Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner for combination skin
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Extract Tree
Willow Bark Extract
Centella Asiatica ExtractHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few toners fit it even 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid and willow bark extract work to clear pores and smooth texture, while melaleuca alternifolia tree extract provides antimicrobial benefits to manage oiliness.
- The inclusion of multiple hyaluronic acid derivatives and ceramides ensures adequate hydration and barrier support, which is beneficial for maintaining comfortable skin.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis toner is widely praised as a gentle yet effective exfoliant suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin, often described as a milder alternative to harsher BHA products. Users consistently report smoother skin texture, reduced blackheads, and minimized pores without the dryness typically associated with salicylic acid, thanks to the addition of hydrating ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Highlights
Gentle and non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “didn't sensitize my skin”
- “no irritation unlike other BHAs”
- “gentle enough for sensitive skin”
- “doesn't strip the barrier”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels so smooth”
- “dissolved all the texture”
- “wipes away closed comedones”
- “face feels noticeably smoother”
Effective pore care Sometimes Noted
- “minimized blackheads”
- “pores look smaller”
- “clears clogged pores”
- “improved sebaceous filaments”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “super hydrating for a BHA”
- “doesn't feel stripping”
- “leaves a luminous finish”
- “moisturizing unlike others”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs instantly”
- “lightweight and watery”
- “layers nicely under makeup”
- “non-greasy feel”
Tacky finish Sometimes Noted
- “leaves a tacky finish”
- “slightly sticky feeling”
- “best applied before other steps to hide tackiness”
- “feels sticky until dry”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out”
- “caused tiny bumps”
- “skin reacted badly”
- “unsure if purging or reaction”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “didn't work for me”
- “effect not as drastic”
- “too mild for my oily skin”
- “prefer stronger BHAs”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like burning rubber”
- “distinctive tea tree scent”
- “pungent chemical smell”
- “scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes ANUA BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner a great fit for combination skin?
This toner is a great fit because salicylic acid and willow bark extract clear pores and smooth texture, while tree extract helps manage oiliness. Added hyaluronic acid and ceramides keep your skin hydrated and comfortable without causing irritation.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for combination skin?
Salicylic acid and willow bark extract clear pores and smooth texture, while tree extract helps manage oiliness. Multiple hyaluronic acid types and ceramides also keep your combination skin comfortable and hydrated.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
What does Bha do for combination skin?
BHA helps keep combination skin clear by diving deep into pores to sweep away dead cells and excess oil, which reduces breakouts and calms redness. It is generally very safe and unlikely to cause irritation when used in a daily routine.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliating toner goes in the evening routine after cleansing, and you should start using it just once a week. The formula uses salicylic acid and willow bark extract to clear pores and smooth texture while managing oiliness safely.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol, but it is best to use them on alternate nights or separate them into your morning and evening routines to prevent irritation. Since both ingredients help smooth texture and clear pores, using them at the same time may be too strong for your skin and cause dryness.
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this toner once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gradual approach helps your skin adjust safely to the exfoliating acids while keeping it smooth and balanced.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This toner is a great fit for combination skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because its salicylic acid and willow bark extract clear out pores while tree extract manages oiliness. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and the formula includes soothing ingredients to keep skin comfortable.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007A 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, 2019Twice 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, 2024Cosmetic 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, 2016Cryotherapy 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, 2024Bioactive 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 application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Willow Bark Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Tocopherol, Ceramide Np, Butylene Glycol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, 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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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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.