Clarins Double Serum for acne-prone skin
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Squalane
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Silybum Marianum Seed OilAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your combination skin, as Glycerin and Squalane provide essential hydration and moisturization, which are beneficial but not specifically targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Tocopheryl Acetate and other supportive ingredients offer general skincare benefits like soothing effects, but lack the potency needed for optimal results on your specific concerns.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this dual-phase serum is highly praised for providing immediate hydration and a healthy glow, benefiting dry, dull, or mature skin. Many users report smoother texture and reduced fine lines. However, some users with oily or acne-prone skin have experienced breakouts or found the finish too greasy. The product's strong fragrance is a moderate concern, and its high price point is frequently mentioned.
Highlights
Hydration and glow Mostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up”
- “gives a dewy complexion”
- “instant healthy glow”
- “relieved my dry patches”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “feels like silk”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “spa-like experience”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “not worth the money”
- “price is steep”
- “waiting for a sale”
Anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
- “plumped my fine lines”
- “skin looks firmer”
- “pores appear smaller”
- “smoother skin texture”
Innovative packaging Sometimes Noted
- “love the adjustable dial”
- “pump gives perfect amount”
- “cool dual-chamber bottle”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “smells like cheap perfume”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “triggered my allergies”
- “too heavily fragranced”
Breakouts/Irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “gave me white bumps”
- “broke me out immediately”
- “rash on my neck”
Greasy residue Rarely Noted
- “sat on top of skin”
- “too oily for me”
- “left a sticky film”
- “makeup slid off”
Sources: lovi.care, clarins.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, influenster.com, makeupalley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clarins Double Serum work for acne-prone skin?
This treatment works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as its glycerin and squalane provide helpful hydration, though it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, but acne-prone skin needs products with effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to manage blemishes while balancing oil and hydration.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and Squalane make this serum a fit by providing essential hydration, while Tocopheryl Acetate offers soothing effects. However, this skin type needs treatments with targeted ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to properly address breakouts and control oiliness.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Turmeric Root Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Turmeric Root Extract helps calm redness and lower swelling in acne-prone skin because of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient may improve overall skin condition, though an acne routine for this skin type also needs ingredients that clear pores and control excess oil.
Phytotherapy Research, 2016Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023
What does Squalane do for acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep acne-prone skin soft and smooth, but peroxidated forms can trigger inflammation in skin cells. For a better fit on acne-prone skin, products need non-clogging, soothing ingredients that balance oil without causing irritation.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, to keep your routine simple and safe around sun exposure. Acne-prone skin needs treatments with targeted blemish-fighting and exfoliating active ingredients to see optimal results.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying retinol first and following with this product, or by using retinol at night and this serum in the morning. This routine is generally safe for acne-prone skin, though acne needs ingredients specifically targeted to clear breakouts and blemishes.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Acne-prone skin works best with targeted treatments containing acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or retinoids.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
It is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your acne-prone skin, as it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients. However, to truly clear breakouts and manage acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Pharmaceutics, 2021
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
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, 2017Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021Topical quinoa bioester application upregulated skin barrier proteins and antioxidant enzymes, shifting proteomic profiles to predict lower biological skin ages compared to vehicle-treated skin by median differences of 11 and 16 years for participants under and over 50.
Communications Biology, 2026Quinoa bioester exposure in human reconstructed epidermis tridimensional cell cultures increased the abundance of proteins related to preventing premature aging, homeostasis, tissue regeneration, and protection against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative damage compared to untreated counterparts.
Scientific Reports, 2020Quinoa husk peptide fraction reduces melanin content via Akt signaling and apoptosis pathways in A375 cells and rat skin cells.
IScience, 2023Topical 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum applied twice daily significantly reduced clinical acne severity, lesion counts, and melanin pigmentation in 22 Korean acne patients over 4 weeks without associated adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Cosmetic eye and facial creams containing palmitoyl peptides, Silybum marianum seed oil, and vitamin E improve facial wrinkles, elasticity, dermal density, and skin tone in healthy volunteers with aged skin after 4 weeks of application compared to pre-application.
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 2016Topical silymarin cream 1.4% showed comparable results to salicylic acid 30% peels in reducing acne severity in 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2024
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Ppg-3 Myristyl Ether, Ethylene Propylene Styrene Copolymer, Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Escin, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Butylene Ethylene Styrene Copolymer, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Caramel, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Stem Extract Leaf, Disodium Edta, Tocopherol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Jania Rubens Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, Ci 14700 Red 4, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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