Medicube Red Toner for acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Salicylic Acid
Oil Tree Leaf
Grape Seed Extract
Sophora Flavescens Root ExtractHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.
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
- Offers excellent soothing and calming for your irritated skin due to the presence of ingredients like Allantoin and Beta-Glucan in moderate concentrations.
- Provides moderate exfoliation and anti-inflammatory benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to the presence of salicylic acid and tea tree oil in concentrations that target these concerns.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your acne-prone skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients like Beta-Glucan and Allantoin.
How to apply
- Use your soothing toner AM and PM daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply this soothing toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin and let it absorb.
- Pat the soothing toner onto clean, slightly damp skin for the best absorption.
- Always do a patch test before first use and avoid getting the soothing toner in your eyes.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this toner is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin, with many users reporting significant improvements in breakouts and sebum control. Its unique gel texture is also frequently praised for its soothing and hydrating properties, leaving a non-sticky finish. However, some users, particularly those with sensitive or dry skin, have noted potential irritation and dryness due to its potent formula.
Highlights
Effective acne control Often Mentioned
- “Forehead breakouts disappeared”
- “Cleared new acne in 2 weeks”
- “Reduces redness significantly”
- “Calms active pimples”
Unique gel-like texture Often Mentioned
- “Thicker than water”
- “Jelly-like consistency”
- “Glides on smoothly”
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Not too watery”
Poor bottle design Often Mentioned
- “Hard to get product out”
- “Have to shake bottle vigorously”
- “Rigid plastic bottle”
- “Dispenser pours too much at once”
Non-sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs with no residue”
- “Refreshing finish”
- “Doesn't mess with makeup”
- “Leaves skin soft not tacky”
Soothing and hydrating Sometimes Noted
- “Feels cooling on application”
- “Leaves skin plump”
- “Hydrating without being heavy”
- “Instantly resolves dryness”
Strong medicinal scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like alcohol”
- “Strong tea tree scent”
- “Medicinal smell”
- “Scent lingers”
- “Smells like a hospital”
Drying for some Rarely Noted
- “U-zone felt tight”
- “Too drying for winter”
- “Not for dry skin types”
- “Stripped moisture”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “Stinging sensation”
- “Caused redness on sensitive areas”
- “Tingling on application”
- “Broke me out”
Sources: lovi.care, medicube.us, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, gopicky.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medicube Red Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Medicube Red Toner is a great fit because it contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil, which help calm breakouts and gently smooth the skin. It also includes allantoin and beta-glucan to soothe irritated areas safely without causing extra irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and tea tree oil help target breakouts and blemishes with moderate exfoliation, while ingredients like allantoin and beta-glucan calm and soothe irritated skin. This combination is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
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.
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This soothing toner goes in the morning routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, or in the evening as a cleansing toner before your treatment. It helps calm irritated acne-prone skin and provides moderate exfoliation for breakouts.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to calm your skin, waiting for it to absorb, and then following with your retinol treatment. This approach helps reduce the irritation often caused by retinol while supporting your skin barrier.
How often should I use this toner?
This soothing toner is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and can be used as part of your routine. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results may carefully use them more often.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes calming agents like allantoin and beta-glucan. It also features salicylic acid, which helps gently clear blemishes.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020Twice 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, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016Topical 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, 2005Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Resveratrol cream improved skin hydration and tightening compared to cream without resveratrol in a group of probands.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2019Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Combining azelaic acid and matrine in dissolving microneedles at a 1:1 molar ratio achieved higher skin permeability, synergistic antibacterial rates above 95%, and no skin irritation compared to commercially available azelaic acid gel.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021Co-amorphous salt of ursodeoxycholic acid and matrine incorporated into dissolving microneedles enhanced aqueous solubility, skin permeation, growth-inhibitory effects against Cutibacterium acnes, and anti-inflammatory activity compared to single-component groups and topical gel in a murine acne model.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Ingredients
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Niacinamide, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta, Lavandula Angustifolia Lavender Water, Methyl Gluceth-20, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Borago Officinalis Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Adenosine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Water, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract Flower Matricaria Leaf Extract Flower, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Salicylic Acid, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Ethanolamine, Usnea Barbata Extract, Ovalicin, Grapefruit Leaf Extract, Colloidal Sulfur, Hyacinthus Orientalis 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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
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
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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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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