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SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion for combination skin

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few toners fit it even 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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid work to smooth texture and address oily shine.
  • Pitera ferment filtrate further supports overall skin health, enhancing the product's benefits for your specific skin type.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your exfoliating toner during your PM routine. Start once a week and slowly build up if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your favorite moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and completely dry skin to get the best results for your combination skin.
  • Always avoid the sensitive eye area and wear daily SPF to protect your skin.

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, watery toner is widely praised by users with combination and oily skin for its ability to gently exfoliate and remove residual impurities left after cleansing. Many report smoother texture, balanced sebum production, and improved absorption of subsequent skincare products. Some users with dry skin find it less hydrating, and others feel the results do not justify the luxury price tag.

Highlights

  • Expensive price Mostly Mentioned
    • “Pricey for toner”
    • “Not budget-friendly”
    • “Luxury cost”
  • Excellent skin prep Often Mentioned
    • “Removes leftover dirt”
    • “Aids absorption”
    • “Feels clean”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “Smoother skin”
    • “Gentle exfoliation”
    • “Refines pores”
  • Balances oil production Sometimes Noted
    • “Controls T-zone oil”
    • “Reduces sebum”
    • “Refreshing feel”
  • Lightweight and gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “Watery consistency”
    • “Non-sticky”
    • “Suitable for sensitive skin”
  • Underwhelming results Sometimes Noted
    • “No visible difference”
    • “Average performance”
    • “Not miraculous”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Small bumps”
    • “Purging”
    • “Skin irritation”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Fermented smell”
    • “Weird odor”
    • “Smells like saliva”

Sources: lovi.care, sk-ii.com, sephora.com, influenster.com, dermstore.com, bloomingdales.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes SK-II Clear Lotion a great fit for combination skin?

This exfoliating toner is a great fit because salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid work to smooth texture and control oily shine on combination skin. Pitera ferment filtrate further supports overall skin health, and the formula is safe with no risks of irritation.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

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

Salicylic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid make this toner a great fit by smoothing out texture and helping to control oily shine on combination skin. Pitera ferment filtrate also supports overall skin health, while sodium hyaluronate helps keep the skin hydrated without irritation.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023

What does Pitera Ferment Filtrate do for combination skin?

Pitera Ferment Filtrate helps smooth rough areas, keeps your skin hydrated, and helps calm redness on combination skin. Daily use supports a balanced skin barrier and may reduce daily fluctuations in pore size and redness. A product for combination skin also needs lightweight moisturizing ingredients to keep dry spots soft without feeling greasy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021

What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

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

This exfoliating toner fits into your evening routine after cleansing as a cleansing toner, or into your weekly routine after a cleansing mask. It is unlikely to irritate combination skin, helping to smooth texture and address oily shine.

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

You can use this toner with retinol, but it is best to apply them on alternate nights or separate times of day to avoid irritation. Since this exfoliating toner contains acids, using it at the same time as retinol may increase dryness and discomfort on your combination skin.

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your combination skin reacts, and carefully increase the frequency if you tolerate it well and see good results. The formula is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin, as it contains gentle exfoliating acids that help smooth texture and clear away buildup. Breakouts are rarely reported by reviewers, and the formula has a very safe profile with no harsh ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • 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
  • Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021
  • Daily application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate-containing skin products for 12 months significantly and cumulatively reversed 11-year facial skin aging parameters of wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, and roughness, and increased skin hydration in 86 female volunteers.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
  • A combination serum containing galactomyces ferment filtrate, dexpanthenol, and Centella asiatica effectively treated post-acne hyperpigmentation in subjects with colored skin by significantly increasing lightness scores in Fitzpatrick skin type V and reducing the melanin index in Fitzpatrick skin type IV compared to placebo.

    Skinmed, 2021
  • Galactomyces ferment filtrate promotes epidermal interconnectivity, barrier development, cell adhesion, keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, and protects cellular bioenergetics against stress in keratinocytes and ex vivo skin explants compared to untreated controls.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • Galactomyces ferment filtrate activates AHR and NRF2, upregulates filaggrin and terminal differentiation markers, exhibits antioxidative activity, promotes antiinflammatory IL-37, and downregulates CDKN2A, IL-33, CXCL14, and IL6R in epidermal keratinocytes.

    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022
  • 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
  • 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
  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 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, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Pitera Ferment Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Peg-150, Cellulose Gum, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Methylparaben

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 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.