Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse for acne-prone skin
Mandelic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Lactic Acid
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin and acne, blemishes, and breakouts is achieved through mandelic acid and salicylic acid, which effectively exfoliate and clear pores. Raspberry Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Peel Oil further soothe and protect your skin, enhancing the overall cleansing experience.
- The formula's functionality is excellent, with sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate providing a deep cleanse that complements the exfoliating acids.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel-to-foam cleanser is highly effective for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, with users frequently reporting deeply cleansed pores and significantly improved skin texture leading to a brighter complexion. A moderate number of users enjoy the refreshing scent and find the product lasts a long time. However, a moderate number of users with dry or sensitive skin find the formula too stripping or drying, and a low number of users report sensitivity reactions, packaging issues, or find the price to be high.
Highlights
Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
- “smoother skin”
- “refines texture”
- “soft to the touch”
- “sloughs away dead skin”
Deep cleansing Often Mentioned
- “pores feel cleaner”
- “helps with breakouts”
- “removes impurities”
- “skin hasn't felt this clean in ages”
Radiance and glow Often Mentioned
- “brightens skin”
- “glowy”
- “radiant complexion”
- “wakens the skin”
Product longevity Sometimes Noted
- “a little goes a long way”
- “lasts for months”
- “pea-sized amount needed”
Uplifting scent Sometimes Noted
- “uplifting citrus aroma”
- “spa-like smell”
- “refreshing scent”
- “smells nice”
Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
- “slightly drying”
- “tightness after washing”
- “dry patches”
- “stripped the skin”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “impractical packaging”
- “hard to open”
- “leaks”
- “lid is difficult”
Price Rarely Noted
- “bit too pricey”
- “expensive”
- “not budget friendly”
Sensitivity reactions Rarely Noted
- “swollen eyes”
- “redness”
- “tingling”
- “caused irritation”
Sources: lovi.care, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, medik8.com, adorebeauty.com.au, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because it uses mandelic acid and salicylic acid to effectively exfoliate and clear pores. Raspberry fruit extract and grapefruit peel oil further soothe and protect your skin, keeping irritation away while providing a deep cleanse.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid and salicylic acid make this cleanser a great fit because they effectively clear pores and help keep breakouts calm. Raspberry fruit extract and grapefruit peel oil further soothe your skin while giving you a deep cleanse.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Mandelic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid helps clear acne and smooth the skin by gently exfoliating and calming breakouts with fewer side effects than many other acids. It is unlikely to cause heavy irritation, and combining it with other treatments may improve stubborn acne and dark spots even further.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines as the first or second cleansing step. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it contains soothing components and lacks harsh ingredients, making it gentle enough for regular use.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine with retinol by applying the cleanser first, followed by your retinol treatment. This cleanser is a great fit because mandelic acid and salicylic acid exfoliate and clear pores while soothing ingredients help prevent irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, starting just once a week if your skin is new to exfoliating acids. This gradual approach helps your skin adjust comfortably while clearing pores and managing breakouts.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it contains salicylic acid and mandelic acid, which help clear pores and manage blemishes. However, because it exfoliates deeply, you may experience some initial purging or mild dryness as your skin adjusts.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is not meant for the thin skin around your eyes, but it may be used on your body to help clear breakouts and smooth rough areas. Because the skin there is much thicker than on your face, the exfoliating acids work effectively without causing irritation.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool).
What the research says
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, 2020Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 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, 2024The 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, 2023A dermocosmetic product containing oat plantlet sap and Garcinia mangostana extract reduced retentional and inflammatory acne lesions by 21% and 35% respectively after 2 months in 54 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2025Cryotherapy 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, 2010Applying alpha-mangostin nanoparticles twice daily significantly improved acne vulgaris condition compared to placebo in 10 acne patients over 4 weeks.
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 2015An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.5% mangosteen extract nanoparticle loaded gel reduced comedone and inflammatory lesions by 66.86% and 67.05% in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, showing comparable efficacy to 1% clindamycin gel with no severe side effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A novel D-limonene and Gelucire 44/12 based microemulsion formulated with Labrasol and Labrafil M 1944 CS showed high stability, optical transparency, nanometric globule size, and a safe in vivo skin profile on mice ear skin.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2021Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Mandelic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Yucca Schidigera Root Extract, Lactic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Garcinia Mangostana Peel Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Disodium Edta, Maltodextrin
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
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