innisfree Green Tea Enzyme PHA Toner for acne-prone skin
Camellia Sinensis
Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- 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 excellent exfoliating benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to gluconolactone and protease, which provide targeted exfoliation and enzymatic cleansing suitable for your combination skin. Glycerin further balances oil production and hydration, complementing the keratolytic action.
- Camellia sinensis leaf extract offers antioxidant protection, supporting overall skin health and radiance.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis toner is highly regarded for its ability to create a smooth, radiant complexion, making it a popular choice for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Users with combination and oily skin frequently report positive results, experiencing hydration and refinement. A small number of users with dry skin noted it was not moisturizing enough, particularly during colder months.
Highlights
Instant glow Mostly Mentioned
- “dewy glazed look”
- “immediate brightening”
- “skin is glowing”
- “luminous finish”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “super gentle”
- “didn't irritate my skin”
- “gentle daily exfoliant”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “watery-like consistency”
- “absorbs well”
- “not sticky”
- “refreshingly lightweight”
Smoother texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin texture felt smoother”
- “softens lines”
- “refines rough texture”
- “sloughs away buildup”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “felt extremely drying”
- “skin very dry and tight”
- “detrimental in winter”
- “not hydrating enough”
Rare breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “reaction on jawline”
Scent preferences Rarely Noted
- “no detectable smell”
- “wished it had fragrance”
Too mild Rarely Noted
- “didn't do much”
- “did nothing”
- “no visible difference”
- “too gentle”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, amazon.com, kohls.com, innisfree.com, pickymed.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes innisfree Green Tea Enzyme PHA Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit because its gluconolactone and protease gently clear away breakouts while keeping your skin calm and balanced. Glycerin helps manage oil and moisture, and green tea extract adds helpful antioxidant protection without causing irritation.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Gluconolactone and protease make this toner a great fit by providing targeted cleansing and helping to clear breakouts. Glycerin also helps balance oil and hydration, while green tea extract offers antioxidant protection without irritation.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
What does Green Tea do for acne-prone skin?
Green tea helps acne-prone skin by calming breakouts and reducing redness and pimples when applied regularly. It works by targeting the oil glands and bacteria that lead to blemishes, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013Phytotherapy Research, 2021
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing pimples and bumps while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or dryness, making it a gentle option for sensitive skin types prone to breakouts.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an evening routine for acne-prone skin as a cleansing step after makeup removal and cleansing, and before your treatment and moisturizer. You should start using it just once a week, and if your skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol, but apply them on alternating nights or separate times of day to keep your skin calm. Using gentle exfoliating ingredients along with retinoids helps clear blemishes while keeping the skin smooth, though it is best to introduce them slowly to avoid dryness.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
How often should I use this toner?
Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your skin reacts, and if you tolerate it well and see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it contains gentle exfoliating ingredients that help clear blemishes without harsh side effects. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and the formula is safe and well-suited for keeping skin smooth and clear.
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, 1992Combining 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, 2023Glycolic 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, 2019Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019A 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, 2017The 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, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Dextrin, Propanediol, Sodium Metaphosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Protease, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.