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Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner for oily acne-prone skin

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

Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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

  • Excellent suitability for your oily, acne-prone skin as gluconolactone, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid effectively decongest pores and smooth texture while witch hazel water aids in seboregulation. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provides soothing benefits, complementing the exfoliating action for your skin.
  • The blend of eucalyptus and peppermint oils offers a refreshing sensation, further enhancing the oil control and pore-refining benefits for your oily skin.
  • The formulation 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 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

★3.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this toner was a favorite for very oily and acne-prone skin, effectively controlling oil and clearing pores. However, it was often too harsh, drying, and heavily fragranced for sensitive or combination skin types.

Highlights

  • Excellent oil control Mostly Mentioned
    • “keeps oils at bay”
    • “instantly mattifies”
    • “controls shine all day”
  • Pore & acne clearing Often Mentioned
    • “cleared all blackheads”
    • “refines pores”
    • “helps clear up acne”
  • Overpowering scent Often Mentioned
    • “smells like insecticide”
    • “strong eucalyptus scent”
    • “smells like DEET”
  • Strong sensation Often Mentioned
    • “stings a little”
    • “burns upon application”
    • “unbearably irritating”
  • Deep cleaning Sometimes Noted
    • “removes residual dirt”
    • “skin feels squeaky clean”
    • “purifies skin”
  • Refreshing sensation Sometimes Noted
    • “feels refreshing”
    • “cooling effect”
    • “invigorated skin”
  • Drying/Stripping Sometimes Noted
    • “stripped my skin”
    • “made me more oily”
    • “tight dry feeling”
  • Sticky residue Rarely Noted
    • “weird residue”
    • “sticky finish”
    • “tacky feeling”

Sources: lovi.care, skinsort.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, totalbeauty.com, walmart.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliating toner is a great fit because its blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconolactone effectively clears out clogged pores and smooths your skin. Witch hazel water helps balance oil, while soothing green tea extract and refreshing eucalyptus and peppermint oils keep your oily skin calm and comfortable.

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

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

Gluconolactone, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid make this toner a great fit because they deeply clear pores and smooth rough texture. Witch hazel water helps balance oil, while soothing green tea extract and neem seed oil keep your skin calm and comfortable.

BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

What does Green Fusion Complex do for oily acne-prone skin?

Green Fusion Complex helps oily acne-prone skin by reducing excess oil and calming red, swollen breakouts. Topical green tea extract significantly decreases both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions compared to control groups.

Phytotherapy Research, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007

What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019

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

This exfoliating toner is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin, clearing out pores and smoothing texture while keeping oil under control. Start using it once a week, and if your skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often.

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

You can use this exfoliating toner alongside a retinol product by applying the toner first after cleansing, allowing it to absorb, and then following with your retinol on separate nights or with caution to prevent extra dryness. Using gentle acid exfoliants alongside retinoids helps clear pores and smooth your skin, though combining strong actives may occasionally lead to irritation if not introduced gradually.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. It is very safe for your oily, acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

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

This exfoliating toner is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because its blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and gluconolactone effectively clears out pores and smooths your skin texture. The formula is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts thanks to soothing ingredients like Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and a safe formulation.

BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

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

What the research says

  • A 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, 2020

  • 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 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

  • Twice 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, 2024

  • 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

  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2010

  • Combined topical Neem oil and oral Haridra powder achieved 50% wound healing in 70% of patients with chronic non-healing wounds after 8 weeks, outperforming either monotherapy.

    Ayu, 2014

  • Neem oil loaded phospholipid vesicles modified with argan oil protected keratinocytes and fibroblasts from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and improved cell proliferation and migration to promote wound healing compared to untreated cells.

    Antioxidants, 2021

  • Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2000

  • Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2017

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Polysorbate 20, Witch Hazel Water, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Oleth-20, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Menthyl Lactate, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf, Peppermint Oil, Melia Azadirachta Seed Oil, Linoleic Acid, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract Kelp Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linolenic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Calcium Gluconate, Benzoic Acid, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Limonene

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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QR code: get the Lovi app
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