MEDIHEAL Vitamin C Brightening Serum for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin, as ascorbic acid and niacinamide work to address hyperpigmentation and provide antioxidant support. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid offer hydration, though the formula lacks specific ingredients to directly manage oily shine.
- The presence of aloe barbadensis leaf juice and niacinamide ensures a gentle experience, minimizing irritation potential for your oily skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no harsh ingredients and a good balance of soothing components suitable for your skin.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently describe this serum as a gentle, beginner-friendly Vitamin C option that excels at hydrating and smoothing rough skin texture without the irritation common to potent ascorbic acid products. While many report a "glass skin" glow and improved makeup application, feedback on fading stubborn dark spots or melasma is mixed, with some users finding it too mild for rapid pigmentation correction.
Highlights
Gentle & non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “Good for sensitive skin”
- “didn't burn or sting”
- “no redness after use”
- “mild formula”
Hydrating & moisturizing Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin dewy”
- “very moisturizing for dry skin”
- “hydrating finish”
- “doesn't dry me out”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “not greasy”
- “lightweight consistency”
- “layers well under makeup”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels softer”
- “smoother complexion”
- “makeup applies better”
- “refined roughness”
Slow brightening Sometimes Noted
- “No major difference in spots”
- “takes months to see results”
- “too mild for hyperpigmentation”
- “didn't fade acne scars”
Mild stickiness Rarely Noted
- “Slightly tacky at first”
- “sticky if you use too much”
- “needs time to dry down”
Scent preferences Rarely Noted
- “Smells like maple syrup”
- “citrus scent is strong”
- “scent is a bit odd”
Tingling sensation Rarely Noted
- “Slight tingle on application”
- “stung a little on broken skin”
- “mild prickling sensation”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, iherb.com, medihealus.com, stylekorean.com, ballagrio.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mediheal Vitamin C Brightening Serum work for oily skin?
Mediheal Vitamin C Brightening Serum works moderately well for oily skin by helping to brighten dark spots and hydrate, though it lacks ingredients to manage oily shine. To better fit oily skin, a treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and pores, along with soothing and barrier-supporting components that do not clog pores.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum fits oily skin because niacinamide and ascorbic acid help brighten dark spots, while aloe vera keeps things calm and comfortable. To work best for oily skin, a treatment of this type needs extra ingredients like zinc pca or specific oils that actively control shine and excess oil.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily skin also needs ingredients that directly manage shine to keep excess oil under control.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum in your morning routine and the retinol in your evening routine to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. This product of this type needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil production to properly care for oily skin.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this treatment serum in the evening, applying it once a week at first and carefully building up frequency if your oily skin tolerates it well. While it helps brighten skin tone and adds antioxidants, an oily skin type also needs specific ingredients to manage excess shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks specific ingredients to directly manage oily shine, an oily skin type needs lightweight or oil-absorbing ingredients to help keep pores clear and skin balanced.
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, 2002A 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, 2020Topical 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, 2021Dermatological 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 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2025Topical 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, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
Why other serums fit oily skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Tangerine Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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