🇪🇸Spain

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner for acne-prone skin

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

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Superior

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for acne-prone skin.

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

  • Excellent suitability for your combination, acne-prone skin as glycolic acid and betaine salicylate offer effective exfoliation and pore-clearing benefits, while butylene glycol provides essential hydration.
  • Allantoin and panthenol further soothe and support your skin, ensuring a comfortable experience without irritation.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including beneficial components that actively calm and protect.

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

★4.6Overall rating based on 5.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this toner is widely praised by users with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin for its ability to gently exfoliate and balance pH without causing irritation. Users frequently report smoother skin texture, reduced whiteheads, and a "glass skin" glow, though some find it too gentle to produce dramatic or immediate results.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “extremely gentle”
    • “no irritation”
    • “good for beginners”
    • “great daily exfoliator”
  • Acne & pore control Often Mentioned
    • “helps with whiteheads”
    • “pores less visible”
    • “controls excess sebum”
    • “cleared breakouts”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “smoother skin”
    • “softens skin”
    • “glass skin effect”
    • “reduced bumps”
  • Convenient packaging Sometimes Noted
    • “fine mist spray”
    • “hygienic nozzle”
    • “easy to use”
    • “refreshing mist”
  • Non-drying formula Sometimes Noted
    • “hydrating”
    • “leaves skin supple”
    • “not drying”
    • “doesn't strip skin”
  • Slow or no results Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't do anything”
    • “takes time to see results”
    • “too gentle”
    • “no dramatic difference”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne”
    • “bad reaction”
    • “bumps appeared”
    • “irritated my skin”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “spray disperses too widely”
    • “runs out fast”
    • “leaky bottle”
    • “broken nozzle”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “weird smell”
    • “faint soap smell”
    • “rotting fruit scent”
    • “chemical odor”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes COSRX AHA/BHA Toner one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?

This toner is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because glycolic acid and betaine salicylate clear out pores and gently exfoliate, while butylene glycol adds light moisture. Allantoin and panthenol also help calm the skin and keep irritation away.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

Glycolic acid and betaine salicylate make this toner a great fit because they offer effective exfoliation and pore-clearing benefits for acne-prone skin. Butylene glycol adds essential hydration, while allantoin and panthenol soothe the skin to help ensure a comfortable experience without irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

What does Betaine Salicylate do for acne-prone skin?

Betaine salicylate helps clear up breakouts and calm red, irritated skin while keeping it hydrated. It is generally gentle and less likely to cause irritation compared to regular salicylic acid.

The Journal of Dermatology, 2012Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026

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

This exfoliating toner fits into an acne-prone routine once a week to start, used in the evening after cleansing and before your moisturizer. As your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. The formula's acids clear pores while soothing ingredients help ensure a comfortable, irritation-free experience.

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

You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your evening routine, but use them on alternate nights or space them out if your skin feels dry or sensitive. Using soothing ingredients like panthenol and allantoin helps keep your skin comfortable and minimizes irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this toner?

Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. Glycolic acid and betaine salicylate help clear pores and smooth acne-prone skin while panthenol and allantoin keep your skin comfortable and calm.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it uses glycolic acid and betaine salicylate to clear out pores while panthenol and allantoin soothe the skin. While a small number of users report new breakouts, the formula is generally safe and designed to keep acne-prone skin comfortable without harsh ingredients.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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 new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • 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

  • Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.

    Nanomaterials, 2022

  • A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

  • A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical formulations containing 1.25% Malus sp. extract or 0.75% rutin protected against UVB-induced sunburn cells, caspase-3 activation, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, lipid peroxidation, and metalloproteinase formation in ex vivo skin explants and 3D tissue-engineered skin.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2020

  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Willow Bark Water Bark, Pyrus Malus Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Lactate, Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ethyl Hexanediol

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 17 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 Spain.

How does it fit your skin?

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