Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub for acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Lemon Peel Extract
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other exfoliants fit it 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
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and lactic acid provide surface-level renewal to address acne and blemishes.
- The presence of glycerin and chamomile extract ensures hydration and soothing effects, which is beneficial for combination skin.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, minimizing irritation risks.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsThis scrub is highly regarded for its ability to instantly polish and retexturize the skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and glowing. While many users with various skin types—including those with sensitive or acne-prone skin—praise its effectiveness in clearing pores and reducing dullness, some individuals find the physical exfoliation too abrasive or potentially irritating. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Effective exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves skin soft”
- “polishes skin instantly”
- “clears out pores”
- “removes dead cells”
Instant glow Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin glowy”
- “healthy glow after”
- “brighter skin”
- “looks amazing”
Refreshing scent Often Mentioned
- “Smells so delicious”
- “zingy lemon scent”
- “refreshing and fun”
- “smells wonderful”
Convenient packaging Sometimes Noted
- “Easy to squeeze”
- “minimizes mess”
- “sturdy tube”
- “no water contamination”
Too abrasive Sometimes Noted
- “A bit too abrasive”
- “feels like sandpaper”
- “scrubbing particles harsh”
- “caused slight burning”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “Slightly burned”
- “caused a rash”
- “not for sensitive skin”
- “caused breakouts”
Product volume Rarely Noted
- “Tube comes half-empty”
- “not enough product”
Sensitizing ingredients Rarely Noted
- “Contains sensitizing ingredients”
- “fragrance-heavy”
- “not for everyone”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, olehenriksen.com, spacenk.com, ulta.com, prettyismyprofession.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Ole Henriksen Lemonade Smoothing Scrub work for acne-prone skin?
This scrub works for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better, because its acids provide surface-level renewal for blemishes while glycerin and chamomile calm the skin. Acne-prone skin needs products with effective ingredients like salicylic acid that clear blemishes and refine pores while keeping the skin balanced and safe from irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid and lactic acid make this exfoliant a fit for acne-prone skin by providing surface-level renewal to address breakouts and blemishes. To work even better for this skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like salicylic acid for acne and blemishes, alongside soothing components that ensure safety and no risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011
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 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
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your weekly routine as an exfoliating step, used just once a week to start. Acne-prone skin needs gentle chemical exfoliants like glycolic and lactic acids for surface renewal, paired with soothing and hydrating ingredients to keep irritation low.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol, but using them on different nights or times helps prevent irritation since both renew the skin surface. Apply this scrub first when you exfoliate, follow with your toner and moisturizer, and save your retinol for a separate evening.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin handles it well with good results, you may carefully use it more often. This type of product works best for acne-prone skin when it provides gentle chemical exfoliation alongside soothing ingredients that help keep the skin calm and clear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant may help clear blemishes with glycolic acid and lactic acid, but it is somewhat abrasive and might occasionally cause irritation on acne-prone skin. Skin of this type generally needs gentle chemical exfoliants paired with soothing ingredients like licorice root extract and chamomile to keep pores clear without extra friction.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene, linalool, and citral).
What the research says
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Combined sequential treatment with microneedling and 35% glycolic acid peels caused a significant improvement in superficial and moderately deep acne scars, skin texture, and postacne pigmentation in thirty patients compared to thirty patients receiving microneedling alone.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2017Repeated 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, 2017Application 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, 2020Combining 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, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sucrose, Hydrated Silica, Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Lemon Powder Peel Powder, Lemon Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract Extrait De Canne À Sucre Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Sandalwood Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Bergamot Peel Oil, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Coconut Acid, Sodium Riboflavin Phosphate, Dimethylhydroxy Furanone, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Isethionate, Sorbitan Oleate, Triethyl Citrate, Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
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
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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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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