🇮🇪Ireland

Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner for acne-prone skin

Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner

High

  • HighCombination 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 moderate exfoliation for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to the presence of gluconolactone and salicylic acid, which provide mild chemical exfoliation suitable for your combination skin.
  • The inclusion of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further supports your skin by providing essential hydration and a soothing effect.
  • The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components.

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 200+ reviews

This 3-in-1 toner is frequently described as a gentle yet effective treatment for achieving smoother, more radiant skin, often referred to as 'glass skin.' While many users with mature or dull complexions report a visible glow and refined pores, a portion of users with sensitive skin experienced irritation, and some found the results subtle for the high price.

Highlights

  • Smoother texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “Made my skin incredibly soft and supple”
    • “texture is noticeably smoother”
    • “sweeps away dead surface cells”
  • Expensive product Mostly Mentioned
    • “Not worth the price tag”
    • “nice but overpriced”
    • “can't justify the cost for a toner”
  • Boosts radiance Often Mentioned
    • “Noticeable glow in the morning”
    • “dull skin is left glowing”
    • “gives a healthy radiance”
  • Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
    • “No issues with sensitivity”
    • “gentle enough for daily use”
    • “doesn't dry the skin out”
  • Refines pores Sometimes Noted
    • “Really refines your pores”
    • “clogged pores feel clarified”
    • “gets rid of blackheads”
  • Caused irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “Face turned very red and itchy”
    • “broke me out bad”
    • “caused severe reactions”
  • Subtle results Rarely Noted
    • “Noticed no difference”
    • “results were meh”
    • “didn't do much for my skin”

Sources: lovi.care, bloomingdales.com, bluemercury.com, spacenk.com, sephora.my, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Augustinus Bader The Exfoliating Toner is a great fit because salicylic acid and gluconolactone gently clear breakouts while keeping your skin calm. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add essential moisture so your face stays soft and comfortable.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This toner is a good fit because it includes salicylic acid and gluconolactone for mild chemical exfoliation that helps manage breakouts. It also contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to provide essential hydration and a soothing effect for your skin.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Tfc8 do for acne-prone skin?

Acne-prone skin needs a product that helps calm redness and clears pores without feeling heavy. Tfc8 is unlikely to clog pores, but products for this skin type work best when they also balance oil and soothe angry breakouts.

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 your routine as a cleansing toner used in the evening, starting once a week and increasing only if your skin tolerates it well. It helps clear breakouts with salicylic acid and gluconolactone while keeping your skin calm and hydrated with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.

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

You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol, but it is best to apply them on alternate nights to avoid making your skin too dry or irritated. If you use them in the same routine, apply this toner first on clean skin, let it dry completely, and then follow with your retinol and a moisturizer.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Family Physician, 2012

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this toner once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. It helps clear breakouts and blemishes safely while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2003

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin because it contains gentle chemical exfoliants that help clear blemishes, along with soothing ingredients and no harsh elements. Some people may experience mild irritation or purging when starting any new exfoliating routine.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • Isosaponarin isolated from wasabi leaf increased type I collagen production in human fibroblasts by up-regulating TbetaR-II and P4H expression.

    Journal of Natural Medicines, 2010
  • 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, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus Wasabia Japonica Extract Root Ferment, Phytic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Salicylic Acid, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Papain, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil, Sodium Chloride

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.