Acwell 5.5 Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner for sensitive skin
Licorice Extract
Rheum Palmatum Root Extract
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Psidium Guajava Leaf ExtractHigh
- SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansing toners for sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin and goals of reducing redness and irritation is provided by high concentrations of licorice root water and licorice root extract, which soothe inflammation and support skin balance.
- The cleansing agents Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides and Poloxamer 184 effectively remove impurities without compromising your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
- The product is safe for your normal skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like green tea extract.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using the cleansing toner 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the cleansing toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF. This step prepares your skin for the next products.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the cleansing toner into your skin and avoid rubbing. Let it ⏱absorb for a minute before the next step.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the cleansing toner on dry skin for better comfort. This helps reduce any redness and irritation.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the eye area. Stop using it if your skin feels uncomfortable.
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 sensitive skin?
Acwell Licorice Toner is a great fit because high concentrations of licorice root water and extract soothe inflammation, while gentle cleansing agents remove impurities without disrupting your skin's moisture barrier. It is exceptionally safe for sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming green tea extract.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for sensitive skin?
This toner is a great fit for sensitive skin because it uses high concentrations of licorice root water and licorice root extract to calm redness and soothe irritation. It also includes green tea extract to help keep your skin comfortable and balanced without using harsh ingredients.
What does Licorice Extract do for sensitive skin?
Licorice extract helps calm red, irritated, or sensitive skin and reduces itching. Clinical studies show it effectively relieves inflammation and discomfort while offering a very safe profile.
What does Licorice Root Water do for sensitive skin?
Licorice Root Water helps calm sensitive skin by soothing irritation and reducing redness. It contains active compounds that ease inflammation and protect against redness, though continuous use should be monitored to avoid potential side effects.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This toner goes after cleansing in both your morning and evening skincare routines. It helps calm sensitive skin and reduce redness by using licorice root extract and green tea extract.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to soothe your skin and help it stay calm before putting on your retinol. Using gentle, soothing ingredients alongside retinoids is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this soothing toner daily as part of both your morning and evening skincare routines to help calm sensitive skin and reduce redness. Its gentle cleansing agents and high concentration of licorice root water remove impurities safely without drying or irritating your face.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because reviewers rarely report breakouts and the formula avoids harsh ingredients while including soothing green tea extract.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2015Licochalcone 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, 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 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, 2017An 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, 2019Topical 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 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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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