SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for oily 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
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best cleansers for oily acne-prone skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by salicylic acid and citric acid, which offer keratolytic action and pH modulation to effectively manage oil production and decongest pores.
- Panthenol and Bisabolol further enhance this formulation by providing soothing benefits, ensuring a comfortable experience for your skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of calming components.
How to apply
- Use this cleanser as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily to help clear your breakouts.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in the morning and right after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Follow it with your toner and moisturizer.
- Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face using circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help clean deeply and remove excess oil. This works best for oily skin types.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use.
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 one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because salicylic acid and citric acid help clear out clogged pores and manage oil production. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and bisabolol help keep your skin comfortable and calm, and the cleanser is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and citric acid make this cleanser a great fit by helping manage oil and clear out pores. Panthenol and bisabolol add soothing benefits to keep your skin comfortable without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Alpha hydroxy acid helps clear blemishes and soothe oily, acne-prone skin by gently removing dead skin cells and calming inflammation. Using this ingredient may also help improve skin texture and reduce breakouts when added to your regular routine.
What does Bha do for oily acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear up breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing excess oil and calming redness. It works deep inside pores to clear away dirt and oil while keeping skin smooth and comfortable.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser goes in both the morning and evening routine as an early step to clean the skin, with exfoliating cleansers typically starting once a week before increasing frequency if tolerated well. Salicylic acid and citric acid help manage oil and clear pores, while panthenol and bisabolol calm the skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol, as it is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your pores clear. Use it before applying your retinol treatment to gently prepare your skin.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this cleanser once a week, and if your skin handles it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. Salicylic acid and citric acid help manage oil and clear pores, while panthenol and bisabolol keep your skin calm and comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cleanser is very unlikely to clog your pores or cause breakouts, though there is a low chance of initial purging as it helps clear out congestion. Its blend of salicylic and citric acids manages oil production while panthenol and bisabolol soothe your skin to keep it comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is formulated for the face, so using it around the delicate eye area may cause irritation due to the active acids. However, it can be used on body skin like the chest or back to help clear breakouts and manage oil.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Daily 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, 2021Twice 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, 2023Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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, 2020Cryotherapy 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, 2010Combining 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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