Clinique Exfoliating Scrub for combination skin
Salicylic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
Hexylene Glycol
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other exfoliants fit it 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 salicylic acid and polyethylene work to cleanse pores and smooth texture, addressing oily shine.
- Menthol provides a cooling sensation, which can be pleasant for combination skin, though it may not be ideal for very sensitive types.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this water-based, mentholated scrub is highly effective for users with oily and combination-oily skin, providing a deep exfoliation that instantly smooths texture and clears clogged pores, leading to reduced oiliness and fewer breakouts. Some users find the scrub too abrasive for sensitive or dry skin types, and the thick consistency can make it difficult to dispense.
Highlights
Clears pores and oil Often Mentioned
- “unclogs pores”
- “great for oily skin”
- “keeps blackheads away”
- “controls excess oil”
- “prevents breakouts”
Polishes and smooths Often Mentioned
- “skin feels squeaky clean”
- “instantly smoother texture”
- “removes dead skin”
- “polished feel”
- “glass-like finish”
Difficult to dispense Often Mentioned
- “hard to squeeze”
- “tube is stiff”
- “product is too thick”
- “struggle to get out”
- “packaging design flaw”
Cooling sensation Sometimes Noted
- “cooling menthol feel”
- “wakes me up”
- “feels refreshing”
- “tingly sensation”
- “cools down skin”
Efficient and long-lasting Sometimes Noted
- “little goes a long way”
- “tube lasts for months”
- “worth the price”
- “pea-sized amount needed”
- “good value”
Too harsh for some Sometimes Noted
- “too abrasive”
- “feels like sand”
- “scratched my skin”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “drying if used daily”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is overpowering”
- “too minty”
- “eyes water from fumes”
- “strong chemical smell”
- “dislike the menthol”
Thick texture Rarely Noted
- “very thick paste”
- “hard to spread”
- “dry consistency”
- “needs lots of water”
- “chalky texture”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, makeupalley.com, lookfantastic.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Exfoliating Scrub work for combination skin?
Clinique Exfoliating Scrub works for combination skin by cleansing pores, smoothing texture, and addressing oily shine with salicylic acid and polyethylene. A product of this type needs effective ingredients that balance oil control and hydration, refine pores, and enhance clarity without any risk of irritation.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2007
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?
Salicylic acid and polyethylene make this exfoliant a good fit because they help cleanse pores and smooth texture to manage oily shine. To work best for combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that control oil and provide hydration to balance the skin without causing irritation.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Glyceryl Stearate do for combination skin?
Glyceryl Stearate helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by holding moisture in while feeling light on oily and dry areas. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and is well tolerated by everyday skin types.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliant goes in your weekly routine once a week after your cleanser, though you may use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. Combination skin needs gentle exfoliants with ingredients like salicylic acid and soothing agents to clear pores and smooth texture without causing irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying them on different days or spacing them out to prevent irritation on your combination skin. Because both ingredients renew the skin surface, alternating them helps keep your skin smooth and calm without overloading it.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. Combination skin needs gentle exfoliants with ingredients like salicylic acid or enzyme powders to clear pores and smooth texture without causing irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as salicylic acid and polyethylene help cleanse pores and smooth texture. However, a product for this skin needs gentle pore-clearing ingredients and soothing agents that balance oily shine without causing irritation.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2007
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of 30% salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol effectively cleared comedones and papules in 436 patients with acne while causing no stinging, burning, edema, bleeding, or crusting.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2008A 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, 2020Twice 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, 2024Cooling skin temperature or applying topical menthol reduced histamine-induced itch intensity and flare diameters in healthy male volunteers.
Neuroscience Letters, 1995Polyethylene is safe for use in cosmetic formulations at described practices of use and concentrations, supported by low systemic toxicity, lack of significant irritation or sensitization in most animal and human evaluations, and the absence of genotoxicity or chemical carcinogenicity.
International Journal of Toxicology, 2007Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyethylene, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Oleamido Mipa-Sulfosuccinate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Stearamidoethyl Diethylamine, Oleamide Mipa, Trisodium Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylisothiazolinone, 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.
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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
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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.