Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask for acne-prone skin
Lactic Acid
Azelaic Acid
Glycerin
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Sodium Hydroxide
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansing masks fit it even better.
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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, lactic acid and azelaic acid offer excellent exfoliation to smooth texture and address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation.
- Silanediol salicylate further aids in pore refinement and sebum regulation, complementing the primary actives for improved skin clarity.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this cleansing mask during your PM weekly routine. Start 1x/week and increase if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this cleansing mask after using your pre-cleanser and cleanser , and before your hydrating toner.
- Spread an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face , avoiding any rubbing to protect your skin.
- Apply the cleansing mask to clean and dry skin to help clear up your blemishes effectively.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers consistently praise this mask for delivering immediate, visible results, often describing it as a "magic" fix for dull or congested skin. While highly effective at smoothing texture and brightening the complexion, it is potent and frequently causes a stinging sensation or temporary redness, making it less suitable for very sensitive skin without caution.
Highlights
Instant radiance & glow Mostly Mentioned
- “gives a lovely glow”
- “skin looks lighter, brighter”
- “instant results”
- “reveals very glowing skin”
- “perfect pre-party ritual”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “incredibly smooth”
- “polished look”
- “refined pores”
- “improves texture”
- “soft and smooth”
Stinging sensation Often Mentioned
- “stings a bit”
- “tingling reaction”
- “uncomfortable sometimes”
- “slight tingle”
- “active sensation”
Acne & pigmentation help Sometimes Noted
- “helps with breakouts”
- “reduces pigmentation”
- “clears blackheads”
- “drying existing spots”
- “fades acne scars”
Fast-acting results Sometimes Noted
- “works in 3-5 minutes”
- “immediate difference”
- “visible effects in one application”
- “quick and effective”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive skin treat”
- “huge price tag”
- “pricey”
- “investment product”
Short-term brightening Rarely Noted
- “effects are temporary”
- “lasts a day or so”
- “glow fades after a day”
Temporary redness Rarely Noted
- “look pink and flushed”
- “redness immediately after”
- “flushed for a while”
- “avoid before going out immediately”
Sources: lovi.care, drsebagh.com, spacenk.com, makeupalley.com, reviewstream.com, neimanmarcus.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask is a great fit because lactic acid and azelaic acid unclog pores and calm inflammation to help clear breakouts and smooth your skin texture. Silanediol salicylate also helps balance oil and refine pores to keep your skin clear, while the formula is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Lactic acid, azelaic acid, and silanediol salicylate make this a great fit by unclogging pores, smoothing texture, and helping calm breakouts and redness. These ingredients have a strong safety record for this skin type and work together to improve overall clarity.
What does Lactic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Lactic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions with regular topical use. It works well to smooth and calm the skin while managing breakouts safely over time.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2002
What does Azelaic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Azelaic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by fighting bacteria and calming redness, while also fading dark spots left behind by breakouts. It targets multiple causes of acne at once to keep your skin smooth and even-toned.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2023
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask is used once a week as part of your weekly routine after a cleanser and enzyme powder, and before a hydrating toner, treatment, and moisturizer. Starting once a week helps your skin adjust safely, and those who tolerate it well may carefully use it more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your routine, but avoid using it on the same nights you apply retinol to prevent excess irritation. Use the mask on designated exfoliation nights, and save your retinol for separate evenings when your skin is completely clean and dry.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this cleansing mask once a week as part of your weekly routine. People who tolerate it well and see good results may carefully use it more often.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing mask is a great fit for acne-prone skin because lactic acid and azelaic acid unclog pores and smooth texture to help reduce breakouts. It is unlikely to cause new breakouts or irritation, though some users may experience a temporary stinging sensation.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Application 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, 2020Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Azelaic acid 15% gel showed comparable efficacy to adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing lesions, severity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in women with adult acne, with significantly lower dryness and scaling, and demonstrated superiority during maintenance compared to no further treatment.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015A 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, 2017The 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, 2020Ten 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
Ingredients
Water, Lactic Acid, Lysine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Peg-40 Stearate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Azelaic Acid, Silanediol Salicylate, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-20 Stearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetyl Acetate, Oleyl Acetate, Stearyl Acetate, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Fd, C Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Ci 14700 Red 4, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
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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