Derma E Retinol Concentrated Serum for combination skin
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, this serum effectively minimizes fine lines and wrinkles with retinol and bakuchiol, which regulate desquamation and stimulate collagen. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration to support your skin, though they do not specifically target oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, as it lacks harsh or prohibited ingredients that could cause irritation.
- This product offers excellent anti-aging benefits and is well-tolerated by your skin type.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for being gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, effectively improving texture and firmness. Many users report positive results without irritation, making it a good option for those new to retinol. Some users express frustration with the dropper design, and a few mention slow results or a sticky texture.
Highlights
Gentle on skin Mostly Mentioned
- “I'm usually very sensitive to retinol but... so far no irritation.”
- “My skin can handle it daily... no irritation or peeling.”
- “Ideal for sensitive skin... won't irritate.”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “My facial skin is considerably firmer and smoother.”
- “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
- “My skin becomes more radiant and firmer.”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “It sinks in nicely.”
- “Well absorbed.”
- “Praised for its quick absorption and lightweight feel.”
Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “Great value and perfect for starting retinol!”
- “A smart entry point into retinol.”
- “Gentle and gradual rather than aggressive.”
Dropper design issues Sometimes Noted
- “Horrible dispenser... very little product came out.”
- “The top is a dropper but you have to push down... to release it.”
- “Dissatisfaction with the dropper's functionality.”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “I haven't seen visible wrinkle reduction yet.”
- “Don't know its effectiveness yet, but I'm going on faith.”
- “I hope to see more visible results but I know... it always takes time.”
Sticky texture Rarely Noted
- “It's a bit sticky and very thick.”
- “I use it only for my evening routine as it's a bit sticky.”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, dermae.com, lovelyskin.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes DERMA E Retinol Concentrated Serum a great fit for combination skin?
DERMA E Retinol Concentrated Serum is a great fit because it uses retinol and bakuchiol to smooth fine lines while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration. The formula is well-tolerated by your skin type and lacks harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Retinol and bakuchiol make this serum a great fit by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin hydrated. These ingredients help improve aging skin safely and are well-tolerated by your skin type.
What does Encapsulated Retinol do for combination skin?
Encapsulated retinol helps smooth fine lines and even out skin tone while being gentle enough for combination skin. This ingredient improves skin firmness and boosts collagen, though an average or poor fit for this skin type may need added soothing hydrators and lightweight moisture to prevent dryness.
What does Bakuchiol do for combination skin?
Bakuchiol helps smooth wrinkles, fade dark spots, and calm redness while supporting a balanced skin barrier. This plant-based ingredient works well for combination skin by improving firmness and elasticity without causing the scaling or stinging often linked to traditional anti-aging options.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Health Science Reports, 2025
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps it simple and safe around sun exposure. It helps smooth fine lines on combination skin without causing irritation.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this retinol serum at night to help your skin stay smooth and firm without overwhelming it. Using them at different times of the day is generally safer for your skin barrier, as mixing them together may increase the likelihood of irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this serum in your evening routine. Start by applying it once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable and looks good, you may gradually use it more often.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin since it lacks harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. However, you may experience mild temporary purging as the retinol helps speed up skin renewal and smooth fine lines.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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 single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical 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, 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, 1995A 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, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract formulated into a serum and mask showed significantly better facial skin lightening efficacy than placebo in 30 volunteers over 28 days.
Planta Medica, 2020Topical 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, 2015A topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract significantly reduced skin erythema and melanin compared to a placebo in healthy Asian subjects over 12 weeks.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.
Nutrients, 2021Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearius Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Pca, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol
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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