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SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.

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

  • Offers excellent cleansing for your oily skin, as Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and salicylic acid effectively decongest pores and exfoliate, while Panthenol and Bisabolol provide soothing benefits.
  • The moderate chemical exfoliation from salicylic and citric acids addresses oily shine goals by regulating desquamation, making it highly suitable for your oily skin type.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
  • Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
  • Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
  • You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this dual-action cleanser for its ability to smooth rough texture and brighten dull complexions using a blend of chemical acids and physical jojoba beads. While highly effective for clearing acne and refining pores, it is frequently described as surprisingly gentle and non-drying for daily use, though the high price point is a common point of contention.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “gentle enough to use everyday”
    • “scrubbing beads... not harsh at all”
    • “does not dry out my face”
    • “mild exfoliating action”
  • Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “pores look smaller and more empty”
    • “velvety-smooth finish”
    • “erases the nighttime wrinkles”
    • “smooths away rough skin texture”
  • Enhances radiance Often Mentioned
    • “keep my skin glowing”
    • “reveal a smoother, more luminous complexion”
    • “transformed my skin... to clear and bright”
    • “skin is always super glowy”
  • Clears acne Sometimes Noted
    • “great for acne”
    • “whiteheads come to the surface... gone without any marks”
    • “clear away acne on your back”
    • “clears congestion”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for a face wash”
    • “pricey but worth it”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Initial purging Rarely Noted
    • “experienced minimal purging”
    • “small whiteheads come to the surface”
    • “caused a slight purge at first”
  • Potential dryness Rarely Noted
    • “more drying than my typical cleansing routine”
    • “can be drying if used too often”
    • “felt a bit tight afterwards”
  • Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
    • “sunburn alert”
    • “need to wear sunscreen”
    • “increases skin sensitivity to sun”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, beautifiedyou.com, skinelite.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser a great fit for oily skin?

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is a great fit because its salicylic acid and cleansing agents effectively clear out pores and manage oily shine. At the same time, ingredients like panthenol and bisabolol help soothe your skin with a very safe and gentle touch.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and salicylic acid effectively clear out pores and remove dead skin, while panthenol and bisabolol help calm the skin. This combination keeps oily shine under control safely without causing irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020

What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for oily skin?

Alpha Hydroxy Acid helps clear clogged pores and smooth oily skin while calming redness. This type of ingredient works best when it also includes soothing agents and barrier-strengthening ingredients to keep the skin balanced and comfortable.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2017

What does Bha do for oily skin?

BHA helps clear pores and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing extra shine and calming breakouts. It works deep inside pores to sweep away oil and dead skin cells, which helps keep skin looking clear and smooth. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall skin hydration while controlling excess oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2014

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routines as the first step of cleansing, or after your makeup remover at night. It thoroughly decongests pores and controls oily shine using salicylic acid while keeping your skin calm with soothing ingredients.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

You can use this cleanser with retinol by alternating them or using this wash in the morning and retinol at night, as using too many exfoliating products together may lead to irritation. This product helps clear pores and oily shine safely, but pairing it with retinol requires caution to keep your skin calm and smooth.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020

How often should I use this cleanser?

This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin because it decongests pores, removes oily shine, and keeps skin calm. You should start using it once a week, and if your skin handles it well with good results, you may carefully use it more often.

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This cleanser is a great fit for oily skin because salicylic acid and Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate effectively clear out pores and remove excess oil, while soothing ingredients keep irritation low. While initial purging is unlikely, it may occasionally happen as the chemical exfoliants speed up skin renewal and clear out congestion.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

This cleanser is a great fit for your oily skin, but you should avoid using it around the eyes because the eyelid skin is very thin and sensitive. On your body, it helps clear away oily shine and unclogs pores safely without causing irritation.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • A 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, 2020

  • 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, 2024

  • The 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, 2023

  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • Topical 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

  • Combining 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, 2015

  • Licochalcone 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, 2015

  • Bioactive 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, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg Ppg-8 3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract Fruit, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mica, Tin Oxide, 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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QR code: get the Lovi app
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