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Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products 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 high suitability for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and salicylic acid provide excellent keratolytic action and seboregulation to address acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid ensures effective exfoliation for skin renewal and smoothing, while witch hazel extract offers mild astringent properties.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
  • Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users frequently report that this leave-on peel effectively smooths skin texture, boosts radiance, and helps clear pores, making it a popular choice for those looking to refine their complexion. While many find it gentle and transformative, some users with sensitive skin or those sensitive to scent note concerns regarding its alcohol content and potential for irritation.

Highlights

  • Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “Leaves my skin so smooth”
    • “Noticed a difference in texture right away”
    • “Skin feels soft and smooth”
  • Boosts radiance Often Mentioned
    • “Wake up to more radiant-looking skin”
    • “My skin really glows”
    • “Radiance definitely improved”
  • Clears pores Sometimes Noted
    • “Clears pores of blackheads”
    • “Pores appear less noticeable”
    • “Helps with congestion”
  • Easy to use Sometimes Noted
    • “Goes on smoothly and easily”
    • “Convenience of this leave-on formula”
    • “Doesn't require any extra steps”
  • Potential irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “Found that I had to discontinue”
    • “Be mindful of the tingling”
    • “Compromised my skin barrier”
  • Strong alcohol scent Sometimes Noted
    • “It reeks of alcohol”
    • “Smells like alcohol”
    • “Akin to nail polish remover”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “Product is a little pricey”
    • “Price might be a barrier”
  • Too gentle Rarely Noted
    • “Too gentle of a peel”
    • “Saw and felt no noticeable results”

Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, sephora.me, sephora.com.au, ulta.com, macys.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel is a great fit for acne-prone skin because its glycolic acid and salicylic acid clear away dead skin cells and control oil to help prevent breakouts. The formula also safely smooths the skin with lactic acid and witch hazel extract without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid make this exfoliant a great fit for acne-prone skin because they help clear breakouts and manage oil. This blend gently removes dead skin for a smooth look while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

What does Lactic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Lactic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions with regular topical use. It works well to smooth and calm the skin while managing breakouts safely over time.

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2002

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. It starts out being used once a week, and people who tolerate it well may carefully use it more often.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

It is best to use this exfoliant on nights when you are not applying retinol, as combining two strong treatments on acne-prone skin may cause irritation. Using them on alternate nights helps keep your skin smooth and clear while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.

How often should I use it?

Start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid helps renew and smooth the skin while addressing breakouts.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid help clear blemishes and breakouts without harsh ingredients that cause irritation. It provides effective exfoliation for skin renewal while keeping your skin calm and smooth.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

What the research says

  • A 30% supramolecular salicylic acid peel improved the global acne grading score and skin barrier indicators, decreased cutaneous microbiome richness and evenness along with Staphylococcus proportion, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and increased caveolin-1 expression in 28 patients with moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2023

  • A 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, 2020

  • 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, 2024

  • The 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, 2023

  • Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.

    Phytochemistry, 2001

  • Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2000

  • Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2017

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2010

  • Twice-daily application of an over-the-counter multi-acid and niacinamide serum significantly improved acne severity, inflammatory lesions, pore size, and quality of life in Japanese women with mild acne compared to baseline.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025

  • A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

  • Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.

    Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025

  • Hamamelis virginiana bark extract inhibited Cutibacterium acnes-induced IL-6 release and TNF-α-induced IL-8 release in human keratinocytes without showing antibacterial or antibiofilm activities.

    Antioxidants, 2022

Ingredients

Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Witch Hazel Extract, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Yeast Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Tartaric Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Benzalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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QR code: get the Lovi app
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