Pixi Retinol Tonic for dry sensitive skin
Retinol
Jasmine Flower
Glycerin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateAverage
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other toners fit it better.
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 hydration for your dry and sensitive skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action, while panthenol aids in barrier repair.
- This tonic offers general skincare benefits that are supportive for dry or flaky skin, though it does not directly address the primary concerns of dryness or flakiness.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- You can use this hydrating toner AM and PM every day to keep your skin soft. Always remember to pair it with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this hydrating toner right after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- For best results, apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help lock in moisture.
- Be careful to avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers frequently find this retinol tonic to be a gentle and effective option for beginners, improving skin texture and radiance without causing irritation. However, more experienced users may find it lacks potency for significant anti-aging effects, and the strong jasmine fragrance is divisive, with some finding it pleasant and others too overpowering or sensitizing.
Highlights
Gentle, non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “Gentle enough for regular use”
- “No dryness or irritation”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Zero stinging or redness”
Improves texture, glow Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels smoother”
- “Leaves a healthy glow”
- “Face looks plump/clear”
- “Refines pores over time”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin feeling hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry out skin”
- “Moisturizing unlike other retinols”
- “Feels soothing and refreshing”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs quickly into skin”
- “Sinks in instantly”
- “Non-sticky, lightweight texture”
- “Layers well under moisturizer”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells amazing and relaxing”
- “Lovely subtle jasmine scent”
- “Refreshing herbal fragrance”
- “Enjoy the spa-like smell”
Overpowering fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Scent is too strong”
- “Fragrance irritated my skin”
- “Smell is overpowering/lingers”
- “Dislike the jasmine perfume”
Weak for advanced Sometimes Noted
- “Not strong enough”
- “No dramatic anti-aging changes”
- “Results are very minor”
- “Better for maintenance, not repair”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused bad breakouts”
- “Experienced skin purging”
- “More spots than before”
- “Congested my skin initially”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Wastes product on cotton pad”
- “Wish it had a pump”
- “Hard to control amount”
- “Bottle leaks if traveling”
Price concerns Rarely Noted
- “Expensive for a toner”
- “Not worth the price tag”
- “Better results from cheaper serums”
- “Pricey for low retinol %”
Sources: lovi.care, pixibeauty.com, target.com, boots.com, ulta.com, sephora.sg, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Pixi Retinol Tonic work for dry sensitive skin?
This tonic works moderately well for dry and sensitive skin, providing basic moisture and barrier support while carrying little risk of irritation. However, because it does not directly target deep dryness or flakiness, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing and calming ingredients that intensely boost hydration and soothe dry skin.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring moisture to your dry and sensitive skin, while panthenol helps support and repair your skin barrier. A product of this type needs highly effective hydrating and soothing ingredients, along with moisturizing and calming properties that ensure optimal moisture and barrier support without any risk of irritation.
What does Retinol do for dry sensitive skin?
Retinol is often too strong for dry sensitive skin because it may cause scaling and stinging, so a product of this type needs gentle soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep the skin calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003
What does Jasmine Flower do for dry sensitive skin?
Jasmine Flower helps calm dry sensitive skin by soothing irritation and adding moisture so your face feels soft and smooth. Because dry sensitive skin needs extra care, this type of product should also include ingredients like ceramides or panthenol to help keep the skin barrier strong and comfortable.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This toner goes after cleansing in both morning and evening routines. Dry and sensitive skin needs products rich in deep hydrators and barrier-repairing ingredients to keep skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this toner with AHA, and in what order?
You can use this toner with AHA by applying the hydrating toner first to damp skin and following with your AHA after it absorbs. Using two active or exfoliating steps together may increase the chance of dryness or sensitivity on dry sensitive skin, so you might want to alternate nights or watch how your skin feels.
How often should I use this toner?
This toner can be used daily as part of your evening routine, as it is safe for your skin but does not directly address dry concerns. Dry and sensitive skin needs a product of this type that also delivers deep moisture and barrier-repairing ingredients.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
Pixi Retinol Tonic is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin, as complaints about clogged pores or breakouts are low. However, because it contains retinol, it may sometimes lead to mild purging as your skin adjusts to the ingredient.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Fermented flower extracts of Jasminum sambac enhance cell viability and attenuate UVB- and H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species production, collagen degradation, MAPK activation, and premature senescence in human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated damaged cells.
Environmental Toxicology, 2021Jasminum sambac cell extract reduces cytosolic reactive oxygen species, decreases AGE formation, increases collagen type I production, activates the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and decreases NO levels in LPS-stimulated macrophages.
Antioxidants, 2022Topical application of Jasminum grandiflorum leaf extract ointment accelerated cutaneous wound healing by enhancing collagen synthesis, increasing tissue growth, improving antioxidant status, and reducing lipid peroxidation in rats.
International Wound Journal, 2013The 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other toners fit dry sensitive skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water Rosemary Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Peg-8, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Flower Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-27, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Jasmine Leaf Extract Flower, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Clove Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Grape Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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