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ISDIN Flavo-C Serum for dry skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

ISDIN Flavo-C Serum

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 exfoliation for your dry skin due to the presence of Ascorbic Acid and Lactic Acid, which provide antioxidant protection and brightening but lack sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients to fully address dryness.
  • The formula is safe for your dry skin as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients, ensuring no risks of irritation.
  • While the serum offers general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, its primary function is not optimally aligned with your specific need for intense moisture replenishment.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

This serum is highly regarded for its ability to brighten dull skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and smooth fine lines, making it particularly effective for mature, dehydrated, or sun-damaged complexions. The formula is frequently praised for being lightweight and fast-absorbing, and for providing significant hydration. A small number of users with sensitive skin have reported experiencing irritation or redness.

Highlights

  • Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “My hyperpigmentation has lightened and skin looks more even, even shines more.”
    • “Gives a flawless and illuminating results.”
    • “I've seen good results with skin brightening, hydration and smoothing of fine lines.”
    • “This boosts collagen and makes the face brighter and tones the skin.”
  • Hydrates and smooths Often Mentioned
    • “I am more on a dehydrated side and this helps me look hydrated and smooth.”
    • “Helps reduce wrinkles and hydrate all day and all night.”
    • “I've seen good results with skin brightening, hydration and smoothing of fine lines.”
    • “Feel vibrant and refreshed with supple, moisturized skin.”
  • Lightweight, fast-absorbing Sometimes Noted
    • “I like how it is light not thick... love it.”
    • “The serum absorbs quickly so you can apply your moisturizer right away.”
    • “Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, making it an excellent addition to any morning skincare routine.”
    • “No scent....which I like. The serum absorbs quickly.”
  • Frustrating packaging Rarely Noted
    • “I like the actual product, but the packaging is awful, I've already lost three bottles the applicator pops off.”
    • “I had been using the Flavo-C ampoules and loved the serum inside. But I've nicked myself one too many times while snapping the glass top off.”
    • “The serum is too thick for me and I feel I waste a lot of the product when tipping the vial.”
    • “Challenging packaging.”
  • Irritates sensitive skin Rarely Noted
    • “I think the serum is too strong for my face as it has burned and left very rough and a peeling face.”
    • “When i put the Day and night cream on it stings so I am afraid I am not able to use this product.”
    • “Super Irritating... Most Vitamin C serums oxidize and leave a yellow/orange cast on face.”
    • “If you have sensitive skin, you might experience some redness after the first application.”
  • Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
    • “While I do like the product, the smell is very off-putting.”
    • “It's a very strong, unpleasant herbal-like scent.”
    • “It is so bad that I emailed customer service to see if it was in fact spoiled.”
    • “So I'm holding my nose and continuing to use it up.”

Sources: lovi.care, judge.me, dermapproved.com, newbeauty.com, walmart.com, frenchpharmacy.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does ISDIN Flavo-C work for dry skin?

ISDIN Flavo-C Serum works moderately well for dry skin, providing brightening and antioxidant protection, but it lacks rich softening and sealing ingredients to fully quench dryness. Treatments that fit dry skin better need deeply nourishing and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and rich hydrators to lock in moisture and keep skin soft.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

Ascorbic acid and lactic acid make this serum an average fit by providing moderate exfoliation and brightening, though dry skin needs a product rich in soothing, barrier-supporting, and deeply hydrating ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or peptides to lock in moisture.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Vitamin C do for dry skin?

Vitamin C helps dry skin by boosting moisture and keeping the surface smooth and soft. It may also improve skin hydration and support the outer protective barrier over time.

Skin Research and Technology, 2008Experimental Dermatology, 2008

What does Ginkgo Biloba Extract do for dry skin?

Ginkgo Biloba Extract helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by supporting the skin barrier function. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect skin cells from everyday damage.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005

Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Dry skin needs a product of this type to include rich softening ingredients and heavy moisturizing barriers to properly comfort and seal in hydration.

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

You can use this treatment with retinol by applying the serum in your morning routine and retinol at night, since the formula contains no harsh ingredients and is safe for your skin. However, because this product lacks rich moisturizing ingredients, dry skin needs an extra cream or lotion that seals in moisture and keeps your face soft and smooth.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable, you may carefully use it more often. Because your skin is dry, a product of this type needs rich softening ingredients to deeply lock in moisture and comfort.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin. It contains no heavy oils or harsh ingredients that typically trigger blemishes, making it safe for daily use.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • 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 application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

  • Topical application of Ginkgo biloba cream for two weeks reduced wrinkles and improved skin shape, texture, and tautness in human volunteers compared to baseline.

    Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Treatment with a combination of propylene glycol, ethanol, water, and shampoo was found effective, easy to use, and cosmetically attractive with no observed side effects in patients with dandruff.

    Cutis, 1988

  • A moisturizer containing glycerol and propylene glycol reduced transepidermal water loss, decreased epidermal thickness, increased stratum corneum thickness, and reduced dermal inflammatory infiltrate compared to untreated disrupted skin in six healthy beagle dogs.

    Veterinary Dermatology, 2020

Why other serums fit dry skin better

Ingredients

Propylene Glycol, Water, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, 2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ginkgo Biloba

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play