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NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub for combination skin

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

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other products fit it 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 moderate exfoliation for your acne-prone combination skin, as lactic acid and salicylic acid work to decongest pores and smooth texture without causing irritation.
  • Niacinamide provides anti-inflammatory benefits, supporting your skin's needs, though specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine are absent.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would pose an irritation risk.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviews

Users with oily and blemish-prone skin frequently praise this scrub for its gentle pore-unclogging and blackhead-reducing abilities, leaving skin feeling smooth and clean without excessive dryness. A significant number of reviewers note that the texture is less abrasive than expected, functioning more like a daily cleanser. Some users also report a reduction in blemishes and appreciate the pleasant scent and feel.

Highlights

  • Effective cleansing Often Mentioned
    • “unclogs pores”
    • “removes grease”
    • “skin feels clean”
    • “refreshingly cleansing”
  • Gentle, non-drying Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't dry out skin”
    • “gentle enough for daily use”
    • “skin feels moisturized”
    • “not stripped bare”
  • Smoothes skin Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels smooth”
    • “soft and refreshed”
    • “leaves face feeling amazing”
    • “instantly smooth”
  • Not gritty enough Often Mentioned
    • “not super gritty”
    • “more of a face wash”
    • “not as exfoliating as expected”
    • “particles are too fine”
  • Pleasant scent/feel Sometimes Noted
    • “smells really nice”
    • “fresh feel”
    • “lathers well”
    • “clean Nivea scent”
  • Reduces blemishes Sometimes Noted
    • “reduces blackheads”
    • “helps with acne”
    • “less breakouts”
    • “settle down spots”
  • Messy application Rarely Noted
    • “tad messy”
    • “runny consistency”
    • “messy on the face”
  • Mild dryness Rarely Noted
    • “slightly drying”
    • “dry the skin out a bit”
    • “need moisturizer after”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “didn't see difference”
    • “takes time to work”
    • “not effective for deep pores”

Sources: lovi.care, nivea.co.uk, hometesterclub.com, tesco.com, superdrug.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub work for combination skin?

This scrub works reasonably well for your combination skin by decongesting pores and smoothing texture with lactic and salicylic acid without causing irritation. It has a safe formula and helps soothe skin with niacinamide, though other products fit better because they include specialized ingredients to directly control oily shine. Combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, or propolis to regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide balanced hydration without dryness.

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

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

Salicylic acid and lactic acid decongest pores and smooth texture, while niacinamide calms the skin. However, combination skin needs ingredients like zinc PCA or propolis to regulate oily shine and provide optimal hydration without imbalance.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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 does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine once a week, starting slow so your skin can get used to it. Combination skin of this type needs specialized ingredients that directly control oily shine.

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

You can use this scrub with retinol by applying the scrub first on your designated treatment days, making sure to avoid using both products in the exact same routine to keep your skin calm. Because both products work intensely, alternating them on different nights helps prevent dry, flaky patches.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This approach helps you clear pores and smooth texture safely while keeping irritation unlikely.

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

This scrub is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as salicylic acid and lactic acid help decongest pores and smooth texture. However, a product for this skin needs targeted ingredients to directly control oily shine.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Topical 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, 2021

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • Topical 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, 2005

  • Application 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, 2004

  • Topical 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, 1992

  • A 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, 2020

  • Coco-glucoside powered emulgels containing probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated stability without phase separation and preserved probiotic viability for up to 11 days, supporting the skin's natural barrier.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025

  • The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003

Why other products fit combination skin better

  • Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.

    BioMed Research International, 2022

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Coco-Glucoside, Coco-Betaine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Cellulose, Mannitol, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone-4, Parfum, Ci 77289

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 10 Oct – 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

How does it fit your skin?

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

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