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Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial for dry skin

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

Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry skin; other cleansing masks fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 moderate exfoliation and pore cleansing due to gluconolactone and gluconic acid, which decongest pores and smooth texture, but lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address your dry skin.
  • Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action, offering general hydration and soothing benefits that are supportive for dry or flaky skin.
  • The product is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and panthenol.

How to apply

  • Use this cleansing mask PM as part of your weekly routine, starting 1x/week and increasing slowly if needed. Always follow with a rich moisturizer to prevent dryness.
  • Apply the cleansing mask after using your cleanser and enzyme powder, but before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. This ensures the mask works effectively on your dry skin.
  • Smooth an even layer of the cleansing mask over your face while avoiding any rubbing. Let it sit for the recommended time before gently rinsing it off.
  • Apply the cleansing mask to clean, dry skin for the best comfort. Since your skin is dry, this method helps prevent any potential irritation.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin tolerates the product well.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

This mask is highly favored for its ability to provide a spa-like facial at home, using PHAs to gently exfoliate and brighten dull, textured, or dry skin. Users consistently report smoother, more radiant, and bouncy skin after use, noting that it is effective yet gentle enough for most skin types.

Highlights

  • Instant glow Mostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looks fresh, bouncy, and more refined”
    • “Incredibly glowing, hydrated face”
    • “Delivers a PHAT glow instantly”
  • Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “Gentle enough not to irritate”
    • “Much gentler than other acid masks”
    • “Doesn't feel like it's grating your face”
  • Smoother texture Often Mentioned
    • “Skin looks noticeably better and so much smoother”
    • “Encouraging even skin tone and texture”
    • “Complexion was smooth AF”
  • Sticky texture Often Mentioned
    • “The texture is a bit sticky”
    • “Surprisingly sticky”
    • “Somewhat sticky texture”
  • Easy to use Sometimes Noted
    • “Massage-activated face mask”
    • “Rinse off and wipe away effortlessly”
    • “Doesn't need you to chill for 15 minutes”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “Moderately strong fragrance”
    • “Medicinal scent”
    • “Might not be for everyone”
  • Potential stinging Rarely Noted
    • “Slight burning sensation around nose”
    • “Slight sensation that reminded me of a cool breeze”
  • Pump issues Rarely Noted
    • “Had the pump stick on me”
    • “Pump stick on me a little bit”

Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, thestripe.com, hypebae.com, thebeautyinformer.com, blogspot.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial work for dry skin?

Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial works moderately well for dry skin, as it offers gentle exfoliation along with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. However, it lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dry skin and would work better with added rich moisturizing oils and butters.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this mask supportive for dry skin by drawing in moisture, while niacinamide and panthenol help keep it calm and safe from irritation. However, dry skin also needs rich emollient ingredients to fully lock in hydration and prevent dryness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What do Polyhydroxy Acids do for dry skin?

Polyhydroxy acids help dry skin by binding large amounts of water to keep it soft and hydrated while maintaining a strong skin barrier. They improve moisture levels and reduce water loss without causing irritation or stinging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

What does Nordic Birch Sap do for dry skin?

Nordic Birch Sap helps dry skin by deeply hydrating the skin and strengthening the skin barrier to keep moisture locked in. It leaves dry skin feeling much softer and smoother while protecting it against dryness.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This cleansing mask fits into a dry skin routine once a week as an exfoliating step, before your moisturizer. While it smooths texture and provides hydration, dry skin needs extra rich, softening ingredients and nourishing oils to fully care for dryness.

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

You can use this exfoliating mask with retinol by applying the mask first and following with your retinol on separate nights or spaced apart to avoid irritation. This type of product needs rich moisturizing and nourishing ingredients to keep dry skin soft, smooth, and comfortable.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliating mask once a week, and if your skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often. Because it works for dry skin but lacks enough softening and smoothing ingredients, this type of product needs extra moisturizing ingredients to fully care for dry skin.

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

This cleansing mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it gently smooths texture with acids while soothing components keep irritation low. However, because it lacks rich moisturizing ingredients, dry skin needs extra creams or oils afterward to stay soft and smooth.

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, citral, limonene, and linalool). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Gluconolactone 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, 1992

  • A 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, 2017

  • 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

  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Betula alba bark extract and Empetrum nigrum fruit juice upregulated barrier genes, strengthened the skin barrier, and showed significantly better skin restructuring, hydration, and TEWL compared to placebo and 3% niacinamide.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022

  • 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

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

  • Combining 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, 2015

  • Licochalcone 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, 2015

  • Bioactive 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, 2025

Why other cleansing masks fit dry skin better

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Gluconolactone, Gluconic Acid, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Propanediol, Bentonite, Cetearyl Alcohol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Betula Alba Juice, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylate-13, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Pullulan, Polyisobutene, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Polysorbate 20, Hexylene Glycol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Biotin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Sandalwood Extract, Eriophorum Spissum Stem Extract Flower, Chlorphenesin, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbic Acid, Citral, 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.

  • 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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How does it fit your skin?

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