Paula's Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid- Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Superoxide Dismutase
High
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin and acne concerns is provided by Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Thioctic Acid, which target inflammation and promote skin repair. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ferulic Acid offer superb antioxidant protection and skin tone evening, maximizing benefits for your skin health.
- Beta-Glucan and Glycerin further support skin repair and hydration, contributing to overall skin comfort and resilience.
- The formulation is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users with dry, mature, or sensitive skin frequently praise this serum for its rich, hydrating texture that functions as a barrier against environmental stress, often noting a visible "glow" and improved plumpness. Users with combination or oily skin often find the silicone-heavy formula too occlusive, leading to a greasy finish or potential congestion.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “instantly makes my very dry skin feel supple”
- “skin looks more plump immediately after applying”
- “kept my skin hydrated in dry winter”
Greasy/shiny finish Often Mentioned
- “woke up with very shiny T-zone”
- “too oily and shiny for day use”
- “leaves a greasy film”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin was noticeably brighter and smoother”
- “soft and smooth after absorption”
- “texture improvement after layering”
Soothes sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “soothes and repairs gently and efficiently”
- “does not irritate my sensitive skin”
Heavy silicone feel Sometimes Noted
- “feels like a layer of silicones”
- “pure silicone substance”
- “consistency is too thick and slippery”
Slow absorption Sometimes Noted
- “takes some time to soak in”
- “sits on top of the skin”
- “feels like a layer over your skin”
Protective packaging Rarely Noted
- “allows antioxidants to remain stable”
- “no product goes wasted”
- “love the airless pump design”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused a red itchy rash”
- “clogs your pores”
- “generated red bumps/pimples”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, paulaschoice.com, makeupalley.com, reddit.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes the RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because ingredients like Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Thioctic Acid help calm redness and support skin repair. It is also safe for acne-prone skin, with soothing components that mean it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Thioctic Acid calm redness and help repair skin. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ferulic Acid provide strong antioxidant protection, while Beta-Glucan and Glycerin keep your face hydrated and comfortable.
What does Vitamin C do for acne-prone skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out uneven tones, and fade dark spots left behind by breakouts. It is also packed with antioxidants that may help protect acne-prone skin from everyday environmental stress.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the serum first to calm your skin and provide antioxidant protection. This routine is generally safe and helps keep your skin comfortable, but you may want to introduce them gradually to avoid any irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, applying it after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin, so you can use it daily if your skin tolerates it well.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because it targets inflammation and helps repair skin safely without harsh ingredients. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and it includes soothing components that keep irritation unlikely.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical antioxidant solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid provides significant photoprotection against solar-simulated UV radiation in human skin compared to its vehicle.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 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, 2022Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles composed of lactoferrin, recombinant human collagen, and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 improved transdermal efficiency by 69.90% and demonstrated moisturizing, whitening, wrinkle reduction, and firming effects.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2025Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016Topical treatment with the synthetic SOD/catalase mimetic EUK-134 reduced lipid peroxide levels both at baseline on non-irradiated human skin and at the surface of UVA-exposed skin when applied before or after irradiation, compared to controls.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Topical superoxide dismutase formulations maintained physical stability and enzymatic activity for 6 months at 4 and 30 degrees C, and effectively inhibited UVB-induced skin erythema for 48 hours, whereas formulations combined with alpha-tocopherol were unstable.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2007
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Ceramide Np, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Ubiquinone, Thioctic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ferulic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Superoxide Dismutase, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Xanthophyll, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Palm Oil, Phenoxyethanol
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
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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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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