🇮🇹Italy

PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner for dry skin

PCA SKIN Hydrating Toner

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few toners fit it even better.

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

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin as glycerin and panthenol provide excellent humectant action to draw moisture into the skin, addressing dryness and flakiness effectively.
  • The inclusion of watermelon fruit extract and lens esculenta fruit extract offers additional hydrating benefits, complementing the primary moisturizing ingredients.
  • The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring soothing components like glycerin and panthenol.

How to apply

  • Use your hydrating toner AM and PM every day to keep skin soft. Always finish your morning routine with sunscreen.
  • Apply the hydrating toner after cleansing and before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb. Avoid rubbing your face too hard.
  • Put the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help your face absorb the moisture better.
  • Be careful to avoid the eye area when applying the product.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

Users consistently report that it effectively removes residual dirt and makeup while leaving the skin feeling refreshed, plump, and perfectly prepped for subsequent skincare steps, though a small minority of users experienced breakouts or found the product too expensive.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “provides just the right amount of hydration, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and never dried out”
    • “did a better job of hydrating my skin and making it feel nourished”
    • “Amazing hydration.”
    • “leaves skin feeling smooth and hydrated”
  • Gentle and soothing Often Mentioned
    • “gentle, soothing, and won't irritate”
    • “first toner that doesnt hurt my skin”
    • “calms redness and irritation”
    • “clean without stripping it”
  • Refreshing feel Often Mentioned
    • “incredibly refreshing, unlike any others I have used before”
    • “Love how refresh it feels.”
    • “leaves skin feeling refreshed, revitalized”
    • “refreshing experience. I love how it sprays on easily”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “removes residue leaving my face very hydrated”
    • “couldn't believe how much it was left on face after washing”
    • “seeing the bits of makeup my cleanser and wipes didn't catch was always a thrill”
  • Expensive product Sometimes Noted
    • “high price point is a drawback”
    • “a bit too expensive for the amount you get”
    • “PCA is much more expensive”
    • “pricey upon the first purchase”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “my skin broke out like crazy after using it for a week”
    • “developed a bunch of tiny acne spots all over my face”
    • “not for acne prone skin”
  • Subtle results Rarely Noted
    • “didn't notice a change in my skin until I compared my before and after photos”
    • “didn't notice my complexion looking any more radiant”
    • “felt more like a soothing, wind-down step rather than game-changing skincare”

Sources: lovi.care, nordstrom.com, bluemercury.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstreet.com, whowhatwear.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes PCA Skin Hydrating Toner a great fit for dry skin?

PCA Skin Hydrating Toner is a great fit because glycerin and panthenol draw moisture into dry skin to help stop flakiness. Watermelon fruit extract and other plant extracts add extra hydration while keeping your skin calm and safe from harsh irritants.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for dry skin?

Glycerin and panthenol make this toner a great fit for dry skin because they draw moisture into the skin to address dryness and flakiness effectively. Watermelon fruit extract and lens esculenta fruit extract provide additional hydration to complement these moisturizing ingredients.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Glycerin do for dry skin?

Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008

What does Watermelon Fruit Extract do for dry skin?

Watermelon Fruit Extract helps soothe dry skin and supports natural moisture levels by providing beneficial antioxidants and nutrients. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep skin feeling soft and smooth.

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2026Molecules, 2025

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This hydrating toner goes right after cleansing in your morning routine to help draw moisture into dry skin. It prepares your face for the moisturizer and SPF that follow.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

You can use this toner alongside retinol by applying it right after cleansing to draw moisture into dry skin before your retinol treatment. This hydrating step helps soothe the skin and is unlikely to cause irritation when combined with active treatments.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

How often should I use this toner?

You can use this hydrating toner daily in your morning routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It is gentle on dry skin, helping to draw moisture in and ease flakiness.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin since it contains no harsh ingredients and has a low risk of breakouts. Soothing components like glycerin and panthenol help keep dry skin calm and comfortable.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • 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
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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
  • Niacinamide/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
  • Coniferyl alcohol derived from seed watermelon promoted linoleic acid-stimulated lipogenesis by approximately 2.2-fold at 300 µM and increased total lipid content in SZ95 sebocytes compared to controls.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Topical formulations containing 1.25% Malus sp. extract or 0.75% rutin protected against UVB-induced sunburn cells, caspase-3 activation, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, lipid peroxidation, and metalloproteinase formation in ex vivo skin explants and 3D tissue-engineered skin.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2020
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Oil Leaf Rosemary Oil Leaf, Sodium Lactate, Disodium Edta, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Stem Extract Leaf, Sodium Pca, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carrageenan, Jania Rubens Extract, Ascorbic Acid

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: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.