🇨🇦Canada

NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%

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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as salicylic acid effectively decongests pores and smooths texture, while citric acid provides mild exfoliation.
  • Glycerin and tocopherol are included to soothe the skin, ensuring a comfortable experience.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.

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 700+ reviews

Users with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin generally praise this exfoliant for effectively clearing blackheads and smoothing texture without the drying side effects common to other BHAs. While many consider it a gentler, more affordable alternative to premium competitors, a minority of users found it ineffective for severe congestion or experienced persistent breakouts.

Highlights

  • Improves texture and acne Mostly Mentioned
    • “cleared my blackheads in a week”
    • “skin looks glass-like and smooth”
    • “helped with closed comedones”
  • Gentle and non-drying Often Mentioned
    • “didn't dry out my skin like others”
    • “zero stinging or burning”
    • “leaves skin feeling plush, not stripped”
  • Great value Often Mentioned
    • “unbeatable for the price”
    • “great dupe for expensive brands”
  • Lightweight, non-sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs much better than Paula's Choice”
    • “no sticky film left behind”
    • “layers well under makeup”
  • Breakouts or reactions Rarely Noted
    • “caused a rash on my cheeks”
    • “breakouts never stopped”
    • “ruined my skin barrier”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “did absolutely nothing for my pores”
    • “saw no change in blackheads”
    • “too gentle for my stubborn acne”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “leaked in my travel bag”
    • “cap doesn't seal properly”
    • “dispenses too much product at once”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like saliva”
    • “has a weird funk to it”
    • “scent is slightly off-putting”

Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, spacenk.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant a great fit for combination skin?

NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% is a great fit because salicylic acid and citric acid clear out pores and smooth your texture, while glycerin and tocopherol keep your combination skin calm and comfortable. This gentle blend safely gives you smooth, clear skin without harshness.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?

Salicylic acid and citric acid make this exfoliant a great fit for your combination skin by clearing out pores and smoothing texture. Glycerin and tocopherol help soothe your skin to keep the experience comfortable and safe.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

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 do Bioactive Fruit Acids do for combination skin?

Bioactive Fruit Acids help smooth and balance combination skin by gently clearing dead skin cells so dry areas feel soft and oily zones look clearer. They may improve skin texture and brightness over time while keeping the face comfortable.

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliant is used in the evening routine, starting at once a week so your skin can adjust comfortably. Salicylic acid and fruit acids clear out pores and smooth texture while glycerin helps keep your skin comfortable.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

It is best to use this exfoliant on nights when you do not apply retinol, as using both at the same time may cause excessive dryness or irritation. When incorporating both into your routine, alternate the nights you use each product to keep your skin calm and comfortable.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. This gentle approach helps clear out pores and smooth texture while keeping your combination skin comfortable.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts, as salicylic acid helps clear pores and smooth your combination skin while soothing ingredients keep it comfortable. Reviewers rarely report breakouts or reactions with this product.

BioMed Research International, 2020

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

  • 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, 2020

  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • Topical 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

  • A 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, 2017

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Topical 20% citric acid lotion increases viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycan content in sun-damaged skin compared to vehicle alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 1997

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chondrus Crispus, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 17 Oct – 3 Nov 2026

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