Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for dry sensitive skin
Rice Bran Extract
Salicylic Acid
Papain
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
OatAverage
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
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
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your dry and sensitive skin due to the presence of papain and salicylic acid, which can be drying and lack deeply hydrating ingredients to counteract potential dryness.
- Allantoin and licorice root extract provide some soothing benefits, but the formula is not targeted enough to significantly address your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this enzyme powder exfoliant once a week during your evening routine after cleansing. Always follow with a good sunscreen the next day.
- Apply the enzyme powder exfoliant after cleansing and before your toner, serum, and moisturizer. It fits right into your weekly routine step.
- Mix a small amount of the enzyme powder exfoliant with water in your hands to create a foam, then gently massage it onto your face without harsh rubbing .
- Apply the enzyme powder exfoliant on slightly damp skin for better comfort and gentle results. Since your skin is dry and sensitive, this helps protect your natural barrier.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before first use. Do not combine this enzyme powder exfoliant with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 11.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this powder exfoliant is frequently praised for its ability to smooth texture and brighten dull complexions, even for those with sensitive, acne-prone, and combination skin, with most users reporting immediate softness and reduced blackheads. A moderate number of users find the scent unpleasant and a high number consider the price point to be expensive. A low number of users mention issues with the packaging design or messy application, and a negligible number report skin irritation.
Highlights
Gentle daily exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “doesn't irritate sensitive skin”
- “micro-exfoliates without scratching”
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “no redness after use”
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels smooth as silk”
- “softest smoothest skin ever”
- “reduced bumps and oiliness”
- “polished skin to perfection”
- “texture is significantly improved”
Brightens complexion Often Mentioned
- “immediately brighter looking”
- “gives a neat glow”
- “even out skin tone”
- “removes dulling surface debris”
- “glowing skin in seconds”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “hefty price tag”
- “expensive for a scrub”
- “pricey splurge”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “investment skincare product”
Customizable texture Sometimes Noted
- “control how coarse it is”
- “add water to activate”
- “make paste creamy or gritty”
- “adjust exfoliation level”
- “fun to mix”
Long-lasting bottle Sometimes Noted
- “lasts for a few years”
- “little goes a long way”
- “lasts at least six months”
- “worth the investment”
- “bottle lasts forever”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “smells like puke”
- “smells like burnt rubber”
- “yeasty scent”
- “smell is awful”
- “faint citrus-like but weird”
Messy application Rarely Noted
- “powder drops too quickly”
- “messy to mix in hands”
- “clumps if hands are wet”
- “powder gets everywhere”
- “fiddly to use in shower”
Poor packaging design Rarely Noted
- “spout is too big”
- “pours out too much”
- “hard to control amount”
- “wasteful dispenser”
- “lid breaks easily”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused severe peeling”
- “skin burned”
- “caused breakouts”
- “dried out my face”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, nbcnews.com, byrdie.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant work for dry sensitive skin?
This product works moderately well for dry and sensitive skin, but it lacks deeply hydrating ingredients to fully prevent dryness. To better care for this skin type, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing components and soothing ingredients that actively support hydration and protect the skin barrier.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Allantoin and licorice root extract help calm dry and sensitive skin, while papain and salicylic acid gently smooth its surface. A product of this type needs deeply hydrating ingredients and gentle soothing components to keep dry skin comfortable and soft.
What does Rice Bran Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Rice Bran Extract helps calm and moisturize dry sensitive skin while offering soothing anti-inflammatory benefits. It is also packed with antioxidant protection that supports overall skin health and comfort.
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid is generally a poor fit for dry, sensitive skin because it is designed to clear out pores by removing excess oil, which can easily leave dry skin irritated. A product of this type needs gentle exfoliating helpers paired with rich, soothing moisturizers and barrier-repairing ingredients to keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant works best once a week for your dry and sensitive skin, placed in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. This type of skin needs gentle enzyme powders or mild acids paired with deeply hydrating and nourishing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or plant oils to prevent dryness and maintain a soft, smooth feel.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol may be too harsh for your skin, so it is best to avoid combining them in the same routine to prevent excessive dryness and irritation. If you do use both, separate them by applying retinol on different nights and keeping your skin well moisturized.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and stays calm, you may carefully use it more often. A product of this type needs gentle exfoliating ingredients paired with deeply hydrating and nourishing ingredients to keep dry and sensitive skin soft and smooth.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This product is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry and sensitive skin. Because it gently sweeps away dead cells, it may cause mild peeling if your skin barrier is already delicate, but it contains no heavy oils that typically block pores. To care for dry and sensitive skin, an exfoliant of this type needs calming ingredients and rich hydrating agents to keep the face soft and smooth.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Topical application of papain induces skin barrier disruption, inflammation, and a TH2-biased antibody response in C57BL/6 mice, acting as a strong epicutaneous allergen independently of TLR4 and its enzymatic activity.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015A 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, 2020Topical gel and cream formulations containing niosomes entrapped with rice bran bioactive compounds improved skin hydration, lightening, thickness, roughness, and elasticity in 30 human volunteers over 28 days compared to baseline.
Pharmaceutical Biology, 2012Gel and cream formulations containing rice bran bioactive compounds entrapped in niosomes increased in vitro antioxidant activity (ORAC values of 20-28 micromol TE/g versus 16-18 micromol TE/g for placebo), enhanced lipid peroxidation inhibition in human sebum by about 1.5 times, and improved in vivo human skin hydration by approximately 3 to 30% depending on the measurement technique.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2011Stirring Nukadoko fermented rice bran beds by hand leads to temporary settlement of microorganisms on human skin with quick shedding.
FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2023Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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, 2024Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Ingredients
Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Oxide, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Oat, Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Rice Bran Extract, Rice Starch, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Allantoin, Papain, Salicylic Acid, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Pca, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Cyclodextrin, Sodium Isethionate, Lauryl Methacrylate Glycol Dimethacrylate Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Hydrolyzed Corn Hydroxyethyl Ether Starch, Water, Limonene, Citric Acid, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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