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SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel for acne-prone skin

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

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other cleansers fit it 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 moderate exfoliation for your acne and blemishes due to the presence of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which effectively cleanse and decongest pores for your combination skin.
  • The formulation is highly suitable for combination skin, with keratolytic action and seboregulation provided by glycolic acid and salicylic acid, helping to manage oiliness and texture.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your acne-prone skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM and PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
  • This cleanser is the first step in your morning routine and the second step after your pre-cleanser in the evening. Always follow up with a toner and moisturizer .
  • Gently massage a small amount of the cleanser onto your face in circular motions. Avoid harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it work effectively against breakouts. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water .
  • Avoid the immediate eye area and do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

This cleanser is widely celebrated by users with oily, acne-prone, and aging skin for its ability to deeply exfoliate and decongest pores using a blend of LHA, glycolic, and salicylic acids. While most users report clearer, smoother, and brighter skin, a minority find it too drying or experience an initial "purge" of breakouts.

Highlights

  • Deeply exfoliates Mostly Mentioned
    • “decongests clogged pores”
    • “refines skin surface”
    • “removes dead skin”
    • “deep clean feeling”
  • Clears acne Often Mentioned
    • “gets rid of blackheads”
    • “controls adult acne”
    • “breakouts appear reduced”
    • “keeps skin clear”
  • Controls oil Often Mentioned
    • “reduces oil”
    • “less oily throughout day”
    • “removes excess sebum”
    • “matte finish”
  • Refines texture Often Mentioned
    • “smoothes skin texture”
    • “skin feels soft”
    • “improves skin clarity”
    • “brightens complexion”
  • Refreshing feel Sometimes Noted
    • “cooling sensation”
    • “tingling feel”
    • “fresh citrus scent”
    • “feels invigorating”
  • Can be drying Sometimes Noted
    • “good but drying”
    • “felt tight after”
    • “stripped natural oils”
    • “too harsh for daily use”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive”
    • “pricey for a wash”
    • “costly investment”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out”
    • “worsened acne initially”
    • “caused purging”
    • “irritated my skin”
  • Poor packaging Rarely Noted
    • “pours out too fast”
    • “hard to control amount”
    • “wastes product”
    • “leaks easily”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, bluemercury.com, skinceuticals.com, reddit.com, dermstore.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel work for acne-prone skin?

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel works as an average fit for acne-prone skin, offering moderate exfoliation to help clear and decongest pores. It has a very safe formula with no irritation risks, but cleansers that rate higher for this skin need a balanced mix of hydrating and soothing ingredients like aloe and glycerin to prevent over-drying while keeping the skin clear.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024BioMed Research International, 2020

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser works for acne-prone skin because it contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, and Lipo Hydroxy Acid, which gently exfoliate and clear out pores. A cleanser for this skin needs soothing, hydrating ingredients like glycerin alongside gentle cleansing agents to prevent over-drying and keep the skin balanced.

BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

What does Lipo Hydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Lipo Hydroxy Acid helps clear clogged pores and gently removes dead skin cells that cause breakouts. Because it works slowly on the surface, it is unlikely to irritate sensitive, oily skin.

What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This cleanser goes in your morning and evening routine as the cleansing step before your toner, moisturizer, and other products. For acne-prone skin, this product type needs exfoliating and pore-clearing ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid to help manage oiliness and texture.

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cleanser with retinol, provided your skin is not overly sensitive, by applying it first to cleanse and clear pores before using your retinol treatment. This product helps manage oiliness and texture, though acne-prone skin often does better with a gentle, barrier-restoring cleanser and added soothing ingredients to prevent dryness.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

How often should I use this cleanser?

You can use this cleanser daily, but because it contains exfoliating acids, start by using it once a week to see how your skin reacts. If your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. An acne-prone skin cleanser of this type needs pore-clearing acids like glycolic and salicylic acid to help manage oiliness and texture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019BioMed Research International, 2020

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

It is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts for your acne-prone skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients, though it can feel moderately drying. To care for this skin properly, products need gentle exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to clear pores alongside soothing ingredients to prevent dryness.

BioMed Research International, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel can be used on the body, but it is best avoided directly around the eyes because the skin there is much thinner. This cleanser offers moderate exfoliation and manages oiliness with glycolic acid and salicylic acid, though acne-prone skin often does better with a targeted body wash and a dedicated eye product that respects thin skin.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002BioMed Research International, 2020

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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, 2019

  • Twice 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, 2024

  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

  • Daily 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, 2021

  • Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008

  • Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

  • Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.

    Cutis, 2012

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

Ingredients

Water, Coco-Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Triethanolamine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Disteareth-100 Ipdi, Salicylic Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Menthol, Disodium Edta, Steareth-100

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?

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