Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner for combination skin
Squalane
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Willow Bark Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water
GlycerinSuperior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for combination skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 skin as betaine salicylate and microcitrus australasica fruit extract effectively minimize pores and provide mild exfoliation, while squalane and glycerin offer balanced hydration.
- Willow bark extract and lavender flower water further soothe and calm your skin, enhancing the overall comfort and efficacy of the formula.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliating toner during your PM routine. Start once a week and slowly build up if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your favorite moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and completely dry skin to get the best results for your combination skin.
- Always avoid the sensitive eye area and wear daily SPF to protect your skin.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly regarded for its gentle exfoliation and pore-minimizing effects, with many users appreciating its hydrating formula that avoids the dryness often associated with BHA products. Most users with oily and combination skin report smoother texture and clearer pores. A small number of users experienced breakouts or found the fragrance irritating, and some noted issues with the packaging or a sticky residue.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin feeling clean but not stripped”
- “most hydrating BHA I've used”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “doesn't damage moisture barrier”
Hydrating formula Often Mentioned
- “sinks in nice and hydrates”
- “leaves skin bouncy”
- “moisturizing toner”
- “restores radiance”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “face feels so smooth”
- “texture was significantly different and softer”
- “got rid of rough patches”
- “skin looks flawless”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “delicious cucumber scent”
- “light and refreshing smell”
- “botanical scent”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “clogged pores disappeared”
- “pores look really clean”
- “helps reduce pore appearance”
- “cleared up sebaceous filaments”
Expensive price Sometimes Noted
- “pricey for a toner”
- “expensive but worth it”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “good but pricey”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “comes out too fast”
- “needs a different stopper”
- “runny product spills easily”
- “shards of glass in bottle (rare)”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “covered in blemishes overnight”
- “caused deep throbbing acne”
- “got breakout after use”
- “messed my whole face up”
Fragrance irritation Rarely Noted
- “fragrance caused redness”
- “irritating for sensitive skin”
- “don't like the lavender oil”
- “strong scent”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves an oily film”
- “feels a bit sticky”
- “shinier look to the face”
- “takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, biossance.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, influenster.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner one of the best fits for combination skin?
This toner is an exceptional fit for combination skin because it uses betaine salicylate and microcitrus australasica fruit extract to minimize pores and gently exfoliate, while squalane and glycerin keep your skin balanced and hydrated. Willow bark extract and lavender flower water also help calm your skin, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for combination skin?
Betaine salicylate and microcitrus australasica fruit extract make this toner a great fit by minimizing pores and providing mild exfoliation, while squalane and glycerin keep your skin balanced with just the right amount of hydration. Willow bark extract and lavender flower water also help calm and soothe your skin for a comfortable feel.
What does Squalane do for combination skin?
Squalane helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by locking in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It supports the skin barrier and provides lightweight hydration that works well for both dry and oily areas.
Skin Health and Disease, 2024Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025
What does Bha do for combination skin?
BHA helps keep combination skin clear by diving deep into pores to sweep away dead cells and excess oil, which reduces breakouts and calms redness. It is generally very safe and unlikely to cause irritation when used in a daily routine.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an evening routine after cleansing, starting at once a week and slowly increasing in frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It helps minimize pores and smooth texture while providing balanced hydration without irritation.
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 applying the toner first and waiting until it dries before adding retinol. Because this formula provides mild exfoliation and balanced hydration while soothing the skin, it is unlikely to cause irritation when paired thoughtfully with your routine.
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your combination skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. The gentle exfoliating ingredients and soothing components make it very safe for your skin with low risk of irritation.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation for combination skin, as it uses gentle exfoliating ingredients and soothing plant extracts. Squalane and glycerin help keep skin balanced, while a few reviewers have occasionally mentioned minor breakouts.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol).
What the research says
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, 2017A 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, 2019Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Bioactive 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, 2022A 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, 2010A 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, 2024Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Willow Bark Extract, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Squalane, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Betaine Salicylate, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water Rosemary Leaf Water, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Water Lavender Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Oil Leaf, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Amber Powder, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Citronellol
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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