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Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad for oily skin

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

Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few products fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 skin, addressing oily shine with succinic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid that smooth texture and provide mild chemical exfoliation.
  • The formula is highly suitable for oily skin due to the keratolytic and seboregulating action of succinic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like allantoin, panthenol, and centella asiatica extract.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
  • Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users with acne-prone and sensitive skin frequently report significant improvements in skin texture and clarity, with many praising the pads for calming active breakouts and reducing redness without causing severe irritation. Most users find them gentle and hydrating, though a small minority experienced tingling or found the product too pricey for the quantity.

Highlights

  • Clears acne Often Mentioned
    • “active breakouts look less inflamed”
    • “blemishes fading”
    • “pimple clearing”
    • “reduced minor blemishes”
  • Soothes redness Often Mentioned
    • “calming the skin”
    • “soothe irritation”
    • “redness noticeably improves”
    • “calms down inflammation”
  • Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
    • “gentle and not irritating”
    • “daily mild exfoliation”
    • “no harsh effects”
    • “suitable for sensitive skin”
  • Hydrating and light Sometimes Noted
    • “finish isn't sticky”
    • “lightweight texture”
    • “keeps skin hydrated”
    • “fresh light finish”
  • Improves texture Sometimes Noted
    • “skin feels smoother”
    • “refined skin texture”
    • “soft instantly”
    • “evened out complexion”
  • Expensive for quantity Sometimes Noted
    • “price is a bit steep”
    • “quite expensive”
    • “wouldn't buy at full price”
    • “wait for a sale”
  • Causes tingling Rarely Noted
    • “slight tingling sensation”
    • “stings a bit”
    • “intense at first”
    • “irritation on sensitive days”
  • Leaves residue Rarely Noted
    • “oily residue left”
    • “feels like it's sitting on top”
    • “doesn't absorb well”
  • Not effective Rarely Noted
    • “didn't feel much help”
    • “broke me out”
    • “temporary effects only”
  • Pad quality issues Rarely Noted
    • “pads come apart”
    • “wish there was more product”
    • “pads are a tad small”
    • “hard to keep in place”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, stylevana.com, medicube.us, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad a great fit for oily skin?

This exfoliant treatment is a great fit because it helps clear away oily shine and smooth texture using a blend of succinic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. It is very unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin thanks to soothing ingredients like allantoin, panthenol, and centella asiatica extract.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?

Succinic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid make this exfoliant a great fit because they manage oily shine and smooth texture. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and centella asiatica extract also help keep your skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Succinic Acid do for oily skin?

Succinic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and clearing up breakouts while keeping the skin balanced. It is a helpful ingredient in formulas that target blemishes and calm redness.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Skin Research and Technology, 2024

What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?

Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes in the evening routine. Start using it once a week, and if your oily skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often.

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

You can use this exfoliant with retinol by using them on alternate nights to avoid irritation, applying this treatment first on clean skin. It is unlikely to cause discomfort for your oily skin due to soothing components like panthenol and centella asiatica extract.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use it?

Start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it helps clear dead skin and balance oil. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and centella asiatica extract also help keep irritation low.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Treatment with a facial cream gel containing a biotechnological phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial diversity and reduced C. acnes abundance, lesion counts, sebum, and acne severity in 44 subjects with mild-moderate acne over 56 days.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • 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

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • Treatment with a lotion containing a phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial alpha diversity, reduced Cutibacterium acnes relative abundance, and improved acne severity and clinical symptoms in 43 subjects with truncal mild-moderate acne.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2024

  • Treatment with plant-derived exosomes combined with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and succinic acid improved facial hyperpigmentation in two patients.

    Cureus, 2026

  • Hyaluronic acid and succinic acid combination induced mitophagy in senescent fibroblasts, promoted adipogenesis, increased IGF1 and decreased TNFA in aged adipocytes, and upregulated COL3A1 and EGF expression.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025

  • 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

  • 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

  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play