e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant for oily acne-prone skin
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Glycerin
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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
- Suitable for oily skin as Carica Papaya Leaf Extract and Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract offer mild exfoliation to smooth texture, while Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate provides soothing benefits.
- Glycerin offers hydration, which is beneficial for your skin, though the product's primary focus is not on directly addressing your acne or breakouts.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming 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
★4.4Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users generally praise this exfoliant for being effective yet non-abrasive, making it suitable for sensitive skin and frequent use. Many enjoy the satisfying visible peeling effect and the resulting soft skin, although some reviewers suspect the peeling is merely the product balling up rather than actual dead skin.
Highlights
Leaves skin soft Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels so silky”
- “Makes my skin soft and glowy”
- “Face felt clean and fresh.”
Gentle and non-abrasive Often Mentioned
- “Super gentle, never irritates”
- “Felt like water, very nice”
- “Great for sensitive skin.”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “Great value at this cost”
- “Works fast and isn't expensive”
- “Better than the $50 product.”
Removes dry patches Sometimes Noted
- “Reduces chronic peeling”
- “Dead skin is gone”
- “Helps get rid of stubborn flakes.”
Satisfying peeling effect Sometimes Noted
- “Satisfying gross peeling thing”
- “Fun to see skin slough off”
- “Cool to see it work.”
Gimmicky peeling action Sometimes Noted
- “Product is very gimmicky”
- “Just the product balling up”
- “Not actually peeling skin off.”
Chemical or strong smell Rarely Noted
- “Weird chemically smell”
- “Strong smell to it”
- “Reminds me of an automotive shop.”
Messy residue Rarely Noted
- “Little balls of skin everywhere”
- “Hard to rinse off”
- “Residue left on skin.”
Not strong enough Rarely Noted
- “Don't think this does anything”
- “Better exfoliators in AHA categories”
- “Basic results.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump broke”
- “Had to scoop it out”
- “Hard to get product out.”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, skinsort.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, thebeautyinsiders.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does e.l.f. Gentle Peeling Exfoliant work for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant works for oily acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. It is safe and helps smooth texture with mild fruit extracts while calming skin, but an ideal product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, benzoyl peroxide, or Vitamin C to actively treat acne and manage breakouts.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Carica Papaya Leaf Extract and Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract help smooth texture with mild exfoliation, while Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and glycerin provide soothing comfort and hydration. To better fit oily acne-prone skin, an exfoliant of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, benzoyl peroxide, or Vitamin C to directly target breakouts and control excess oil.
What does Papaya Leaf Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Papaya Leaf Extract helps clear up and soothe oily, acne-prone skin by gently calming breakouts without causing irritation. This ingredient is unlikely to clog your pores, making it a great addition to your daily skincare routine.
What does Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract helps calm sensitive skin and may provide instant relief from discomfort. It is also suitable for oily skin by helping to manage blemish-causing bacteria.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine, starting at once a week, because it uses mild plant extracts to smooth texture while calming and hydrating the skin. Oily acne-prone skin often needs products that also directly target breakouts and clear blemishes.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by using them on different days or by keeping your retinol routine in the evening and applying this gentle treatment at a different time, as it is unlikely to irritate. Because this product works for your skin though others fit better, oily acne-prone skin needs ingredients that directly target breakouts alongside soothing components and hydration like glycerin.
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. This type of product works for oily acne-prone skin by offering mild exfoliation and soothing benefits, though this skin type also needs ingredients that directly target breakouts.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily acne-prone skin, as it is free of harsh ingredients and includes calming components that help keep skin safe and comfortable. However, because its main focus is smoothing texture rather than directly treating breakouts, this skin type often needs products containing targeted acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Combined essential oils of tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and tangerine safely improved skin barrier and morphologic characteristics, increased hydration, and decreased sebum levels in 40 participants compared to a placebo group over 90 days.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022A 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, 2017Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A 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, 2015Reflux 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, 2020Topical application of Citrus reticulata fruit extract provided instant relief from lactic acid-induced skin discomfort and increased skin tolerance by inhibiting TRPV1 activation and expression.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Fermented Citrus unshiu peel extract inhibited MMP-1 expression and decreased SA-beta-gal positive cells by approximately 45% at 0.1% concentration in ultraviolet-A-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated irradiated cells.
Phytotherapy Research, 2012Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025The 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, 2012
Why other products fit oily acne-prone skin better
Adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% fixed-dose combination gel provided significantly greater, synergistic efficacy and a faster onset of action compared with the vehicle, adapalene monotherapy, and benzoyl peroxide monotherapy in patients with acne vulgaris.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2009Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% gel treatment improved acne severity, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, and transepidermal water loss, while significantly reducing microbial diversity and the prevalence of Cutibacterium in 33 patients with acne vulgaris.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A 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, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Quaternium-60, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Carica Papaya Leaf Extract, Citrus Reticulata Fruit Extract Tangerine Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
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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