Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel for oily skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Micro-Acid Complex
Witch Hazel Extract
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin as the high concentrations of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid effectively target oily shine and decongest pores. Witch Hazel Extract further soothes your skin, ensuring a comfortable experience.
- The combination of these exfoliating acids provides strong keratolytic action and seboregulation, perfectly aligning with your goal of reducing oily shine.
- This formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing Witch Hazel Extract.
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
★4.1Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users frequently report that this leave-on peel effectively smooths skin texture, boosts radiance, and helps clear pores, making it a popular choice for those looking to refine their complexion. While many find it gentle and transformative, some users with sensitive skin or those sensitive to scent note concerns regarding its alcohol content and potential for irritation.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves my skin so smooth”
- “Noticed a difference in texture right away”
- “Skin feels soft and smooth”
Boosts radiance Often Mentioned
- “Wake up to more radiant-looking skin”
- “My skin really glows”
- “Radiance definitely improved”
Clears pores Sometimes Noted
- “Clears pores of blackheads”
- “Pores appear less noticeable”
- “Helps with congestion”
Easy to use Sometimes Noted
- “Goes on smoothly and easily”
- “Convenience of this leave-on formula”
- “Doesn't require any extra steps”
Potential irritation Sometimes Noted
- “Found that I had to discontinue”
- “Be mindful of the tingling”
- “Compromised my skin barrier”
Strong alcohol scent Sometimes Noted
- “It reeks of alcohol”
- “Smells like alcohol”
- “Akin to nail polish remover”
Price point Rarely Noted
- “Product is a little pricey”
- “Price might be a barrier”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “Too gentle of a peel”
- “Saw and felt no noticeable results”
Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, sephora.me, sephora.com.au, ulta.com, macys.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel one of the best fits for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment has an excellent suitability for your oily skin because the high concentrations of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid effectively target oily shine and decongest pores. Witch Hazel Extract further soothes your skin to ensure a comfortable experience, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Witch Hazel Extract make this exfoliant a great fit for your oily skin. The exfoliating acids help cut down oily shine and clear out pores, while witch hazel extract may help calm your skin for a comfortable feel.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear away dead skin and excess oil for a smooth, clean feel. It gently removes buildup from the surface, which keeps pores clear and skin looking fresh.
Molecules, 2023Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011
What does Lactic Acid do for oily skin?
Lactic acid helps manage oily skin by significantly reducing oil production and pore size while improving moisture levels. It supports a clearer and smoother look through gentle surface renewal.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine, starting at once a week so your skin can adjust. The high concentrations of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid effectively target oily shine and clear out pores.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol can easily overwhelm your skin, so it is best to use them on different nights or keep them well separated in your routine. Combining strong exfoliating acids like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid with retinol may increase your likelihood of dryness and irritation.
How often should I use it?
Start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid helps clear away oily shine and unclog pores comfortably.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as its blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid actively helps clear out congested pores and reduce shine. Witch hazel extract is also included to help soothe your skin and keep it comfortable during use.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
A 30% supramolecular salicylic acid peel improved the global acne grading score and skin barrier indicators, decreased cutaneous microbiome richness and evenness along with Staphylococcus proportion, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and increased caveolin-1 expression in 28 patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Twice 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, 2024A 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, 2020Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.
Phytochemistry, 2001Repeated 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, 2017Application 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, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2010Twice-daily application of an over-the-counter multi-acid and niacinamide serum significantly improved acne severity, inflammatory lesions, pore size, and quality of life in Japanese women with mild acne compared to baseline.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025Hamamelis virginiana bark extract inhibited Cutibacterium acnes-induced IL-6 release and TNF-α-induced IL-8 release in human keratinocytes without showing antibacterial or antibiofilm activities.
Antioxidants, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Witch Hazel Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Yeast Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol
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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