🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% for acne-prone skin

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

NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even 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

  • This formulation offers high suitability for your combination skin and acne concerns, as salicylic acid and citric acid work synergistically to exfoliate and decongest pores, effectively managing oiliness and texture. Glycerin and Tocopherol provide soothing benefits, ensuring comfort for your acne-prone skin.
  • The inclusion of various citrus extracts further supports skin clarity and offers antioxidant protection, complementing the primary exfoliating action.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no harsh ingredients and a focus on soothing components that minimize irritation risk for your skin.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
  • Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

Users with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin generally praise this exfoliant for effectively clearing blackheads and smoothing texture without the drying side effects common to other BHAs. While many consider it a gentler, more affordable alternative to premium competitors, a minority of users found it ineffective for severe congestion or experienced persistent breakouts.

Highlights

  • Improves texture and acne Mostly Mentioned
    • “cleared my blackheads in a week”
    • “skin looks glass-like and smooth”
    • “helped with closed comedones”
  • Gentle and non-drying Often Mentioned
    • “didn't dry out my skin like others”
    • “zero stinging or burning”
    • “leaves skin feeling plush, not stripped”
  • Great value Often Mentioned
    • “unbeatable for the price”
    • “great dupe for expensive brands”
  • Lightweight, non-sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs much better than Paula's Choice”
    • “no sticky film left behind”
    • “layers well under makeup”
  • Breakouts or reactions Rarely Noted
    • “caused a rash on my cheeks”
    • “breakouts never stopped”
    • “ruined my skin barrier”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “did absolutely nothing for my pores”
    • “saw no change in blackheads”
    • “too gentle for my stubborn acne”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “leaked in my travel bag”
    • “cap doesn't seal properly”
    • “dispenses too much product at once”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like saliva”
    • “has a weird funk to it”
    • “scent is slightly off-putting”

Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, spacenk.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2% a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because salicylic acid and citric acid work together to clear out pores and manage oil and texture, while glycerin helps keep your acne-prone skin comfortable. It has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients that minimize the risk of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

Salicylic acid and citric acid make this exfoliant a great fit by clearing clogged pores and managing oiliness, while glycerin and tocopherol help soothe acne-prone skin. Citrus extracts further support skin clarity with antioxidants while keeping irritation risk low.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021BioMed Research International, 2020

What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What do Bioactive Fruit Acids do for acne-prone skin?

Bioactive Fruit Acids help clear acne-prone skin and calm redness by gently clearing away dead skin cells and soothing inflammation. They are effective for reducing breakouts, controlling oiliness, and making skin look smoother and more even.

Journal of Dermatological Science, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

This exfoliant goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results may carefully use them more often.

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

You can use this exfoliant and retinol in your routine, but you should use them on alternate nights to lower the risk of dryness and irritation. Using them together at the same time is usually too harsh for your skin.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results. This gentle approach helps manage oiliness and texture while keeping your acne-prone skin comfortable and minimizing irritation risk.

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

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin, as it features Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid to clear out oil and dead skin while Glycerin keeps your skin comfortable. The product has a very safe profile with gentle ingredients that help keep irritation risk low.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

  • 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

  • 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

  • Topical 20% citric acid lotion increases viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycan content in sun-damaged skin compared to vehicle alone.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 1997

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Diglycerin, Citrus Glauca Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Microcitrus Australis Fruit Extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Chondrus Crispus, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenylpropanol, Tocopherol

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 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Saudi Arabia.

How does it fit your skin?

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