Bioderma Sébium Lotion for combination skin

Salicylic Acid
Zinc Gluconate
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Capryloyl Glycine
Glycerin
Average
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- 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 excellent hydration for your oily skin due to the presence of glycerin and xylitol, which provide moisturizing effects that balance your combination skin type.
- Provides moderate pore-refining benefits for oily shine with salicylic acid and seboregulation from zinc gluconate, which are suitable for your combination skin.
- The product is safe for your combination skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, minimizing irritation risks.
How to apply
- Use this hydrating toner in your AM and PM routines. Start 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this hydrating toner after your cleanser and before your moisturizer or SPF. This keeps your skin balanced and ready.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute before the next step.
- Apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help it absorb better. Clean skin gives the best results for your oily shine goal.
- Avoid the eye area when using your hydrating toner. Always do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with combination to oily skin frequently praise this lotion for its effectiveness in regulating sebum and reducing shine, while also providing lightweight hydration. Many reviewers report a visible reduction in breakouts and refined pore texture, noting it as a beneficial prep step for balanced skin. A moderate number of users find the fragrance to be strong or artificial, and a low number report a sticky residue or minor irritation.
Highlights
Effective oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “kept my oils at bay all day”
- “skin isn't looking oily by evening”
- “mattifies naturally even after a long day”
Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
- “hydrates without being sticky”
- “leaves skin super soft”
- “doesn't leave face feeling dry and tight”
Reduces breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “reduction in hormonal breakouts”
- “cleared up my chin pimples”
- “stops the process which causes pimples”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores are not as clogged”
- “pores look tightened”
- “skin texture is refined”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “smell is hard to get used to”
- “fragrance feels too artificial”
- “smells like men's aftershave and cucumber”
Eye/skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings badly if it gets in eyes”
- “tingling sensation on cheeks”
- “caused a bit of redness initially”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “way too small for the price”
- “pricey for a toner”
- “can only buy it during sales”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “can feel a bit sticky”
- “leaves a tacky feeling”
- “takes a while to absorb fully”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, lookfantastic.com, bioderma.us, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bioderma Sébium Lotion work for combination skin?
Bioderma Sébium Lotion works moderately well for combination skin, offering balanced hydration and managing oily shine safely without irritation. However, a product of this type needs an optimal blend of soothing ingredients and lightweight hydrators that specifically cater to combination skin without overwhelming oilier areas.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin and xylitol help balance your combination skin by providing moisture, while salicylic acid and zinc gluconate help manage oily shine. A toner for this skin type needs an optimal blend of soothing plant extracts and lightweight hydrators that manage oil without causing irritation.
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
What does Zinc Gluconate do for combination skin?
Zinc Gluconate is a good fit for combination skin because it helps calm redness and manage breakouts while supporting skin health. This type of skin needs gentle oil-balancing ingredients and soothing elements to keep areas clear and comfortable.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Bioderma Sébium Lotion goes in your morning routine right after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It works well for combination skin by keeping oily shine under control with salicylic acid and zinc gluconate, while glycerin and xylitol provide reliable moisture. To get an even better fit for this skin type, a product of this type needs extra soothing and strengthening ingredients that deeply balance dry and oily areas.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first after cleansing to hydrate your skin, and following it with your retinol treatment. This product of this type needs soothing and hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to better support a combination skin barrier alongside retinol.
How often should I use it?
You can use this hydrating toner daily in your morning routine after cleansing, as it has a safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation. Ingredients like glycerin and xylitol help keep your combination skin soft and balanced by boosting hydration. To better fit combination skin, products of this type also need ingredients that provide oil control and pore-refining benefits.
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 because it features ingredients that clear pores and keep oil in check safely. To get a better fit for combination skin, a product of this type needs extra pore-clearing ingredients and deep hydrators that balance oily and dry areas without leaving a sticky feel.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Cryotherapy 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, 2024Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Zinc gluconate induced alpha2, alpha3, alphaV, and alpha6 integrins, copper gluconate induced alpha2, alpha6, and beta1, and manganese gluconate induced most studied integrins in cultured keratinocytes.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999White button mushroom extract treatment increased VEGF densities, EGF, PCNA, and collagen fibers, while decreasing apoptotic cells and limiting TGF-beta and CD4 reactions in ICR mice and chorioallantoic culture, indicating beneficial effects on skin regeneration and injury.
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2012Topical application of a formulation containing capryloyl glycine 4% significantly decreased hair density, median hair length, and terminal hair density on the forearms compared to placebo in female patients with hypertrichosis after 120 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A 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, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Mannitol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Pyridoxine Hcl, Propyl Gallate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fructooligosaccharides, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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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