Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator for combination skin
Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil
Glycerin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Allantoin
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 gluconolactone gently refines texture and glycerin provides essential hydration without exacerbating oiliness.
- The inclusion of oat kernel oil and allantoin further supports skin comfort and barrier function, making it a well-rounded choice for managing oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your skin, free from harsh ingredients and containing soothing components that minimize irritation risk.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this chemical exfoliator is highly recommended for sensitive skin, effectively smoothing texture without causing irritation. Users frequently report that the formula leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft. Some users note a chemical scent and find the thin consistency difficult to manage with the current packaging.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “No redness after use”
- “Doesn't irritate or cause dryness”
- “Great for my reactive sensitive skin”
Smooths texture Often Mentioned
- “Face is so soft after using”
- “Smooths texture without irritation”
- “Makeup went on so smooth”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Way too runny for the tube”
- “Makes a huge mess”
- “Needs a pump bottle”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No overpowering perfume smell”
- “Great for fragrance allergies”
- “Love that it's fragrance-free”
Non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin moisturized and hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry my skin out”
- “Face feels like velvet”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “Has a rancid smell”
- “Worst smelling product”
Oily residue Rarely Noted
- “Feels like cheap sunscreen”
- “Left an oily film”
- “Hard to rinse clean”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “Didn't exfoliate enough”
- “Too gentle for my needs”
- “Didn't see a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, aveeno.com, target.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes the Nourishing PHA Exfoliator a great fit for combination skin?
This exfoliator is a great fit for combination skin because it uses gluconolactone to gently smooth texture and glycerin to add moisture without making your skin oily. Oat kernel oil and allantoin help keep your skin calm and comfortable while managing shine. Its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for combination skin because gluconolactone gently refines texture while glycerin delivers essential hydration without increasing oiliness. Additionally, oat kernel oil and allantoin help keep skin comfortable and support the skin barrier, making it safe and low-risk for irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for combination skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps balance combination skin by boosting hydration while keeping oiliness under control. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation, making it great for smoothing texture without drying out the skin.
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Oil do for combination skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil helps hydrate and calm combination skin while supporting the skin barrier. Because it contains beneficial fatty acids, it is unlikely to clog pores and may improve dry patches while keeping oily areas balanced.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results may carefully use them more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying the exfoliant in your evening routine and using your retinol on alternate nights to avoid irritation. This approach helps manage texture while keeping your skin calm.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. The gentle PHA and hydrating ingredients help manage oily shine while keeping your skin comfortable and safe from irritation.
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, as it gently refines texture and hydrates without adding extra oil. The formula is safe for your skin and includes soothing ingredients that help minimize irritation.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023A 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, 2017Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.