SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Aha Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid- Salicylic Acid
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
Average
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry and flaky skin, as salicylic acid and citric acid provide cleansing benefits to smooth texture.
- Glycerin is included for humectant action, but the exfoliating acids may still cause some dryness for your dry skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your face fresh. Start slowly once a day if your dry skin feels sensitive at first.
- Apply your cleanser first thing in your routine before any toner or moisturizer. Follow the usual steps for your AM or PM daily routine.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using soft circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your dry skin.
- Apply the cleanser to slightly damp skin to help it clean gently without stripping moisture. This method is very safe for sensitive and dry skin types.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and avoid the delicate eye area. Always do a patch test before using the product for the first time.
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
How well does SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser work for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for dry and flaky skin by smoothing texture, though the exfoliating acids may still cause some dryness. A product of this type needs rich hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture and protect dry sensitive skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid and citric acid help smooth texture by lifting away dry flakes, while glycerin helps keep skin hydrated. For a better fit, a cleanser for dry sensitive skin needs deep hydrating and moisture-restoring ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Alpha Hydroxy Acid helps dry sensitive skin by improving skin hydration and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Choosing a gentle formulation like lactic acid may also reduce irritation complaints while making your skin feel soft and smooth.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1996Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1996
What does Bha do for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid is generally too harsh for dry, sensitive skin because it can easily irritate already fragile or damaged skin barriers. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients, gentle hydrators, and barrier-repairing components to keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999International Journal of Dermatology, 2011
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in the morning and evening routine for dry and sensitive skin, though the exfoliating acids may still cause some dryness. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep dry skin soft and smooth.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine, but apply your retinol at a different time of day or on alternating days to prevent excess dryness. Because this cleanser contains exfoliating acids, using it alongside retinol at the same time may make your sensitive skin too dry.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser once a day or a few times a week to help smooth your dry and flaky skin texture, though the exfoliating acids may still cause some dryness. This type of skin needs gentle cleansers paired with rich hydrators and barrier-supporting ingredients to maintain comfort and prevent moisture loss.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts, but the exfoliating acids may lead to minor initial purging or dryness for dry and sensitive skin. A cleanser for this skin needs gentle hydrators like glycerin and soothing ingredients to keep the skin calm and smooth while it cleans.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be too strong for the very thin skin around the eyes and is generally meant for larger areas like the body. To care for dry sensitive skin on the body, a cleanser of this type needs extra soothing oils and gentle hydrators to prevent tightness and dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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
How does it fit your skin?
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