Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution for oily acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Gluconolactone
Lotus Water
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceHigh
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
- The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
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 excellent exfoliation for your oily, acne-prone skin, as gluconolactone, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid effectively decongest pores and target blemishes. Nelumbo nucifera water root and glycerin provide hydration, supporting the keratolytic and seboregulating actions of the key exfoliants. The safety profile is excellent, with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and a lack of harsh ingredients ensuring no irritation for your oily skin.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and combination skin frequently praise this toner for effectively reducing blackheads and minimizing pore appearance without stripping moisture. The majority describe it as a gentle and hydrating alternative to harsh exfoliants, though a small subset of users experienced purging or found it ineffective for stubborn deep-set congestion.
Highlights
Gentle, non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin”
- “hydrating formula”
- “no irritation”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
Effective pore clearing Often Mentioned
- “pores look smaller”
- “cleared blackheads”
- “unclogs gunk”
- “skin looks smoother”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “no chemical smell”
- “lightweight liquid”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “not sticky”
Quality packaging Sometimes Noted
- “heavy glass bottle”
- “feels luxurious”
- “lasts a long time”
- “aesthetic design”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “bad reaction”
- “skin got worse”
Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
- “didn't see difference”
- “temporary fix”
- “blackheads remained”
- “wasted money”
Packaging usability Rarely Noted
- “stopper difficult to remove”
- “glass is fragile”
- “hard to dispense”
- “cap issues”
Price vs. value Rarely Noted
- “expensive for size”
- “small bottle”
- “pricey drugstore option”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, dermstore.com, herocosmetics.us, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment is a great fit because salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and gluconolactone effectively clear out pores and target blemishes on oily skin. At the same time, lotus water and glycerin keep the skin hydrated while soothing ingredients help prevent irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and gluconolactone make this a great fit because they effectively clear out pores and target breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin. Lotus water and glycerin add hydration while aloe leaf juice helps keep the formula gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine, where it is used once a week to start. You can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant alongside retinol by applying the exfoliant first and following with your retinol on separate nights or spaced carefully to avoid irritation on your oily, acne-prone skin. Using gentle acids like glycolic and salicylic acid alongside soothing ingredients helps keep pores clear while maintaining a low risk of discomfort.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This helps decongest pores and target blemishes on oily, acne-prone skin while keeping irritation unlikely.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Hero Cosmetics Pore Release Blackhead Clearing Solution is a great fit because its blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and gluconolactone deeply clears out pores and helps manage blemishes on oily, acne-prone skin. While some reviewers mention mild breakouts, the formula is generally very well tolerated and unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Glycolic 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, 2019Gluconolactone 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, 1992Twice 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, 2024Cryotherapy 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, 2024Repeated 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, 2000Serial 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, 2017Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provided antiaging benefits comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen while demonstrating enhanced mildness and better tolerance in subjects.
Cutis, 2004Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.
Skin Research and Technology, 2021Topical green tea and green tea plus lotus multiple emulsions reduced casual sebum secretions compared to placebo in healthy adults, with the combined treatment producing significantly greater reductions than green tea alone over a 60-day period.
Hippokratia, 2013Combined topical application of lotus and green tea improved facial skin surface parameters including roughness, scaliness, smoothness, and wrinkling in healthy Asian men compared to single treatments and placebo.
Rejuvenation Research, 2013Cosmetics containing lotus-derived callus extract showed a significant skin-whitening effect in 21 volunteers.
Plants, 2023A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Arginine, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Nelumbo Nucifera Water Root, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Levulinate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.