Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator for oily acne-prone skin

Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil
Glycerin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Allantoin
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
- The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
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 acne-prone and oily skin due to gluconolactone, which gently removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, complemented by sunflower seed oil for emollient action.
- The inclusion of Avena Sativa Kernel Oil provides soothing benefits, enhancing overall skin comfort for your oily skin type.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this chemical exfoliator is highly recommended for sensitive skin, effectively smoothing texture without causing irritation. Users frequently report that the formula leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft. Some users note a chemical scent and find the thin consistency difficult to manage with the current packaging.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “No redness after use”
- “Doesn't irritate or cause dryness”
- “Great for my reactive sensitive skin”
Smooths texture Often Mentioned
- “Face is so soft after using”
- “Smooths texture without irritation”
- “Makeup went on so smooth”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Way too runny for the tube”
- “Makes a huge mess”
- “Needs a pump bottle”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No overpowering perfume smell”
- “Great for fragrance allergies”
- “Love that it's fragrance-free”
Non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin moisturized and hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry my skin out”
- “Face feels like velvet”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “Has a rancid smell”
- “Worst smelling product”
Oily residue Rarely Noted
- “Feels like cheap sunscreen”
- “Left an oily film”
- “Hard to rinse clean”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “Didn't exfoliate enough”
- “Too gentle for my needs”
- “Didn't see a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, aveeno.com, target.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Aveeno Nourishing PHA Exfoliator a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it offers gentle exfoliation with gluconolactone to clear pores without irritation. It also includes sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil to calm your skin, keep it comfortable, and maintain hydration.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because gluconolactone gently clears dead skin cells and unclogs pores, while sunflower seed oil keeps the skin barrier healthy. Additionally, oat kernel oil and allantoin provide soothing benefits that help keep oily acne-prone skin comfortable and calm without irritation.
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps clear mild to moderate acne by reducing both inflamed and non-inflamed spots similarly to stronger treatments while keeping your skin calm and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation or damage your skin barrier, making it a well-tolerated choice for oily and acne-prone skin.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Oil do for oily acne-prone skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil is a weak fit for oily acne-prone skin because it can feel too heavy and clog pores. A product of this type needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that help balance oil and calm irritation without adding extra weight.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine as a treatment step, starting at once a week and increasing carefully if your skin tolerates it well. It offers gentle exfoliation to unclog pores and smooth your skin while keeping irritation unlikely.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant in your evening routine, but use it on nights when you do not apply retinol to keep your skin calm and comfortable. Applying both on the same night may cause irritation, so alternating nights helps your skin tolerate active ingredients safely.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and handles it well, you may carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps clear dead skin cells and unclog pores while keeping your oily and acne-prone skin calm.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because it gently removes dead skin cells and clears pores without causing irritation, making it very unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging for oily, acne-prone skin.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Clinical, 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
Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Glycolic 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, 2019Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023A 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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin
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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