🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator for acne-prone skin

No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator

Average

  • AverageCombination 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 due to alumina, but lacks targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • While generally safe for your combination skin, the formula could benefit from more humectant ingredients like glycerin to better hydrate drier areas.
  • The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh or prohibited ingredients.

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

★4.8Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

Users with dullness, fine lines, and acne scars frequently report significantly smoother, softer, and more radiant skin, often comparing the results to professional treatments. While highly effective for refining texture and minimizing pores, the physical exfoliation can be too abrasive for sensitive or active acne-prone skin if not used with caution.

Highlights

  • Soft and smooth skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels so soft”
    • “leaves skin feeling smooth”
    • “baby soft results”
    • “smoother texture immediately”
  • Effective deep exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “sweeps away dead cells”
    • “deep clean feeling”
    • “very effective scrub”
    • “best bang for buck”
  • Radiant and glowing Often Mentioned
    • “healthier glow”
    • “incredible radiance”
    • “brighter complexion”
    • “looks fresh and alive”
  • Refines pores and texture Sometimes Noted
    • “pores have closed up”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “refined skin texture”
    • “minimized imperfections”
  • Caused redness/irritation Rarely Noted
    • “skin looked pink”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “left face red”
    • “irritated my cheeks”
  • No visible improvement Rarely Noted
    • “saw no difference”
    • “didn't help fine lines”
    • “just a basic scrub”
    • “waste of money”
  • Too harsh/abrasive Rarely Noted
    • “scratched my face”
    • “too rough for sensitive skin”
    • “felt like sandpaper”
    • “left skin raw”
  • Worsened skin condition Rarely Noted
    • “pores looked bigger”
    • “made acne worse”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “skin looked worse”

Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, no7beauty.com, thirteenthoughts.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does No7 Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator work for acne-prone skin?

No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator works moderately well for acne-prone skin, providing basic exfoliation through alumina without the targeted acids needed to fully clear blemishes. A product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to address breakouts, alongside more hydrating ingredients like glycerin to balance drier areas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant offers moderate exfoliation for your skin due to alumina, but it lacks targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to address acne and breakouts. An exfoliant for acne-prone skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid for blemishes and more glycerin to hydrate drier areas.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Alumina do for acne-prone skin?

Alumina helps acne-prone skin by reducing oil and smoothing out rough spots through gentle exfoliation. These treatments may temporarily alter the skin barrier, so products of this type need soothing and hydrating ingredients to keep the skin calm and comfortable.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2001Dermatologic Surgery, 2002

What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant goes in a weekly routine for your acne-prone skin, starting at once a week and only increasing if you tolerate it well. To better fit this skin type, a product of this type needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to address breakouts and more hydrating ingredients to care for drier areas.

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

It is best to use this exfoliant on a different day than your retinol to avoid irritation, as both products actively renew the skin. When using them in the same week, apply your retinol at night after cleansing and follow your usual moisturizing routine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Family Physician, 2012

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant once a week to see how your skin reacts. This type of skin needs exfoliants with ingredients like salicylic acid to help clear breakouts.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to cause irritation or worsen acne-prone skin, but it lacks targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to properly clear breakouts. An acne-friendly exfoliant of this type needs blemish-fighting ingredients along with extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin to keep skin balanced.

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

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
  • Both sodium chloride and aluminum oxide microdermabrasion altered the epidermal barrier by significantly increasing transepidermal water loss and hydration at 24 hours in eight patients.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2002
  • Aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion resulted in mild subjective and clinical improvement, increased skin temperature, decreased sebum content, temporary increased roughness, decreased skin stiffness, increased skin compliance, and histological vascular changes in ten subjects with photodamaged skin compared to baseline measurements.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2001
  • Aluminum oxide microdermabrasion facial treatments in eleven volunteers resulted in clinical improvements in dyschromia, actinic changes, and fine rhytides, along with epidermal and dermal histological changes, compared to controls.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2002
  • 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
  • Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.

    Military Medicine, 2024
  • A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2000
  • Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.

    Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007
  • Repeated application of concentrated water-in-oil emulsions over four weeks caused no skin irritation, positively affected skin properties, and delivered almost 50% of the applied fluorescein sodium, with isopropyl myristate showing superior penetration performance compared to liquid paraffin in healthy volunteers.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019
  • Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.

    Life, 2023

Why other exfoliants fit acne-prone skin better

  • 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, 2023
  • Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • A 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, 2015

Ingredients

Water, Alumina, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum Mineral Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Edta

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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Prices checked 2 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Arab Emirates.

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