Olay Super Serum Night Repair for oily skin
Niacinamide
Lactic Acid
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
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 exfoliation and hydration for your oily skin, with niacinamide and lactic acid working to smooth texture and improve skin tone. Salicylic acid and glycerin provide general pore-cleansing and hydration, which are supportive but not specifically targeted for oily shine concerns.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, though the combination of lactic acid and salicylic acid carries a slight risk of irritation.
- This product provides general skincare benefits that are supportive for your skin type.
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 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly rated for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. It is frequently praised for its fragrance-free formula, which is beneficial for sensitive and acne-prone skin, leading to noticeable improvements in smoothness, fine lines, and skin tone over time. Some users find the bottle design inconvenient and the price point high, while a smaller number report it not being moisturizing enough for dry skin or experiencing slow results.
Highlights
Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “no sticky residue”
- “lightweight formula”
Smoother, softer skin Mostly Mentioned
- “velvety soft skin”
- “reduced texture”
- “smoother feel”
Fragrance-free Often Mentioned
- “no scent”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “fragrance-free”
Hydrating & plumping Sometimes Noted
- “plump skin”
- “deep moisture”
- “looks hydrated”
Improves skin tone Sometimes Noted
- “faded dark spots”
- “brighter complexion”
- “more even tone”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey for size”
- “value is disheartening”
Poor bottle design Sometimes Noted
- “dropper is frustrating”
- “can't reach bottom”
- “product gets wasted”
Not enough for dry skin Rarely Noted
- “needs moisturizer over it”
- “not rich enough”
- “slightly drying”
Potential sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “tingling”
- “slight burn”
- “purging”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “takes time to work”
- “saw no change”
- “was underwhelming”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, olay.com, cosmopolitan.com, supersavvyme.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Olay Super Serum Night Repair work for oily skin?
This treatment works well enough for oily skin by offering moderate smoothing and hydration, though it carries a slight risk of irritation from its exfoliating acids. An ideal product for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and soothing extracts to control excess oil and shine while keeping skin comfortable and clear.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide, lactic acid, and salicylic acid help smooth texture and clear pores on oily skin. To truly master oily shine, this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control oil, alongside lightweight hydrators and soothing extracts.
BioMed Research International, 2020The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
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
What does Lactic Acid do for oily skin?
Lactic acid helps manage oily skin by significantly reducing oil production and pore size while improving moisture levels. It supports a clearer and smoother look through gentle surface renewal.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening after cleansing and toning, and before putting on your moisturizer. Because it contains acids, oily skin needs a product that also targets shine and oil control.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside retinol, but apply it with caution because combining exfoliating acids with retinol carries a slight risk of irritation. To help your oily skin adjust safely, use the retinol on alternate nights or apply it before your moisturizer while keeping this treatment in your evening routine.
How often should I use this serum?
Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product works for your oily skin by offering moderate hydration and smoothing your texture, though an average fit for this skin type needs oil-control ingredients and targeted shine-balancing benefits.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This product helps smooth texture and clear pores on oily skin with ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid, though this blend may carry a slight risk of irritation. Oily skin often benefits from products that specifically target excess shine and regulate oil production.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Niacinamide 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, 2002Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2005Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical 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 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, 2019
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, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Rice Bran Extract, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Salicylic Acid, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.