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SkinCeuticals LHA Toner for combination skin

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

SkinCeuticals LHA Toner

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • 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 high exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid work effectively to smooth texture and decongest
  • The alcohol denat in the formula helps to quickly dry down the toner, which is beneficial for managing oily shine.
  • 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

★4.3Overall rating based on 1000+ reviews

Users with oily, acne-prone, and aging skin report that this toner effectively decongests pores and refines skin texture without excessive irritation. While many praise its ability to clear breakouts and remove residual makeup, those with dry or sensitive skin often find it too drying or stripping.

Highlights

  • Clears acne Often Mentioned
    • “cleared my acne completely”
    • “keeps my pores clear”
    • “helps with blackheads”
    • “minimizes acne breakouts”
  • Deep cleanse Often Mentioned
    • “removes residual makeup”
    • “gets all extra stuff off”
    • “removes excess oil”
    • “cotton pad shows dirt”
  • Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
    • “gentle on oily skin”
    • “lightly exfoliates without harshness”
    • “no strong scent”
    • “tingles but fades quickly”
  • Refines texture Sometimes Noted
    • “skin feels softer”
    • “leaves skin glass-like”
    • “smoother and looking clearer”
    • “improves skin tone”
  • Drying and stripping Sometimes Noted
    • “dries out the skin”
    • “left face feeling tight”
    • “too harsh for dry skin”
    • “created dry patches”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “overpriced for a toner”
    • “pricey but effective”
    • “not worth the money”
    • “expensive for what it is”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne”
    • “broke me out bad”
    • “made skin worse”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “bottle leaks”
    • “pump came off”
    • “spilled inside packaging”
    • “leaked during shipping”

Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, bluemercury.com, skinceuticals.com, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes SkinCeuticals LHA Toner a great fit for combination skin?

SkinCeuticals LHA Toner is a great fit because glycolic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid work together to smooth texture and clear out pores on combination skin. The alcohol denat also helps the formula dry down quickly to manage oily shine, while the safe ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

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

Glycolic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid make this toner a great fit by smoothing texture and clearing clogged pores on combination skin. Additionally, alcohol denat helps the formula dry down quickly to manage oily shine, while the absence of harsh ingredients ensures a safe experience without irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

What does Lipo Hydroxy Acid do for combination skin?

Lipo Hydroxy Acid helps smooth out rough texture and keeps oily areas clear without drying out the rest of your face. It gently removes dead skin cells to make combination skin feel soft and balanced.

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

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

This toner goes in your evening routine as a cleansing step after your makeup remover and cleanser. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results may carefully use them more often.

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

You can use this toner in your evening routine alongside a retinol treatment, provided you apply the toner first and follow with your moisturizer to keep your skin calm and comfortable. Using multiple exfoliating ingredients together may increase dryness, so listen to your skin and reduce frequency if needed.

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The glycolic acid and capryloyl salicylic acid in the formula help smooth texture and clear clogged pores without irritating your skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as its exfoliating acids help decongest and smooth skin texture. A low number of reviewers mention breakouts, but active acids can sometimes bring underlying bumps to the surface when you first start using them.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

What the research says

  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

  • Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008

  • Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

  • Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.

    Cutis, 2012

  • Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2000

  • Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2017

  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid

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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How does it fit your skin?

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QR code: get the Lovi app
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