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SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other products fit it better.

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

How to apply

  • You can use this toner in your AM or PM routine. Start by using it 3 times a week and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the toner right after cleansing and before putting on your moisturizer or sunscreen.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute ⏳ before your next step.
  • For the best results apply it to clean skin so it can help control oily shine throughout the day.
  • Always avoid the eye area and remember to do a patch test before your very first use .

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

Users with combination, oily, and sensitive skin frequently praise this toner for its ability to gently exfoliate and remove residual impurities without stripping natural moisture. While many report a smoother texture and reduced redness, a subset of users finds the formula leaves a sticky residue or causes irritation on highly reactive skin.

Highlights

  • Gentle, non-drying Often Mentioned
    • “Very gentle exfoliate dead cells... without drying too much.”
    • “Does not strip my skin.”
    • “Leaves skin soft and moisturized and not dry at all.”
  • Effective cleansing Sometimes Noted
    • “Quickly wipe away any residue of dirt or makeup.”
    • “Gets any last traces of make up left behind by cleansers.”
    • “Helps get all the extra dirt off post wash.”
  • Refreshes and balances Sometimes Noted
    • “Makes my skin feel clean... refreshing and cool.”
    • “Helps to balance out your skins PH levels.”
    • “Immediately delivers a cooling and refreshing feel.”
  • Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a sticky feeling on my skin.”
    • “Strange feeling on my skin, almost like a tackiness.”
    • “Texture... leaves a sticky feeling.”
  • Improves texture Rarely Noted
    • “Instantly saw the change... smooth, polished, healthier.”
    • “My pores feel and are left unclogged.”
    • “Complexion looks much more even and less inflamed.”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Packaging is not good at all... have to remove the lid.”
    • “Just don't travel with it! ... bottles don't test my patience.”
    • “Leaking bottles.”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Skin too sensitive... think it was all the fruit extracts.”
    • “Caused breakouts.”
    • “Burning sensation.”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Smelly, not cleansing.”
    • “Bad smell.”
    • “Strong smell to it.”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, bluemercury.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, skinmiles.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner work for combination skin?

SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner works moderately well for combination skin by helping manage oiliness without causing dryness. A toner for this skin needs ingredients like Niacinamide and Glycerin to balance oily shine while providing hydrating and pore-minimizing benefits.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

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

Witch hazel extract and mild chemical exfoliants like Vaccinium Myrtillus Extract and Saccharum Officinarum Extract make this toner a good fit by helping manage oiliness without causing dryness. Aloe Barbadensis Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract also provide soothing and hydration to support overall skin health. To work best for combination skin, a product of this type needs a balance of oil-managing extracts alongside hydrating and soothing ingredients.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

What does Aloe Vera Extract do for combination skin?

Aloe vera extract helps keep combination skin hydrated by increasing water content in the outer layer without adding heaviness. Regular use is unlikely to clog pores and supports a balanced, smooth feel.

Skin Research and Technology, 2006

What does Bilberry Fruit Extract do for combination skin?

Bilberry Fruit Extract helps keep combination skin smooth, soft, and even in tone while protecting it from everyday damage. It works well because its antioxidants help calm stressed areas and improve overall skin texture without feeling heavy.

Nutrients, 2024Antioxidants, 2021

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

This toner goes in the morning routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, and in the weekly routine after a cleansing mask and before treatment. Combination skin needs a product of this type to include gentle exfoliating extracts and soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile to manage oil without causing dryness.

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

You can use this toner with retinol, applying the toner first to damp skin and letting it dry completely before putting on your retinol. Using this approach helps manage oiliness while soothing the skin, though combination skin also benefits from extra hydrating ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid to keep the skin balanced.

How often should I use this toner?

This toner works for combination skin, though other products fit it better. To use a product of this type safely on combination skin, look for formulas with witch hazel extract and mild chemical exfoliants to manage oiliness, along with soothing ingredients like aloe vera.

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like aloe and chamomile. However, a product for this skin works best when it also includes targeted oil-balancing ingredients and gentle exfoliants to keep pores clear.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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

  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018

  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010

  • Fermented bilberry extract improved wrinkle depth, skin smoothness, roughness, firmness, elasticity, antioxidant capacity, and complexion evenness compared to a placebo in 66 subjects over 84 days.

    Nutrients, 2024

  • Topical application of oil-in-water creams containing wild bilberry leaves extract and seeds oil produced significant beneficial effects on the skin of healthy human volunteers.

    Antioxidants, 2021

  • Bilberry fruit extract incorporated into chitosan-based hydrogels demonstrated antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase, and anti-tyrosinase activities, supporting their potential use in topical anti-aging preparations.

    Antioxidants, 2024

  • A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

  • Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.

    Phytochemistry, 2001

  • Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.

    Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025

  • A phenolic-enriched maple syrup extract at 50 μg/mL protected human keratinocytes against hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal-induced cytotoxicity by increasing cell viability, reducing reactive oxygen species production, and decreasing DNA damage compared to stressed untreated cells.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Isoceteth-20, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Propylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Pvp, Chlorphenesin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Extract, Fruit Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Glycerin, Benzoic Acid, Acer Saccharinum Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play