Skincare routine for acne-prone skin
Cleansers and toners with salicylic and glycolic acid help clear blackheads and breakouts, while serums and moisturizers with niacinamide and vitamin C help fade post-acne marks.
The morning routine prepares the skin for the day: it cleans off the night, hydrates, and protects, with sunscreen as its last step. The evening routine removes sunscreen, makeup, and the day's oil while the skin rests and is away from the sun. The weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week to add deeper care for breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Products are rated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For a routine based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Morning
Step 1Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help control oil and breakouts, while cleansing steps with ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep the skin hydrated and protected. These cleansers are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
PURITO
Defence Barrier pH Cleanser
AED 51.32
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
AED 59.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
AED 43.81
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
AED 167.15
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
AED 140.26
Step 2Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help keep skin soft and plump, while hydrating steps with niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help calm breakouts and soothe redness. This step in the routine is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
AED 49.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
AED 64.25
-
belif
Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner
AED 106.59
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
AED 145.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
AED 35.00
-
Torriden
Dive-In Toner
AED 47.77
-
COSRX
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
AED 65.43
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
AED 43.87
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and glycerin help keep skin soft and smooth, while formulations with niacinamide and yuja extract may help brighten dark spots and manage breakouts. These products are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
AED 33.40
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
AED 29.35
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
AED 415.25
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
AED 53.01
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
AED 333.85
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
AED 140.15
-
MISSHA
Premium Cica Aloe Soothing Gel
AED 45.00
Step 4SPF
Sunscreen steps with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and niacinamide help defend against UV rays and control oil for acne-prone skin, while formulas with madecassoside and centella asiatica calm breakouts. This sunscreen step is used every morning.
-
d'Alba
Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
AED 92.70
-
Dear, Klairs
All-day Airy Sunscreen
AED 95.14
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Plus
AED 39.45
-
Juice Beauty
SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
AED 177.31
-
ZO庐 SKIN HEALTH
Daily Sheer Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 50
AED 302.00
-
d'Alba
UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
AED 92.70
-
Purito
Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
AED 39.50
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Cleansers with Camellia seed oil, squalane, jojoba seed oil, and centella asiatica extract help remove oil-based debris and soothe breakouts for acne-prone skin. Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides provide hydration and support the skin barrier, and they are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
AED 179.45
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
AED 65.65
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Water
AED 219.00
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
AED 35.29
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
AED 205.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
AED 62.10
-
NEOGEN
Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil
AED 77.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
AED 84.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help control oil and breakouts, while cleansing steps with ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep the skin hydrated and protected. These cleansers are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
PURITO
Defence Barrier pH Cleanser
AED 51.32
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
AED 59.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
AED 43.81
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
AED 167.15
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
AED 140.26
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with salicylic acid and lactic acid help clear out pores and manage breakouts every evening. While gentle exfoliating steps with willow bark and glycolic acid fade post-acne marks and smooth out texture.
