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Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few products fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 glycolic acid works to smooth texture and address oily shine, while hinokitiol beta-thujaplicin provides antimicrobial action.
  • The formulation is highly suitable for combination skin, with keratolytic action from glycolic acid and antimicrobial benefits from hinokitiol beta-thujaplicin.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
  • Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this peel is highly regarded for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, particularly for sensitive skin, frequently leading to smoother texture and a brighter complexion. Most users find it non-irritating and hydrating, though a small number with very reactive skin have reported breakouts or less dramatic results compared to other products.

Highlights

  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “no irritation”
    • “no redness”
    • “comfortable for sensitive skin”
    • “soothing”
  • Brightens complexion Often Mentioned
    • “skin shines”
    • “glowing”
    • “radiance”
    • “looks healthy”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels smooth”
    • “softens fine lines”
    • “reduced texture”
    • “baby soft”
  • Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
    • “plump and glowy”
    • “not drying”
    • “moisturizing”
    • “softness”
  • Refines pores Sometimes Noted
    • “pores significantly smaller”
    • “unclogs pores”
    • “cleaner pores”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive”
    • “pricey”
    • “wish I could afford”
    • “investment”
  • Adverse reactions Rarely Noted
    • “broke out”
    • “red itchy irritated”
    • “raw red skin”
  • Lack of dramatic results Rarely Noted
    • “forgettable”
    • “didn't work miracles”
    • “Ordinary did more”
    • “too gentle”
  • Mild sensory discomfort Rarely Noted
    • “tingles a bit”
    • “mild tingling”
    • “stinging sensation”
  • Packaging malfunctions Rarely Noted
    • “pump issues”
    • “one side works”
    • “broken pump”
    • “dispensing problem”

Sources: lovi.care, riversol.com, reddit.com, londondrugs.com, vancouversun.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel a great fit for combination skin?

Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel is a great fit for your combination skin because glycolic acid helps smooth texture and address oily shine, while hinokitiol provides antimicrobial action. The formulation has a very safe profile and is unlikely to cause irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycolic acid makes this exfoliant a great fit for your combination skin by smoothing texture and helping with oily shine, while hinokitiol beta-thujaplicin adds helpful antimicrobial action. It has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients, meaning it is unlikely to cause irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for combination skin?

Butyrospermum parkii butter helps keep combination skin soft and smooth while supporting the skin barrier. This ingredient is generally well tolerated, though a product for this skin type also needs lightweight hydration to balance oilier zones without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

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

This exfoliant fits into an evening routine for combination skin after your cleansing steps and before your moisturizer. Lovi routines start exfoliating treatments once a week, and people who tolerate them well may carefully use them more often.

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

It is best to use retinol and this exfoliant on different nights to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. Using both on the same night may be too harsh for your combination skin, even though this product has an excellent safety profile.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

You can start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and looks good, you may carefully use it more often. Glycolic acid helps smooth skin texture and manage oily shine with an excellent safety profile.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because its ingredients have a very safe profile and are non-comedogenic. The glycolic acid helps smooth texture and address oily shine, while the formula's hinokitiol provides antimicrobial benefits to keep skin calm.

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

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

  • Hinokitiol treatment attenuates LPS-induced proinflammatory factors, NF-kappaB activation, and cell migration in primary human keratinocytes via Sirt1 histone deacetylase activation.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017
  • A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Repeated 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, 2000
  • Serial 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, 2017
  • A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
  • A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
  • Beta-thujaplicin inhibits ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in mouse keratinocytes and induces metallothionein mRNA and protein expression.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1998
  • Treatment with beta-thujaplicin suppressed UVB-induced MMP-1 production and prevented the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA while restoring UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression in human skin fibroblasts compared to controls.

    The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Pvm Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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