SkinMedica

AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.

Cleansers

About this product

A dual-acid exfoliating cleanser combining alpha and beta hydroxy acids with gentle jojoba beads for chemical and physical exfoliation, designed to improve skin cell turnover and texture.

Full ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Acrylates Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Salicylic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mica, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)

Guru Score

84%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

What they liked

Gentle yet effective exfoliation
Smooth jojoba beads, not harsh or gritty
Boosts penetration of other products

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

What the gurus are saying

The combination of chemical exfoliants (lactic and glycolic acids plus salicylic acid) paired with soft jojoba beads strikes a balance that dermatologists praise as both effective and genuinely gentle enough for daily use. What sets this cleanser apart is how well the physical and chemical exfoliation work together without feeling harsh or overly abrasive, making it a practical second cleanse for anyone looking to encourage skin cell turnover and help other products absorb better. The generous 6-ounce size means you get real staying power from one bottle.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take November 2025

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

CleansersGel

Key actives

Salicylic acid (BHA)

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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. Sam Ellis

882k subs

✓Yay

"If you want a recommendation for a nice blend between a chemical exfoliant and a physical exfoliant, SkinMedica makes an AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser that is beautiful. It's not too harsh. It's not too intense. It's beautifully exfoliating. You can use it on the face and the body. It's pretty reasonably priced. It's like big thumbs up for me."

All 3 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis

Dermatologists' NO FAIL Anti-Aging Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis

"For my second cleanse, I'm going in with what I would say is the first true anti-aging focused product of my routine, which is the SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser. This has a true cult following. The reason exfoliation is so important, especially when it comes to anti-aging, is because as we get older and our skin matures, the skin cells don't turn over as readily. They accumulate on the surface, and that can lead to things like dullness. Adding an exfoliant to your routine is a really helpful way to encourage that skin cell turnover, and it's also going to help your other products penetrate better. The reason this exfoliant is so popular is because it is a very good balance of being gentle yet highly effective. It not only has the alpha hydroxy acids and the beta hydroxy acids in it, but it also has these tiny little gentle jojoba beads, so you're getting some physical exfoliation as well, which I find very satisfying. I don't like a big scrapey particle, but this one is so gentle. It just kind of buffs your skin, and once you rinse this off, it's just like, ah, baby butt. I also like that this is pretty big. It's 6 ounces, so you get a lot of product. I actually like to leave one in my guest shower because I use my guest bathroom to introduce my guests to products that I absolutely love."

Hyperpigmentation Morning Skincare Routine with Hydroquinone | Dr. Sam Ellis

"I really love the SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, which is an excellent exfoliating cleanser that has alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids in it to help exfoliate the skin gently. I think that's a great option for people who struggle with melasma or other forms of hyperpigmentation. Getting that increased cell turnover with an exfoliating option just helps clear and brighten the skin faster. You just have to be careful because any time you're adding an exfoliating step into your skincare routine you're also kind of breaking down your skin barrier to some degree, so if your skin is getting too irritated take that step out. But if your skin is really robust and you're looking for ways to optimize your hyperpigmentation skincare routine, add an exfoliant."

My Real Routine: What I Tell Patients vs. What I Do Myself | Dr. Sam Ellis

Dr. Jenny Liu

321k subs

✓Yay

"Another one is from SkinMedica, a little pricier. They have an AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser that contains a blend of alphahydroxy acids including lactic acid, glycolic acid, as well as salicylic acid that's fairly gentle and great to use on a daily basis."

What the evidence says.

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

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

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser?

A dual-acid exfoliating cleanser combining alpha and beta hydroxy acids with gentle jojoba beads for chemical and physical exfoliation, designed to improve skin cell turnover and texture.

Is SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

What is SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser's Guru Score?

SkinMedica AHA BHA Exfoliating Cleanser holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.