e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant for sensitive skin
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Glycerin
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin due to Carica Papaya Leaf Extract and Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract, which aid in smoothing texture and providing anti-inflammatory action. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate further supports this by offering soothing benefits, making it generally suitable for your skin type.
- While the formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing for your redness and irritation, these effects are mostly supportive and may not directly address your specific concerns.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with redness and irritation. Start slowly and only increase frequency if your skin feels happy and comfortable.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner , but always before your moisturizer . This ensures the product absorbs properly into the skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing . Let it absorb for a minute before moving on.
- Since your skin is sensitive , apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for the best tolerance. This helps prevent any extra stinging or discomfort.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users generally praise this exfoliant for being effective yet non-abrasive, making it suitable for sensitive skin and frequent use. Many enjoy the satisfying visible peeling effect and the resulting soft skin, although some reviewers suspect the peeling is merely the product balling up rather than actual dead skin.
Highlights
Leaves skin soft Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels so silky”
- “Makes my skin soft and glowy”
- “Face felt clean and fresh.”
Gentle and non-abrasive Often Mentioned
- “Super gentle, never irritates”
- “Felt like water, very nice”
- “Great for sensitive skin.”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “Great value at this cost”
- “Works fast and isn't expensive”
Removes dry patches Sometimes Noted
- “Reduces chronic peeling”
- “Dead skin is gone”
- “Helps get rid of stubborn flakes.”
Satisfying peeling effect Sometimes Noted
- “Satisfying gross peeling thing”
- “Fun to see skin slough off”
- “Cool to see it work.”
Gimmicky peeling action Sometimes Noted
- “Product is very gimmicky”
- “Just the product balling up”
- “Not actually peeling skin off.”
Chemical or strong smell Rarely Noted
- “Weird chemically smell”
- “Strong smell to it”
- “Reminds me of an automotive shop.”
Messy residue Rarely Noted
- “Little balls of skin everywhere”
- “Hard to rinse off”
- “Residue left on skin.”
Not strong enough Rarely Noted
- “Don't think this does anything”
- “Better exfoliators in AHA categories”
- “Basic results.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump broke”
- “Had to scoop it out”
- “Hard to get product out.”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, skinsort.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, thebeautyinsiders.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant work for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant works for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because its soothing and hydrating effects are mostly supportive and may not directly address your specific concerns. An exfoliant of this type needs effective ingredients that provide excellent skincare benefits for redness and irritation, pose no risk of irritation, and are highly compatible with normal skin through potent antioxidants, hydrating components, and skin-repairing ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for sensitive skin?
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Carica papaya leaf extract, and citrus reticulata fruit extract help calm and smooth sensitive skin while keeping irritation low. An exfoliant treatment for this skin needs powerful yet gentle ingredients that target redness, provide strong antioxidants and soothing agents, and contain no allergens.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Papaya Leaf Extract do for sensitive skin?
There is currently not enough information available to determine the safety or effects of Papaya Leaf Extract on sensitive skin. Skincare products for sensitive skin typically need soothing and gentle ingredients that keep skin calm and hydrated without causing irritation.
What does Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract do for sensitive skin?
Citrus reticulata fruit extract helps calm sensitive skin by giving instant relief from discomfort and making the skin less reactive. It does this by blocking certain pathways in the skin that cause irritation, which is great for keeping dry or easily upset skin feeling comfortable.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine once a week. To fit sensitive skin better, an exfoliant of this type needs gentle fruit enzymes and calming plant extracts like licorice root extract that smooth texture without causing irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
This exfoliant works for your sensitive skin, though other products fit it better because this formula provides only moderate smoothing and supportive soothing. To use it with retinol, alternate the nights you apply them to help prevent irritation, and look for an exfoliant with extra hydrating ingredients and calming extracts for this skin type.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well without irritation, you may carefully use it more often. To fit this sensitive skin type well, a product of this type needs gentle exfoliating fruit enzymes and calming plant extracts that smooth texture without causing redness.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as it has a safe formula without harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate. Because it provides only moderate exfoliation, an exfoliant for sensitive skin of this type needs extra pore-clearing ingredients and gentle resurfacing agents to better prevent clogged pores.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical application of Citrus reticulata fruit extract provided instant relief from lactic acid-induced skin discomfort and increased skin tolerance by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and expression.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Fermented Citrus unshiu peel extract inhibited MMP-1 expression and decreased SA-beta-gal positive cells by approximately 45% at 0.1% concentration in ultraviolet-A-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated irradiated cells.
Phytotherapy Research, 2012Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025A 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
Why other products fit sensitive skin better
Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Quaternium-60, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carica Papaya Leaf Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.