🇨🇦Canada

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum for combination skin

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

Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even 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 brightening for your combination skin due to glycolic acid and ascorbic acid, which exfoliate and provide antioxidant benefits, though these are not specifically targeted for oily shine.
  • The serum is highly suitable for your combination skin type, with ingredients like Gold and Chlorella Vulgaris Extract offering soothing properties.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

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 2.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users report this serum quickly provides a noticeable glow and smoother skin texture. It is effective at fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time. However, many reviewers mention the high price point and occasional issues with the dual-chamber pump mechanism.

Highlights

  • Brightens and adds radiance Mostly Mentioned
    • “instant glow”
    • “skin looks radiant”
    • “banishes dullness”
  • Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “non-sticky”
    • “satin finish”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “velvety soft”
    • “improves texture”
    • “skin feels smoother”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “incredibly pricey”
    • “expensive for size”
    • “costly investment”
  • Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “reduces hyperpigmentation”
    • “cleared blemishes”
    • “evens skin tone”
  • Good for makeup prep Sometimes Noted
    • “smooth canvas”
    • “sits well under makeup”
    • “non-greasy”
  • Packaging pump issues Sometimes Noted
    • “pump dispenses unevenly”
    • “hard to finish”
    • “wasteful packaging”
  • Low Vitamin C % Rarely Noted
    • “low concentration”
    • “mostly glycolic feel”
    • “undisclosed percentage”
  • Oxidation concerns Rarely Noted
    • “clear bottle risk”
    • “turns brown over time”
    • “needs dark storage”
  • Potential irritation Rarely Noted
    • “tingles upon application”
    • “caused redness”
    • “too strong for sensitive skin”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, murad.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum a great fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because it combines glycolic acid and ascorbic acid to gently exfoliate and brighten while keeping your skin calm with soothing ingredients like gold. Its safe formulation is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because ascorbic acid and glycolic acid brighten and smooth your skin, while gold and chlorella vulgaris extract help calm it. It is very safe for daily use and is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting once a week and slowly increasing frequency if tolerated well. This serum has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, making it very suitable for combination skin.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternate nights to help prevent any extra dryness or irritation. When using them together in the same routine, apply this exfoliating serum first, wait a few minutes for it to absorb, and then follow with your retinol.

How often should I use this serum?

Start by using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps your combination skin adjust smoothly to the active ingredients.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is a great fit for your combination skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation, as it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. It helps smooth and brighten your skin while keeping it calm.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Oleyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

Ingredients

Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Hdi Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Diisopropyl Sebacate, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Oleyl Alcohol, Silica, Hexylresorcinol, Polysilicone-11, Triheptanoin, Polyisobutene, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Verbascum Thapsus Flower, Butylene Glycol, Mica, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Surfactin, Xymenynic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Tin Oxide, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Gold, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, 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.

  • 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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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