Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum for acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Raspberry Extract
Lactic Acid
Aesculus Hippocastanum ExtractSuperior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products 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 concerns is provided by the potent blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, which effectively exfoliate and decongest pores. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer further enhance hydration, balancing the exfoliating action for your skin type.
- The inclusion of soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Allantoin ensures a gentle experience, minimizing potential irritation for your acne-prone skin.
- This formula is safe for your skin, featuring a well-balanced composition with no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 4.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this potent chemical exfoliant is widely praised for its ability to dramatically smooth skin texture and clear congestion, often described as a 'magic potion' for dullness and acne. Many users report waking up with a radiant glow, though a significant number caution that the strong formula can cause stinging or purging and that the high price point is a major barrier.
Highlights
Smoothes skin Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt like a baby's butt after just one use”
- “resurfaces dull congested skin”
- “bumps on my face were either gone or reduced”
Expensive price tag Mostly Mentioned
- “price is painful”
- “way too expensive”
Clears acne Often Mentioned
- “holy grail for acne marks”
- “dissolving blackheads”
- “pores are diminished”
Improves radiance Often Mentioned
- “waking up with doll like skin”
- “restored to a healthy and radiant glow”
- “complexion from lifeless to luminous”
Effective packaging Sometimes Noted
- “twist-up mechanism allows for hygienic use”
- “pump makes it easy to dispense”
- “airless pump bottle”
Little goes long way Sometimes Noted
- “spreads easily”
- “one pump to cover my entire face”
- “bottle will last a while”
Stinging sensation Sometimes Noted
- “stung a tiny bit upon application”
- “can be a bit tingly at first”
- “slight stinging sensation initially”
Initial purging Rarely Noted
- “increase blemishes for the first few days”
- “skin broke out horribly”
- “caused little red bumps”
Sticky texture Rarely Noted
- “leaving my skin just the tiniest bit sticky”
- “feels very heavy weight”
- “leave my skin feeling sticky”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.sg, amazon.com, ulta.com, spacenk.com, refinery29.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This serum is one of the best fits because its powerful mix of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids clears out clogged pores while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated and balanced. Soothing ingredients like aloe and allantoin help ensure a gentle experience that minimizes irritation for acne-prone skin.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid make this serum a great fit by deeply exfoliating and clearing out pores for acne-prone skin. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add hydration to keep your skin balanced, while soothing ingredients like aloe vera help keep the experience gentle and calm.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
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 serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a week to start with. Lovi routines place treatments in the evening for extra safety around sun exposure, and you can carefully use this acid more often if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
It is best not to use this strong exfoliating serum in the same routine as retinol, as combining them may easily cause dryness or irritation on acne-prone skin. Instead, you can alternate nights or use the exfoliating serum in your evening routine and save retinol for a completely different night.
How often should I use this serum?
Start by using this serum just once a week in the evening, and if your acne-prone skin handles it well with good results, you may carefully use it more often. The blend of exfoliating acids clears out pores while soothing ingredients help keep irritation low.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is one of the best fits for acne-prone skin because its blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid clears out pores, while soothing ingredients like aloe vera and allantoin help keep irritation low. It may cause a low amount of initial purging as it deeply exfoliates and clears congestion.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2017A 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, 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, 2024A novel formulation of hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, ellagic acid, yeast extract, and salicylic acid demonstrated parity in improving pigmentation, skin tone, spot intensity, and spot size compared to standard prescription 4% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin in 82 subjects, with superior tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013Repeated 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2010A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical raspberry ketone increased dermal IGF-I production through sensory neuron activation, promoting hair growth and increasing skin elasticity in mice and humans.
Growth Hormone & IGF Research, 2008A liposoluble extract of Rubus idaeus cell cultures induced genes for skin hydration, stimulated ceramide production, increased extracellular matrix synthesis in cultured fibroblasts, and showed skin-hydrating capacity in vivo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Application 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 3% horse chestnut extract gel significantly decreased wrinkle scores at the corners of the eye and lower eyelid skin compared with controls in 40 healthy female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2006Topical horse chestnut extract increases wound tensile strength and collagen organization in rats without inducing fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion in vitro, though it induces fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix formation.
Molecules, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract Grape Juice Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Raspberry Fruit Extract, Yeast Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Galactoarabinan, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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