St. Ives Apricot Scrub for oily acne-prone skin
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract Apricot Fruit Extract
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Glycolic Acid
Niacinamide
Caffeine
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other exfoliants fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin due to the presence of Juglans Regia Shell Powder and Glycolic Acid, which provide both physical and chemical exfoliation, though these ingredients are not specifically targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Niacinamide and Urea offer some seboregulation and hydration, which are beneficial for oily skin, but do not directly address your primary concerns.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is frequently praised by users with normal to oily skin for its deep exfoliation and ability to leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed. However, a significant number of users, especially those with sensitive skin, report that the physical exfoliants are too abrasive, leading to redness and irritation.
Highlights
Effective exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Buffs away dead skin”
- “leaves skin smooth”
- “deep cleans pores”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “Great value”
- “budget-friendly”
- “inexpensive staple”
Refreshing scent Often Mentioned
- “Smells great”
- “fresh apricot fragrance”
- “pleasant aroma”
Causes irritation Often Mentioned
- “Caused redness”
- “stinging sensation”
- “splotchy skin”
Too abrasive Often Mentioned
- “Feels like sandpaper”
- “too harsh”
- “scratches skin”
Softens skin Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels soft”
- “healthy glow”
- “smooth texture”
Potential damage Sometimes Noted
- “Concerns about micro-tears”
- “long-term damage”
- “too rough”
Drying effect Rarely Noted
- “Left skin dry”
- “stripped moisture”
- “tight feeling”
Sources: lovi.care, stives.com, walmart.com, thingtesting.com, beautyandthecity.co.uk, lemon8-app.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does St. Ives Apricot Scrub work for oily acne-prone skin?
St. Ives Apricot Scrub works reasonably well for your oily skin by offering moderate physical and chemical exfoliation, but it does not directly target your breakouts. To better fit oily acne-prone skin, a product needs effective clarifying ingredients like BHA, salicylic acid, and blue tansy to target excess oil and clear pores without irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant works for your oily skin because it contains walnut shell powder and glycolic acid for physical and chemical exfoliation, alongside niacinamide and urea for oil control and hydration. However, because it does not target acne and breakouts directly, a product for this skin needs effective ingredients like BHA, blue tansy, and salicylic acid to clarify pores and calm blemishes safely.
What does Apricot Fruit Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Apricot Fruit Extract helps calm oily, acne-prone skin with its natural soothing and antioxidant properties. It is unlikely to cause irritation and is generally safe for everyday use.
What does Walnut Shell Powder do for oily acne-prone skin?
Walnut shell powder is a physical scrub that helps remove dead skin and excess oil, but it is often too harsh for oily acne-prone skin. Because sharp particles may cause microscopic tears and inflammation, this skin type needs gentle chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid to clear pores safely without irritation.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant works as a weekly step for oily acne-prone skin, used once a week to start. It offers moderate physical and chemical exfoliation, but an exfoliant for this skin also needs targeted ingredients that directly address acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant and retinol in the same routine, but because both can irritate your skin, it is best to use them on alternate nights rather than together. Using them separately helps prevent excessive dryness and redness.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week to see how your skin tolerates it. If your skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. Oily acne-prone skin typically needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients and gentle exfoliants that directly address breakouts and blemishes.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant may cause breakouts or irritation for oily acne-prone skin because the walnut shell powder and scrubbing action can be too abrasive and damage the skin. Oily acne-prone skin needs gentle chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and soothing, non-clogging ingredients that clear pores without harsh physical scrubbing.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Bitter apricot essential oil inhibited human HaCaT keratinocyte growth with an IC50 of 142.45 ug/ml by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through death receptor, mitochondrial, and NF-kB pathways.
International Immunopharmacology, 2016Kombucha-mediated fermentation of apple, apricot, and cherry leaf agro-waste extracts increased phenolic content and enhanced antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing properties while reducing oxidative stress in skin cells without cytotoxicity compared to unfermented extracts.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
Why other exfoliants fit oily acne-prone skin better
Chemical peels with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid effectively treated acne and reduced facial sebum secretion while improving skin hydration and barrier function in 25 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Two percent supramolecular salicylic acid showed similar efficacy to 0.01% adapalene plus 5% benzoyl peroxide in reducing acne lesions in 31 patients over 28 days.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2019Twice 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Stearate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg 100 Stearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays Meal Kernel Zea Mays Kernel, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract Apricot Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract Sunflower Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Arginine, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Carbomer, Ceteareth 20, Dimethicone, Disodium Edta, Glycolic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Niacinamide, Peg 12 Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Polysorbate 60, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethanolamine, Urea, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Parfum, 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
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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