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NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Niacinamide Serum for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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

  • Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by Zinc PCA and Ferulic Acid, which help regulate sebum and offer antioxidant protection, addressing your concerns with oiliness and breakouts.
  • Niacinamide and Arbutin work synergistically to brighten your skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation, further enhancing the product's benefits for your complexion.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with Bisabolol and Calendula Officinalis Extract providing soothing benefits and minimizing any potential for irritation.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

Users consistently praise this serum for its ability to brighten dull complexions and fade hyperpigmentation while effectively regulating oil production. The lightweight, milky texture is widely appreciated for absorbing quickly and layering well, though the packaging is frequently criticized for accumulating crystallized product around the rim.

Highlights

  • Brightens skin Often Mentioned
    • “Radiant and revitalized”
    • “enhances skin brightness”
    • “glowy and fresh”
    • “immediate glow”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “Lighten pigmentations”
    • “reduces hyperpigmentation”
    • “fades dark spots”
    • “helps with acne marks”
  • Hydrating & lightweight Often Mentioned
    • “Deeply moisturized”
    • “lightweight milky consistency”
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “non-sticky finish”
  • Controls oil Sometimes Noted
    • “Regulates excess sebum”
    • “balances oil production”
    • “controlled excess oil”
    • “less greasy”
  • Improves texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Smooths skin texture”
    • “tightens pores”
    • “refines texture”
    • “softens fine lines”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
    • “Bad bottle design”
    • “white crust around rim”
    • “messy and waste”
    • “crystallizing product”
  • Mild irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Sting a little”
    • “caused redness”
    • “tingling sensation”
  • No visible results Rarely Noted
    • “Didn't notice brightening”
    • “okay product”
    • “no change in spots”
  • Sticky texture Rarely Noted
    • “Slightly tacky”
    • “sticky feeling”
    • “takes time to set”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “Chemical smell”
    • “weird scent”
    • “fragrance-free but smells odd”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, neogenlab.us, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Niacinamide Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Zinc PCA and ferulic acid help control oil and protect your skin against breakouts, while niacinamide and arbutin work together to fade dark spots. Additionally, ingredients like bisabolol and calendula extract soothe your skin and keep irritation unlikely.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Zinc PCA and ferulic acid make this serum a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because they help control extra oil and protect your skin. Niacinamide and arbutin also help brighten your skin tone, while bisabolol and calendula extract help keep your skin calm and comfortable.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Ferulic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ferulic acid helps protect oily, acne-prone skin from sun damage and supports recovery after breakouts or treatments. This ingredient reduces redness and dark marks while helping to calm irritation.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are placed in the PM for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is also safe and unlikely to cause irritation thanks to soothing ingredients like bisabolol and calendula extract.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and letting it absorb before putting on your retinol. This pairing helps calm your skin and manage breakouts while you use retinol, and soothing ingredients help lower the chance of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this serum?

Apply this serum in your evening routine, using it once a day or a few times a week depending on how your skin feels. This simple schedule gives you the full benefits of the active ingredients while keeping your skin calm.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is a great fit and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it contains zinc and ferulic acid to help control oil. It also features soothing ingredients like bisabolol and calendula extract that help keep irritation low.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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, 2020
  • 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
  • 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
  • Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • Combining fractional microneedle radiofrequency with a topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced wrinkle severity by 29.9% versus 18.0%, increased elasticity by 12.9% versus 2.3%, and improved aesthetic outcomes in 31 participants compared to radiofrequency and placebo.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
  • Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical zinc treatment enhanced MMP-1 expression beneath the neoepidermis and metallothionein expression under the neoepidermis and in the wound bed in human epidermal wounds compared to placebo and control treatments.

    European Journal of Cell Biology, 2021
  • Topical preparations containing zinc(II) complexes with glycine and histidine effectively treat acne skin by providing high antibacterial activity against C. acnes and low cytotoxicity for skin cells, with no observed irritation or allergy in healthy volunteers.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
  • Topical copper and zinc formulations promote skin healing by exerting antimicrobial effects, modulating macrophage polarization, acting as enzyme cofactors, stimulating angiogenesis, and supporting re-epithelialization.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2026
  • Topical riboflavin photodynamic therapy showed comparable efficacy in reducing acne lesions and fewer adverse events compared with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.

    Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 2025
  • Topical application of niacin derivatives increased hair fullness in sixty female subjects with female pattern hair loss compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2005
  • Topical myristyl nicotinate increased skin cell NAD, stratum corneum thickness, epidermal thickness, epidermal renewal, minimal erythemal dose, and barrier resistance while reducing transepidermal water loss in subjects with photodamaged skin compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2007
  • 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
  • Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.

    Heliyon, 2023
  • Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Bisabolol, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Tromethamine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide Np, Riboflavin, Arbutin, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Zinc Pca, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Octenylsuccinate Starch, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Silica

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: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.