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The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% for acne-prone skin

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

The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10%

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

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 plumping for your combination skin due to the presence of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which improves elasticity without exacerbating oiliness or dryness.
  • While it provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

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

★4.3Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users frequently describe this serum as "Botox in a bottle," praising its ability to soften dynamic facial lines, particularly on the forehead and around the eyes. While many with mature or expressive skin report smoother texture and reduced wrinkle depth with consistent use, a notable portion of users saw no visible difference, suggesting efficacy varies significantly by skin type and depth of lines.

Highlights

  • Softens dynamic lines Mostly Mentioned
    • “Softened my deep forehead lines”
    • “Noticed my 11s are less prominent”
    • “Crow's feet look much smoother”
    • “Forehead feels tighter and smoother”
  • Affordable price point Often Mentioned
    • “Unbeatable price for peptides”
    • “Great value for the results”
    • “Cheap enough to use liberally”
    • “Wallet-friendly anti-aging”
  • Lightweight watery texture Often Mentioned
    • “Feels like water on the skin”
    • “Absorbs instantly with no residue”
    • “Layers perfectly under makeup”
    • “Completely weightless and non-sticky”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “Did not irritate my sensitive eyes”
    • “No stinging or redness”
    • “Gentle enough for daily use”
    • “Great alternative to harsh actives”
  • No visible results Sometimes Noted
    • “Did absolutely nothing for my lines”
    • “Finished the bottle with no difference”
    • “Just felt like putting water on my face”
    • “Zero improvement after 3 months”
  • Too runny/watery Sometimes Noted
    • “Runs right off my fingers”
    • “Hard to control the drops”
    • “Spills everywhere because it's so thin”
    • “Too watery to apply precisely”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Cap doesn't screw on tight”
    • “Dropper stopped working”
    • “Bottle leaked in my bag”
    • “Crusty residue around the rim”
  • Results take time Rarely Noted
    • “Took 2 months to see a change”
    • “Must use twice daily or it stops working”
    • “Slow progress, requires patience”
    • “Results fade immediately if you stop”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, theordinary.com, ulta.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, influenster.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does The Ordinary Argireline Solution work for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% is an average fit for acne-prone skin because it improves elasticity without adding oiliness, but it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. To work best for acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA or propolis that clear blemishes while keeping skin balanced.

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

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 makes this serum a fair fit for your skin by improving elasticity and smoothing fine lines without causing extra oiliness or dryness. Because it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, a treatment for acne-prone skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to clear blemishes while keeping skin balanced and hydrated.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017

What does Argireline do for acne-prone skin?

Argireline is not typically targeted for acne-prone skin, as it is primarily used to smooth fine lines and reduce wrinkles by relaxing facial movements. While it helps keep skin smooth, acne-prone skin generally needs ingredients that clear pores, calm redness, and balance oil production.

What does Propanediol do for acne-prone skin?

Propanediol helps acne-prone skin by reducing oiliness and calming breakouts, as it may fight blemish-causing bacteria. Formulas with this ingredient also help keep dry skin feeling soft and comfortable without clogging pores.

Molecules, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. It is unlikely to cause irritation for your acne-prone skin, but an acne-focused product of this type needs targeted blemish-clearing ingredients to effectively address breakouts.

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

You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the treatment first and following with your retinol after it absorbs. This product is unlikely to cause irritation due to its gentle formula, but acne-prone skin needs products containing targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly manage breakouts.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. This product works for your skin, though other products fit it better, and acne-prone skin needs ingredients that directly target breakouts and blemishes alongside soothing components.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and blemishes, acne-prone skin needs a product that includes acne-fighting components and oil-balancing ingredients.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

  • Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017

  • Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

  • Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.

    Annals of Dermatology, 2019

  • Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.

    European Journal of Neurology, 2013

  • Dissolving microneedles loaded with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-8 achieved higher cumulative transdermal delivery than aqueous solutions and significantly reduced photoaging signs while restoring oxidative balance in a UV/D-galactose-induced mouse model.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026

  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

  • A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.

    Molecules, 2021

  • Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

  • Gellan gum hydrogel films co-encapsulating ofloxacin with tea tree or lavender oil achieved 98% wound contraction and completely healed epidermis in rats after ten days of treatment compared to baseline.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021

  • Oleuropein-rich gellan gum and sodium alginate hydrogel films acted as effective antioxidant and photoprotectant treatments against UVA-induced photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2023

  • Glycerol crosslinked vitamin E loaded xanthan gum and gellan gum nanoemulgels scavenged 88.5% of free radicals, reduced transepidermal water loss by up to 33.3%, and improved moisture content and skin structural characteristics in a murine dry skin model.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025

  • Calcium hydroxylapatite diluted with normal saline combined with microfocused ultrasound with visualization improved age-related changes in the lower face, neck, and décolleté and stimulated collagen and elastin fibers in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

  • Topical application of magnetized saline water serum improved skin hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss, sebum content, melanin index, and erythema index, and activated autophagy by increasing Beclin-1 and decreasing mTOR in females wanting to enhance facial and neck skin appearance.

    Cureus, 2023

Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gellan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Isoceteth-20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ethoxydiglycol

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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