Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion for acne-prone skin
Chamomile Extracts
Saffron Extracts Flower
Microbiote Complex
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
Laminaria Digitata ExtractAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other toners fit it better.
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 suitability for your combination skin, as glycerin and saccharide isomerate provide humectant action to hydrate, while Echinacea Purpurea Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract offer soothing benefits for your acne-prone skin. This formulation lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract and Echinacea Purpurea Extract.
How to apply
- Use your soothing toner AM and PM daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply this soothing toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin and let it absorb.
- Pat the soothing toner onto clean, slightly damp skin for the best absorption.
- Always do a patch test before first use and avoid getting the soothing toner in your eyes.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly praised by users with dry or sensitive skin for its ability to soften texture and reduce redness without causing stinging. It is frequently noted for being hydrating and gentle, leaving skin soft and comfortable. A significant number of users dislike the strong floral scent and express disappointment with the reformulation, finding it inferior to previous versions. Some users have also reported adverse reactions and a sticky finish.
Highlights
Hydrating and softening Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves skin soft and smooth”
- “wonderfully hydrating for dry patches”
- “skin feels incredibly comfortable”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “Gentle addition to skincare”
- “alcohol-free is a game changer”
- “doesn't strip my skin”
Soothes sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “Relieved redness linked to dryness”
- “soothes tight skin immediately”
- “doesn't burn my sensitive face”
Overpowering scent Often Mentioned
- “Smell was unbearable”
- “scent is too strong for face”
- “smells like old perfume”
Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “Removes every last trace of cleanser”
- “picks up dirt my wash missed”
- “great final cleansing step”
Reformulation disappointment Sometimes Noted
- “Why ruin a wonderful product”
- “miss the old formula”
- “nothing like the original”
Adverse reactions Rarely Noted
- “Caused rashes on face”
- “burning sensation upon application”
- “made me break out”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Left a sticky film”
- “feels heavy on the skin”
- “takes too long to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ult.com, amazon.com, macys.com, boots.ie, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion work for acne-prone skin?
Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion works moderately well for acne-prone skin, providing gentle hydration and calming benefits without causing irritation. However, it lacks targeted ingredients to actively manage breakouts and blemishes. A toner for this skin needs soothing and hydrating ingredients alongside gentle exfoliants to promote a clearer complexion.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and saccharide isomerate draw in moisture to hydrate your skin, while echinacea and chamomile help calm it. This toner lacks targeted ingredients to address breakouts, so acne-prone skin needs ingredients like centella asiatica, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and gentle exfoliants.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
What does Chamomile Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Chamomile extract helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing redness and soothing irritated areas. It also helps manage inflammation associated with breakouts while supporting a more even complexion.
What does Saffron Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Saffron Extract helps protect acne-prone skin with its anti-microbial and repairing activities, making it beneficial for treating skin breakouts. Its antioxidant properties also support overall skin health and help calm inflammation.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This toner goes right after cleansing in your morning routine, and in your weekly routine after a cleansing mask. To better care for acne-prone skin, this type of product also needs targeted ingredients that actively address blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying it right after cleansing and before your retinol to help hydrate and calm your skin. This product works safely for your acne-prone skin, though a product of this type needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients to properly care for breakouts.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this toner daily in your morning routine to hydrate and calm your skin. Because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, this skin type needs a toner that also includes blemish-fighting acids.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing extracts and lacks harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. However, it also lacks targeted ingredients to actively clear blemishes, meaning an acne-prone skin type still needs specialized blemish-fighting ingredients to properly manage breakouts.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
A novel moisturizer containing saccharide isomerate accelerates skin barrier recovery, improves hydration, reduces erythema, and alleviates discomfort compared to a control moisturizer following intense pulsed light treatment in subjects with skin aging.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025A 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, 2017Application of Echinacea purpurea cream and gel increased skin hydration up to 10.6 AU and 11.4 AU and decreased wrinkles by 9.47% and 14.92% without causing skin irritation in 10 healthy volunteers over 1 month.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010Apigenin protects against UVA-induced cytotoxicity and senescence in normal human dermal fibroblasts, decreases MMP-1 expression, and when applied topically as a cream in human subjects, increases dermal density and elasticity while reducing fine wrinkle length, skin evenness, moisture content, and transepidermal water loss compared to control cream.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2016Topical chamomile oil combined with a night splint significantly improved the symptomatic and functional status of patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome compared to placebo, while electrodiagnostic parameters showed no significant changes.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2015German chamomile solution applied twice a day healed peristomal skin lesions significantly faster than once-a-day 1% hydrocortisone ointment in colostomy patients, with a mean healing time of 8.89 days versus 14.53 days.
Ostomy/wound Management, 2011Oral and topical botanical products containing ingredients like ashwagandha, saffron, l-theanine, and tocopherol reduced facial redness and pigmentation and improved sleep and certain mood parameters in healthy females with sensitive skin compared to baseline.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022Topical water-in-oil cream containing 3% Crocus sativus extract demonstrated absolute physical stability across various storage conditions and produced a significant increase in skin moisture and changes in transepidermal water loss compared to the base in human volunteers.
Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020A new skincare formulation from Echinacea purpurea completely blocked the 40-60% reduction in skin nerve endings caused by UVA and UVB exposure in ex vivo human skin samples.
Cell Proliferation, 2012Topical application of Echinacea pallida root extract and its constituent echinacoside showed good anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties compared to E. purpurea and control in rats.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2002A standardized preparation of Echinacea purpurea killed Propionibacterium acnes and completely reversed bacterial-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in cell culture models.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.
Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020
Why other toners fit acne-prone skin better
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A 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
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris Aqua Sea Water Eau De Mer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Parfum, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Phenylpropanol, Phenethyl Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract
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
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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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