APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum for combination skin
Glutathione
Niacinamide
Centella Asiatica Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
SqualaneAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it 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
- This serum offers moderate brightening and evening of skin tone for your combination skin, as niacinamide and ascorbic acid work to address dullness and discoloration. Centella Asiatica Extract and Sodium Hyaluronate provide supportive hydration and soothing benefits, which can help manage oily shine.
- The formula is highly suitable for combination skin due to the presence of niacinamide and centella asiatica extract, offering seboregulation and anti-inflammatory action.
- 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 agents like Centella Asiatica Extract and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive, acne-prone, and combination skin frequently praise this serum for its lightweight, non-sticky hydration and ability to calm redness while gradually evening out skin tone. While it effectively delivers a "glass skin" glow and smooths texture, many users note that brightening hyperpigmentation is a slow process requiring consistent long-term use.
Highlights
Lightweight & absorbent Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs without sticky residue”
- “glides onto skin beautifully”
- “watery texture sinks in fast”
- “feels like milk, very gentle”
- “perfect for layering under makeup”
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “helped effectively fade dark spots”
- “skin looks clearer and brighter”
- “removes dullness and evens tone”
- “complexion became more refined-looking”
- “gives a radiant healthy glow”
Soothes sensitive skin Often Mentioned
- “calms redness noticeably”
- “no tingling or irritation”
- “safe for super sensitive skin”
- “helped stabilize my skin barrier”
- “reduced inflammation and acne marks”
Hydrating & plumping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin looking well-nourished”
- “plumps up fine lines”
- “deeply hydrating with moisture hint”
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “prevents dryness throughout the day”
Slow visible results Sometimes Noted
- “won't get rid of spots overnight”
- “brightening effect isn't very noticeable yet”
- “takes months to see difference”
- “subtle changes, requires consistency”
- “slow progress on deep pigmentation”
Cheap packaging feel Rarely Noted
- “plastic bottle feels inexpensive”
- “packaging looks simple/basic”
- “lightweight container feels cheap”
- “cap feels a bit flimsy”
- “branding looks budget-friendly”
Insufficient for dryness Rarely Noted
- “hydration level a bit underwhelming”
- “need to layer cream on top”
- “not moisturizing enough for winter”
- “too watery for very dry skin”
- “light for those needing heavy occlusion”
Rare skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “woke up with new bumps”
- “caused tiny pimples initially”
- “not fungal acne safe”
- “experienced slight breakout”
- “skin reacted to fermented ingredients”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, pearlandbubbles.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum work for combination skin?
This serum works moderately well for your combination skin, offering basic brightening and soothing hydration that helps manage oily shine. A treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and propolis or zinc PCA that regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide optimal hydration and balance without excess oiliness or dryness.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide and centella asiatica extract make this serum a good fit for combination skin by helping manage oily shine while providing soothing benefits. To match the best fits for combination skin, this type of product also needs ingredients like propolis or zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and enhance radiance without causing irritation or imbalance.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
What does Glutathione do for combination skin?
Glutathione helps brighten sun-exposed areas and reduce dark spots for combination skin, while also improving moisture and smoothness. It is unlikely to cause irritation and maintains a safe profile for regular use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014International Journal of Dermatology, 2025
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Combination skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hydrators to balance oil and add moisture without feeling heavy.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol treatment. A combination product of this type for your combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and centella asiatica extract to manage oily shine while keeping the skin calm.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well as an evening treatment for your combination skin. To get better results for this skin type, a product of this type needs balancing ingredients like niacinamide to control oily shine along with soothing hydrators like centella asiatica extract.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for your combination skin. Its safe formula includes soothing agents like Centella Asiatica Extract and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, which help keep skin calm without heavy oils.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016A 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, 2020Co-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, 2023A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical 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, 2019Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Glyceryl Acrylate Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Extract, Artemisia Annua Extract, Rice Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Squalane, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cholesterol, Styrene Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Inulin, Cellulose, Glucose, Fructose, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Hydroxyacetophenone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Citrate
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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