Index / Geek & Gorgeous / Calm Down Exfoliant
Geek & Gorgeous

Calm Down Exfoliant.

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant
Masks & Peels

About this product

A chemical exfoliant combining polyhydroxy acid and salicylic acid, designed to remove dead skin and unclog pores.

Type

Masks & PeelsLiquid

Guru Score

77%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far
3Gurus
3Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

This low-dose PHA and salicylic acid blend is gentle enough for frequent use, even four times per week, and works well with retinoids, with one bottle lasting about six months. Reviewers split on value: some rate it as genuinely budget-friendly for the amount you get, while others find comparable actives cheaper elsewhere and don't see the premium justified.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take May 2026
Every take, in full

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 Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
Approved
"To find the balance for me, I opt for something with a low percentage, which is the Geek and Gorgeous Calm Down, a PHA with a low percentage of salicylic acid that I use four times a week. The low percentage of salicylic acid means it still keeps the congestion under control, and the PHA, polyhydroxy acids, I don't really look at them as exfoliating in the surface exfoliant sense like a glycolic acid or something like that would. It's more of a mild, very mild exfoliation with a hydration boost, and that is exactly what I'm looking for now."
Approved
"My favorite is the Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant. This is stunning. You get a lot of product in this. So one will last me like six months and it's super budget and affordable. I really like this because it uses a low dose polyhydroxy acid which is super gentle alongside just a touch of salicylic acid too. That salicylic acid is great because it's going to go into the pores, flush out the dirt, the debris, blackheads, sebaceous filaments which people can experience a buildup of, particularly in the early stages of their retinoid use. This is like a dream formula that I recommend to everybody. And I think it's a great gentle but hyper effective option to use alongside your retinoids."
All 2 takes from Mad About Skin
Big TRETINOIN BREAKTHROUGH - 33% Better Anti Aging Results
"My favorite is the Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant. This is stunning. You get a lot of product in this. So one will last me like six months and it's super budget and affordable. I really like this because it uses a low dose polyhydroxy acid which is super gentle alongside just a touch of salicylic acid too. That salicylic acid is great because it's going to go into the pores, flush out the dirt, the debris, blackheads, sebaceous filaments which people can experience a buildup of, particularly in the early stages of their retinoid use. This is like a dream formula that I recommend to everybody. And I think it's a great gentle but hyper effective option to use alongside your retinoids."
BEST SKINCARE BRAND 2024 - Full Geek & Gorgeous Review
"Their exfoliants are fine, but they're quite pricey compared to the rest of their products, and I think you can just get cheaper elsewhere on the market. I like to use lactic acid from The Ordinary, which is cheaper than the equivalent Geek & Gorgeous one. If I want a touch of mandelic acid, again I'm reaching for The Ordinary or some of the other ones out there. Their exfoliants just don't do it for me. The packaging is great, I love the fact that it's got a spillproof cap, [...] but their exfoliants, for me, I just think there's cheaper options out there."
Approved
"My favorite typically is the Calm Down. My skin tends to be pretty sensitive. It's very gentle, but it is nice and exfoliating. It's got PHAs and BHAs, which are two very gentle exfoliants. It's a large bottle, waterlike texture, and the pH is spot on. You can apply it by patting it onto your skin or with a cotton pad, whichever you prefer. It's nice for acne prone skin too."
Sponsored
All 2 takes from No BS Beauty
Best New Peptide Serum?!? 😮 Geek & Gorgeous NEW! 🆕 Power Peptides Pro Collagen Multi Peptide Serum
"My favorite exfoliant from them the Calm Down. Their other exfoliants are amazing too."
Geek & Gorgeous Top Picks 🙌🤗😍 Effective, Affordable, Science Based Skincare Favorites
"My favorite typically is the Calm Down. My skin tends to be pretty sensitive. It's very gentle, but it is nice and exfoliating. It's got PHAs and BHAs, which are two very gentle exfoliants. It's a large bottle, waterlike texture, and the pH is spot on. You can apply it by patting it onto your skin or with a cotton pad, whichever you prefer. It's nice for acne prone skin too."
Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant?

A chemical exfoliant combining polyhydroxy acid and salicylic acid, designed to remove dead skin and unclog pores.

Is Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant worth it?

Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 77%.

What is Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant's Guru Score?

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant holds a Guru Score of 77%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant best for?

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down Exfoliant is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

You might also like

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

Compare side by side →

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest