Liquid Peelfoliant Exfoliator

Dermalogica

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Dermalogica Liquid Peelfoliant Exfoliator is a emulsion. Our analysis of its 45 ingredients (35 low-risk) rates it Excellent (97/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Emulsion
Ingredients
45
Low-risk
35
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
United States
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe Cruelty-Free

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 17/8
Good for dry skin
Gluconolactone Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract Sucrose Distearate Ethoxydiglycol Oleic Acid Oleyl Alcohol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylyl Glycol Sodium PCA Sodium Hyaluronate Glycerin Cholesterol Trehalose Triolein Polyquaternium-51 Urea Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Maltodextrin Sucrose Distearate Stearic Acid Oleic Acid Glycerin Salicylic Acid Hydrogenated Lecithin Tranexamic Acid
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 2/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid Tranexamic Acid
Sensitive Skin 3/12
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Hydroxyacetophenone Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Caution for sensitive skin
Gluconolactone Raspberry Ketone Stearic Acid Ethyl Acetate Ethoxydiglycol Oleic Acid Oleyl Alcohol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Salicylic Acid Gamma-Undecalactone Lactic Acid

Ingredients list

45 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (4)
All45 Skin Conditioning36 Humectant14 Fragrance14 Solvent11 Hair Conditioning8 Perfuming7 Emollient7 Emulsifying6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
A
Aminomethyl Propanol
(Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
Phytic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent)
1
Gluconolactone
(Fragrance, Humectant, Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Tranexamic Acid
(Cosmetic Astringent, Skin Conditioning)
1
Hydroxyacetophenone
(Antioxidant)
1
A
Sodium Hyaluronate
(Skin Conditioning, Humectant)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
(Antioxidant)
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
(Astringent)
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
1
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
(Antidandruff Agent, Antimicrobial)
1
Raspberry Ketone
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Perfuming)
1
Rosa Damascena Flower
(Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Sodium PCA
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Sucrose Distearate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Succinoglycan
(Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Urea
(Buffering Agent, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
Phytosphingosine
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Oleyl Alcohol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent, Viscosity Increasingagent Nonaqueous, Emulsifying, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
A
Triolein
(Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
A
Oleic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Oleic Acid., Emollient, Emulsifying)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Ethoxydiglycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Humectant, Perfuming)
1
A
Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Trehalose
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Moisturising)
1
Polyquaternium-51
(Film Forming, Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Maltodextrin
(Absorbent, Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant, Binding)
1
Ethyl Acetate
(Fragrance, Solvent, Perfuming)
1
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
(Chelating Agent)
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Stearic Acid
(Fragrance, Sufactant, Emulsifying, Surfactantsurfactant Cleansing Agent Is Included As A Function For The Soap Form Of Stearic Acid., Emulsion Stabilising, Masking, Refatting)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Gamma-Undecalactone
(Fragrance, Masking, Perfuming, Solvent)

My Ingredient Notes

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Key ingredients

Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant
Gluconolactone
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Exfoliant, Skin Conditioning

Benefits

Good for dry skin
Good for oily/acne-prone skin

Concerns

Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Hair conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Hair conditioningHumectantSkin conditioning
Aminomethyl Propanol
Ph adjuster, Buffering agent
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Ph adjusterBuffering agent
Phytic Acid
Chelating agent, Oral care agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Chelating agentOral care agent
Gluconolactone
Fragrance, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 FragranceHumectantSolvent
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Tranexamic Acid
Cosmetic astringent, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Cosmetic astringentSkin conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antioxidant
Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
Astringent
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Astringent
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfuming
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningTonic
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antidandruff agent, Antimicrobial
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Antidandruff agentAntimicrobial
+ 21 more — see the full ingredients list above
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantPh adjusterBuffering agent Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningHumectant Good for Dry Skin
Sodium PCA
Hair conditioning, Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Hair conditioningHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Oleyl Alcohol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningEmollientSolventViscosity increasingagent - nonaqueousEmulsifyingOpacifyingViscosity controlling Bad for Oily Skin
Oleic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of oleic acid.
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of oleic acid.EmollientEmulsifying Fungal-acne trigger
Stearic Acid
Fragrance, Sufactant
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSufactantEmulsifyingSurfactantsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid.Emulsion stabilisingMaskingRefatting Bad for Oily SkinFungal-acne trigger

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Evening, start slow: Best in the PM a few times a week to begin with; avoid layering with other strong actives the same night.
  • 2 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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