Bioderma Sébium Lotion for dry sensitive skin
Salicylic Acid
Zinc Gluconate
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Capryloyl Glycine
Glycerin
Caution
- CautionDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry sensitive skin; the toners alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to salicylic acid, but its seboregulating and keratolytic actions are more suited for oily skin, potentially causing dryness.
- While glycerin and xylitol provide some hydration, the fomes officinalis extract further contributes to a mattifying effect, which is not ideal for your dry skin type.
How to apply
- You can use this hydrating toner AM and PM every day to keep your skin soft. Always remember to pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this hydrating toner right after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- For best results, apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture.
- Be careful to avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with combination to oily skin frequently praise this lotion for its effectiveness in regulating sebum and reducing shine, while also providing lightweight hydration. Many reviewers report a visible reduction in breakouts and refined pore texture, noting it as a beneficial prep step for balanced skin. A moderate number of users find the fragrance to be strong or artificial, and a low number report a sticky residue or minor irritation.
Highlights
Effective oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “kept my oils at bay all day”
- “skin isn't looking oily by evening”
- “mattifies naturally even after a long day”
Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
- “hydrates without being sticky”
- “leaves skin super soft”
- “doesn't leave face feeling dry and tight”
Reduces breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “reduction in hormonal breakouts”
- “cleared up my chin pimples”
- “stops the process which causes pimples”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores are not as clogged”
- “pores look tightened”
- “skin texture is refined”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “smell is hard to get used to”
- “fragrance feels too artificial”
- “smells like men's aftershave and cucumber”
Eye/skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings badly if it gets in eyes”
- “tingling sensation on cheeks”
- “caused a bit of redness initially”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “way too small for the price”
- “pricey for a toner”
- “can only buy it during sales”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “can feel a bit sticky”
- “leaves a tacky feeling”
- “takes a while to absorb fully”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, lookfantastic.com, bioderma.us, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Bioderma S©bium Lotion for dry sensitive skin?
Bioderma Sebium Lotion is a poor match for your dry sensitive skin because its ingredients target oily skin by reducing oil and providing a mattifying effect, which may cause dryness and irritation. A product of this type needs rich moisturizing and reparative ingredients like ceramides, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide to support moisture retention and skin barrier function without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this toner a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid, zinc gluconate, and fomes officinalis extract make this toner a poor fit because they target oil and exfoliate, which may cause dryness and a mattifying effect instead of providing the deep moisture and soothing care dry sensitive skin needs.
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid is generally a poor fit for dry, sensitive skin because it is designed to clear out pores by removing excess oil, which can easily leave dry skin irritated. A product of this type needs gentle exfoliating helpers paired with rich, soothing moisturizers and barrier-repairing ingredients to keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
What does Zinc Gluconate do for dry sensitive skin?
Zinc gluconate helps calm irritated skin and reduce redness, but it is unlikely to provide enough moisture for dry skin on its own. A product of this type needs added hydrating ingredients like ceramides or plant oils to keep dry skin feeling soft and smooth.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2006Dermatologic Therapy, 2018
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This toner is a poor match for dry sensitive skin because its ingredients can cause unwanted dryness, so a hydrating toner is a better fit instead. A toner of this type needs gentle hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid along with barrier-supporting ingredients to keep dry skin soft and comfortable.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You should exercise caution using this toner with retinol on dry sensitive skin, because its salicylic acid and mattifying ingredients may cause dryness and irritation. If you still choose to use them together, apply the toner first, let it dry completely, and follow with a rich moisturizer before your retinol to help protect your skin. This skin type needs gentle hydrating ingredients like ceramides and soothing plant extracts instead.
How often should I use this toner?
This toner is a poor match for your dry sensitive skin because its ingredients are better suited for oily skin and may cause extra dryness. If you still choose to use it, this type of product needs hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing agents to keep dry skin comfortable.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry sensitive skin, but its ingredients are meant to clear oil and may make dryness worse instead. A product for this skin needs gentle hydrators like hyaluronic acid and soothing agents to keep it soft and calm.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017A 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, 2017Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013White button mushroom extract treatment increased VEGF densities, EGF, PCNA, and collagen fibers, while decreasing apoptotic cells and limiting TGF-beta and CD4 reactions in ICR mice and chorioallantoic culture, indicating beneficial effects on skin regeneration and injury.
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2012Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021The 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, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannitol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propyl Gallate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fructooligosaccharides, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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
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