e.l.f.

e.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Triple Acid Resurfacing Serum.

Acne

About this product

A lightweight exfoliating serum containing salicylic acid to target blackheads, PHA for gentle exfoliation, and tranexamic acid to help even skin tone and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Full ingredients

Water (Aqua), Niacinamide, Lactobionic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin

Guru Score

69%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This harsh-sounding triple acid serum works surprisingly gently. However, experts split on whether it delivers results: some found it underwhelming while others praised its targeted benefits and ease on skin. Salicylic acid tackles blackheads, PHA provides gentle exfoliation, and tranexamic acid helps even skin tone and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. E.l.f.'s broader skincare line earns recognition for solid value.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take May 2025

What they liked

Gentle despite triple acid blend
Reasonably priced

What they flagged

Underwhelming results

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

AcneDrops & dropper

Key actives

Niacinamide Salicylic acid (BHA)

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

~Nay

"The salicylic acid, the tranexamic acid, and the polyhydroxy acid, sum total, 8.5%. It sounds really intense, but this has niacinamide as well, 10%. This was fine. Didn't cause any irritation for me. A little blah. I would not repurchase it."

All 3 takes from Dr Dray

I Finished A TON Of Skincare & Hair Care | 2025 Empties

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"I've been pretty happy with this line. It's reasonably priced. [...] E.l.f. when it first was a thing the products were like a dollar. It's not inflation proof but it's still managed to keep things pretty affordable compared to other drugstore skin care these days."

E.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Is Cheap & Effective

"This is the one product in this lineup that I actually found especially when I first started using it I got a little bit of burning and tingling with it as I continued to use it that sort of subsided although I would feel a little hint of a tingle like on certain areas of my face with this particular serum. The serum is $14 fragrance-free."

Doctor Anne

56k subs

~Mixed

"This is a good choice for targeting congestion and hyperpigmentation at the same time and is suitable for daily use, but that gentleness also means drastic results shouldn't be expected, it needs patience. It ultimately contains less exfoliating acid than expected given the three acids are Salicylic, Tranexamic, and a Polyhydroxy Acid."

James Welsh

1.58M subs

~Yay

"Their triple acid resurfacing serum sounds crazy harsh with triple acid, but it's really nice and gentle. In this serum we have salicylic acid great for blackheads, PHA which is a very gentle kind of AHA alternative, and tranexamic acid which is great for evening out skin tone and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and all helping prevent breakouts. So yes, I'm looking forward to using this more as an exfoliating step in my routine."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Tranexamic acid

Tranexamic acid has a growing body of clinical evidence for melasma and the stubborn patches of pigment that other ingredients struggle with.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is e.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Triple Acid Resurfacing Serum?

A lightweight exfoliating serum containing salicylic acid to target blackheads, PHA for gentle exfoliation, and tranexamic acid to help even skin tone and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Is e.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Triple Acid Resurfacing Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 69%.

What is e.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Triple Acid Resurfacing Serum's Guru Score?

e.l.f. SKIN Blemish Breakthrough Triple Acid Resurfacing Serum holds a Guru Score of 69%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.