Elemis Pro-Collagen Tri-Acid Peel for oily skin
Mandelic Acid
Lactobionic Acid
Asiatic Acid
Copper Pca
Sodium HyaluronateAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin due to the presence of mandelic acid and lactobionic acid, which help to unclog pores and promote skin renewal.
- Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration, which is supportive but not directly targeted at your primary concern of oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis product is highly praised for rejuvenating dull, aging, and textured skin. Users consistently report a brighter, smoother, and more even-toned complexion with a noticeable reduction in fine lines and pores. It is generally gentle on the skin, though some users experience slight tingling. A common drawback mentioned is the high price point.
Highlights
Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
- “my skin looked noticeably smoother”
- “significant improvement in my skin's texture”
- “leaving me with beautiful smooth skin”
- “immediate smoothness”
Brightens skin Often Mentioned
- “my skin looked immediately brighter”
- “The glow it gives is unreal!”
- “brightened up my complexion”
- “complexion looks visibly brighter”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “too pricey at £70”
- “I agree too priceyyyyy!!”
- “While on the pricier side”
- “There are lots of more affordable alternatives”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “gentle and non-irritating, even for sensitive skin”
- “The peel is gentle but so effective”
- “hesitant to use this as have quite sensitive skin... No problems at all”
- “without the harshness of traditional AHAs”
Reduces lines Sometimes Noted
- “helps reduce the appearance of fine lines”
- “dramatically reduced the appearance of fine lines”
- “softens the look of fine lines”
Causes tingling Sometimes Noted
- “slight tingling and a brief flush after rinsing”
- “My face is still slightly tingling an hour later”
- “yes, it tingles for a wee while”
- “A slight tingling sensation and redness may occur”
Underwhelming results Rarely Noted
- “It's just ok... just doesn't do what I want it too”
- “no obvious signs of performance”
- “It can be harsh for others”
Sources: lovi.care, elemis.com, johnlewis.com, boots.com, macys.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Elemis Pro-Collagen Tri-Acid Peel work for oily skin?
Elemis Pro-Collagen Tri-Acid Peel works moderately well for oily skin by offering gentle exfoliation that helps unclog pores and clear away buildup. An exfoliant treatment for oily skin needs ingredients like niacinamide or zinc PCA to actively control oil and manage shine.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Mandelic acid and lactobionic acid make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin by helping to unclog pores and promote skin renewal. To better manage oily shine, an exfoliant of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, or zinc PCA to control sebum production and address excess oil.
What does Mandelic Acid do for oily skin?
Mandelic acid helps clear active breakouts and smooth uneven skin tone for oily skin with fewer side effects than many other acids. It is generally well-tolerated and works effectively to keep skin calm and clear.
What does Lactobionic Acid do for oily skin?
Lactobionic acid helps balance oily skin by gently clearing away dead skin cells while keeping the skin feeling comfortable and well-hydrated. This type of product works best when it includes soothing and lightweight ingredients that help keep oil under control without drying out the skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine once a week. Oily skin works better with products that specifically target excess shine and oil control while providing balanced hydration.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You should use this exfoliant on separate nights from your retinol to avoid irritation on your oily skin. Using strong exfoliating acids and retinoids together can be too harsh, so it is best to alternate them.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This product type needs ingredients like salicylic acid and clay to deeply clear pores and control oily shine.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin, as it helps to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells safely. An oily skin type needs an exfoliant with deep-cleansing acids and soothing plant extracts to keep pores clear and calm without extra shine.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat and alcohol).
What the research says
Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020A 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, 2017Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2025Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Combining a 20% lactobionic acid peel with aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion increases skin hydration, improves elasticity, and decreases transepidermal water loss in 20 Caucasian females compared to lactobionic acid peel alone.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019An emulsion containing 10% lactobionic acid significantly reduces human skin surface pH without causing skin irritation or barrier impairment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Lactobionic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Alcohol Denat, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Disodium Edta, Asiatic Acid, Copper Pca, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Acacia Decurrens Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Chlorphenesin, Alcohol
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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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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