Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel for oily acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 and acne concerns due to Glycolic Acid, which aids in skin renewal and texture smoothing. Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin provides antioxidant benefits, complementing the exfoliating action.
- While Glycolic Acid addresses oiliness and breakouts, the formula could benefit from additional seboregulating ingredients to further balance your oily skin.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this peel is highly regarded for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, particularly for sensitive skin, frequently leading to smoother texture and a brighter complexion. Most users find it non-irritating and hydrating, though a small number with very reactive skin have reported breakouts or less dramatic results compared to other products.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation”
- “no redness”
- “comfortable for sensitive skin”
- “soothing”
Brightens complexion Often Mentioned
- “skin shines”
- “glowing”
- “radiance”
- “looks healthy”
Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels smooth”
- “softens fine lines”
- “reduced texture”
- “baby soft”
Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
- “plump and glowy”
- “not drying”
- “moisturizing”
- “softness”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores significantly smaller”
- “unclogs pores”
- “cleaner pores”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “wish I could afford”
- “investment”
Adverse reactions Rarely Noted
- “broke out”
- “red itchy irritated”
- “raw red skin”
Lack of dramatic results Rarely Noted
- “forgettable”
- “didn't work miracles”
- “Ordinary did more”
- “too gentle”
Mild sensory discomfort Rarely Noted
- “tingles a bit”
- “mild tingling”
- “stinging sensation”
Packaging malfunctions Rarely Noted
- “pump issues”
- “one side works”
- “broken pump”
- “dispensing problem”
Sources: lovi.care, riversol.com, reddit.com, londondrugs.com, vancouversun.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel work for oily acne-prone skin?
Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, offering renewal and texture smoothing through glycolic acid while safely keeping irritation low. However, this skin type needs extra oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or benzoyl peroxide to truly balance oil and manage breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic Acid helps renew your skin and smooth its texture, while Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin provides antioxidant benefits that complement the exfoliation. For an even better fit, oily skin of this type needs additional oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or benzoyl peroxide to manage excess oil and breakouts more fully.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for oily acne-prone skin?
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter helps protect the skin barrier, but because it is quite heavy, it may feel too rich for oily acne-prone skin. Skin of this type usually needs lighter, balancing ingredients like natural plant oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio that help keep pores clear and smooth.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes into your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a week to start. Oily acne-prone skin works well with glycolic acid for clearing breakouts, but this skin type also needs extra oil-controlling ingredients to fully balance oil production.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant in your routine, but apply it on different nights than your retinol to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. This product helps smooth your skin, though an oily acne-prone skin type also needs additional oil-balancing ingredients for the best results.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in the evening, and if your skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product of this type needs additional oil-balancing ingredients to properly manage oily skin and breakouts.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but it could benefit from additional oil-balancing ingredients to better manage your breakouts.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2019A 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, 2019Hinokitiol treatment attenuates LPS-induced proinflammatory factors, NF-kappaB activation, and cell migration in primary human keratinocytes via Sirt1 histone deacetylase activation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Repeated 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, 2017A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Beta-thujaplicin inhibits ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in mouse keratinocytes and induces metallothionein mRNA and protein expression.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1998Treatment with beta-thujaplicin suppressed UVB-induced MMP-1 production and prevented the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA while restoring UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression in human skin fibroblasts compared to controls.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023
Why other products fit oily acne-prone skin better
Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% gel treatment improved acne severity, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, and transepidermal water loss, while significantly reducing microbial diversity and the prevalence of Cutibacterium in 33 patients with acne vulgaris.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Niacinamide 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
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Pvm Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
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
Medical Board
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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