SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner for acne-prone skin

Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Eucalyptus Globulus Oil
Aha Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
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 exfoliating for your acne-prone skin as glycolic acid and salicylic acid effectively decongest pores and smooth texture, while also providing seboregulation for your combination skin.
- The presence of eucalyptus globulus oil offers a refreshing sensation, further complementing the toner's functionality for your skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis product is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin, with users frequently noting its ability to deeply cleanse and gently exfoliate without irritation. Many report improved skin texture, reduced pore size, and a refreshed, hydrated complexion. It is also often praised for its effectiveness in managing adult acne and sensitive skin concerns. A moderate number of users find the natural fragrance to be strong.
Highlights
Deep cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “gets whatever my cleanser couldn't”
- “clears up any remaining cleanser and excess sebum”
- “effectively remove any remaining impurities after cleansing”
- “remove any makeup residue”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “helps with gentle exfoliation that doesn't inflame”
- “exfoliates skin cells, and it leaves skin feeling fresh”
- “loaded with exfoliating acids plus some hydrating ingredients”
- “leaves my face feeling fresh and exfoliated”
Softens and hydrates Often Mentioned
- “leaves my skin feeling soft and plump”
- “leaves my skin feeling hydrated without leaving any residue”
- “leaves my skin feeling soft and not sticky”
- “keeps my skin smooth and supple”
Reduces acne Sometimes Noted
- “helping with my adult acne”
- “helping with pores and oily skin”
- “highly recommend this refreshing toner to people like me with sensitive skin that breaks out easily”
- “preventing breakouts, and reducing pore size”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Not really a fan of the strong fragrance used in it”
- “I hate smelling it every time I apply it”
- “scent of this product is too strong”
- “Some consumers feel that the smell is strong”
Cap design Rarely Noted
- “With the old one, I always lost some of the toner”
- “lost some of the toner when pouring it onto a cotton pad”
- “I also like the new cap”
Potential dryness Rarely Noted
- “Can strip moisture and worsen dryness”
- “Not for sensitive skin”
- “A little strong - but still great!”
- “overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, theskincarestudioct.com, reddit.com, skincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner a great fit for acne-prone skin?
SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid effectively clear out pores and smooth texture, while balancing oil. Eucalyptus oil adds a refreshing feel, and the safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid make this toner a great fit because they effectively clear out clogged pores and smooth your skin texture. Eucalyptus globulus oil also helps by adding a refreshing sensation without any harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This toner goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before your treatment. Lovi routines start exfoliating toners once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results can carefully use them more often.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your evening routine, letting it dry, and then following with your retinol treatment. This approach helps clear pores and smooth texture while keeping your skin safe from harsh irritation.
American Family Physician, 2012Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
How often should I use this toner?
Start by using this toner once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin because glycolic acid and salicylic acid effectively clear out pores and smooth texture. It is a great fit for your skin and has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients, though a low potential for dryness may occur.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (limonene) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
A 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, 2020Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational 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, 2024Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil, Tetrasodium Edta, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide
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?
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