Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D/Neck for acne-prone skin
Dmae
Niacinamide
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Glycerin
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other sunscreens fit it better.
- European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 suitability for combination skin, as niacinamide helps regulate oil production and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate provides antioxidant benefits, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula provides excellent moisturization with glycerin and dimethicone, smoothing and hydrating your skin, though it does not offer sufficient ingredients for optimal results in all areas of your combination skin.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Bisabolol.
How to apply
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM every morning as the final step of your daily routine.
- Layer the moisturizing sunscreen after your moisturizer has fully absorbed, right before heading out into the sun .
- Smooth a nickel-sized amount of the moisturizing sunscreen evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the moisturizing sunscreen onto clean, dry skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
- Perform a patch test before first use and avoid direct contact with the eyes.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 2.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently report visible improvements in skin texture and firmness along the jawline and neck, describing the skin as smoother and more hydrated. A significant number of reviewers consistently complain about a strong, unpleasant scent often compared to pickles or fish, and some experience issues with the product pilling under makeup.
Highlights
Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
- “smells like pickles”
- “fishy odor”
- “scent is unbearable”
- “funky chemical smell”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “crepiness is gone”
- “skin feels smoother”
- “softens neck lines”
- “texture is refined”
Visibly tightens and firms Often Mentioned
- “jawline looks more defined”
- “helped with sagging skin”
- “tightened my turkey neck”
- “noticed firmness in weeks”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “very moisturizing”
- “skin feels hydrated”
- “plumps the skin”
- “great for dry neck”
Lightweight and absorbent Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “not greasy”
- “lightweight consistency”
- “sinks right in”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “not worth the money”
- “cost is prohibitive”
Caused irritation Rarely Noted
- “broke my neck out”
- “caused red rash”
- “skin felt burning”
- “itchy reaction”
Pilling or flaking Rarely Noted
- “rolls off skin”
- “flakes when touched”
- “pills under makeup”
- “residue rubs off”
Sources: lovi.care, perriconemd.com, nordstrom.com, macys.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ Sub-D/Neck work for acne-prone skin?
This product is an average fit for your acne-prone skin because while niacinamide helps balance oil and glycerin keeps skin smooth and hydrated, it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your breakouts. A product of this type needs effective soothing ingredients and targeted agents that address acne and blemishes while providing balanced care without causing excess oiliness.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, while glycerin and dimethicone smooth and hydrate your skin. However, this cream needs effective soothing ingredients that address acne and blemishes while providing sun protection without excess oiliness.
What does DMAE do for acne-prone skin?
DMAE may help firm the skin and improve overall texture, but it does not treat acne or breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs ingredients that clear pores and calm redness, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cream goes in the morning routine as your moisturizer and spf step, right after your hydrating toner. Acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes specialized ingredients to effectively target blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying it after your retinol treatment to help soothe your skin and keep it hydrated. Because this product does not target breakouts, acne-prone skin needs specialized blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components for the best results.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing spf daily as part of your routine. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and keeps the skin barrier protected.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream works for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target blemishes and breakouts. To care for this skin type properly, a product of this type needs targeted ingredients that help clear pores and control breakouts.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Topical formulations containing ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, coenzyme Q10, green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuated inflammatory signs compared to untreated skin and vehicle in 25 Japanese volunteers exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017A 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, 2017Daily application of 3% DMAE facial gel for 16 weeks safely and efficaciously mitigates forehead lines and periorbital fine wrinkles, improves lip shape and fullness and overall aging skin appearance, and increases skin firmness compared to placebo.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2005A gel containing 3% 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) increased skin firmness, demonstrated by increased shear wave velocity in 30 volunteers compared to a formulation without DMAE.
Skin Research and Technology, 2002A DMAE-based formulation increased dermal and collagen fiber thickness in hairless mice and enhanced stratum corneum water content in human forearm skin compared to control formulations, without significantly modifying mechanical properties.
Die Pharmazie, 2009Topical 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, 2005Topical 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, 2022The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Why other sunscreens fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Turmeric and curcumin products, both oral and topical, showed statistically significant improvement in skin disease severity in ten out of eighteen studies compared with control groups.
Phytotherapy Research, 2016
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyester-8, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Thioctic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bisabolol, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Mannitol, Benzyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Isohexadecane, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Aluminum Hydroxide
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
How does it fit your skin?
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