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SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion for acne-prone skin

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

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid work to smooth texture and unclog pores, while pitera ferment filtrate conditions the skin.
  • The combination of these acids provides moderate benefits for your acne and blemishes by reducing inflammation and aiding in pore clearance.
  • The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • You can use this exfoliating toner in your PM routine. Start by using it 1 time per week and increase slowly if your skin is happy.
  • Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizing steps. This helps your skin stay clean and clear.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing to keep your face calm.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best comfort. Let it dry for a minute ⏱ before moving on.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid putting the product too close to your eyes.

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, watery toner is widely praised by users with combination and oily skin for its ability to gently exfoliate and remove residual impurities left after cleansing. Many report smoother texture, balanced sebum production, and improved absorption of subsequent skincare products. Some users with dry skin find it less hydrating, and others feel the results do not justify the luxury price tag.

Highlights

  • Expensive price Mostly Mentioned
    • “Pricey for toner”
    • “Not budget-friendly”
    • “Luxury cost”
  • Excellent skin prep Often Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt”
    • “Aids absorption”
    • “Feels clean”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Smoother skin”
    • “Gentle exfoliation”
    • “Refines pores”
  • Balances oil production Sometimes Noted
    • “Controls T-zone oil”
    • “Reduces sebum”
    • “Refreshing feel”
  • Lightweight and gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “Watery consistency”
    • “Non-sticky”
    • “Suitable for sensitive skin”
  • Underwhelming results Sometimes Noted
    • “No visible difference”
    • “Average performance”
    • “Not miraculous”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Small bumps”
    • “Purging”
    • “Skin irritation”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Fermented smell”
    • “Weird odor”
    • “Smells like saliva”

Sources: lovi.care, sk-ii.com, sephora.com, influenster.com, dermstore.com, bloomingdales.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes SK-II Clear Lotion a great fit for acne-prone skin?

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is a great fit because salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid work together to smooth your texture and clear out pores. This blend helps reduce blemishes and inflammation safely while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

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

Salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid make this toner a great fit by clearing pores and smoothing texture, while pitera ferment filtrate conditions the skin. This combination helps reduce blemishes and inflammation safely without irritating your acne-prone skin.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

What does Pitera Ferment Filtrate do for acne-prone skin?

Pitera ferment filtrate helps calm redness and roughness while balancing the daily fluctuations that often affect acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports a clear, smooth surface.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022

What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This exfoliating toner fits into an acne-prone routine in the evening, starting at once a week and cautiously increasing if your skin tolerates it well. It helps smooth texture and unclog pores using salicylic, lactic, and malic acids while conditioning the skin with pitera ferment filtrate.

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

You can use this toner with retinol by using them on alternate nights or spacing them out to avoid irritation. Salicylic acid and lactic acid help smooth texture and clear pores, but combining them directly with retinol may cause dryness on acne-prone skin.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

How often should I use this toner?

Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your skin reacts, and if you tolerate it well and see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

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

This toner is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for acne-prone skin, as its gentle acids help clear out pores and reduce blemishes without harsh irritation. It has a high safety profile, and studies show that formulas with salicylic acid and ferment filtrate effectively support acne-prone skin with a low risk of irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023BioMed Research International, 2020

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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

  • Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

  • 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

  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

  • A combination serum containing galactomyces ferment filtrate, dexpanthenol, and Centella asiatica effectively treated post-acne hyperpigmentation in subjects with colored skin by significantly increasing lightness scores in Fitzpatrick skin type V and reducing the melanin index in Fitzpatrick skin type IV compared to placebo.

    Skinmed, 2021

  • Galactomyces ferment filtrate promotes epidermal interconnectivity, barrier development, cell adhesion, keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and protects cellular bioenergetics against stress in keratinocytes and ex vivo skin explants compared to untreated controls.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

  • Galactomyces ferment filtrate activates AHR and NRF2, upregulates filaggrin and terminal differentiation markers, exhibits antioxidative activity, promotes antiinflammatory IL-37, and downregulates CDKN2A, IL-33, CXCL14, and IL6R in epidermal keratinocytes.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022

  • 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

  • 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

  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022

  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Pitera Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Peg-150, Cellulose Gum, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben

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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Prices checked 24 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.

QR code: get the Lovi app
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