PCA SKIN Rejuvenating Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Glutathione
Squalane
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin, as Gluconolactone and Niacinamide provide mild exfoliation and seboregulation, though they may not fully address all concerns of oily skin.
- The serum provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing from ingredients such as Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Bisabolol, which are supportive but not targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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+ reviewsThis product is highly praised for improving skin texture, reducing fine lines, and providing a radiant glow. Users frequently mention its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula. Some users with sensitive skin find the alcohol-heavy base to be drying or irritating.
Highlights
Improves radiance Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves my skin glowing and refreshed.”
- “It did seem to make my skin more radiant.”
- “Gives your skin such a beautiful glow.”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly and does not feel sticky.”
- “Not greasy and heavy.”
- “Easy to apply, absorbs quickly.”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “Improvement in fine lines.”
- “Amazing for plumping and filling in fine lines.”
- “Decreasing the depth of lines.”
Refreshing experience Sometimes Noted
- “Love the light tingling/refreshing feeling.”
- “Smells amazing (very minty).”
- “Cooling sensation right away.”
Drying formula Sometimes Noted
- “Alcohol denat. ... can be drying and irritating.”
- “Strips barrier lipids and can trigger inflammation.”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “Was just a little too expensive.”
Irritating ingredients Rarely Noted
- “Peppermint oil ... is a known sensitizer.”
- “Citrus oils are a frustrating contradiction.”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “Not sure I'm seeing much difference.”
Sources: lovi.care, dermapproved.com, lovelyskin.com, influenster.com, dermstore.com, dermstreet.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does PCA SKIN Rejuvenating Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
PCA SKIN Rejuvenating Serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, offering mild exfoliation and oil control along with soothing hydration, though it may not fully address all acne concerns. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, but treatments for this skin type need effective ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, or propolis to handle breakouts and excess oil without heavy or pore-clogging components.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Gluconolactone and niacinamide make this serum a good fit by providing mild exfoliation and oil control, while aloe and bisabolol offer soothing hydration. However, an oily acne-prone skin type needs targeted ingredients like propolis, vitamin C, and salicylic acid to fully address breakouts and excess oil.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Skin Research and Technology, 2023
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 Glutathione do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glutathione helps protect oily, acne-prone skin from daily stress and irritation by acting as an antioxidant that supports a healthy skin barrier. It is unlikely to clog pores, but this skin type also needs ingredients that clear out oil and soothe redness to stay calm and smooth.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Current Problems in Dermatology, 2001
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily acne-prone skin needs a treatment product with stronger pore-clearing acids and blemish-fighting ingredients to fully address breakouts.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol. Because this product has a very safe profile with soothing ingredients, it is unlikely to cause irritation when combined this way. However, oily acne-prone skin typically needs targeted treatments with stronger acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in your evening routine, starting once a week and gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Oily acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing actives to fully address breakouts.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on your oily skin due to its safe formula with soothing ingredients like aloe and bisabolol. However, because it only offers moderate suitability with mild exfoliation, an acne-prone skin type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and stronger oil-balancing components to fully clear breakouts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (sd alcohol 40-b).
What the research says
Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.
Skin Research and Technology, 2023Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Squalane 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, 2025Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better
A 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, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Gluconolactone, Polysorbate 20, Bisabolol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isomalt, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Peppermint Oil, Tocopherol, Squalane, Glutathione, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phytosterols, Tropolone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Tocotrienols, Squalene, Rice Bran Wax, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Urea, Niacinamide, Glycine, Fructose, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract Grape Fruit Cell Extract, Lecithin, Inositol, Rh-Oligopeptide-1
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
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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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
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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