Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum for mature skin
Glycolic Acid Complex
Time-Released Microencapsulated Retinol
Niacinamide
Squalane
Ascorbic AcidHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for mature skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 for your normal skin, this serum effectively targets wrinkles and fine lines with glycolic acid and retinol to promote exfoliation and collagen production, while niacinamide and ceramides support your skin barrier.
- The inclusion of tocopherol and allantoin further soothes and conditions your skin, enhancing the overall smoothing and rejuvenating effects.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week, and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this serum after your toner and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- You can apply the serum on dry skin for the best results against fine lines.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the sensitive eye area.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers report this serum effectively resurfaces skin, leading to smoother texture and reduced fine lines. Many praise its hydrating qualities and ability to even skin tone. A minority of users experienced stickiness upon application or purging breakouts.
Highlights
Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Texture is improving and smoothing”
- “Made my skin smooth and felt amazing”
- “Rough texture improved significantly”
- “Skin feels so soft”
Evens skin tone Sometimes Noted
- “Evened out my skin tone overall”
- “Dark spots are getting lighter”
- “Skin looked renewed and less dull”
- “Helped with post-hyperpigmentation”
Non-drying and gentle Sometimes Noted
- “Skin finally feels hydrated and plump”
- “Doesn't sting like other retinols”
- “Did not feel tight or dry”
- “Softness lasts all day”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “Reducing appearance of lines”
- “Smile lines are not as visible”
- “Crows feet and expression wrinkles are better”
- “Diminished look of forehead crinkles”
Sticky after application Sometimes Noted
- “Product felt a little sticky”
- “Leaves a tacky film on skin”
- “Sticky right after using”
- “Takes a while to dry down”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Got some deep pimples”
- “Led to breakouts initially”
- “Experienced purging”
No visible results Rarely Noted
- “Haven't seen a difference”
- “Waiting to see any changes”
- “Did not work for my skin”
Unpleasant smell Rarely Noted
- “Smells like paint”
- “Has a strong chemical odor”
- “Scent is unpleasant”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, lovely.com, qvc.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum a great fit for mature skin?
This serum is a great fit because glycolic acid and retinol help smooth fine lines and wrinkles while boosting firmness. At the same time, niacinamide, ceramides, and soothing ingredients keep your skin barrier comfortable and calm.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for mature skin?
Glycolic acid and retinol make this serum a great fit by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, while niacinamide and ceramides support your skin barrier. Added vitamin C, vitamin E, squalane, and soothing ingredients help brighten and condition your skin with a very low risk of irritation.
What does Glycolic Acid do for mature skin?
Glycolic acid helps mature skin by boosting collagen production and speeding up skin renewal to make it look smoother and firmer. It helps reduce wrinkles and improves skin texture over time, though it may occasionally cause mild irritation.
What does Retinol do for mature skin?
Retinol helps smooth fine lines and encourages collagen production to make mature skin firmer and more resilient. It may also cause temporary dryness or flaking when you first start using it.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Lovi routines place treatments in the evening for extra safety around sun exposure, and you can start using it once a week and build up if your skin handles it well.
Can I use this serum with BHA, and in what order?
You can use this serum with BHA by applying your BHA product first, letting it dry, and then following with this treatment serum in your evening routine. Because both ingredients promote exfoliation and may dry out your skin, using them together requires caution to help prevent irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
Start by using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels fine and you like the results, you can carefully use it more often. This product is a great fit because glycolic acid and retinol help smooth fine lines, while niacinamide and ceramides keep your skin barrier supported and calm.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin, as it has a very low complaint rate for causing breakouts and contains soothing ingredients. Retinol and glycolic acid help clear dead skin cells, which may occasionally lead to mild initial purging as your skin adjusts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2020Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995Topical 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, 2005Squalane 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 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, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Jojoba Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate, C9-12 Alkane, Arachidyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Retinol, Collagen, Adenosine, Squalane, Allantoin, Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Lecithin, Ceramide Np, Volcanic Soil, Pullulan, Sodium Phytate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Amylopectin, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sclerotium Gum, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Lysolecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica Ci 77019
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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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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