PCA Skin Smoothing Toner for dry sensitive skin
Lactic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Glycerin
Hydrastis Canadensis Extract
Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractHigh
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best toners for dry sensitive skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry or flaky skin due to lactic acid and citric acid, which provide gentle resurfacing, while glycerin and aloe barbadensis leaf juice offer humectant and anti-inflammatory actions, respectively, making it highly suitable for your dry skin type.
- Additional botanical extracts like Hydrastis Canadensis and Cucumis Sativus fruit extract further support soothing and hydration, enhancing the overall comfort for your sensitive skin.
- The formulation is safe for your dry, sensitive skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, minimizing irritation risks.
How to apply
- You can use this soothing toner AM and PM every day. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this soothing toner after your cleanser and before your moisturizer .
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the soothing toner into your skin and let it absorb. Avoid rubbing.
- Apply the soothing toner on slightly damp skin to help with absorption. This is great for dry skin.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis toner is highly effective for users with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, successfully reducing breakouts and controlling excess oil without causing excessive dryness. Users frequently report a noticeable improvement in skin texture and pore size, describing their complexion as smoother, clearer, and more refined after consistent use.
Highlights
Clears acne and oil Often Mentioned
- “controls oiliness”
- “reduces breakouts”
- “keeps face clear”
- “great for acne-prone skin”
Refines and shrinks pores Often Mentioned
- “pores were less clogged”
- “minimized appearance of pores”
- “pores look smaller”
- “tightens pores”
Non-stripping formula Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “feels clean not dry”
- “no tight feeling”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “makes skin very smooth”
- “removes dead skin cells”
- “improves skin texture”
- “leaves skin soft”
Stinging or burning Sometimes Noted
- “burns and feels like pins”
- “stings upon application”
- “slight burning sensation”
- “tingles a bit too much”
Can be drying Rarely Noted
- “very stripping”
- “dried out my skin”
- “too harsh for dry areas”
- “left dry patches”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “a bit expensive”
- “pricey for a toner”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “expensive but worth it”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smell isn't that great”
- “medicinal smell”
- “strong chemical scent”
- “scent is overpowering”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, pcaskin.com, skincareessentials.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes PCA Skin Smoothing Toner a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
PCA Skin Smoothing Toner is a great fit because lactic and citric acids gently clear away dry flakes while glycerin and aloe leaf juice draw in moisture and calm irritation. Additional botanical extracts like cucumber and goldenseal further soothe and hydrate, and the gentle formula is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Lactic acid and citric acid gently smooth away dry, flaky skin, while glycerin and aloe leaf juice draw in moisture and help calm redness. In addition, botanical extracts like cucumber and goldenseal soothe your delicate skin and keep it comfortable without causing irritation.
What does Lactic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Lactic acid helps hydrate dry skin, but for sensitive skin it may cause stinging and irritation unless it is formulated with soothing ingredients like colloidal oat or tangerine fruit extract to calm discomfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for dry sensitive skin?
Aloe vera leaf juice helps keep dry skin hydrated and increases water content in the outer skin layer. It is unlikely to cause irritation and is well tolerated by sensitive skin, though a product for this skin type also needs soothing ingredients and barrier-repairing components like ceramides.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This toner goes in your morning and evening routine right after cleansing and before your moisturizer, starting just once a week so your skin adjusts comfortably. It helps remove dead flakes with gentle acids while soothing and hydrating sensitive areas using glycerin, aloe, and botanical extracts.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this toner with your retinol, applying it after cleansing and before your retinol treatment. The gentle exfoliating acids and soothing botanical extracts are safe for dry, sensitive skin, and it is unlikely to cause irritation when used in this order.
How often should I use it?
Start using this soothing toner once a week, and if your dry, sensitive skin handles it well without irritation, you can carefully use it more often. The gentle resurfacing ingredients provide moderate exfoliation, while added glycerin and botanical extracts help keep your skin comfortable and hydrated.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This soothing toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry sensitive skin because it lacks heavy oils and uses gentle, hydrating ingredients. While it contains exfoliating acids that help smooth flaky areas, it is formulated without harsh ingredients to minimize irritation risks.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Transgenic cucumber expressing poly-γ-glutamic acid synthesis genes increased water content by 6-14%, reduced water loss by 11-12%, decreased facial wrinkles and roughness by 19.58% and 24.97%, decreased skin melanin by 5.27%, and improved facial elasticity in human skin and zebrafish compared to controls.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Application 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, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010The 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel formulations of berberine chloride-loaded escinosomes increased skin residence time and transdermal permeability while maintaining high safety and biocompatibility without skin irritation.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020A carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel film loaded with berberine reduced keratinocyte hyperproliferation by 25% and controlled oxidative stress and inflammation markers in vitro.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 2022Berberine dose-dependently inhibited basal and TPA-induced expression and activity of MMP-9, and suppressed TPA-induced IL-6 expression in normal human keratinocytes.
Phytomedicine, 2008Copper Oxide nanoparticles synthesized using cucumber extract exhibited antibacterial, antifungal, UV protection, and reactive-oxygen species inhibition properties with low cellular toxicity and skin-rejuvenating effects when incorporated into skin cream.
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders Drug Targets, 2021Topical treatment with Holothuria parva extract gel showed significant wound contraction compared to the negative control in full-thickness wounded rats.
The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrastis Canadensis Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Hedera Helix Stem Extract Leaf, Tetrasodium Edta
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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