Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator for acne-prone skin

Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil
Glycerin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Allantoin
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
- The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
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 benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to the presence of gluconolactone, a PHA, which provides gentle yet effective exfoliation suitable for your combination skin. Sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil offer emollient benefits without being overly heavy, complementing the mild keratolytic and humectant properties of gluconolactone.
- The formulation provides moderate exfoliation, gently removing dead skin cells and impurities to help clear pores and reduce breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this chemical exfoliator is highly recommended for sensitive skin, effectively smoothing texture without causing irritation. Users frequently report that the formula leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft. Some users note a chemical scent and find the thin consistency difficult to manage with the current packaging.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “No redness after use”
- “Doesn't irritate or cause dryness”
- “Great for my reactive sensitive skin”
Smooths texture Often Mentioned
- “Face is so soft after using”
- “Smooths texture without irritation”
- “Makeup went on so smooth”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Way too runny for the tube”
- “Makes a huge mess”
- “Needs a pump bottle”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No overpowering perfume smell”
- “Great for fragrance allergies”
- “Love that it's fragrance-free”
Non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin moisturized and hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry my skin out”
- “Face feels like velvet”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “Has a rancid smell”
- “Worst smelling product”
Oily residue Rarely Noted
- “Feels like cheap sunscreen”
- “Left an oily film”
- “Hard to rinse clean”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “Didn't exfoliate enough”
- “Too gentle for my needs”
- “Didn't see a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, aveeno.com, target.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Aveeno Nourishing PHA Exfoliator a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Aveeno Nourishing PHA Exfoliator is a great fit because it uses gluconolactone to gently clear pores and reduce breakouts without harsh irritation. Soothing ingredients like sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil help keep your skin calm and balanced while lightly softening it.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it features gluconolactone, a gentle acid that helps clear pores and reduce breakouts without irritation. It also includes soothing sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil, which keep the skin calm and soft.
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing pimples and bumps while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or dryness, making it a gentle option for sensitive skin types prone to breakouts.
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Oil do for acne-prone skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil helps calm dry and irritated skin, but its fit for acne-prone skin depends on its specific fatty acid balance. Oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio support skin health, whereas those with more oleic acid may clog pores.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine, starting at once a week so you can see how your skin tolerates it. Lovi routines put treatments in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, and you may carefully use it more often if you see good results.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying the exfoliant first to clear pores, followed by your retinol, though you should watch for any dryness or irritation since both ingredients actively renew the skin.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results. The gentle PHA removes dead skin cells and impurities to help clear pores and reduce breakouts without causing irritation.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it uses gluconolactone to gently clear pores and reduce breakouts without being overly heavy. Its very safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Glycolic 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, 2019Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023A 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, 2017The 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, 2001Topical 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, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin
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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