🇨🇦Canada

ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads for combination skin

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

ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 and glycolic acid work to smooth texture and decongest
  • The moderate concentrations of these acids provide effective keratolytic action and seboregulation, addressing your oily shine.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

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 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, these pads are widely praised for effectively managing oily, acne-prone, and congested skin by combining salicylic and glycolic acids to exfoliate and clear pores. While many users achieve a brighter, smoother, and more balanced complexion, those with highly sensitive or dry skin should introduce them gradually due to the inclusion of denatured alcohol and fragrance.

Highlights

  • Convenient to use Often Mentioned
    • “Incredibly convenient and easy to incorporate.”
    • “Easy-to-use pad with incredible benefits.”
    • “Perfect for on-the-go skincare maintenance.”
  • Effective exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves my skin feeling clean, smooth, and refreshed.”
    • “Truly renew the top layer of your skin with each use.”
    • “Removes dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores.”
  • Reduces oil Often Mentioned
    • “Helps keep surface oils under control.”
    • “I've noticed less oiliness throughout the day.”
    • “Works effectively to minimize surface oil.”
  • Brightens skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Helped my hyperpigmentation SO much.”
    • “My skin looks brighter and more even in tone.”
    • “Helps to brighten skin and clarify pores.”
  • Contains alcohol Sometimes Noted
    • “Denatured alcohol is included... it's also drying for many users.”
    • “It has denatured alcohol which could lead to sensitive skin issues.”
    • “I am very conservative when it comes to having alcohol based products.”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “It's a steep step up from drugstore alternatives.”
    • “I just wish they weren't so pricey.”
    • “Cut them in half to get more bang for your buck.”
  • Causes irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Can be too much during a flare... may sting on reactive skin.”
    • “If you suffer from sensitive or broken skin, [this] may be a more suitable choice.”
    • “Fragrances... can lead to sensitive skin issues.”

Sources: lovi.care, dermapproved.com, youtube.com, skinsort.com, myfacedr.com, alexandrarosepink.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads a great fit for combination skin?

ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads are a great fit for combination skin because glycolic acid and salicylic acid smooth rough texture and clear clogged pores while helping control oily shine. The formula has an excellent safety profile, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

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

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid make this exfoliant a great fit for your combination skin by smoothing texture, clearing out clogged pores, and helping control oily shine. This formula is safe for your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

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

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

This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Start using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you may carefully use it more often.

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

You can use this exfoliant in your evening routine, but apply it on a different night than your retinol to avoid irritation. Using these active products on separate nights helps keep your combination skin calm and smooth while still clearing out pores.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start by using these pads once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable and shows good results, you may carefully use them more often. This gradual approach helps your combination skin adjust smoothly to the salicylic and glycolic acids without irritation.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

These pads are a great fit for your combination skin because glycolic acid and salicylic acid work together to smooth texture and clear out pores without causing irritation. This exfoliant helps control oily shine while keeping breakouts and clogged pores unlikely.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, and hexyl cinnamal) and drying alcohol (sd alcohol 40-b).

What the research says

  • Twice 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

  • The 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, 2023

  • 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

  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • Repeated 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, 2000

  • Serial 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, 2017

  • 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

  • Plantain leaf proteins exhibit a wound-healing effect on vertebrate skin both in vitro and in vivo.

    Prikladnaia Biokhimiia I Mikrobiologiia, 2011

  • Plantago lanceolata water extract improves skin wound healing in rats by inducing the transition of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, increasing wound contraction rates, and enhancing tensile strength through greater extracellular matrix protein organization compared to untreated wounds.

    The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2015

  • Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata extracts incorporated into 3D-printed polysaccharide dressings enhanced fibroblast wound closure to 64% and 52%, respectively, compared to 29% for the control.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026

  • Topical steroid withdrawal is driven by excess mitochondrial NAD+ metabolism that can be successfully targeted using complex I-inhibiting interventions such as metformin and berberine.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2025

  • Topical steroid withdrawal presents as a distinct dermatopathology characterized by burning, flushing, thermodysregulation, and elevated mitochondrial NAD+ oxidation, which can be improved by targeting complex I with metformin or berberine.

    MedRxiv, 2024

  • Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose hydrogel formulations of berberine chloride-loaded escinosomes increased skin residence time and transdermal permeability while maintaining high safety and biocompatibility without skin irritation.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Propylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Glycolic Acid, Pterocarpus Soyauxii Extract Wood, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Sodium Hydroxide

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

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play