ZO Skin Health Firming Serum for dry skin
Retinyl Palmitate
Sodium Dna
Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Tocopheryl Acetate
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 your dry skin due to the humectant action of glycerin, but it lacks sufficient emollient or occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration and addressing flakiness.
- While the serum provides excellent firming and plumping benefits from Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 and Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, these functions are secondary to your primary need for intense hydration.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like Glycerin and Tocopheryl Acetate.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis product is highly praised for its ability to visibly lift, tighten, and improve the structural integrity of aging skin. Users across various skin types report that the lightweight, hydrating formula effectively reduces the appearance of sagging jowls and fine lines, resulting in a more defined and youthful facial contour.
Highlights
Visible firming Mostly Mentioned
- “My jowls don't bother me as much.”
- “Finally got that much-needed lift.”
- “Marionette lines appear less pronounced.”
- “Visibly tightens and firms the skin.”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Lightweight and tolerable formulation.”
- “Gel formula, super hydrating without heaviness.”
- “Absorbs quickly, feels amazing.”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “I just wish it weren't so expensive!”
- “Even though it's expensive I love it.”
- “Price is a bit high for the amount.”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels smoother, wrinkles reduced.”
- “Skin quality improved greatly.”
- “Skin feels hydrated and plump.”
Minimal results Rarely Noted
- “Actives are not the most effective.”
- “Effect is most likely minimal.”
- “Hard to photograph results.”
Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, judge.me, myfacedr.com, uzuriaesthetics.com, whatsinmyjar.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does ZO Firming Serum work for dry skin?
ZO Skin Health Firming Serum works moderately well for dry skin because it contains glycerin for basic moisture, but a product of this type needs richer softening and sealing ingredients to deeply hydrate and address flakiness.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin and tocopheryl acetate make this serum a fit for dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in. Because dry skin needs heavy hydration and barrier support, a product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or propolis.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
What does Retinyl Palmitate do for dry skin?
Retinyl palmitate helps improve dryness by moisturizing the skin and smoothing out rough texture across various body sites. It also helps soften fine lines and wrinkles while keeping the skin feeling smooth.
What does Sodium DNA do for dry skin?
Sodium DNA helps improve hydration and supports barrier recovery in dry skin. It helps repair the skin barrier and keeps the skin feeling smooth and comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine for dry skin, after cleansing and before moisturizing. A product of this type needs rich, nourishing ingredients that lock in moisture and soften dry patches.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum alongside retinol, applying the treatment step at night before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to irritate dry skin because it contains soothing components like glycerin and tocopheryl acetate, but a product of this type still needs rich softening and sealing ingredients to address flakiness and keep dry skin fully hydrated.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. A product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and deeply comfort dry skin.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on dry skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin and vitamin E. To truly satisfy dry skin, a product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients that lock in moisture and stop flakiness.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum and limonene).
What the research says
A 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, 2017Leontopodium alpinum callus culture extract improved anti-periorbital wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, skin thickness, antioxidant activity, and moisturizing activity while suppressing inflammation and wrinkling compared to placebo and in response to UVB treatment.
Genes, 2020Leontopodium alpinum callus culture extract at 10-15 mg/mL promoted COL-I production and inhibited MMP-1, OPN3, ROS, and calcium influx in a blue-light-induced human foreskin fibroblast damage model, indicating an anti-blue-light-damage effect through the OPN3-calcium pathway.
Molecules, 2023Vitamin E in O/W and W/O emulsions significantly increased stratum corneum hydration and enhanced water-binding capacity, with an optimum concentration of 5%.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998Co-encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl acetate in nanostructured lipid carrier gel formulations significantly enhanced moisture retention up to 68% and improved skin elasticity in human volunteers compared to a solution gel.
Scientific Reports, 2025Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Topical application of Low-Peony PDRN enhanced barrier recovery and improved periorbital skin elasticity in human subjects.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025Polydeoxyribonucleotide promotes skin regeneration by increasing ERK phosphorylation, collagen accumulation, and cell proliferation and migration in fibroblasts while inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokine expression in keratinocytes.
Molecular Medicine Reports, 2023A topical mixture of polydeoxyribonucleotide, vitamin C, and niacinamide delivered via a microneedling therapy system decreased skin pigmentation and increased skin elasticity by attenuating melanogenesis and the destruction of collagen and elastin fibers in a UV-B-radiated animal model.
Molecules, 2022A concentrated ethanol extract of Edelweiss callus culture (ECC55) protected primary human keratinocytes and endotheliocytes against various inflammatory and oxidative stimuli by inhibiting chemokine release, restoring sirtuin-inhibited cellular markers, and suppressing inflammation-related gene expression.
Mediators of Inflammation, 2012Leontopodic acid A effectively boosted COI-1 expression, hindered MMP-1 expression, curbed ROS and Ca2+ endocytosis, and reduced OPN3 expression in human foreskin fibroblasts to protect against blue light damage.
Molecules, 2023Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Why other serums fit dry skin better
A 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, 2020Treatment 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
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Dna, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Lecithin, Dextran, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cellulose, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ultramarines, Ext, Violet 2, Limonene
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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