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SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel for acne-prone skin

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other moisturizers 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 soothing and hydration for your combination, acne-prone skin, as Centella Asiatica Extract and multiple forms of Hyaluronic Acid calm and moisturize effectively.
  • The inclusion of salicylic acid, citric acid, and niacinamide provides some exfoliation and oil regulation beneficial for combination skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
  • Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
  • Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
  • Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this gel is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin, providing immediate cooling and significant redness reduction for conditions like sunburns and active breakouts. However, users with dry or dehydrated skin often find it lacks sufficient moisture, leading to a tight sensation due to its exfoliating acids.

Highlights

  • Soothing and calming Mostly Mentioned
    • “Calmed down my redness so fast”
    • “Helped with bug bites and rash”
    • “Great for soothing sunburn.”
  • Cooling sensation Often Mentioned
    • “Feels light and cooling”
    • “Lowers skin temperature”
    • “Refreshing menthol sensation.”
  • Good for oily skin Often Mentioned
    • “Perfect for my oily skin”
    • “Controls excess sebum”
    • “Doesn't turn me into an oil slick.”
  • Insufficient hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Made my face feel tight”
    • “Not moisturizing for dry winter”
    • “Felt 'keset' (squeaky/dry) on skin.”
  • Versatile application Sometimes Noted
    • “Used on face and arms”
    • “Applied as a sleeping pack”
    • “Good for body acne.”
  • Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a sticky feeling”
    • “Tacky finish”
    • “Residue lingers.”
  • Medicinal scent Rarely Noted
    • “Smells like medicine”
    • “Strong tea tree scent”
    • “Scent is too herbal.”
  • Potential irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Made inflammation worse”
    • “Stinging sensation”
    • “Too harsh for broken skin.”

Sources: lovi.care, nudieglow.com, mikaelabeauty.com, femaledaily.com, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA Real Cica 92% Cool Calming Soothing Gel work for acne-prone skin?

This gel works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, providing moderate soothing and hydration while helping to control oil. To fit this skin better, a product of this type needs highly effective ingredients for blemishes and repair, a high suitability for the skin type, and zero risk of irritation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

Centella asiatica extract and multiple forms of hyaluronic acid make this gel a good fit by calming and moisturizing your skin, while salicylic acid, citric acid, and niacinamide help clear pores and balance oil. A product for acne-prone skin needs a blend of targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing extracts that keep skin clear and calm without irritation.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Centella Asiatica do for acne-prone skin?

Centella asiatica helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing redness and soothing inflammation while supporting healing. It may also help manage breakouts by addressing factors like acne blemishes and irritation.

Molecules, 2023Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020

What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Cureus, 2024

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

This gel belongs in the evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Acne-prone skin works best with a treatment that combines soothing ingredients like centella asiatica with gentle exfoliating acids to keep pores clear and calm.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

You can use this gel with retinol by applying the gel first to calm your skin and then putting on your retinol. Using a soothing moisturizer alongside retinol helps reduce dryness and irritation while supporting your skin barrier.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this gel?

This soothing gel fits acne-prone skin moderately well and helps calm and hydrate without causing irritation. To get better results on acne-prone skin, this type of product needs stronger oil control and deeper pore-clearing ingredients.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

This gel is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for acne-prone skin, as it has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients and no harsh irritants. However, because it only offers moderate hydration and oil control, acne-prone skin typically does better with products that provide deeper moisture combined with stronger oil-balancing and pore-clearing ingredients.

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

This soothing gel is safe to use on both the body and the face, though acne-prone skin of this type needs targeted blemish-clearing ingredients and lightweight hydration to get the best results.

Is this gel fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • 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
  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 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
  • 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
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2008
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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

Ingredients

Centella Asiatica Extract, Water, Niacinamide, Dipropylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Water, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Arginine, Adenosine, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, C12-13 Pareth-9, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Raspberry Ketone, Rosmarinus Officinalis Oil Leaf Rosemary Oil Leaf

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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