The INKEY List PHA Toner for acne-prone skin
Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Niacinamide
Gluconolactone
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Glycerin
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin and acne concerns is provided by gluconolactone and niacinamide, which work synergistically to exfoliate, clear pores, and regulate oil production. Glycerin further enhances hydration, ensuring a balanced and comfortable feel.
- The inclusion of aloe barbadensis leaf juice offers additional soothing benefits, complementing the active ingredients and supporting overall skin health.
- This formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, featuring a gentle composition free from harsh irritants and enriched with calming aloe.
How to apply
- You can use this exfoliating toner in your PM routine. Start by using it 1 time per week and increase slowly if your skin is happy.
- Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizing steps. This helps your skin stay clean and clear.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing to keep your face calm.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best comfort. Let it dry for a minute ⏱ before moving on.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid putting the product too close to your eyes.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive and dry skin frequently praise this toner for its ability to gently smooth texture and reduce redness without causing irritation. A moderate number of users note a sticky finish, while a low number find the formula too mild for visible results.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “No sting or burning”
- “Gentle enough for daily use”
- “Perfect for reactive skin”
Smoother texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels softer”
- “Helped with texture”
- “Smoothed out bumps”
- “Face feels baby soft”
Helps acne Sometimes Noted
- “Cleared up mask acne”
- “Helped with blackheads”
- “Reduced breakouts”
- “Pores look smaller”
Hydrating Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry me out”
- “Feels moisturizing”
- “Good for dry patches”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “Feels tacky on skin”
- “Leaves a sticky residue”
- “Takes a while to absorb”
- “Sticky under moisturizer”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Broke me out”
- “Skin felt irritated”
- “Caused redness”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Bottle leaks”
- “Cap is messy”
- “Dispenses too much”
- “Leaked in transit”
Too mild Rarely Noted
- “Did nothing for me”
- “Too weak”
- “No visible difference”
- “Prefer stronger acids”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, theinkeylist.com, cultbeauty.com, lookfantastic.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The INKEY List PHA Toner one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This toner is an exceptional fit for acne-prone skin because gluconolactone and niacinamide work together to gently clear pores and balance oil, while glycerin keeps skin hydrated and comfortable. Aloe leaf juice adds soothing benefits that help calm your skin and support its overall health.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Gluconolactone and niacinamide make this toner a great fit for acne-prone skin by clearing pores, regulating oil, and helping improve breakouts with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. Glycerin and aloe vera leaf juice further support this by boosting hydration and keeping the skin calm and comfortable.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing pimples and bumps while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or dryness, making it a gentle option for sensitive skin types prone to breakouts.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into your routine as a cleansing toner during your evening regimen, or once a week as part of your weekly routine. Starting exfoliating toners just once a week helps your skin adjust safely, and you may use them more often if you tolerate them well and see good results.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to clear pores and balance oil, followed by your retinol treatment once the skin is dry. This gentle approach helps avoid irritation while supporting clear and comfortable skin.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this toner once a week to see how your skin reacts, and if you tolerate it well and see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The gentle formula helps clear pores and regulate oil while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it features a gentle composition with ingredients that help clear pores and regulate oil without harsh irritants. Studies on its key exfoliating ingredients show they improve acne lesions well with very few side effects.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023A 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, 2017Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provided antiaging benefits comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen while demonstrating enhanced mildness and better tolerance in subjects.
Cutis, 2004Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.
Skin Research and Technology, 2021A 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, 2018Topical 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, 2018Topical 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, 2010The 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, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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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, 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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