-
REN Clean Skincare
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
AED 220.00
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
AED 53.12
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
AED 120.00
-
Neogen
Real Ferment Micro Toner
AED 78.13
-
ma:nyo
Galactomy Clearskin Toner
AED 100.20
-
Ole Henriksen
Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
AED 97.18
-
Benton
PHA Peeling Toner
AED 183.00
-
Isntree
Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner
AED 52.55
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, salicylic acid, and vitamin C help target breakouts and post-acne marks, while versions with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and madecassoside keep acne-prone skin calm and hydrated. This serum step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
AED 168.76
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
AED 120.47
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Spot Cream
AED 42.55
-
Clinique
Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
AED 365.22
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
AED 40.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
AED 89.30
-
Purito
Centella Unscented Serum
AED 44.00
-
Olay
Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
AED 102.12
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and glycerin help keep skin soft and smooth, while formulations with niacinamide and yuja extract may help brighten dark spots and manage breakouts. These products are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
AED 33.40
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
AED 29.35
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
AED 415.25
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
AED 53.01
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
AED 333.85
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
AED 140.15
-
MISSHA
Premium Cica Aloe Soothing Gel
AED 45.00
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Cleansers with Camellia seed oil, squalane, jojoba seed oil, and centella asiatica extract help remove oil-based debris and soothe breakouts for acne-prone skin. Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and ceramides provide hydration and support the skin barrier, and they are used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
AED 179.45
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
AED 65.65
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Water
AED 219.00
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
AED 35.29
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
AED 205.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
AED 62.10
-
NEOGEN
Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil
AED 77.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
AED 84.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help control oil and breakouts, while cleansing steps with ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep the skin hydrated and protected. These cleansers are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
AED 49.95
-
PURITO
Defence Barrier pH Cleanser
AED 51.32
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
AED 59.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
AED 43.81
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
AED 44.75
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
AED 84.53
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
AED 167.15
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
AED 140.26
Step 3Enzyme Powder
This step is used once a week in place of the evening routine. Enzyme powders with rice bran extract, salicylic acid, papain, and licorice root extract help address breakouts and blemishes, while enzyme powders with centella asiatica extract, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and propolis extract help soothe skin and gently exfoliate.
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
AED 101.09
-
VT
Cica Mild Powder Wash
AED 47.62
-
AMOREPACIFIC
Treatment Enzyme Peel
AED 382.00
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
AED 91.68
-
Dermalogica
Daily Superfoliant
AED 105.16
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
AED 92.37
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
AED 429.00
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
AED 82.54
Step 4Cleansing Mask
Cleansing masks with turmeric, saffron extract, aloe vera, and rosehip oil help draw out oil and impurities to clear breakouts once a week in place of the evening routine. Cleansing masks with zinc oxide, sulfur, camphor, and salicylic acid help control oil and target blackheads and post-acne marks.
-
KORA Organics
Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
AED 122.93
-
Goldfaden MD
Facial Detox Mask
AED 270.10
-
Dr. Dennis Gross
Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask
AED 165.00
-
Glamglow
Supermud Clearing Treatment
AED 157.14
-
Murad
Clarifying Mask
AED 251.42
-
Tata Harper
Clarifying Mask
AED 367.31
-
Dr. Dennis Gross
DRx Blemish Solutions Clarifying Mask
AED 145.00
-
ANUA
Heartleaf 70 Mud Cream Mask
AED 37.75
Step 5Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners and essences with glycerin and hyaluronic acid help keep skin soft and plump, while hydrating steps with niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help calm breakouts and soothe redness. This step in the routine is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
AED 49.99
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
AED 64.25
-
belif
Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner
AED 106.59
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
AED 145.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
AED 35.00
-
Torriden
Dive-In Toner
AED 47.77
-
COSRX
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
AED 65.43
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
AED 43.87
Step 6Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, salicylic acid, and vitamin C help target breakouts and post-acne marks, while versions with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and madecassoside keep acne-prone skin calm and hydrated. This serum step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
AED 168.76
-
innisfree
Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Brightening Serum
AED 120.47
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Spot Cream
AED 42.55
-
Clinique
Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%
AED 365.22
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
AED 40.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
AED 89.30
-
Purito
Centella Unscented Serum
AED 44.00
-
Olay
Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
AED 102.12
Step 7Moisturizer
Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and glycerin help keep skin soft and smooth, while formulations with niacinamide and yuja extract may help brighten dark spots and manage breakouts. These products are used every morning and every evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
AED 91.81
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
AED 33.40
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
AED 29.35
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
AED 415.25
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
AED 53.01
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
AED 333.85
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
AED 140.15
-
MISSHA
Premium Cica Aloe Soothing Gel
AED 45.00
Research behind this routine
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes
Efficacy Evaluation of a Topical Hyaluronic Acid Serum in Facial Photoaging
Behind this routine
Lovi builds every routine from each product's 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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sof铆a Perea P茅rez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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