Isntree Clear Skin BHA Toner for acne-prone skin
Betaine Salicylate
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Seaweed Complex Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Licorice Root Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 acne-prone skin, as betaine salicylate and willow bark extract effectively decongest pores and reduce blemishes. Glycerin also helps to balance oil production and hydration, making it highly suitable for combination skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.
- Centella Asiatica Extract and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract provide additional soothing benefits, enhancing overall skin comfort.
How to apply
- You can use this exfoliating toner in your PM routine. Start by using it 1 time per week and increase slowly if your skin is happy.
- Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizing steps. This helps your skin stay clean and clear.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing to keep your face calm.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best comfort. Let it dry for a minute ⏱ before moving on.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid putting the product too close to your eyes.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis toner is highly regarded for its gentle exfoliation, making it suitable for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin types. It effectively refines skin texture and manages oil production without causing dryness. However, some users find it too mild for treating severe acne or blackheads.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “Super mild on my skin, I use it every morning and night.”
- “Great for sensitive skin, didn't cause any stinging or redness.”
- “The only BHA that doesn't destroy my skin barrier.”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “My skin feels noticeably smoother and softer.”
- “Helped get rid of tiny bumps and rough patches.”
- “Texture is much more refined after a few weeks.”
Controls oil Sometimes Noted
- “My oily skin is feeling less shiny by midday.”
- “Helps balance my oil production without stripping.”
- “Cuts through excess sebum really well.”
Hydrating and non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves my skin feeling clean but hydrated.”
- “Doesn't dry me out like other BHA products.”
- “Watery texture that absorbs well and feels moisturizing.”
Too mild for acne Sometimes Noted
- “Didn't see much difference on my blackheads.”
- “Too weak for my stubborn acne.”
- “Good for maintenance, but don't expect miracles for deep pores.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a slight funky smell that I don't love.”
- “The scent is a bit off-putting, like old plants.”
- “Smells a bit weird, maybe due to the chestnut extract.”
Watery consistency Rarely Noted
- “Very watery, hard to apply with hands without spilling.”
- “Runs through fingers easily, need a cotton pad.”
- “Felt like just putting water on my face.”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, skinsort.com, stylekorean.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Isntree Clear Skin BHA Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Isntree Clear Skin BHA Toner is a great fit because betaine salicylate and willow bark extract clear out pores and help reduce blemishes on acne-prone skin. The formula also features soothing extracts like centella asiatica to keep your skin calm and comfortable.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit because betaine salicylate and willow bark extract help decongest pores and reduce blemishes on acne-prone skin. Additionally, centella asiatica extract and chamomile extract provide soothing benefits to keep the skin calm and comfortable.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
What does Betaine Salicylate do for acne-prone skin?
Betaine salicylate helps clear up breakouts and calm red, irritated skin while keeping it hydrated. It is generally gentle and less likely to cause irritation compared to regular salicylic acid.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2012Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
What does Bha do for acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear acne-prone skin by clearing out pores to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory breakouts. It also helps calm redness and lower oil production, and is unlikely to cause harsh side effects when used regularly.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and goes into your evening routine after cleansing. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results may carefully use them more often.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by using them on alternate nights or applying the toner first and waiting until your skin feels completely dry before layering retinol. Because both products help clear pores, separating them or spacing them out may help minimize the risk of dryness and irritation.
How often should I use it?
Start using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula safely decongests pores and reduces blemishes while helping to keep your skin calm.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it uses betaine salicylate and willow bark extract to clear out pores and reduce breakouts. It is very unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation, as the formula avoids harsh ingredients and includes calming plant extracts to keep skin comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 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, 2023Cryotherapy 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, 2024Treatment with a cream containing 10% Laminaria japonica extract increased skin hydration by 14.44% and reduced transepidermal water loss to about 20% of control levels over an 8-hour period on human forearms.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2013Seaweed mud application improved cellulite severity, tissue structure, elasticity, hydration, dermal organization, and reduced circumferences, inflammation, and lipid deposition in sixty women over four weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Seaweed oligosaccharide-zinc complex significantly ameliorates symptoms of acne vulgaris by reducing sebum production and Propionibacterium acnes populations compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2013Topical 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, 2019Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soy Isoflavones, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum
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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