Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum for oily skin
Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex
Retinoid
Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 wrinkle reduction for your oily skin due to peptides like acetyl hexapeptide-8 and hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which support smoothing texture and balancing hydration without exacerbating oiliness.
- The presence of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive for oily shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Whey Protein.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, fragrance-free formula that effectively hydrates and smooths skin texture without causing irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin. While many report visible improvements in fine lines, plumpness, and overall radiance, some users note that deep wrinkles require consistent, long-term use to show significant changes and that the high price point is a consideration.
Highlights
Smoother skin Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “leaves my skin soft”
- “improves texture immediately”
Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
- “visibly plumped up”
- “instantly made my skin more moisturized”
- “hydrates fine wrinkles”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “sinks right into the skin”
- “not greasy”
- “layers easily under moisturizer”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “quite pricey”
- “price point is so high”
- “expensive unless on sale”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “gentle and non-irritating”
- “no bad reactions”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “crows feet were visibly plumped”
- “softens my skin and lines”
- “forehead wrinkles look better”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “don't expect miracles overnight”
- “no where as effective as laser”
- “didn't notice a difference”
Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “hard to get small amount”
- “pump issues”
Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “increase your skin's sun sensitivity”
- “must use SPF”
- “treat with caution”
Sources: lovi.care, hometesterclub.com, sephora.sg, sephora.my, ulta.com, clinique.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin by smoothing texture and providing hydration without adding excess oil, though other options fit this skin type better. To achieve a better fit for oily skin, a product needs ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, and zinc PCA to control excess oil and pores, alongside ceramides and panthenol for hydration.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum is a moderate fit for your oily skin because peptides like acetyl hexapeptide-8 and hydroxypinacolone retinoate help smooth texture and balance hydration without making skin oily. Additionally, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide gentle hydration and soothing benefits. A treatment for oily skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, zinc PCA, and balancing extracts to control excess oil and shine while maintaining a healthy glow.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
What does Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex do for oily skin?
Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex is generally an average fit for oily skin because it lacks the targeted sebum-balancing ingredients this skin type requires to manage excess shine. To properly care for oily skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or pyruvic acid to help reduce excess oil secretion and keep pores clear.
What does Retinoid do for oily skin?
Retinoid helps manage oily skin by reducing oil production and keeping pores clear. This type of ingredient works best when paired with oil-controlling and pore-clearing ingredients to keep skin balanced and smooth.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2013The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin typically benefits from lightweight serums with oil-free hydration and targeted peptides to keep skin smooth.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and letting it absorb before layering this serum. This combination is unlikely to irritate your oily skin, though an average fit for this skin type typically benefits from lightweight hydrators and targeted balancing ingredients to control excess shine.
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. People who tolerate it well and see good results can carefully use it more often.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients that balance moisture without leaving a heavy layer. Oily skin works best with oil-free serums containing lightweight hydrators and soothing peptides that smooth texture without adding shine.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and retinyl propionate at a 5:9 weight ratio synergistically enhanced antiaging gene expressions in vitro and improved skin wrinkles, smoothness, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity in 42 Chinese urban women over an 8-week period without adverse reactions compared to retinol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023A 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, 2017A dermo-cosmetic formula containing 2% enoxolone significantly reduced erythema at 24 hours and pain at 30 minutes following non-ablative fractional laser treatment in 10 healthy subjects compared to a moisturizer control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 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, 2019Treatment 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, 2019Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.
European Journal of Neurology, 2013Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract Algae Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Wheat Extract Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Whey Lactis Protéine Du Petit-Lait Protein, Isohexadecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cholesterol, Peg-8, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Peg-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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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