Obagi-focused skincare routine for acne-prone skin
A routine for acne-prone skin built around Obagi products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Cleansers and toners with salicylic acid help clear out pores and breakouts, while serums and moisturizers with niacinamide and vitamin C help fade post-acne marks and calm skin.
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, then treats the skin while it rests away from the sun. The weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week to add deeper exfoliation and masks for acne-prone skin.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
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 manage breakouts and clear pores, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides maintain hydration and support the skin barrier. The cleanser step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
A$32.00
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
A$20.00
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
A$19.99
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
A$47.00
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
A$73.69
Step 2Hydrating Toner
This hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week in place of the evening routine. Hydrating toners and balancing steps with niacinamide and glycerin help control oil and soothe breakouts, while restorative applications with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and centella asiatica extract keep the skin calm and hydrated.
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
A$34.66
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
A$23.99
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
A$42.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
A$31.69
-
Torriden
Dive-In Toner
A$22.40
-
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Essence Water
A$22.43
-
Etude House
Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
A$25.00
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
A$42.90
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, citrus junos fruit extract, and ceramides help control oil and restore the skin barrier for breakouts and blackheads, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and snail secretion filtrate provide hydration and help fade post-acne marks. This step is used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
A$36.14
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
A$22.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A$18.90
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
A$168.63
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
A$25.90
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
A$97.29
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
A$67.14
Step 4SPF
Sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide defend against UV damage to help manage breakouts. Sunscreens with hyaluronic acid and glycerin provide hydration, and this sunscreen step is used every morning.
-
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Gel Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
A$15.99
-
Bioderma
Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
A$24.49
-
EltaMD
UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44
A$38.93
-
Nacific
Sun Essence
A$61.21
-
Olay
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
A$30.00
-
Blue Lizard
Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
A$29.10
-
Laneige
Radian-C Sun Cream
A$41.24
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Camellia Seed Oil, Squalane, Corn Germ Oil, and Shea Butter help dissolve makeup and clear out pores for acne-prone skin. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine, to lift away excess oil and impurities.
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
A$80.43
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
A$30.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
A$27.35
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
A$52.24
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
A$17.68
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
A$172.95
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
A$6.99
-
NEOGEN
Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil
A$42.86
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage breakouts and clear pores, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides maintain hydration and support the skin barrier. The cleanser step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
A$32.00
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
A$20.00
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
A$19.99
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
A$47.00
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
A$73.69
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with salicylic and glycolic acid help clear breakouts and blackheads while smoothing texture. This cleansing toner step is used every evening.
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
A$59.95
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
A$29.90
-
Caudalie
Vinopure Purifying Toner
A$75.95
-
SKIN1004
Tea-Trica Purifying Toner
A$20.55
-
ma:nyo
Galactomy Clearskin Toner
A$31.00
-
Ole Henriksen
Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
A$54.34
-
Isntree
Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner
A$38.20
-
COSRX
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
A$21.80
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, propolis, benzoyl peroxide, and centella asiatica extract help reduce breakouts, soothe irritation, and calm redness on acne-prone skin. This treatment step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Obagi
Vitamin C Serum
A$172.85
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
A$16.95
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum
A$52.32
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
A$33.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
A$50.60
-
Purito
Centella Unscented Serum
A$32.00
-
Clean & Clear
Persa-Gel 10
A$29.99
-
Olay
Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
A$29.99
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, citrus junos fruit extract, and ceramides help control oil and restore the skin barrier for breakouts and blackheads, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and snail secretion filtrate provide hydration and help fade post-acne marks. This step is used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
A$36.14
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
A$22.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A$18.90
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
A$168.63
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
A$25.90
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
A$97.29
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
A$67.14
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with Camellia Seed Oil, Squalane, Corn Germ Oil, and Shea Butter help dissolve makeup and clear out pores for acne-prone skin. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine, to lift away excess oil and impurities.
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
A$80.43
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Oil
A$30.99
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
A$27.35
-
DHC
Pore Cleansing Oil
A$52.24
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
A$17.68
-
Dermalogica
Precleanse
A$172.95
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
A$6.99
-
NEOGEN
Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil
A$42.86
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage breakouts and clear pores, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides maintain hydration and support the skin barrier. The cleanser step is used every morning and every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
A$13.99
-
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
A$32.00
-
Torriden
DIVE IN Cleansing Foam
A$20.00
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
A$24.00
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Cleansing Foam
A$19.99
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
A$47.00
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
A$73.61
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
A$73.69
Step 3Enzyme Powder
Enzyme powders with papain and rice powder help clear dead cells and soothe acne-prone skin. They are used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
AMOREPACIFIC
Treatment Enzyme Peel
A$83.06
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
A$35.50
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
A$114.68
-
By Wishtrend
Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
A$38.38
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
A$47.76
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
A$68.42
-
SRB
Stabilized Rice Bran Enzyme Powder Wash
A$35.00
-
Papa Recipe
Blemish Enzyme Powder Cleanser
A$75.00
Step 4Cleansing Mask
Cleansing masks are used once a week in place of the evening routine. Masks with blue tansy, BHA, enzymes, and willow bark extract help clear out pores and refine acne-prone skin.
-
HERBIVORE Botanicals
Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
A$118.35
-
Origins
Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
A$65.07
-
Sand & Sky
Australian Pink Clay Porefining Face Mask
A$54.00
-
Glamglow
Supermud Clearing Treatment
A$94.70
-
HERBIVORE
Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask
A$118.35
-
Isntree
Real Mugwort Clay Mask
A$28.78
-
Herbivore Botanicals
Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask
A$120.95
-
Papa Recipe
Eggplant Clearing Mud Cream Mask
A$27.84
Step 5Hydrating Toner
This hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week in place of the evening routine. Hydrating toners and balancing steps with niacinamide and glycerin help control oil and soothe breakouts, while restorative applications with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and centella asiatica extract keep the skin calm and hydrated.
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
A$34.66
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
A$23.99
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
A$42.00
-
ROUND LAB
Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
A$31.69
-
Torriden
Dive-In Toner
A$22.40
-
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Essence Water
A$22.43
-
Etude House
Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
A$25.00
-
TIRTIR
Milk Skin Toner Light
A$42.90
Step 6Serum or Treatment
Serums with niacinamide, propolis, benzoyl peroxide, and centella asiatica extract help reduce breakouts, soothe irritation, and calm redness on acne-prone skin. This treatment step is used every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Obagi
Vitamin C Serum
A$172.85
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
A$16.95
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum
A$52.32
-
COSRX
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
A$33.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
A$50.60
-
Purito
Centella Unscented Serum
A$32.00
-
Clean & Clear
Persa-Gel 10
A$29.99
-
Olay
Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
A$29.99
Step 7Moisturizer
Moisturizers with niacinamide, citrus junos fruit extract, and ceramides help control oil and restore the skin barrier for breakouts and blackheads, while formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and snail secretion filtrate provide hydration and help fade post-acne marks. This step is used every morning and evening, and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
A$24.00
-
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
A$36.14
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
A$22.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
A$18.90
-
PCA SKIN
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
A$168.63
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
A$25.90
-
Revision Skincare
Hydrating Serum
A$97.29
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Ferment Micro Essence
A$67.14
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
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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