COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner for oily skin

Sodium Hyaluronate
Allantoin
Butylene Glycol
Panthenol
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for oily skin.
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by glycerin and panthenol, which offer humectant action and barrier repair, respectively, effectively addressing oily shine.
- Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid, including sodium hyaluronate and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, are present in high concentrations for superior moisturizing and hydration.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like panthenol and allantoin.
How to apply
- Use your hydrating toner in your AM and PM routine every day to keep skin fresh.
- Apply this product after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb.
- Apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help it absorb better.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsUsers find this toner to be extremely hydrating and lightweight, ideal for oily, dehydrated, and sensitive skin types. It is frequently praised for its fast absorption and soothing properties, which help calm redness and layer well under makeup. However, some users with very dry skin report it may not be moisturizing enough on its own, especially in colder weather.
Highlights
Lightweight absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “Sinks into skin immediately”
- “Watery texture, not heavy at all”
- “Perfect for layering multiple times”
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Like a drink of water for my skin”
- “Leaves skin feeling plump and refreshed”
- “Instantly rehydrates after cleansing”
Non-sticky finish Often Mentioned
- “Leaves no sticky residue”
- “Dries down to a natural finish”
- “Great under makeup, no pilling”
Soothing for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “Calmed down my redness”
- “Gentle and non-irritating”
- “Did not sting my sensitive face”
Not enough moisture Sometimes Noted
- “Not hydrating enough for winter”
- “Felt like just putting water on my face”
- “Need to layer it many times to feel moisturized”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused tiny pimples/breakouts”
- “Gave me folliculitis/texture”
- “Stung my skin upon application”
Too runny Rarely Noted
- “Hard to apply with hands, spills easily”
- “Too watery, runs through fingers”
- “Prefer something with more viscosity”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, femaledaily.com, skinsort.com, stylekorean.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner one of the best fits for oily skin?
This toner is a great fit for oily skin because it uses glycerin and panthenol to keep shine under control while helping repair your skin barrier. It also delivers deep moisture using several forms of hyaluronic acid, and it stays gentle on your face thanks to soothing ingredients like allantoin.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and panthenol make this toner a great fit for oily skin because they help balance moisture and repair the skin barrier without adding heaviness or shine. Soothing ingredients like allantoin and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid also help keep oily skin comfortable and well-hydrated.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.
What does Allantoin do for oily skin?
Allantoin helps calm oily skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth by supporting skin healing and keeping irritation low. This ingredient works well for skin that gets easily bothered, helping it stay comfortable and balanced.
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This toner goes right after cleansing in the morning and during your weekly routine. It helps keep oily skin hydrated without heavy shine, thanks to soothing and moisturizing ingredients.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to hydrate and soothe your skin before putting on your retinol. Using gentle, hydrating ingredients like the ones in this toner is unlikely to cause irritation and may help your skin tolerate retinol better.
How often should I use this toner?
You can use this toner daily in your morning and weekly routines as part of your regular skincare steps. Its soothing ingredients and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid provide deep hydration with an excellent safety profile for your skin.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it has an excellent safety profile and lacks harsh ingredients. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and allantoin help keep your skin calm.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A 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 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 gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Moisturizer 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, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
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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