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Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 benefits for your acne and oiliness as the Sodium Hyaluronate Molecule provides hydration, which is supportive for acne-prone skin. It offers moderate suitability for your oily skin due to its humectant action, but lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risks of irritation.
  • The serum offers excellent hydration due to the presence of Sodium Hyaluronate Molecule in moderate concentrations for plumping.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

This serum is highly praised for its ability to deliver deep, weightless hydration, effectively plumping the skin and softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is particularly well-suited for those with dehydrated or dull complexions, offering a smooth, non-tacky finish that improves overall skin texture and radiance.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “Skin version of chugging water”
    • “Deep hydration”
    • “Replenishes moisture”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Very light weight”
    • “Absorbs quickly”
    • “Not greasy or heavy”
  • Non-tacky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “Doesn't dry tacky”
    • “No stickiness”
    • “Leaves skin soft”
  • Smooths fine lines Sometimes Noted
    • “Smooths out fine lines”
    • “Forehead lines less defined”
    • “Instant plumping effect”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “A bit pricey”
    • “Expensive for the size”
    • “Value could be better”
  • Small bottle size Sometimes Noted
    • “Only 25ml”
    • “Runs out too fast”
    • “Small amount for price”
  • Minimal visible results Rarely Noted
    • “Nothing to brag about”
    • “Don't see improvement”
    • “Dubious at first”

Sources: lovi.care, grownalchemist.com, lookfantastic.com, adorebeauty.com.au, influenster.com, chickadvisor.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, providing hydration that helps support acne-prone skin without causing irritation. It lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, so an acne treatment for this skin type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and propolis to manage excess oil and promote a healthy glow.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum fits oily acne-prone skin because the sodium hyaluronate molecule provides supportive hydration without irritation. However, to truly work well for this skin type, a treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or vitamin c for oil control and to address blemishes.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by decreasing oil production and reducing breakouts while keeping the skin hydrated. It may also improve skin barrier function and help deliver acne-fighting treatments gently without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

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

Apply this serum in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. It works for your oily acne-prone skin by giving you hydration, but an oily skin type needs products with targeted oil-controlling ingredients to manage oil best.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to keep your skin hydrated while managing breakouts. To care best for oily acne-prone skin, this type of product needs added oil-control ingredients alongside gentle hydration.

How often should I use it?

Apply this serum in your evening routine, using it once a week initially and gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It is generally safe and unlikely to irritate oily acne-prone skin, though this type of skin also needs ingredients for oil control.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on your oily acne-prone skin because it is free of harsh ingredients, but it lacks enough ingredients for optimal oil control. To truly balance oily acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs extra oil-balancing ingredients and lightweight hydrators to keep shine in check.

International Journal of Toxicology, 2001

What the research says

  • Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate can be used safely in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and Benzyl Alcohol is safe up to 10% in hair dyes, despite causing nonimmunologic contact reactions.

    International Journal of Toxicology, 2001

  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

  • 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

  • Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.

    Drug Delivery, 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

  • Benzyl alcohol acted moderately and reversibly on stratum corneum lipids, increasing hygroscopicity and decreasing water-holding capacity to the same extent as Azone and DMSO.

    Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 1995

Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Sodium Hyaluronate Molecule, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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