Medicube ZERO PORE PAD MILD for combination skin
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
Betaine Salicylate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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 exfoliation due to betaine salicylate, which is beneficial for your combination skin by helping to balance oil production and hydration.
- Hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica extract provide general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive for your oily shine.
- The product 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
★4.5Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers with sensitive skin frequently praise this toner pad for its gentle exfoliation and hydration, leading to smoother texture and controlled sebum for a radiant finish. While generally well-received, some users note it is less effective for deep blackhead removal compared to other versions.
Highlights
Gentle on Sensitive Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation and no dryness”
- “doesn't sting and is mild”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Hydrating Finish Often Mentioned
- “leaves my skin feeling moisturized”
- “don't need to apply much emulsion”
- “intense hydration”
Smoother Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “makeup goes on so much smoother”
- “removes roughness on forehead”
- “glass-like finish”
Hygienic Packaging Sometimes Noted
- “included tweezers are a nice touch”
- “lid seals it shut”
- “sanitary design”
Mild/Slow Efficacy Sometimes Noted
- “falls a bit short on deep pore treatment”
- “slower results than the original”
- “didn't show much effect on blackheads”
Low Quantity/Value Rarely Noted
- “runs out so quickly”
- “wish they came in packs of 100”
- “expensive for daily use”
Poor Pad Adherence Rarely Noted
- “pads keep falling off”
- “too thick to stick as a mask”
- “don't adhere well to the skin”
Sticky Residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves a little sticky feeling”
- “stickiness on my face”
- “takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, medicube.us, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild work for combination skin?
This product works decently for your combination skin by offering moderate exfoliation that helps balance oil and moisture without irritating your face. To fit your skin even better, an exfoliating toner needs a mix of effective exfoliants like AHA, BHA, and PHA along with brightening ingredients like niacinamide to clearly target both oily and dry areas.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for combination skin?
Betylene salicylate helps balance oil production and hydration for your combination skin, while hyaluronic acid and Centella asiatica extract provide moisture and soothing benefits. To fit combination skin even better, an exfoliating toner needs a mix of effective exfoliants like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs along with hydrating ingredients that smooth texture, minimize pores, and manage oily shine without causing irritation.
What does Butylene Glycol do for combination skin?
Butylene glycol helps boost the absorption of other ingredients into combination skin while keeping the skin feeling soft. It may also help draw moisture into dry areas, though formulations need the right balance of soothing lipids and water-attracting ingredients to properly care for combination skin.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an evening routine as a cleansing toner, or can be used once a week as an exfoliating step before treatments and moisturizers. Combination skin works best with exfoliating toners that balance oil production while keeping hydration steady with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by applying the toner first, waiting for it to dry completely, and then applying your retinol. Because this toner contains betaine salicylate, using it on the same days as strong retinoids may increase the likelihood of dryness or irritation for your combination skin.
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this toner once a week, and if your combination skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. The product provides moderate exfoliation with betaine salicylate that helps balance oil and moisture without irritation.
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 it contains gentle ingredients that help balance oil and hydration without harsh risks. However, because it provides only moderate exfoliation, combination skin also needs soothing and oil-controlling ingredients like green tea or niacinamide to stay clear and smooth.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.