A blog post review of sephora AHA BHA cleanser on oily skin

The 2-in-1 Cleanser That’s Like a Facial in a Bottle (Perfect for Your Busy Schedule)

The Sephora AHA BHA Cleanser is here and I could not wait to try it! I am a sucker for exfoliation and I’m always on the hunt for the next great product to give me smooth and glowy skin.

Sephora has a huge range of skincare products and they have now added some more under their Clean At Sephora range. This is an initiative to offer products that are formulated without harmful ingredients and that have environment-sensitive packaging.

The Sephora AHA BHA cleanser is vegan, gluten-free as well as cruelty-free. The cleanser comes in gel form in a recyclable tube. While Sephora says it is unscented, that just means there are no added perfumes. It does have a slight citrusy smell that is not overpowering. Sephora AHA BHA cleanser comes in a 125ml tube that retails for $10.

About the AHA BHA Cleanser

The Sephora AHA BHA cleanser is a lightweight cleanser gel formulated with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Salicylic acid (BHA).

AHAs: group of natural acids found in food commonly used for dry skin, aging skin or, acne. They remove the top layer of the dead skin cells and promotes firmness. (source: webmd).
Salicilyc Acid: sheds dead skin, decreases redness and inflammation. It is often used to treat acne. (source: webmd)
Aloe Vera: Gel from aloe plants used to heal and soften skin. (source: webmd)

While the percentage of the active ingredients is disappointingly unclear, Sephora deems it suitable for daily use. The brand also suggests to gradually use it twice a day if needed.

My opinion

I love cleansing gels and the AHA/BHA ingredients really piqued my interest. Also, with the affordable price point of $10, I figured I had nothing to lose. The gel foams well and feels great on the skin but I do feel it heat up at times. as I rub it in a circular motion. Therefore, this may not be the best aha face wash for sensitive skin.

As I wash the product off, I can feel the water just glide down my skin. My face just feels fresh and clean. My face also looks brighter but I also do notice some redness. On the bright side -pun intended – the redness doesn’t last long. It is gone by the time I apply my toner and SPF. Speaking of sunscreen, please wear some when applying acids. You should wear sunscreen regardless but especially when exfoliating.

I have been using the Sephora AHA BHA cleanser every other day for over a month now. Here are the changes I have noticed. While I don’t breakout in general, now I have occasional whiteheads that pop up. As someone who went on Accutane, I freaked out at first. However, this means that the AHA BHA cleanser is doing its job by clearing congested pores.

Other than that, my face doesn’t get oilier when I do use the aha face wash and my pores do appear smaller.

This product is definitely oily-skin friendly but use it with caution if you have sensitive skin. On the flip side, if you are looking for a gel face wash to give you smooth and brighter skin, this should be on top of your list.

Will you be trying the Sephora AHA BHA cleanser?

MalianaC

Beauty curator and globe trotter with a mission: testing endless products so you don't have to ! This platform is your shortcut to confidence through curated lists, honest reviews, and beauty discoveries that actually work for us. My journey started with my own struggles—like dealing with oily skin and hyperpigmentation—and it inspired me to dive deep into understanding what works best for us. That’s why I created my platform, a space where I can share my tips, tricks, and experiences. But more than that, it's a community where we can support and inspire each other every step of the way.