Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial for acne-prone skin
Bha Salicylic Acid
Chickpea Flour
Sclerocarya Birrea Oil
Niacinamide
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for acne-prone skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin and acne concerns is provided by the potent combination of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which effectively exfoliate and clear pores. The inclusion of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Allantoin further soothes your skin, minimizing potential irritation.
- Additional beneficial ingredients like niacinamide and lactic acid work synergistically to refine texture and enhance overall skin tone, supporting your goal of clearer, smoother skin.
- The product demonstrates a strong safety profile with no harsh ingredients and a focus on soothing components, ensuring it is well-tolerated by your combination skin.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsThis product is highly praised for its ability to dramatically improve skin texture, reduce dullness, and clear congested pores, leaving the skin radiant and baby-soft. While it effectively addresses uneven tone, fine lines, and blemishes using a potent 25% AHA and 2% BHA blend, users with sensitive skin frequently note that the strong acids can cause stinging and redness.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “My face felt smoother and clearer overnight”
- “My skin texture was considerably smoother”
- “Leaves skin super soft”
- “Dramatically smooths texture”
Brightens dull skin Often Mentioned
- “Radiant and glowing my skin looked the next morning”
- “The absolute fab glow”
- “Helps me maintain my glow”
- “Reveals the look of a more even, radiant complexion”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “The only negative I can really think of for this is the price”
- “Good but not worth the price!”
- “It really isn't worth thirty euro”
- “I do wish it were a little more affordable”
Clears pores Sometimes Noted
- “Minor blemishes were just GONE”
- “The acids helped tame some of my acne”
- “Unclogs inside pores”
- “Reduction in breakouts, my pores looking better”
Causes stinging Sometimes Noted
- “Can cause a slight tingling or stinging sensation”
- “It really stings quite badly”
- “I did feel some tingling”
- “I felt a little sting”
Irritates sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “Not for sensitive skin!”
- “May be not be suitable for sensitive skin”
- “For sensitive skin this is really intense”
- “Can cause a slight tingling or stinging sensation, especially for those with sensitive skin”
Poor packaging Rarely Noted
- “Bottle design is terrible”
- “I'm not a huge fan of the actual packaging”
- “I can't tell how much I have left”
- “There's always some left and I can't get in the packaging”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, spacenk.com, boots.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, ebay.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Drunk Elephant Babyfacial one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment is an exceptionally good fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid team up to clear pores, while soothing ingredients like aloe and allantoin help keep irritation low. Niacinamide and lactic acid further work together to refine texture and tone for smoother, clearer skin, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients to remain well-tolerated by your skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid effectively clear pores, while aloe leaf extract and allantoin help soothe the skin and minimize potential irritation. Niacinamide and lactic acid also work to refine texture and improve overall tone for clearer skin.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
What does Bha do for acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear acne-prone skin by clearing out pores to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory breakouts. It also helps calm redness and lower oil production, and is unlikely to cause harsh side effects when used regularly.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Chickpea Flour do for acne-prone skin?
Chickpea flour helps clear away extra oil and dead skin that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It leaves oily skin feeling fresh and clean while gently soaking up surface shine.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment fits in your evening routine once a week as an exfoliating step, and you may carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this strong exfoliant on the same nights as your retinol to prevent excessive dryness and irritation. Instead, alternate the nights you use each, or use the exfoliant once a week as part of your evening routine while keeping retinol for other nights.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
This exfoliant treatment is used once a week in your weekly evening routine, and people who tolerate it well and see good results may carefully use it more often. Using acids helps clear pores and refine texture, while soothing ingredients like aloe and allantoin keep your skin calm and minimize irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it uses glycolic acid and salicylic acid to clear pores and keep acne-prone skin smooth. It also has soothing ingredients like aloe and allantoin to help calm the skin and keep irritation low.
BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2020Glycolic 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, 2019Twice 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, 2024Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002The 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, 2023Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 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, 2010Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus Pumpkin Extract Ferment, Lactobacillus Punica Granatum Extract Fruit Ferment, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Seed Extract, Yeast Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice Extract Grape Juice Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Cicer Arietinum Seed Powder, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Pca, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
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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