Paula's Choice 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant for combination skin
Glycolic Acid Aha
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Sodium HyaluronateSuperior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for combination skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid effectively smooths texture and combats oily shine, while sodium hyaluronate provides essential hydration to maintain balance.
- The inclusion of soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract further supports skin clarity and comfort.
- This formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring beneficial components that minimize irritation risk.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
- Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
- Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers with dry, sun-damaged, or textured skin report significant improvements in smoothness and radiance, often describing the product as a "holy grail" for gently exfoliating without stripping moisture. While highly effective for fading hyperpigmentation and reducing closed comedones, some users find the gel texture leaves a sticky residue or causes temporary stinging upon application.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin is smooth after just using it once”
- “bumps... smooth as a baby”
- “softens skin... remarkably soft”
- “reveals a smoother, brighter... complexion”
Fades hyperpigmentation Often Mentioned
- “helps to even my skin tone”
- “blemishes leave a dark mark... works to eliminate more quickly”
- “fades brown spots”
- “helped my acne scars”
Sticky or tacky finish Often Mentioned
- “dries a bit tacky”
- “slightly sticky”
- “feels like slimy water”
- “leaves the skin slightly shiny”
Hydrating and non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “hydrating and gentle”
- “doesn't dry my skin out”
- “feels soft and hydrated”
- “provides long-lasting hydration”
Reduces acne and bumps Sometimes Noted
- “keeps my face clear”
- “blackheads disappeared in one single use”
- “works for the bumps and pustules”
- “cystic acne... only thing that works”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like butts”
- “bitter smell”
- “smell is somewhat odd”
- “strongly smells of aloe”
Causes irritation/stinging Rarely Noted
- “stung very horribly”
- “mild tingling sensation... slight itch”
- “not for sensi skin”
- “skin began to return to its old oily acne ways”
Price and size concerns Rarely Noted
- “runs out a bit quickly”
- “pricey”
- “bottle lasts forever... [contradicting review]”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com.au, sephora.sg, dermstore.com, influenster.com, simpleskincarescience.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant one of the best fits for combination skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because glycolic acid smooths texture and reduces oily shine while sodium hyaluronate keeps dry areas balanced with hydration. Soothing ingredients like aloe and chamomile help calm the skin and keep it comfortable.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?
Glycolic acid makes this exfoliant a great fit by smoothing texture and keeping oily shine under control, while sodium hyaluronate adds much-needed hydration to keep your skin balanced. Soothing additions like aloe vera and chamomile extract help keep your skin calm and comfortable.
What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?
Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead skin cells on the surface. It may increase skin turnover, so a product of this type needs a gentle formula and good moisturizers to keep dry areas comfortable while balancing oilier zones.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Juice do for combination skin?
Aloe vera leaf juice helps keep combination skin hydrated by increasing water content without making it oily. It also helps calm redness and supports skin recovery.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Start by using it just once a week, and carefully increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying the exfoliant first in your evening routine, but use them on alternate nights or stagger application to avoid irritation.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant just once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your skin handles it well and shows good results. This slow buildup helps you get a smooth texture and balanced hydration while keeping the risk of irritation low.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores and helps clear combination skin, though you may experience some mild initial breakouts as dead skin sheds. The formula relies on gentle ingredients that keep skin clear and comfortable without heavy oils.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.
Drug Delivery, 2017A 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, 2018Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Repeated 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, 2017Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Apigenin protects against UVA-induced cytotoxicity and senescence in normal human dermal fibroblasts, decreases MMP-1 expression, and when applied topically as a cream in human subjects, increases dermal density and elasticity while reducing fine wrinkle length, skin evenness, moisture content, and transepidermal water loss compared to control cream.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2016Topical chamomile oil combined with a night splint significantly improved the symptomatic and functional status of patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome compared to placebo, while electrodiagnostic parameters showed no significant changes.
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2015German chamomile solution applied twice a day healed peristomal skin lesions significantly faster than once-a-day 1% hydrocortisone ointment in colostomy patients, with a mean healing time of 8.89 days versus 14.53 days.
Ostomy/wound Management, 2011Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Sodium Pca, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyquaternium-10, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
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
How does it fit your skin?
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