e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant for dry skin
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Glycerin
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry skin, with Carica Papaya Leaf Extract and Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract working to smooth texture, while Glycerin and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate provide essential hydration and anti-inflammatory action.
- This formula is highly suitable for dry skin due to the humectant properties of glycerin and the soothing effects of dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
- The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components that prevent irritation.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week, increasing slowly to twice a week if your dry skin tolerates it well. Always remember to apply SPF every morning to protect your newly smoothed skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your rich moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute. Avoid rubbing to prevent any irritation on flaky areas.
- Apply the product directly to dry clean skin to ensure the best possible tolerance for your dry type. This helps address flaky patches without causing extra stress.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a quick patch test before your very first use. Do not mix this with other strong acids or retinoids on the same night.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users generally praise this exfoliant for being effective yet non-abrasive, making it suitable for sensitive skin and frequent use. Many enjoy the satisfying visible peeling effect and the resulting soft skin, although some reviewers suspect the peeling is merely the product balling up rather than actual dead skin.
Highlights
Leaves skin soft Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels so silky”
- “Makes my skin soft and glowy”
- “Face felt clean and fresh.”
Gentle and non-abrasive Often Mentioned
- “Super gentle, never irritates”
- “Felt like water, very nice”
- “Great for sensitive skin.”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “Great value at this cost”
- “Works fast and isn't expensive”
Removes dry patches Sometimes Noted
- “Reduces chronic peeling”
- “Dead skin is gone”
- “Helps get rid of stubborn flakes.”
Satisfying peeling effect Sometimes Noted
- “Satisfying gross peeling thing”
- “Fun to see skin slough off”
- “Cool to see it work.”
Gimmicky peeling action Sometimes Noted
- “Product is very gimmicky”
- “Just the product balling up”
- “Not actually peeling skin off.”
Chemical or strong smell Rarely Noted
- “Weird chemically smell”
- “Strong smell to it”
- “Reminds me of an automotive shop.”
Messy residue Rarely Noted
- “Little balls of skin everywhere”
- “Hard to rinse off”
- “Residue left on skin.”
Not strong enough Rarely Noted
- “Don't think this does anything”
- “Better exfoliators in AHA categories”
- “Basic results.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump broke”
- “Had to scoop it out”
- “Hard to get product out.”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, skinsort.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, thebeautyinsiders.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant work for dry skin?
This exfoliant treatment works moderately well for your dry skin, smoothing texture while providing hydration and calming action. To fit dry skin even better, a product of this type needs richer hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or peptides.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and dipotassium glycyrrhizate make this exfoliant a good fit for dry skin by providing essential hydration and calming action. An exfoliant for dry skin needs richly hydrating and soothing ingredients, like ceramides, niacinamide, or peptides, alongside gentle smoothing agents to support the skin barrier without causing dryness.
What does Papaya Leaf Extract do for dry skin?
Papaya leaf extract helps hydrate dry skin by supporting moisture retention and providing gentle anti-oxidant benefits. This helps keep dry patches feeling soft and smooth.
What does Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract do for dry skin?
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract helps calm sensitive and irritated dry skin by soothing discomfort and increasing skin tolerance. It may also improve overall skin comfort and barrier health.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting at once a week. Dry skin needs an exfoliant of this type to include nourishing oils, butters, or ceramides alongside gentle smoothing enzymes and hydrating glycerin.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to use this exfoliant on a different night than your retinol, or to use retinol in the evening and this treatment on a different day, to lower the chance of irritation on dry skin. Dry skin needs gentle exfoliation paired with rich hydrators and soothing ingredients to keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
How often should I use it?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your dry skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you may carefully use it more often. An exfoliant for dry skin needs extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant extracts to keep skin soft and prevent irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts or cause purging for dry skin because it contains gentle ingredients that clear away dead skin without harsh effects. The included glycerin and licorice root extract help keep the skin calm and hydrated.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
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, 2017A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Combined essential oils of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and tangerine safely improved skin barrier and morphologic characteristics, increased hydration, and decreased sebum levels in 40 participants compared to a placebo group over 90 days.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Topical application of Citrus reticulata fruit extract provided instant relief from lactic acid-induced skin discomfort and increased skin tolerance by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and expression.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Fermented Citrus unshiu peel extract inhibited MMP-1 expression and decreased SA-beta-gal positive cells by approximately 45% at 0.1% concentration in ultraviolet-A-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated irradiated cells.
Phytotherapy Research, 2012Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025The 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, 2001Niacinamide/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
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Quaternium-60, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carica Papaya Leaf Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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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