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Youth To The People Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner for combination skin

Youth To The People Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner

High

  • 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 moderate exfoliation for your combination skin, as lactic acid and glycolic acid provide mild chemical exfoliation to address oily shine. Pentylene glycol and glycerin also offer humectant action, supporting skin hydration.
  • The presence of Saccharomyces Xylinum Black Tea Ferment and Pichia Lysate Ferment Filtrate contributes to skin renewal and a smoother texture.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

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

★4.3Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users frequently describe this toner as a potent overnight treatment that rapidly smooths texture and minimizes pores, though its sticky finish is a common complaint. It is particularly praised by those with oily or acne-prone skin for clearing breakouts and creating a glass skin glow, while sensitive skin users often report initial stinging.

Highlights

  • Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin felt very smooth”
    • “softens lines”
    • “texture appears way more even”
  • Sticky finish Mostly Mentioned
    • “super sticky”
    • “left my face sticky”
    • “like sugar water on my face”
  • Clears acne Often Mentioned
    • “clears up scarring”
    • “heals active breakouts”
    • “acne is cleared overnight”
  • Creates glow Sometimes Noted
    • “glowing and clear skin”
    • “glass skin”
    • “skin looks plump and firm”
  • Minimizes pores Sometimes Noted
    • “minimize the appearance of pores”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “tightens pores”
  • Stinging sensation Sometimes Noted
    • “skin stung quite a bit”
    • “strong on the skin”
    • “tingles for a few minutes”
  • Unpleasant taste Sometimes Noted
    • “weird taste”
    • “gets in my mouth”
    • “horrible taste left in my mouth”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “slight smell from kombucha”
    • “smell is not that nice”
    • “fermented scent”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, gopicky.com, reddit.com, sephora.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Youth To The People Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner a great fit for combination skin?

This exfoliating toner is a great fit because lactic acid and glycolic acid provide mild chemical exfoliation that helps address oily shine on combination skin. Glycerin and pentylene glycol also draw in moisture to support hydration, while black tea ferment helps smooth your skin texture safely.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for combination skin?

Lactic acid and glycolic acid make this toner a great fit by providing mild chemical exfoliation to address oily shine, while glycerin and pentylene glycol help keep your skin hydrated. Additionally, Saccharomyces Xylinum Black Tea Ferment and Pichia Lysate Ferment Filtrate contribute to skin renewal and a smoother texture without any harsh irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Saccharomyces Xylinum do for combination skin?

Saccharomyces Xylinum, which forms bacterial cellulose, helps keep combination skin hydrated and smooth. This material acts as an effective delivery system that improves skin texture and firmness while supporting moisture balance.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

What does Lactic Acid do for combination skin?

Lactic acid helps balance combination skin by gently removing dead surface cells and managing oil while keeping moisture locked in. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, and instead supports a smooth, clear, and well-hydrated complexion across both oily and dry areas. This type of skin needs ingredients that gently clear pores without stripping natural moisture, such as balanced hydrators and mild exfoliants.

Frontiers in Physiology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliating toner is a great fit for your combination skin, helping address oily shine while keeping skin hydrated and smooth. You can start using it once a week in your routine, and carefully increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well.

Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your evening routine, but use them on alternating nights to keep your skin calm and prevent dryness. Combining strong exfoliants and retinol at the same time may cause irritation, so spacing them out is much safer.

How often should I use this toner?

Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week in the evening, and if your combination skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This safe formula helps address oily shine and smooth your texture without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This toner is a great fit for your combination skin because its acids help clear away dead skin and oily shine without harsh ingredients that irritate. It may cause mild temporary stinging for some users, but it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts.

Is this toner 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, 2017
  • Kombucha Yerba Mate ferments after 14 and 21 days of fermentation showed about a 40% inhibition of lipoxygenase, collagenase, and elastase enzymes, long-lasting skin hydration, and increased cell viability on keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines compared to unfermented extracts.

    Scientific Reports, 2021
  • Fermentation of grape stems extract using a Scoby consortium for 10 and 20 days increases phenolic content and antioxidant activity, and when added to model cosmetic creams, improves skin hydration and reduces transepidermal water loss.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023
  • Application 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, 2004
  • Topical 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, 1992
  • A 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, 2020
  • Repeated 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, 2000
  • Serial 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, 2017
  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical and in vitro application of a Camellia sinensis leaf extract demonstrated immunomodulatory, detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties while improving mood states, skin hydration, barrier function, rejuvenation, and facial skin health.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
  • Topical application of standardized black tea extract prior to or after UVB exposure reduced erythema, skinfold thickness, inflammation, and the accumulation of c-fos and p53 proteins in murine and human skin.

    Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1999
  • Topical birch bark extract significantly increased the proportion of patients with first complete target wound closure within 45 days compared to control gel in patients with dystrophic and junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

    Drugs, 2023
  • Betula alba bark extract and Empetrum nigrum fruit juice upregulated barrier genes, strengthened the skin barrier, and showed significantly better skin restructuring, hydration, and TEWL compared to placebo and 3% niacinamide.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
  • Topical treatment with a cream containing 6.0% Stryphnodendron adstringens bark extract suppressed terminal hair growth and reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score from 4 to 2 compared to 4 to 3 in the placebo group in women with excess terminal hair.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2009

Ingredients

Water, L-Arginine, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Zingiber Officinale Water, Lemon Fruit Water, Saccharomyces Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pichia Lysate Ferment Filtrate, Caramel

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.