Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner for dry skin
Lavender Oil
Lavender Flower Extract
Glycerin
Saponins
Chlorphenesin
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other cleansing toners fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 suitability for your dry skin as glycerin provides humectant action, while lavender oil offers soothing benefits for dry or flaky skin. The saponins and polysorbate 20 offer moderate cleansing to remove impurities.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing lavender oil.
- While it provides general hydration and soothing, it lacks sufficient emollient or occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration for your dry skin.
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 tolerates it well.
- Apply the cleansing toner after your cleanser, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the cleansing toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute before layering.
- Apply the cleansing toner on slightly damp skin to help with hydration and absorption.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis alcohol-free toner is praised for purifying and hydrating combination skin, leaving it balanced, soft, and refreshed. Users frequently note its gentle, non-stripping properties and a refreshing lavender scent, with many appreciating its ability to enhance the absorption of subsequent skincare products. Some users find the lavender scent strong, and a few mention potential dryness for dry skin types.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Feels incredibly gentle and instantly rebalances my skin's pH.”
- “Purifies without completely stripping my moisture barrier.”
- “Remarkably gentle, making it perfect even for my slightly sensitive skin.”
Refreshing scent Often Mentioned
- “The lavender scent is soothing and authentic.”
- “A delicate and refreshing scent.”
- “Smells absolutely incredible... made me feel like I'd just visited a spa.”
Convenient spray Sometimes Noted
- “The nozzle disperses a fine even mist.”
- “I love that it comes in a spray bottle!”
- “I always love a good toner mist.”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Helped soften my skin texture and calms down any irritation.”
- “My skin is literally glowing and looking healthy.”
- “Leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft.”
Strong lavender scent Sometimes Noted
- “Lavender smell is strong!”
- “Heavily scented, so if you don't like lavender, I would probably avoid.”
- “Only so-so on the scent... my least favorite of the scents.”
Potential dryness Rarely Noted
- “Some users with dry skin said their skin became dryer with use.”
Spray bottle preference Rarely Noted
- “Only wish it was not a spray.”
- “I apply with the mist or unscrew the cap and use a cotton ball.”
Sources: lovi.care, elemis.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, lemon8-app.com, thecharmingdetroiter.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner work for dry skin?
Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner offers a moderate fit for dry skin, providing basic hydration and soothing benefits through glycerin and lavender oil without causing irritation. However, it lacks enough rich emollients or sealing ingredients for optimal dry skin hydration. A product of this type needs richer moisturizing ingredients and barrier-supporting agents to properly care for dry skin.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin helps draw moisture into dry skin, while lavender oil and flower extract may help soothe flaking and irritation. To fit dry skin even better, this type of product needs rich moisturizing and softening ingredients like shea butter or oils.
What does Lavender Oil do for dry skin?
Lavender oil helps calm dry and irritated skin while improving hydration and supporting the skin barrier. Clinical studies show that it safely reduces inflammation and improves overall skin texture when used regularly.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022Pharmaceuticals, 2026
What does Lavender Flower Extract do for dry skin?
Lavender Flower Extract helps dry skin by supporting skin barrier function and improving overall skin recovery. It helps keep your skin feeling soft and smooth while protecting it from everyday stress.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This toner goes in your morning routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It works for dry skin by providing moderate hydration and soothing, though this skin type needs rich ingredients that lock in moisture and soften dry areas.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to clean skin and following it with your retinol treatment. A dry skin type needs a richer cream or lotion with heavy sealing ingredients and nourishing oils to keep the skin fully soft and comfortable alongside retinol.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this toner daily in your morning routine after cleansing, as glycerin helps draw in hydration and lavender oil offers soothing benefits for dry skin. While it provides gentle care, dry skin needs additional rich softening and sealing ingredients like oils or rich creams to lock in moisture.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on dry skin. Its formula is safe, avoiding harsh ingredients and including soothing lavender oil to help keep skin calm without heavy oils.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (linalool, geraniol, parfum, and limonene).
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, 2017Polysaccharide-based O/W emulsions incorporated with lavender essential oil applied to cellulosic support are non-irritating, provide softness and moisturizing effects, and are safe for topical patch applications.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021Topical application of lavender oil significantly promoted wound contraction, collagen synthesis, and fibroblast differentiation with up-regulation of TGF-beta in a rat model compared to control.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026The 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, 2012Saponins of Korean red ginseng protect the skin from particulate matter-induced damage by decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species, leptin, inflammatory cytokines, and melanin.
Nutrients, 2022Lycoperoside H from tomato seeds improved epidermal dehydration by stimulating ceramide synthesis and increasing total stratum corneum ceramides by approximately 1.5-fold and ceramide (NP) by approximately 2-fold in reconstructed human epidermal keratinization models, while exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects in animal tests.
Molecules, 2021Total saponins of Panax notoginseng ameliorated sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced barrier impairment in a reconstructed human epidermis model by alleviating stratum corneum thickening, upregulating barrier-related proteins, and regulating a multi-pathway network involving lipid metabolism.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025
Why other cleansing toners fit dry skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.
Skin Research and Technology, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Chlorphenesin, Linalool, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Saponins, Tromethamine, Geraniol, Parfum, Limonene, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Root Extract Leaf Sweet Betty Root Extract Leaf
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
How does it fit your skin?
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