts, glycerin, and nourishing oils to keep it soft and calm.

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

You should exercise caution using this toner with retinol on dry sensitive skin, because it lacks enough softening ingredients to lock in moisture against potential irritation. A product of this type needs rich, nourishing ingredients like ceramides and rich oils to properly soothe and protect dry skin.

How often should I use this toner?

You should use this toner with caution on your dry sensitive skin, as it lacks enough softening ingredients to properly lock in moisture. This type of skin needs hydrating formulas rich in glycerin and panthenol, alongside rich oils and butters to stay smooth and comfortable.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, but it may cause irritation because it contains witch hazel and fragrance. To properly care for this skin type, a product needs gentle, rich ingredients that lock in moisture and soothe tightness without harsh drying agents.

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • 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

  • A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

  • Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.

    Phytochemistry, 2001

  • Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.

    Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025

  • 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

  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016

  • 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

  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

  • 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

  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

Ingredients

Water, Witch Hazel Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Alum, Sodium Pca, Panthenol, Dmdm Hydantoin, Polysorbate 80, Allantoin, Glycerin, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Saponins, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Parfum, Fd, C Blue No

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

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