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The Nue Co. Skin Filter Serum for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even 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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and lactic acid work to renew texture and smooth the skin, while zinc PCA helps regulate oil production.
  • Bakuchiol and galactoarabinan provide additional benefits for acne and blemishes by offering mild chemical exfoliation and supporting skin renewal.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
  • Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.

People Say

★4.1Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

This serum is frequently praised for delivering a radiant, filtered complexion and improving skin texture without irritation. Users often report brighter, more hydrated skin with diminished fine lines, making it suitable for sensitive and combination skin types. Some users find the price point high and note a sticky texture during application.

Highlights

  • Visible skin glow Mostly Mentioned
    • “Instant radiant glow”
    • “Skin looks filtered”
    • “Lovely healthy glow”
  • Gentle, non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “No redness or irritation”
    • “Perfect for sensitive skin”
    • “Gentle retinol alternative”
  • High price Often Mentioned
    • “Pricey but good”
    • “Expensive for the size”
    • “Hard to justify cost”
  • Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels plumped”
    • “Deeply hydrates skin”
    • “Not greasy or oily”
  • Improves texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Smoother skin texture”
    • “Refined visible pores”
    • “Evened out tone”
  • Mixed results Rarely Noted
    • “Didn't see major change”
    • “Not great for me”
    • “No noticeable difference”
  • Sticky texture Rarely Noted
    • “Feels a bit sticky”
    • “Takes time to absorb”
    • “Slightly tacky finish”

Sources: lovi.care, spacenk.com, lemon8-app.com, ipsy.com, lookfantastic.com, thenueco.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Nue Co. Skin Filter Serum a great fit for acne-prone skin?

The Nue Co. Skin Filter Serum is a great fit because glycolic acid and lactic acid renew texture and smooth your skin while zinc PCA helps control oil. Bakuchiol and galactoarabinan also provide mild exfoliation and support skin renewal to help with blemishes.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

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

Glycolic acid and lactic acid renew texture and smooth the skin, while zinc PCA helps regulate oil production. Additionally, bakuchiol and galactoarabinan offer mild chemical exfoliation and support skin renewal for acne-prone skin.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

What does Phyto-Retinal do for acne-prone skin?

Phyto-Retinal helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness when used regularly. It is also unlikely to cause the severe irritation often linked to standard retinoids while helping fade dark spots left by breakouts.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2021

What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting at once a week so your skin can adjust. You may use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results.

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

This exfoliant treatment is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because it uses glycolic and lactic acids to renew texture, along with zinc PCA to help control oil. Bakuchiol and galactoarabinan also help support skin renewal and address blemishes without harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. You may use it alongside a retinol, but it is unlikely to be safe in the same routine step; instead, apply them on alternate nights or separate times of day to keep your skin calm and smooth.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015American Family Physician, 2012

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. The formula is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients that are likely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This exfoliant treatment is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and zinc PCA help renew texture and regulate oil, while bakuchiol supports skin renewal safely without harsh irritation.

The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

Is this exfoliant treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
  • A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • A 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, 2015
  • Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
  • 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, 2019
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Bakuchiol 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, 2014
  • Repeated 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, 2000
  • Serial 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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
  • A nature-based bakuchiol-containing cleanser and moisturizer improved visual and tactile smoothness, clarity, radiance, overall appearance, global anti-aging, and skin moisture content by 16% in 60 female subjects with sensitive mild to moderate photodamaged skin over 4 weeks.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020
  • Bakuchiol demonstrated multidirectional antiageing efficacy in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, sharing features with retinol while uniquely stimulating extracellular matrix components, epidermal regeneration, and wound healing.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022
  • A 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil applied once daily decreased wrinkles by 11%, increased skin firmness by 8%, reduced redness by 70%, and improved overall skin quality and complexion in 103 female subjects over 28 to 84 days compared to baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004
  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992
  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Isoamyl Laurate, Heptyl Glucoside, Galactoarabinan, Sclerotium Gum, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Caffeine, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Isoamyl Cocoate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zinc Pca, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sugar Maple Extract, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nephelium Lappaceum Extract, Heptanol, Pinus Strobus Bark Extract

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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