🇦🇪United Arab Emirates

Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Highly suitable for your combination skin, this serum effectively brightens and evens skin tone with high concentrations of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Niacinamide, which also help control oiliness.
  • The formula offers moderate benefits for oily shine, further enhanced by soothing ingredients like Glycerin and Malva Sylvestris Stem Extract.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial components.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .

People Say

★4.2Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

This serum is highly regarded for its gentle formulation, effectively addressing dullness, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne marks, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Most users appreciate its quick absorption and the resulting brighter, more radiant complexion. Some users, however, have noted an unpleasant scent and occasional issues with product oxidation or a sticky feel.

Highlights

  • Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
    • “very effective yet gentle on skin”
    • “didn't break me out and it's gentle”
    • “Suitable for sensitive and delicate skin, did not cause irritation”
    • “clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin”
  • Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
    • “absorbs quickly and layers nicely”
    • “applies smoothly without leaving a sticky residue”
    • “Texture is thick enough but not too much”
    • “Doesn't leave a sticky feeling”
  • Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “post acne marks faded out”
    • “dark spots are diminishing”
    • “solved my concerns on blemishes”
    • “visibly reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation”
  • Improves radiance Sometimes Noted
    • “my skin feels smoother and more radiant”
    • “My skin is also brighter”
    • “Enhances skin's overall glow”
    • “immediate luminosity from the particles”
  • Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
    • “I couldn't get past the smell”
    • “smelled very weird like burnt coffee”
    • “Why does it smell like maple syrup??”
    • “The smell made me nauseated”
  • Arrives oxidized Rarely Noted
    • “product is in deep orange color”
    • “tube has an orange smudge in it”
    • “i got it oxidised so it won't work”
    • “This product it has gone bad”
  • Can feel sticky Rarely Noted
    • “wait for it to completely dry... or it'll become sticky”
    • “Some users feel the serum is too thick”
    • “leaves a sticky feeling if not dried”

Sources: lovi.care, cetaphil.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, iherb.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Cetaphil Antioxidant-C Serum a great fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit because it brightens and evens your skin tone while helping control oiliness with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Niacinamide. Glycerin and Malva Sylvestris Stem Extract further help calm oily shine, and the formula has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Research, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because it features Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Niacinamide, which brighten uneven areas and help control excess oil. Glycerin and Malva Sylvestris Stem Extract provide soothing benefits, while the formula's gentle ingredients ensure an excellent safety profile with no risks of irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Research, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What does Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate do for combination skin?

Sodium ascorbyl phosphate helps keep oily areas clear by preventing sebum oxidation and reducing excess oil, while being gentle enough for dry spots. This makes it a good fit for combination skin, which typically benefits from antioxidants and balancing ingredients.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Drug Research, 2017

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This serum fits into an evening routine for combination skin. Using treatments in the evening provides simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying this treatment in the morning and your retinol at night to avoid overwhelming your skin. This spacing helps prevent irritation while letting you brighten your tone and manage oily shine.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Research, 2017

How often should I use this serum?

This serum fits your combination skin very well and is used in the evening, as treatments with active ingredients go into your PM routine for simplicity and safety around sun exposure. It has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, making it unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Drug Research, 2017

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin. It features a very safe formula with soothing ingredients that help calm your skin without irritation.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).

What the research says

  • Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017
  • The tetrapeptide PKEK exerts skin whitening effects by reducing UVB-stimulated mRNA expression of pigmentation-inducing mediators like POMC and tyrosinase, and significantly fades facial pigment spots when combined with sodium ascorbyl phosphate.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2012
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006
  • A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
  • Lectins and niacinamide reversibly inhibit melanosome transfer to keratinocytes without affecting cell viability, and topical niacinamide reduces facial hyperpigmented spots in a dose-dependent and reversible manner.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2005
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Topical application of Malva sylvestris hydroalcoholic extract and its constituent malvidin 3-glucoside reduced ear oedema, polymorphonuclear cell influx, and interleukin-1beta levels in mice with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate-induced ear inflammation.

    Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2013
  • Topical application of hydroalcoholic extract of Malva sylvestris reduced oedema, leukocyte migration, and keratinocyte hyperproliferation in a mouse ear model of chronic skin inflammation induced by multiple applications of TPA, and caused low toxicity and reduced cell proliferation by apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes.

    Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie, 2017
  • Topical administration of Malva sylvestris 1% aqueous extract improved cutaneous wound healing with less fibrosis, less scar formation, and less hair follicle damage compared to control groups in male BALB/c mice.

    Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2015

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Pca, Caprylyl Glycol, Malva Sylvestris Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Peppermint Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Flower Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Veronica Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Erythritol, Chondrus Crispus, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbic Acid, Lemon Peel Extract, Bht

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.