Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub for dry skin
Moisture-Rich Soy Extract
Glycerin
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Peg-16 Soy Sterol
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Average
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other exfoliants fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, 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 due to hydrogenated castor oil beads, which provide general skincare benefits like hydration and cleansing from glycerin and glycine soja protein, supportive for your dry or flaky skin.
- The presence of sodium laureth sulfate may strip natural oils, and a lack of significant humectant or emollient ingredients makes it moderately unsuitable for your dry skin.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week, increasing slowly to twice a week if your dry skin tolerates it well. Always remember to apply SPF every morning to protect your newly smoothed skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your rich moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute. Avoid rubbing to prevent any irritation on flaky areas.
- Apply the product directly to dry clean skin to ensure the best possible tolerance for your dry type. This helps address flaky patches without causing extra stress.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a quick patch test before your very first use. Do not mix this with other strong acids or retinoids on the same night.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 7.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this scrub for its ability to gently exfoliate and brighten the complexion without causing irritation, making it a favorite for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Many reviewers report that daily use leads to softer, smoother skin texture and a more even skin tone, often noting a radiant glow after washing.
Highlights
Gentle daily exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle enough for everyday”
- “not harsh”
- “perfect daily scrub”
Softens and smooths Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft”
- “smooth texture”
- “feels like silk”
Brightens complexion Often Mentioned
- “glowy skin”
- “fades dark spots”
- “evened skin tone”
Non-irritating formula Sometimes Noted
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “no redness”
- “doesn't dry out”
Pleasant fresh scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells amazing”
- “clean fresh scent”
- “light fragrance”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out”
- “caused cystic acne”
- “clogged pores”
Not abrasive enough Rarely Noted
- “too gentle”
- “barely scrubs”
- “feels like lotion”
Scent too strong Rarely Noted
- “perfume is strong”
- “overpowering smell”
- “fragrance lingers”
Stinging sensation Rarely Noted
- “burns slightly”
- “stings eyes”
- “tingling sensation”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, target.com, walmart.com, ulfa.com, acne.org, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Scrub work for dry skin?
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Scrub works moderately well for dry skin, offering gentle cleansing and moderate scrubbing while glycerin helps keep the skin hydrated. However, it contains sodium laureth sulfate, which may strip natural oils and dry out your skin further. An exfoliant for dry skin needs extra hydrating and barrier-protecting ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin, moisture-rich soy extract, and hydrogenated castor oil beads help cleanse and hydrate dry skin. However, this scrub needs ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide to better protect and retain moisture in dry skin.
What does Soy Extract do for dry skin?
Soy extract helps add moisture to dry skin and keeps it feeling soft and smooth. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports an overall healthy skin barrier.
What does Glycerin do for dry skin?
Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This exfoliant goes in your routine once a week. Because this product type can strip natural oils, dry skin needs an exfoliant with richer hydrating and softening ingredients to keep it comfortable.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant in your routine, but because it contains a cleansing ingredient that may strip natural oils, it is better to use it on different days than your retinol to keep your dry skin calm and comfortable. When you do use it, apply it after cleansing and before your moisturizer.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010
How often should I use this exfoliant?
You can start using this exfoliant once a week, and if your dry skin tolerates it well without feeling stripped or irritated, you can carefully use it more often. A product for this skin needs extra hydrating and softening ingredients to keep it smooth and comfortable.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on dry skin, and reviewers rarely report this issue. However, because it lacks rich moisturizing ingredients and may strip natural oils, dry skin needs extra hydration and rich soothing creams after cleansing.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Detergent containing castor wax beads caused significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema compared with walnut shell powder while providing comparably superior cleaning to detergent alone in 30 healthy volunteers.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A 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, 2017Treatment with sodium lauryl ether sulfate emulsion increased transepidermal water loss and skin surface pH while reducing stratum corneum hydration and natural moisturizing factor content compared to diacyl phospholipid emulsions and controls, irrespective of UVA irradiation, in eight healthy volunteers.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026Resveratrol microemulsion gel significantly increased drug penetration, skin retention, and inhibition of tyrosinase activity and melanin production compared to suspension, with no side effects observed in 15 volunteers.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023ANT1 soybean extract cream ameliorated complications and enhanced skin recovery after Nd:YAG laser therapy in 45 Asian women, with higher concentrations significantly reducing wrinkles, spots, and pores compared to placebo.
Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2018Genistein and daidzein inhibited UVB-induced hydrogen peroxide production in keratinocytes acting as free radical scavengers with negligible skin disruption, whereas glycitein showed no protective activity.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2008A phytoestrogen-enriched cosmetic formulation containing biotransformed soybean extract increased collagen-I expression in fibroblast cells and skin explants in an estrogen receptor beta-dependent manner without harming skin microbiota.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira de Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas, 2023The 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) treatment decreases lipid membrane chain conformational order and stiffness leading to increased water sorption and diffusivity, whereas sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) treatment increases lipid membrane conformational order and stiffness with increased water sorption capacity driven by its hygroscopic nature.
Langmuir, 2014The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003
Why other exfoliants fit dry skin better
- Sodium laureth sulfate in this exfoliant
Treatment with sodium lauryl ether sulfate emulsion increased transepidermal water loss and skin surface pH while reducing stratum corneum hydration and natural moisturizing factor content compared to diacyl phospholipid emulsions and controls, irrespective of UVA irradiation, in eight healthy volunteers.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026 Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lauryl Glucoside, Peg-16 Soy Sterol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methylparaben, Butylene Glycol, Laureth-4, Tetrasodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycine Soja Protein Soybean Protein, Citric Acid
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.