🇳🇱Netherlands

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner for oily acne-prone skin

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

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

Superior

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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

  • Excellent suitability for your oily skin and acne concerns is provided by niacinamide and salicylic acid, which effectively reduce inflammation and control oil production. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate offer superior hydration, ensuring your skin remains balanced and moisturized.
  • The inclusion of chamomile flower extract further soothes your skin, complementing the primary active ingredients.
  • This formula is exceptionally safe for your skin, with no reported risks of irritation and a composition that actively calms and supports your skin's barrier function.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply your hydrating toner after cleansing and before putting on your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it ⏱absorb for a minute before adding your next product.
  • Applying the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin helps your face absorb it better. This keeps your oily skin balanced and hydrated.
  • Be sure to avoid the eye area when applying. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any reaction.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 10.9k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly recommended for oily and combination skin types, effectively controlling sebum and providing lightweight hydration without a sticky feel. Users frequently report smoother skin texture and a noticeable reduction in pore appearance. Some users find pore size reduction to be highly effective, while others report minimal changes. A small number of users experienced breakouts or irritation, and some felt the product was too expensive for the results achieved.

Highlights

  • Lightweight hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish.”
    • “Absorbed into the skin almost immediately.”
    • “It is so watery... does not leave any finish whatsoever.”
    • “Lightweight liquid formula feels weightless on skin.”
  • Balances oily skin Often Mentioned
    • “It works great to balance oil and is very refreshing, especially in the summer.”
    • “Helps control excess oil and shine temporarily.”
    • “My skin is less oily and drier areas smooth out.”
    • “Decent oil control, I blot my face less.”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Makes my skin softer.”
    • “Skin is more even, smooth, moisturized.”
    • “My skin just feels fresh... smoother and brighter.”
    • “Helps to remove skin flaking.”
  • Minimizes pore appearance Sometimes Noted
    • “In 2 weeks I saw major improvement in pore size.”
    • “My pores have gotten smaller.”
    • “The impact on reducing my pores is amazing!”
    • “My fave looks airbrushed when I use this regularly.”
  • Ineffective on pores Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not notice any difference in my pores.”
    • “Promise of pore minimization feels more like a marketing tactic.”
    • “Limited impact on pores.”
    • “Blackheads are almost the same.”
  • Causes breakouts/irritation Rarely Noted
    • “My cystic acne in the jaw line has come back.”
    • “Irritated skin, stung on application.”
    • “Experienced little bumps coming up in my skin.”
  • Packaging leaks Rarely Noted
    • “Spilled all inside the packaging.”
    • “Pump had slightly come off.”
    • “It was messy.”
  • Pricey for value Rarely Noted
    • “I don't see the price tag as justifiable.”
    • “Over-priced... just a good toner.”
    • “Expensive for the amount that you get.”
    • “Results aren't remarkable enough to justify the higher price.”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, paulaschoice.com, paulaschoice-eu.com, dermstore.com, sephora.sg, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Toner one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?

This toner is an exceptional fit because niacinamide helps control oil and calm inflammation, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin balanced and moisturized without feeling heavy. Chamomile flower extract and ceramides further soothe your skin and support its barrier function with a very safe profile that is unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps control oil production and calm inflammation, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your oily acne-prone skin balanced with lightweight hydration. Chamomile flower extract, ceramides, and panthenol further soothe the skin and support its barrier function.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.

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

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This toner goes in your morning routine right after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It is exceptionally safe for your skin, as niacinamide and glycerin help control oil and keep your skin balanced.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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 treatment to help calm your skin and keep it balanced. This routine is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation when using barrier-supporting ingredients.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

How often should I use this toner?

You can use this hydrating toner twice daily in your morning and evening routines. It is exceptionally safe for your skin with no reported risks of irritation, actively calming and supporting your skin's barrier function.

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin, as it has a very low risk of irritation and features niacinamide to help control oil production. It actively calms the skin and supports your skin barrier function while keeping it balanced.

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 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 post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

  • 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

  • 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 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

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract Chamomile Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Pca, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Oleth-10, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium 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 5 Nov 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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