🇳🇱Netherlands

Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Toning Lotion/Refiner for dry sensitive skin

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

Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Multi-Action Toning Lotion/Refiner

Low

  • LowDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

A weak 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 the presence of lactobionic acid and alcohol denat, which can be drying, and a lack of sufficient emollient and humectant ingredients to counteract this effect.
  • While witch hazel and alcohol denat are included for their astringent properties, they may exacerbate dryness for your skin type.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliating toner only in your PM routine, starting 1×/week since your skin is sensitive. Carefully build up frequency only if your skin feels comfortable.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner after using your cleanser and before your final moisturizer. This ensures it works effectively on clean skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin using your hands. Avoid rubbing to prevent any irritation.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on completely dry skin to ensure better tolerance for your sensitive type. Let it absorb fully before moving to the next step.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area. Keep this product separate from other strong acids or retinoids to protect your skin barrier.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

Users generally praise this product as a refreshing, dual-action toner that gently exfoliates and balances the skin without stripping moisture, leaving the complexion smooth and radiant. While effective for most skin types, including dry and combination skin, some users with sensitive skin caution that the alcohol content and fragrance may cause stinging or irritation.

Highlights

  • Refreshing feel Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin glowing fresh”
    • “very refreshing after cleansing”
    • “removes any remaining impurities”
    • “feels light and refreshing”
  • Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “gently exfoliates the skin”
    • “leaves skin smooth”
    • “removes dull skin cells”
    • “softens skin texture”
  • Non-drying formula Sometimes Noted
    • “works without drying”
    • “doesn't strip my skin”
    • “hydrating and comfortable”
    • “no tightness after use”
  • Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “gentle smell”
    • “fresh scent”
    • “smell is very pleasant”
    • “mild and isn't overwhelming”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “a bit expensive”
    • “pricey for a toner”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
    • “luxury price tag”
  • Alcohol content Rarely Noted
    • “contains alcohol denat”
    • “smells like alcohol”
    • “can be drying due to alcohol”
    • “avoid if avoiding alcohol”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “caused stinging”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “redness after application”
    • “irritated my sensitive skin”
  • Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “scent is too strong”
    • “overwhelming fragrance”
    • “perfume is too much”
    • “prefer fragrance-free”

Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, myer.com.au, lookfantastic.com, escentual.com, perfumesclub.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

Why is Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Toning Lotion a weak match for dry sensitive skin?

This toner is a weak match because alcohol denat and witch hazel can dry out your skin, and it lacks enough moisturizing ingredients to balance that out. An exfoliating toner for dry sensitive skin needs gentle smoothing ingredients alongside rich soothing and hydrating agents that protect your skin barrier.

Which ingredients make this toner a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?

Lactobionic acid and alcohol denat make this toner a poor fit because they can be drying on dry sensitive skin. A product of this type needs more hydrating and soothing ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin soft and comfortable.

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021

What does Lactobionic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

Lactobionic acid helps hydrate dry sensitive skin and keeps it smooth without causing irritation or barrier damage. It draws in moisture and protects the skin barrier while being gentle enough for sensitive skin types.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

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

This exfoliating toner is a weak match for your dry sensitive skin because it contains drying ingredients like alcohol denat and lacks enough soothing, soft hydrators to keep your skin comfortable. A product of this type needs plenty of gentle hydrating ingredients and skin-softening oils to protect your skin from dryness and irritation.

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

It is best to avoid using this exfoliating toner with retinol on dry sensitive skin, because the alcohol and acids may easily cause irritation and make dryness worse. A product of this type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and rich moisturizing oils to keep dry sensitive skin soft and comfortable.

How often should I use this toner?

This toner is a weak match for your dry sensitive skin because ingredients like alcohol denat and lactobionic acid can be drying, so a product of this type needs rich moisturizers and soothing humectants to keep skin soft and comfortable. Start using it once a week, and only use it more often if your skin tolerates it well without extra dryness.

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin, but the alcohol denat and witch hazel may increase dryness and irritation. A product for this skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients and rich soothing oils to keep it soft and calm without stripping natural moisture.

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

  • Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

  • Combining a 20% lactobionic acid peel with aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion increases skin hydration, improves elasticity, and decreases transepidermal water loss in 20 Caucasian females compared to lactobionic acid peel alone.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • An emulsion containing 10% lactobionic acid significantly reduces human skin surface pH without causing skin irritation or barrier impairment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • 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 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

  • Ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of Bambusa vulgaris leaves accelerate cutaneous wound healing and inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

    Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2016

Why other toners fit dry sensitive skin better

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

  • Co-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, 2023

  • Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2021

Ingredients

Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hypnea Musciformis Extract Algae Extract, Gellidiela Acerosa Extract Algae Extract, Witch Hazel, Silybum Marianum Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Algae Extract, Rice Bran Extract, Yeast Extract, Sucrose, Trehalose, Lactobionic Acid, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Biosaccharide 1 Gum, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Pca, Pentylene Glycol, Ppg-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucosamine Hcl, Parfum, Phytic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol

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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Prices checked 10 Oct 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the Netherlands.

How does it fit your skin?

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