🇪🇸Spain

The INKEY List PHA Toner for oily acne-prone skin

Superior

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.

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 for your oily, acne-prone skin as gluconolactone and niacinamide offer effective exfoliation and oil control, smoothing texture and reducing breakouts.
  • Aloe barbadensis leaf juice further soothes and hydrates, complementing the active ingredients for balanced, comfortable skin.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients and a focus on 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

★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and dry skin frequently praise this toner for its ability to gently smooth texture and reduce redness without causing irritation. A moderate number of users note a sticky finish, while a low number find the formula too mild for visible results.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “Great for sensitive skin”
    • “No sting or burning”
    • “Gentle enough for daily use”
    • “Perfect for reactive skin”
  • Smoother texture Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels softer”
    • “Helped with texture”
    • “Smoothed out bumps”
    • “Face feels baby soft”
  • Helps acne Sometimes Noted
    • “Cleared up mask acne”
    • “Helped with blackheads”
    • “Reduced breakouts”
    • “Pores look smaller”
  • Hydrating Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves skin hydrated”
    • “Doesn't dry me out”
    • “Feels moisturizing”
    • “Good for dry patches”
  • Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “Feels tacky on skin”
    • “Leaves a sticky residue”
    • “Takes a while to absorb”
    • “Sticky under moisturizer”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Caused cystic acne”
    • “Broke me out”
    • “Skin felt irritated”
    • “Caused redness”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Bottle leaks”
    • “Cap is messy”
    • “Dispenses too much”
    • “Leaked in transit”
  • Too mild Rarely Noted
    • “Did nothing for me”
    • “Too weak”
    • “No visible difference”
    • “Prefer stronger acids”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, theinkeylist.com, cultbeauty.com, lookfantastic.com, boots.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The INKEY List PHA Toner one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?

Gluconolactone and niacinamide provide effective exfoliation and oil control, smoothing texture and reducing breakouts on oily acne-prone skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice further soothes and hydrates to keep skin balanced and comfortable.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

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

Gluconolactone and niacinamide make this toner a great fit because they help control oil, smooth texture, and clear breakouts on oily acne-prone skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice and glycerin also soothe and hydrate the skin to keep it comfortable.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

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

Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing both inflamed and non-inflamed spots similarly to stronger treatments while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or damage your skin barrier, making it a well-tolerated choice for oily and acne-prone skin.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

Apply this toner in the evening after cleansing. Start by using it once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable, you may carefully use it more often. Niacinamide and other soothing ingredients in this formula help manage oil and smooth your skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

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

Yes, you can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first after cleansing, letting it absorb, and then following with your retinol. Because this gentle exfoliating toner helps smooth texture and control oil, using it alongside a supportive routine may help keep your skin balanced without harsh irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use it?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your oily, acne-prone skin responds. If your skin handles it well and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often.

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

This toner is unlikely to cause breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin because its gluconolactone and niacinamide help control oil and clear blemishes with a very low risk of irritation. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice further soothes the skin while keeping the formula gentle and balanced.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023
  • 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
  • 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 post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
  • A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provided antiaging benefits comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen while demonstrating enhanced mildness and better tolerance in subjects.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2021
  • 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
  • Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2006
  • 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
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide

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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