La Roche-Posay Redermic R for combination skin
Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Adenosine
Capryloyl Salicylic AcidAverage
- 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
- Offers moderate exfoliation and anti-aging benefits for your combination skin, as retinol and capryloyl salicylic acid work to minimize fine lines and regulate desquamation. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration, supporting your skin's overall balance.
- The formula is well-suited for combination skin, with ingredients like retinol and capryloyl salicylic acid addressing concerns such as oily shine and texture.
- The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers find this product to be an effective starter retinol, particularly for sensitive skin, with many reporting improvements in skin texture and fine lines without irritation. Some users note that it may be too mild for deeper wrinkles and requires consistent long-term use for significant results.
Highlights
Smoothes texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels softer”
- “resurfaced texture”
- “bumps smoothed out”
- “velvety finish”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “No irritation experienced”
- “great starter retinol”
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “zero redness or peeling”
Reduces lines Often Mentioned
- “Forehead lines diminished”
- “softened crow's feet”
- “fine lines less visible”
- “plumper appearance”
Lightweight formula Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs instantly”
- “lightweight fluid”
- “not sticky or oily”
- “wears well under makeup”
Mild/Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “No huge difference”
- “Took months to work”
- “Too weak for deep wrinkles”
- “Subtle changes only”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Strong floral smell”
- “Medicinal odor”
- “Scent is overpowering”
- “Fragrance is too strong”
Helps acne/marks Rarely Noted
- “Faded acne scars”
- “reduced breakouts”
- “cleared congestion”
- “helped with pigmentation”
Drying effect Rarely Noted
- “Dried out cheeks”
- “Need heavy moisturizer”
- “Caused flaky patches”
- “Skin felt tight”
Small packaging Rarely Noted
- “Tube is tiny”
- “Finished too quickly”
- “Expensive for amount”
- “Wish it was larger”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, lookfantastic.com, adorebeauty.com.au, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Redermic R work for combination skin?
La Roche-Posay Redermic R works reasonably well for combination skin, offering moderate smoothing and hydration while helping manage oily shine and texture. To achieve a better fit for this skin type, a product needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, or propolis to regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide balanced hydration without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for combination skin?
Retinol and capryloyl salicylic acid help smooth lines and manage oily shine, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep combination skin hydrated and balanced. Because other products fit this skin type better, a treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and boost radiance without causing irritation or imbalance.
What does Retinol do for combination skin?
Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Combination skin works best with products that offer gentle exfoliation to manage oily shine and texture alongside hydrating ingredients that keep the skin balanced.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
It is best to apply vitamin C in the morning and this treatment at night, because using strong active ingredients together can cause dryness or irritation. Combination skin needs products that balance oil and hydration while keeping pores clear.
How often should I use this treatment?
Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable and looks good, you may carefully use it more often. Combination skin needs ingredients like retinol and capryloyl salicylic acid to address oily shine and texture, alongside glycerin and sodium hyaluronate for essential hydration.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but retinol and capryloyl salicylic acid may cause mild initial purging or breakouts as they speed up skin cell renewal. To work best for combination skin, a product of this type needs balancing hydrators like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep dry areas comfortable while controlling oily shine.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2017Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical 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, 2019The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.
Cutis, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Propylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Soybean Oil, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinol, Retinyl Linoleate, Adenosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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