Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel for oily skin
Glycolic Acid
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other products fit it 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 moderate exfoliation for your oily skin due to the presence of glycolic acid, which helps manage oily shine but does not directly target it. Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin offers some antioxidant benefits, but the formula lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients for optimal results.
- The product is safe for your oily skin as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.
- The formulation provides moderate exfoliation suitable for oily skin, with glycolic acid offering keratolytic action.
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 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this peel is highly regarded for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, particularly for sensitive skin, frequently leading to smoother texture and a brighter complexion. Most users find it non-irritating and hydrating, though a small number with very reactive skin have reported breakouts or less dramatic results compared to other products.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation”
- “no redness”
- “comfortable for sensitive skin”
- “soothing”
Brightens complexion Often Mentioned
- “skin shines”
- “glowing”
- “radiance”
- “looks healthy”
Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels smooth”
- “softens fine lines”
- “reduced texture”
- “baby soft”
Hydrating feel Sometimes Noted
- “plump and glowy”
- “not drying”
- “moisturizing”
- “softness”
Refines pores Sometimes Noted
- “pores significantly smaller”
- “unclogs pores”
- “cleaner pores”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “wish I could afford”
- “investment”
Adverse reactions Rarely Noted
- “broke out”
- “red itchy irritated”
- “raw red skin”
Lack of dramatic results Rarely Noted
- “forgettable”
- “didn't work miracles”
- “Ordinary did more”
- “too gentle”
Mild sensory discomfort Rarely Noted
- “tingles a bit”
- “mild tingling”
- “stinging sensation”
Packaging malfunctions Rarely Noted
- “pump issues”
- “one side works”
- “broken pump”
- “dispensing problem”
Sources: lovi.care, riversol.com, reddit.com, londondrugs.com, vancouversun.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel work for oily skin?
Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel works moderately well for oily skin by providing light exfoliation with glycolic acid that helps manage shine. It is safe and unlikely to irritate your skin, but an ideal product for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, and soothing extracts to properly control oil and smooth texture.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
This exfoliant works for oily skin because glycolic acid provides moderate exfoliation that helps manage oily shine. To be a better fit for this skin type, a product needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and ferulic acid to control excess oil, along with soothing extracts and lightweight hydrators.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear away dead skin and excess oil for a smooth, clean feel. It gently removes buildup from the surface, which keeps pores clear and skin looking fresh.
Molecules, 2023Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011
What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for oily skin?
Butyrospermum parkii butter is a rich ingredient that may feel too heavy for oily skin and can sometimes clog pores. For oily skin, a moisturizer needs lighter ingredients that hydrate without feeling greasy or heavy.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine once a week to start, and you can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results. It is safe for oily skin, but to better manage oily shine, an oily skin type needs targeted oil-control ingredients.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
Using this product with retinol may cause too much irritation, so it is best to alternate the nights you use them rather than applying them together. Because both ingredients renew the skin surface, alternating them helps keep your skin comfortable while still giving you their benefits.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your oily skin tolerates it well and shows good results. An oily skin type needs an exfoliant that manages shine and includes sufficient oil-balancing ingredients for optimal results.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
Riversol Exfoliating Glycolic Peel is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, and it is safe to use without causing irritation. Oily skin often needs ingredients that directly balance oil production and strong clarifying agents to keep pores completely clear.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Hinokitiol treatment attenuates LPS-induced proinflammatory factors, NF-kappaB activation, and cell migration in primary human keratinocytes via Sirt1 histone deacetylase activation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Glycolic 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, 2019Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Repeated 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, 2000Serial 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, 2017A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Beta-thujaplicin inhibits ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis in mouse keratinocytes and induces metallothionein mRNA and protein expression.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1998Treatment with beta-thujaplicin suppressed UVB-induced MMP-1 production and prevented the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-3 mRNA while restoring UVB-suppressed procollagen gene expression in human skin fibroblasts compared to controls.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2012Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023
Why other products fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Hinokitiol Beta-Thujaplicin, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Pvm Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid
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
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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