SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for acne-prone skin
Aha Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid- Salicylic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few cleansers fit it even 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 excellent exfoliating for your combination skin, as salicylic acid and citric acid effectively smooth texture and regulate desquamation, addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Licorice root extract and bisabolol provide soothing benefits, ensuring minimal irritation for your acne-prone skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of calming components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
- This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this dual-action cleanser for its ability to smooth rough texture and brighten dull complexions using a blend of chemical acids and physical jojoba beads. While highly effective for clearing acne and refining pores, it is frequently described as surprisingly gentle and non-drying for daily use, though the high price point is a common point of contention.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle enough to use everyday”
- “scrubbing beads... not harsh at all”
- “does not dry out my face”
- “mild exfoliating action”
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “pores look smaller and more empty”
- “velvety-smooth finish”
- “erases the nighttime wrinkles”
- “smooths away rough skin texture”
Enhances radiance Often Mentioned
- “keep my skin glowing”
- “reveal a smoother, more luminous complexion”
- “transformed my skin... to clear and bright”
- “skin is always super glowy”
Clears acne Sometimes Noted
- “great for acne”
- “whiteheads come to the surface... gone without any marks”
- “clear away acne on your back”
- “clears congestion”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for a face wash”
- “pricey but worth it”
- “wish it was cheaper”
Initial purging Rarely Noted
- “experienced minimal purging”
- “small whiteheads come to the surface”
- “caused a slight purge at first”
Potential dryness Rarely Noted
- “more drying than my typical cleansing routine”
- “can be drying if used too often”
- “felt a bit tight afterwards”
Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “sunburn alert”
- “need to wear sunscreen”
- “increases skin sensitivity to sun”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, beautifiedyou.com, skinelite.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser a great fit for acne-prone skin?
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is a great fit because its salicylic acid and citric acid smooth texture and help clear up blemishes and breakouts. At the same time, licorice root extract and bisabolol calm the skin to keep irritation to a minimum.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and citric acid make this cleanser a great fit because they smooth rough texture and help clear acne, blemishes, and breakouts. Additionally, licorice root extract and bisabolol soothe the skin to keep irritation minimal.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Alpha hydroxy acid helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead surface cells and fighting bacteria to reduce breakouts and inflammation. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used regularly, leaving your skin looking much clearer and smoother.
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
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser fits in both your morning and evening routine as the cleansing step. In the morning it is followed by a hydrating toner, moisturizer, and spf, while in the evening it comes after your makeup remover and before your cleansing toner, treatment, and moisturizer.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol by applying the cleanser first, rinsing thoroughly, and then applying your retinol product once your skin is completely dry. Using a gentle exfoliating wash with calming ingredients like licorice root extract and bisabolol is unlikely to cause extra irritation when paired with retinoids.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week to help smooth your skin texture and manage breakouts. If your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is a great fit because salicylic acid and citric acid smooth texture and tackle breakouts, while licorice root extract and bisabolol calm the skin to keep irritation low. It is unlikely to cause issues, though a low chance of initial purging may happen as it clears your skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is not recommended for use around the eyes because the thin skin there easily absorbs active ingredients and may become irritated. You can safely use it on your body to help smooth texture and clear breakouts in areas like your back or chest.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Twice 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, 2024The 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, 2023Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Combining 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, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg Ppg-8 3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Leaf Extract Fruit, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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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