Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant for acne-prone skin

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Papain
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin due to papain and citric acid, which help to smooth texture and regulate desquamation, addressing your acne and blemishes.
- The inclusion of oat kernel protein and allantoin provides soothing benefits, further supporting your acne-prone skin without causing irritation.
- The product is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and is formulated with soothing components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your weekly routine. Start by using the enzyme powder exfoliant once a week and increase only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the enzyme powder exfoliant after cleansing and before using a hydrating toner or your mask. This ensures the product works effectively on clean skin.
- Mix the enzyme powder exfoliant with a little water in your hands to create a gentle foam . Gently massage it onto your face while avoiding any harsh rubbing.
- Apply the enzyme powder exfoliant on slightly damp skin to help with gentle activation and even distribution. Make sure to rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water afterwards.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying the enzyme powder exfoliant. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers frequently report that it leaves their skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated. Some individuals, particularly those with oily skin or seeking strong exfoliation for hyperpigmentation, find the formula to be too mild for their needs.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “great for anyone looking for a chemical exfoliant that doesn't irritate sensitive skin”
- “gentle enough to use regularly, even on sensitive days”
- “super gentle so on those areas on my cheeks that I tend to get sensitive the most”
Softens and smooths Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my skin smooth, soft, and brighter”
- “skin looks and feels smoother and softer after use”
- “texture of my skin became softer and smoother”
- “leaves my skin really soft!”
Hydrating and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't leave your skin feeling stripped or tight”
- “skin didn't feel stripped of its natural oils”
- “makes your skin feel so soft and hydrated”
- “super nourishing”
Safe for daily use Sometimes Noted
- “something that works gently, every day”
- “recommend this to use everyday”
- “gentle enough to use on a regular basis”
Too weak for some Sometimes Noted
- “feels so weak to me”
- “not very exfoliating”
- “struggle to feel like this has exfoliated their skin”
- “might be too gentle”
Hassle to mix Rarely Noted
- “never like products you need to mix yourself”
- “don't like the extra hassle”
- “having to mix it myself”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “sound on the pricier side”
- “a big price for a powder”
- “not what you're paying £59 for”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “isn't the nicest smelling product either”
- “musty, earthy scent that's not enjoyable”
- “the smell is unpleasant to me”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, gloskinbody.com.au, saloncentric.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Daily Milkfoliant a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant is a great fit because papain and citric acid smooth texture and help clear blemishes, while oat kernel protein and allantoin calm acne-prone skin without causing irritation. These ingredients work together to give you smooth, clear skin safely.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Papain and citric acid make this exfoliant a great fit for acne-prone skin because they help smooth texture and calm blemishes, while oat kernel protein and allantoin soothe the skin without causing irritation.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract helps calm red, irritated skin and supports a healthy skin barrier without clogging pores. Because it has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, it is unlikely to trigger breakouts and may ease the redness often left behind by acne.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes into your weekly routine step once a week, and people who tolerate it well and see good results may carefully use it more often.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this enzyme powder exfoliant with retinol by using them on separate days or times to prevent irritation on acne-prone skin. Using gentle exfoliating and soothing ingredients like papain and oat kernel extract helps smooth texture and calm blemishes without compromising your skin barrier.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Use this exfoliant once a week to start. People who tolerate it well and see good results may carefully use it more often.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it uses papain and citric acid to smooth texture and clear blemishes without clogging pores. The formula also includes soothing oat kernel protein and allantoin, which help calm your skin and make irritation unlikely.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Is Daily Milkfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool).
What the research says
A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Daily 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, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013A 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, 2020A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.
Pharmaceutics, 2021A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Camellia oleifera Abel shell 1,3-butanediol extract decreased facial melanin levels by 59% from baseline at 6 weeks compared to a placebo group showing no effect in 30 female subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Camellia japonica oil activated the human COL1A2 promoter, induced type I procollagen synthesis, inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity, and reduced trans-epidermal water loss without inducing adverse reactions in human skin.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007Camellia japonica placenta extract treatment upregulated hair growth marker genes in human follicle dermal papilla cells in vitro and improved scalp moisture, sebum, keratin, and erythema in 42 adult female participants in vivo.
FEBS Open Bio, 2021
Ingredients
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sorbitol, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Saccharomyces Ferment, Rice Starch, Magnesium Oxide, Citric Acid, Tapioca Starch, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein Oat Kernel Protein, Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract, Silica, Coconut Fruit Extract, Inulin, Cassia Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Kaolin, Lauryl Methacrylate Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Papain, Sodium Hyaluronate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Bran Extract Oat Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Grape Fruit Extract, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Rosewood Oil Wood, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Matricaria Oil Flower, Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract Carrot Root Extract, Sea Salt, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Tocopherol, Castoryl Maleate, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Diglycerin, Maltodextrin, Lauroyl Lysine, Arginine, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Beta-Carotene, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Dextrin, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Citrate, Water, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Limonene, Linalool
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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