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Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion for combination skin

Average

  • AverageCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for combination skin; other toners 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

  • Offers moderate hydration for your combination skin, as glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice provide moisturizing effects, though it lacks targeted ingredients to specifically address oily shine.
  • Saccharide isomerate and sea water offer humectant action and general skincare benefits, supporting your skin's hydration levels.
  • The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like aloe and sea water.

How to apply

  • Use this hydrating toner in your AM and PM routines. Start 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply this hydrating toner after your cleanser and before your moisturizer or SPF. This keeps your skin balanced and ready.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute before the next step.
  • Apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help it absorb better. Clean skin gives the best results for your oily shine goal.
  • Avoid the eye area when using your hydrating toner. Always do a quick patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 5.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this alcohol-free toner is highly regarded for its hydrating and softening effects, particularly for normal to dry skin types, leaving it plump and smooth without stripping. It also effectively removes residue and is gentle for sensitive skin. A significant number of users dislike the strong, polarizing scent and find the bottle design wasteful. Some long-time users are disappointed with a recent reformulation, noting changes in texture and scent, while a small group experiences a sticky finish.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
    • “leaves face hydrated and smooth”
    • “doesn't dry out my skin”
    • “refreshing drink of water”
    • “skin feels plump”
  • Softens skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “makes skin silky smooth”
    • “leaves skin soft”
    • “improves texture”
    • “face feels smoother”
  • Overpowering scent Often Mentioned
    • “smell is so strong my eyes water”
    • “smells like wet dog”
    • “too perfumed”
    • “medicinal scent”
  • Gentle and soothing Sometimes Noted
    • “calms my skin”
    • “soothing for dry parts”
    • “no stinging”
    • “very gentle”
  • Removes residue Sometimes Noted
    • “removes every last trace”
    • “gets all the extra particles”
    • “perfect final cleanse”
  • Poor bottle design Sometimes Noted
    • “pours out way too much”
    • “opening is too big”
    • “hard to control amount”
    • “wasteful design”
  • Reformulation disappointment Sometimes Noted
    • “miss the old yellow toner”
    • “poor replacement”
    • “not as good as the original”
    • “bring back the old formula”
  • Sticky finish Rarely Noted
    • “leaves a sticky film”
    • “slight sticky feeling”
    • “tacky residue”
    • “feels heavy”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Clarins Hydrating Toner work for combination skin?

This toner works moderately well for combination skin by providing basic moisture through glycerin and aloe, though it lacks specific ingredients to control oily shine. A better product for this skin type needs hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and peptides to balance both dry and oily areas without adding excess oil.

Lasers in Medical Science, 2025

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

Glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice help give your combination skin moderate moisture, while saccharide isomerate supports hydration levels safely without irritation. To better fit this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and peptides that balance moisture while managing oily shine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Lasers in Medical Science, 2025

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 Saffron Extract do for combination skin?

Saffron Extract helps protect combination skin with its antioxidant and repairing activities, making it a useful addition to moisturizers and sunscreens. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help keep your skin looking calm and healthy.

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2021

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

This toner goes after cleansing in your morning routine, and after your evening cleansing mask and enzyme powder in your weekly routine. To better fit combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that balance oily shine while providing hydration.

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

You can use this toner with niacinamide, applying the toner first right after cleansing and following with your niacinamide serum. This product is safe and unlikely to cause irritation on combination skin, but it needs ingredients that specifically target oily shine.

How often should I use this toner?

You can use this hydrating toner daily in your morning routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. A toner of this type for combination skin needs balancing and refreshing ingredients like aloe and sea water to support moisture without feeling heavy, along with oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine.

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on combination skin. It is safe for this skin type and has a very low risk of irritation thanks to soothing ingredients like aloe and sea water.

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, geraniol, citral, citronellol, and coumarin).

What the research says

  • A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
  • A novel moisturizer containing saccharide isomerate accelerates skin barrier recovery, improves hydration, reduces erythema, and alleviates discomfort compared to a control moisturizer following intense pulsed light treatment in subjects with skin aging.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
  • Formulations containing saccharide isomerate significantly improved transepidermal water loss, sebum secretion, and scalp flaking compared to a placebo formulation in an adult Chinese population affected by dandruff scalp.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • 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
  • Oral and topical botanical products containing ingredients like ashwagandha, saffron, l-theanine, and tocopherol reduced facial redness and pigmentation and improved sleep and certain mood parameters in healthy females with sensitive skin compared to baseline.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022
  • Topical water-in-oil cream containing 3% Crocus sativus extract demonstrated absolute physical stability across various storage conditions and produced a significant increase in skin moisture and changes in transepidermal water loss compared to the base in human volunteers.

    Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014
  • Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • A topical cream containing 4% Ficus carica fruit extract applied to the cheeks of human volunteers for 8 weeks significantly decreased skin melanin, trans-epidermal water loss, and sebum, and significantly increased skin hydration compared to a base control.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014
  • A Ficus carica cell suspension culture extract reduced epinephrine, interleukin 6, lipid peroxide, and protein carbonylation, induced ceramide synthesis, and decreased transepidermal water loss and sebum production in skin cells and in vivo.

    Antioxidants, 2021
  • A skincare regimen containing Macrocystis pyrifera ferment consisting of a cleansing foam, a serum, and a moisturizer decreases the visible effects of inflammation and aging while promoting healing and improving patient satisfaction.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Macrocystis pyrifera ferment-containing creams decrease visible inflammation and signs of aging while enhancing barrier resilience and recovery.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Aqueous extracts from Macrocystis pyrifera and Durvillaea antarctica exhibited antiviral activity against acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2, and topical formulations significantly reduced the severity and duration of HSV-1 skin lesions in an animal model compared to mock treatment and acyclovir.

    Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris Aqua Sea Water Eau De Mer, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Phenethyl Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Linalool, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Geraniol, Saccharide Isomerate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract

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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Prices checked 5 Nov 2026

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