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Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best products for oily skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin due to gluconolactone, which gently chemically exfoliates and smooths texture, complemented by glycerin's humectant action to maintain hydration.
  • The presence of Avena Sativa Kernel Oil and Allantoin provides soothing benefits, ensuring comfort for your non-sensitive skin.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
  • Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

Based 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 oily skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because it uses gluconolactone to gently smooth texture and control oil, while glycerin helps keep your skin hydrated. It also features oat kernel oil and allantoin to calm the skin and is very safe with little risk of irritation.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit for oily skin because gluconolactone gently smooths texture while glycerin keeps skin hydrated. Additionally, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil and Allantoin help calm the skin and provide a very safe experience without harsh irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2023

What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for oily skin?

Polyhydroxy Acid helps oily skin by balancing oil production and lowering skin pH while remaining very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation. This type of ingredient works best when it also includes calming and purifying ingredients to keep pores clear and skin smooth.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

What does Avena Sativa Kernel Oil do for oily skin?

Avena Sativa Kernel Oil may not be the best fit for oily skin because it has a higher ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid, which can feel heavy. Oily skin generally does better with ingredients that are high in linoleic acid to help keep pores clear and balance the skin.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week, and you may carefully use it more often if your oily skin tolerates it well and sees good results.

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

You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying the exfoliant first to smooth your oily skin and keep it hydrated, followed by your retinol. Because both products work actively, spacing them out to alternate nights helps reduce the likelihood of irritation.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it has a very safe formula without harsh ingredients, and it uses gentle PHA along with soothing oat oil and allantoin to keep skin comfortable. It also helps manage oil and keeps skin hydrated without irritation.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Is this exfoliant 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

  • Combining 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, 2023

  • Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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, 2012

  • Topical 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, 2016

  • A 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, 2020

  • An 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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