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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner for oily skin

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few toners fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 is provided by gluconolactone and betaine salicylate, which effectively exfoliate and decongest, addressing your oily shine. Opuntia ficus-indica extract and watermelon fruit extract further support skin hydration and soothing, complementing the active ingredients.
  • The inclusion of willow bark extract and melaleuca alternifolia tree extract offers additional pore-tightening and antimicrobial benefits, enhancing the overall efficacy for your skin concerns.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like watermelon fruit extract and glycerin.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
  • Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 4.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly regarded for its hydrating and gently exfoliating properties, resulting in smoother skin and a radiant glow. It is particularly effective at minimizing pores for oily and combination skin types.

Highlights

  • Hydrates skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “extremely hydrating”
    • “skin felt bouncy”
    • “floods skin with moisture”
  • Glow and radiance Often Mentioned
    • “glass skin look”
    • “instant glow”
    • “luminous finish”
  • Pleasant scent Often Mentioned
    • “smells delicious”
    • “refreshing watermelon scent”
    • “like a jolly rancher”
  • Good texture Sometimes Noted
    • “satisfyingly thick”
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “not sticky”
  • Refines pores Sometimes Noted
    • “pores look tighter”
    • “helped with congestion”
    • “smoother texture”
  • Expensive price Sometimes Noted
    • “pricey for the size”
    • “not budget friendly”
    • “expensive”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused painful pimples”
    • “bad breakout”
    • “skin purging”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “hard to get product out”
    • “heavy glass bottle”
    • “travel size is difficult”
  • Sticky finish Rarely Noted
    • “leaves a sticky film”
    • “feels tacky”
    • “didn't absorb well”
  • Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “smell is too strong”
    • “synthetic scent”
    • “sickly sweet”

Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.co.uk, sephora.my, skinsort.com, ipsy.com, glowrecipe.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pore-Tight Toner a great fit for oily skin?

This toner is a great fit because gluconolactone and betaine salicylate help exfoliate and clear out pores to address oily shine. Cactus and watermelon extracts further support skin hydration and help keep it calm. Willow bark and tea tree extracts offer additional pore-tightening and antimicrobial benefits, while the formula remains safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

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

This toner is a great fit for oily skin because gluconolactone and betaine salicylate clear out pores and address oily shine, while cactus and watermelon extracts help keep skin calm and hydrated. Willow bark and tea tree extracts give you extra pore-tightening benefits.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for oily skin?

Polyhydroxy Acid helps oily skin by balancing oil production and lowering skin pH while remaining very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation. This type of ingredient works best when it also includes calming and purifying ingredients to keep pores clear and skin smooth.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Bha do for oily skin?

BHA helps clear pores and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing extra shine and calming breakouts. It works deep inside pores to sweep away oil and dead skin cells, which helps keep skin looking clear and smooth. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall skin hydration while controlling excess oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2014

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

This exfoliating toner is a great fit for your oily skin and goes in your evening routine as a cleansing toner after your cleanser and before your treatment. It gently clears away oily shine while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.

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

You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first, waiting for it to absorb, and then applying your retinol. Because this toner gently exfoliates while soothing components help keep the skin calm, it is unlikely to cause irritation when paired thoughtfully with your retinol routine.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The product is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like glycerin and watermelon fruit extract.

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

This toner is a great fit for oily skin and helps clear out pores using gentle acids, so it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. Soothing ingredients like watermelon extract and glycerin help keep irritation low while supporting your skin.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

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, 1992
  • Combining 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, 2023
  • Glycolic 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, 2019
  • Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.

    Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007
  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010
  • A 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, 2020
  • Treatment 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, 2024
  • Coniferyl alcohol derived from seed watermelon promoted linoleic acid-stimulated lipogenesis by approximately 2.2-fold at 300 µM and increased total lipid content in SZ95 sebocytes compared to controls.

    Molecules, 2025
  • 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
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025

Ingredients

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract Cactus Extract, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyglutamate, Betaine Salicylate, Willow Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lactobacillus Watermelon Extract Fruit Ferment, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, 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.

How does it fit your skin?

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