Clinique Exfoliating Scrub for acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Hexylene Glycol
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other exfoliants fit it 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 moderate exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid helps to smooth texture and address blemishes by mildly exfoliating dead skin cells.
- Polyethylene provides additional physical exfoliation, which is beneficial for combination skin concerns.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this water-based, mentholated scrub is highly effective for users with oily and combination-oily skin, providing a deep exfoliation that instantly smooths texture and clears clogged pores, leading to reduced oiliness and fewer breakouts. Some users find the scrub too abrasive for sensitive or dry skin types, and the thick consistency can make it difficult to dispense.
Highlights
Clears pores and oil Often Mentioned
- “unclogs pores”
- “great for oily skin”
- “keeps blackheads away”
- “controls excess oil”
- “prevents breakouts”
Polishes and smooths Often Mentioned
- “skin feels squeaky clean”
- “instantly smoother texture”
- “removes dead skin”
- “polished feel”
- “glass-like finish”
Difficult to dispense Often Mentioned
- “hard to squeeze”
- “tube is stiff”
- “product is too thick”
- “struggle to get out”
- “packaging design flaw”
Cooling sensation Sometimes Noted
- “cooling menthol feel”
- “wakes me up”
- “feels refreshing”
- “tingly sensation”
- “cools down skin”
Efficient and long-lasting Sometimes Noted
- “little goes a long way”
- “tube lasts for months”
- “worth the price”
- “pea-sized amount needed”
- “good value”
Too harsh for some Sometimes Noted
- “too abrasive”
- “feels like sand”
- “scratched my skin”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “drying if used daily”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “too minty”
- “eyes water from fumes”
- “strong chemical smell”
- “dislike the menthol”
Thick texture Rarely Noted
- “very thick paste”
- “hard to spread”
- “dry consistency”
- “needs lots of water”
- “chalky texture”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, makeupalley.com, lookfantastic.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Exfoliating Scrub work for acne-prone skin?
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub works moderately well for your acne-prone skin, using salicylic acid to help smooth texture and address blemishes by mildly exfoliating dead skin cells. To fit this skin better, an exfoliant of this type needs gentle chemical and physical exfoliants combined with hydrating and soothing ingredients that refine pores and clear blemishes without causing irritation or upsetting the skin balance.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps to smooth texture and address blemishes by mildly exfoliating dead skin cells, while polyethylene provides additional physical exfoliation. To fit acne-prone skin best, an exfoliant of this type needs effective ingredients that provide excellent benefits for acne and blemishes with no risk of irritation, plus soothing properties and hydration.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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
What does Glyceryl Stearate do for acne-prone skin?
Glyceryl stearate helps keep skin soft and smooth while holding moisture in, which is especially useful when acne treatments leave your face dry. It is generally safe for acne-prone skin, but a product of this type needs non-clogging ingredients to avoid breakouts.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant fits into a weekly routine for your acne-prone skin, starting at once a week and used more often only if your skin handles it well. Salicylic acid helps smooth texture and address blemishes by mildly exfoliating dead skin cells, while physical scrub particles provide additional benefits.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant in your routine, but apply it on a different night than your retinol to keep your skin calm and smooth. Using strong exfoliants and retinol at the same time may easily lead to dryness and irritation.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this product once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This exfoliant helps to smooth texture and address blemishes with salicylic acid and physical exfoliation while keeping your acne-prone skin safe from irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts on acne-prone skin, as salicylic acid helps smooth texture and clear blemishes by gently removing dead skin cells without harsh irritation. However, because it relies on physical scrub particles alongside chemical exfoliation, a product of this type needs to be used gently to avoid making sensitive skin red or irritated.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Twice 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, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A 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, 2020Topical application of 30% salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol effectively cleared comedones and papules in 436 patients with acne while causing no stinging, burning, edema, bleeding, or crusting.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008Cryotherapy 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, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyethylene, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine, Oleamide Mipa, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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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