Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant for sensitive skin
Aha
Phytic Acid
Enzymes Fruit
Tranexamic Acid
Salicylic Acid
High
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best products for sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids, which help smooth texture but do not directly address your redness and irritation.
- While the formula contains soothing glycerin and urea, it lacks sufficient hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids for optimal results on your sensitive skin.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with redness and irritation. Start slowly and only increase frequency if your skin feels happy and comfortable.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner , but always before your moisturizer . This ensures the product absorbs properly into the skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing . Let it absorb for a minute before moving on.
- Since your skin is sensitive , apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for the best tolerance. This helps prevent any extra stinging or discomfort.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis product is highly praised for its ability to transform dull, uneven skin into a smoother, more radiant complexion by effectively targeting congestion, fine lines, and rough texture. While most users experience professional-level results, those with sensitive skin should exercise caution and start with a lower frequency of use to manage potential tingling or redness.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “My face is smoother and I see less breakouts.”
- “Significant improvement in my skin texture.”
- “Left with the softest, smoothest baby like skin.”
- “My skin has been getting smoother.”
Visible radiant glow Often Mentioned
- “I noticed how glow-y my skin looked.”
- “Wake up with glowing skin.”
- “Healthy, radiant glow.”
- “I know I'm going to be glowing in the morning.”
Easy to use Sometimes Noted
- “Very easy to use.”
- “Easy to apply.”
- “Quick and easy to use.”
Effective pore minimizing Sometimes Noted
- “It just tightens my pores.”
- “Helps unclog pores.”
- “Minimizes the appearance of pores.”
Potential for irritation Sometimes Noted
- “A whole lot of redness and tingling.”
- “Can be irritating at first.”
- “My face was super inflamed.”
Contains fragrant oils Rarely Noted
- “Bums me out that the brand put fragrant plant oils.”
- “Bergamot and Mandarin oils are known to irritate.”
May feel ineffective Rarely Noted
- “This is a very mild peel.”
- “I do not feel any tingling.”
- “I don't see any 'glowy' results.”
Sources: lovi.care, skinsort.com, spacenk.com, nicolaloves.co.uk, skincarmanyc.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant a great fit for sensitive skin?
Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant is a great fit for sensitive skin because it is very safe to use due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like glycerin and urea. It helps smooth texture using acids, though a sensitive skin routine of this type also benefits from extra hydrating and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids for optimal results.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is a safe fit for sensitive skin because it is free of harsh irritants and includes soothing components like glycerin and urea. These ingredients help keep skin calm, though sensitive skin also benefits from barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids.
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for sensitive skin?
Alpha hydroxy acids help smooth and brighten sensitive skin when you choose gentler forms like polyhydroxy acids or carefully formulated derivatives that are less likely to cause irritation. They improve hydration and soften lines while keeping the skin calm.
What does Phytic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Phytic acid is generally used in chemical peels and formulations to help brighten dark spots and manage uneven skin tone. For sensitive skin, a product of this type needs to include calming and soothing ingredients to minimize any potential irritation.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2016Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week to start. You should apply it after cleansing and toning, and before putting on your moisturizer.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant and retinol in the same routine by applying the exfoliant first, waiting for it to dry, and then applying your retinol, though you may want to alternate nights if your skin feels dry or easily irritated. Using both together increases the chance of dryness and irritation, so starting slowly helps your skin adjust safely.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. The formula is generally safe for your skin due to soothing components and the absence of harsh ingredients.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as it features a safe formula free of harsh, pore-clogging ingredients. However, because it contains acids that speed up skin shedding, it may occasionally cause temporary purging.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Oleyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical application of 1-1.5% glycolic acid suppresses UVB-induced inflammation by modulating NF-κB signaling pathways in human keratinocytes and mouse dorsal skin.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2017A 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, 2017L-ascorbic acid 10% plus phytic acid 2% serum significantly reduced the pigmentation index of solar lentigines compared to a vehicle control in 30 healthy subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019A topical facial emulsion containing 10% glycolic acid, 2% phytic acid, and a soothing complex significantly improved skin hyperpigmentation, texture, and tone homogeneity from week 4 through week 12 in American female volunteers with Fitzpatrick skin types II-VI.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Cryotherapy 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Lactobacillus Punica Granatum Extract Fruit Ferment, Glycolic Acid, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Cranberry Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Raspberry Ketone, Rosa Damascena Flower, Sodium Pca, Sucrose Distearate, Succinoglycan, Urea, Ceramide Np, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleyl Alcohol, Triolein, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Oleic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Cholesterol, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Maltodextrin, Ethyl Acetate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Stearic Acid, Gamma-Undecalactone
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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