Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator for dry sensitive skin
Pha Polyhydroxy Acid
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil
Glycerin
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil
Allantoin
Superior
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for dry sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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
- Excellent for your dry and sensitive skin, this formulation utilizes gluconolactone for gentle chemical exfoliation and hydration, while sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil provide emollient action and barrier repair to smooth and replenish lipids.
- The inclusion of Avena Sativa Kernel Oil and Allantoin further soothes and supports your skin's natural barrier function.
- This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with dryness. Start ⏳3 times a week only if your sensitive skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your favorite moisturizer .
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and avoid any rubbing. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before layering.
- Since your skin is reactive and sensitive, apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for better tolerance.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this chemical exfoliator is highly recommended for sensitive skin, effectively smoothing texture without causing irritation. Users frequently report that the formula leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft. Some users note a chemical scent and find the thin consistency difficult to manage with the current packaging.
Highlights
Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
- “No redness after use”
- “Doesn't irritate or cause dryness”
- “Great for my reactive sensitive skin”
Smooths texture Often Mentioned
- “Face is so soft after using”
- “Smooths texture without irritation”
- “Makeup went on so smooth”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Way too runny for the tube”
- “Makes a huge mess”
- “Needs a pump bottle”
Fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “No overpowering perfume smell”
- “Great for fragrance allergies”
- “Love that it's fragrance-free”
Non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin moisturized and hydrated”
- “Doesn't dry my skin out”
- “Face feels like velvet”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like plastic”
- “Has a rancid smell”
- “Worst smelling product”
Oily residue Rarely Noted
- “Feels like cheap sunscreen”
- “Left an oily film”
- “Hard to rinse clean”
Too gentle Rarely Noted
- “Didn't exfoliate enough”
- “Too gentle for my needs”
- “Didn't see a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, aveeno.com, target.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Exfoliator one of the best fits for dry sensitive skin?
This product is an excellent fit because it uses gentle PHA for mild exfoliation and hydration, while sunflower seed oil and oat kernel oil help smooth your skin and repair its barrier. Allantoin further calms your skin, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because it uses gluconolactone to gently sweep away dead skin while hydrating, and sunflower seed oil, oat oil, and allantoin to calm, soothe, and help repair your skin barrier. These ingredients work together so you can get smooth skin without irritation.
What does Polyhydroxy Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Polyhydroxy Acid helps hydrate dry sensitive skin while keeping it calm and comfortable without irritation. It binds moisture and supports the skin barrier, making skin feel soft and smooth.
What does Avena Sativa Kernel Oil do for dry sensitive skin?
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil helps soothe dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and supporting the skin barrier. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve skin dryness and roughness.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. It uses a gentle acid alongside nourishing oils to smooth your dry and sensitive skin without causing irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by using them on alternating nights to prevent irritation, since both renew the skin. Apply this product in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and follow with a moisturizer.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. It is unlikely to cause irritation on dry and sensitive skin because it gently exfoliates while hydrating and repairing the skin barrier.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it uses a very gentle acid and is free of harsh ingredients that trigger irritation. It also helps calm and replenish your skin with soothing oils while gently removing dead skin cells.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016Lactobionic acid produced better skin performance with a lack of skin irritation and barrier impairment compared to glycolic acid in 77 healthy volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A 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, 2017The 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, 2001A 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, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Sorbitol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil Oat Kernel Oil, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin
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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