Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum for acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid Bha
Mandelic Acid Aha
Strawberry Extract
Niacinamide
Azelaic AcidAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other products 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, with salicylic acid and mandelic acid helping to reduce blemishes and smooth texture. The inclusion of azelaic acid and niacinamide further supports clarity and skin tone, though it may not fully address dryness in certain areas due to a lack of more robust humectants.
- The serum provides supportive benefits for acne and breakouts, with ingredients like succinic acid and bisabolol working to calm inflammation and refine pores.
- The product is generally safe for your skin, with a low risk of irritation from the exfoliating acids.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for its gentle exfoliation and smoothing effects, particularly for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Users frequently report significant improvements in breakouts, pore appearance, and skin texture, alongside a pleasant sensory experience. Some reviewers, however, find the product to be expensive for the quantity provided and have noted issues with the packaging and a potentially sticky finish.
Highlights
Clears acne and pores Often Mentioned
- “cleared my breakouts”
- “reduced pore congestion”
- “stopped hormonal acne”
- “blackheads are gone”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “no tingling sensation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “very soothing”
- “didn't dry me out”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels softer”
- “smooths rough bumps”
- “glass skin effect”
- “refined texture”
Pleasant sensory experience Sometimes Noted
- “smells like real strawberries”
- “lightweight gel texture”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “yummy scent”
Price and value Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive”
- “small bottle”
- “finished too quickly”
- “pricey for the amount”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out bad”
- “bad reaction”
- “purging never stopped”
Packaging design Rarely Noted
- “hard to hold”
- “pump stopped working”
- “cute but impractical”
- “slippery bottle”
Scent disliked Rarely Noted
- “smells artificial”
- “fragrance is too strong”
- “sickly sweet smell”
- “scent lingers”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “leaves a sticky residue”
- “feels tacky”
- “takes time to dry”
- “slightly sticky”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, kohls.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, glowrecipe.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth Serum work for acne-prone skin?
This serum works moderately well for acne-prone skin, using salicylic acid, mandelic acid, and azelaic acid to help reduce blemishes, calm inflammation, and smooth texture. It is generally safe with a low risk of irritation, though it may not fully address dryness in certain areas. For this skin type, a top-tier product needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that provide excellent benefits for breakouts while maintaining optimal hydration and balance.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum contains salicylic acid, mandelic acid, azelaic acid, and niacinamide, which help reduce blemishes, smooth texture, and support skin clarity. It also includes succinic acid and bisabolol to help calm inflammation and refine pores. For acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis that provide excellent skincare benefits for acne and blemishes without posing any risk of irritation, along with optimal hydration and balance to cater to combination skin.
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing unwanted side effects. It works by gently clearing out pores and lowering oil production to keep breakouts away.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Experimental Dermatology, 2019
What does Mandelic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid helps clear acne lesions and dark spots while being gentle on the skin. It supports skin renewal and helps reduce breakouts with a low likelihood of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Dermatologic Surgery, 2009
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting at once a week to see how your skin adjusts. Acne-prone skin of this type needs a product that includes strong hydrators to prevent dryness alongside its blemish-fighting ingredients.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying this exfoliant first and following with your retinol on alternating nights or in separate routines to lower the chance of irritation. This product needs soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators to keep acne-prone skin comfortable when combined with strong actives.
How often should I use this serum?
Start by using this serum once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels calm and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. The exfoliating acids help reduce blemishes and smooth texture, though acne-prone skin of this type also needs stronger hydrating ingredients to prevent dryness in certain areas.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is generally safe for acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause irritation from its exfoliating acids. Ingredients like salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and succinic acid help reduce blemishes and calm inflammation, though an acne-prone skin type needs a product with more robust hydrators to prevent dryness in certain areas.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021A 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 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Treatment with a facial cream gel containing a biotechnological phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial diversity and reduced C. acnes abundance, lesion counts, sebum, and acne severity in 44 subjects with mild-moderate acne over 56 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Twice 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, 2024Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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 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, 2010Chemical 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, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2025Fragaria vesca extract-based hydrogel exhibited antioxidant efficacy, cutaneous compatibility, acceptability, and stability suitable for topical application.
Antioxidants, 2020Supercritical CO2 extract from strawberry seeds at concentrations up to 2% successfully provides moisturizing and skin-softening effects in mild cleansing compositions without significantly affecting their stability, cleansing, or foaming properties.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Treatment with strawberry seed extract and tiliroside increased stratum corneum total ceramide content and specific ceramide species in human epidermal equivalents by enhancing the expression of ceramide-related enzymes.
PloS One, 2018Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023
Why other products fit acne-prone 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, 2024Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Methylpropanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Strawberry Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Succinic Acid, Strawberry Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract Prickly Pear Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Glucosamine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dextrin, Polydextrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Amylopectin, Butylene Glycol, Succinoglycan, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Parfum
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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