Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 for oily skin
Lactic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Vinegar
Willow Bark Extract
NiacinamideAverage
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other toners fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 for your oily skin due to the presence of lactic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid, which help smooth texture and decongest pores.
- Niacinamide and Arnica Montana Extract further support oil regulation and provide soothing benefits, enhancing overall skin comfort.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation and the inclusion of soothing ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
- Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
- Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsThis acid toner is highly praised for dramatically resurfacing skin texture, clearing acne, and creating a radiant glow. While the strong vinegar-like scent and initial stinging are frequently mentioned drawbacks, the majority of users find the transformative effects on pores and hyperpigmentation justify the discomfort and cost.
Highlights
Unmatched glow Mostly Mentioned
- “revealing a fresh, glowing complexion”
- “my complexion was glowing”
- “skin looked brighter, more even-toned”
Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
- “smells like vinegar”
- “garbage water”
- “smells like formaldehyde and onions”
Texture and acne Often Mentioned
- “cleared out my closed comedones”
- “completely removed my acne”
- “smoother, clearer skin”
Stinging and irritation Often Mentioned
- “face would burn for a few seconds”
- “skin turned beet red”
- “this stuff tingles!”
Balancing and pH Sometimes Noted
- “balances the skin's pH”
- “skin looks and feels more balanced”
- “less shiny during midday”
Pore refinement Sometimes Noted
- “minimize my pores”
- “nonexistent pores”
- “refine my pores like nothing else”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “price is steep”
- “investment in your skin”
- “splurge-worthy”
Difficult availability Rarely Noted
- “hard to find”
- “elusive”
- “complicated to buy online”
Sources: lovi.care, shoprescuespa.com, influenster.com, byrdie.com, reddit.com, cosmopolitan.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Lotion P50 work for oily skin?
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 works moderately well for your oily skin, helping smooth texture and clear out pores with a mix of acids while niacinamide keeps oil in check. However, an oily skin type needs products exceptionally suited to it, featuring powerful acids and soothing ingredients that deliver deep oil control and clearer skin without any irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily skin?
Lactic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid help smooth texture and decongest pores by providing moderate exfoliation, while niacinamide and arnica extract support oil regulation and calm the skin.
What does Lactic Acid do for oily skin?
Lactic acid helps manage oily skin by significantly reducing oil production and pore size while improving moisture levels. It supports a clearer and smoother look through gentle surface renewal.
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This toner fits in the evening routine after cleansing, and oily skin of this type needs an exfoliating toner with lactic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide to smooth texture, clear out pores, and help control oil.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol, but apply them on alternating nights to help prevent potential irritation on your oily skin. Since both ingredients work actively to smooth texture and clear pores, separating them in your routine keeps your skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this toner?
Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your oily skin handles it, and if it tolerates it well with good results, you can carefully use it more often. This type of skin needs moderate exfoliation, oil regulation, and soothing ingredients to stay smooth and calm.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because its acids help keep pores clear, but it may cause stinging and irritation for oily skin. To truly keep oily skin clear without strong acids, look for lightweight formulas with balancing ingredients like niacinamide and gentle plant extracts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2021Twice 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, 2024A 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, 2013A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2024Gel formulations based on orange and sweet basil essential oils combined with acetic acid achieved up to 75% clearance of acne lesions in 28 volunteer patients with good stability and minimal, transient side effects.
Biomedica, 2012Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 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, 2005
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid, Phytic Acid, Niacinamide, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Arnica Montana Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Vinegar, Magnesium Chloride, Sulfur, Ethoxydiglycol, Hexyl Nicotinate
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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