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Paula's Choice RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even 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

  • This serum is highly suitable for your oily skin, as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ferulic acid provide excellent antioxidant protection and can help regulate sebum production, addressing your oily shine concerns.
  • While offering general hydration and antioxidant benefits, ingredients like Tocopherol and Beta-Glucan also contribute to soothing your skin, ensuring a comfortable experience.
  • The product has a favorable safety profile with no risks of irritation for your oily 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

★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based 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 Paula's Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum a great fit for oily skin?

This serum is a great fit for oily skin because tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ferulic acid provide antioxidant protection and help regulate sebum production to reduce oily shine. Ingredients like tocopherol and beta-glucan help soothe the skin for a comfortable experience, and the product has a safe profile with no likelihood of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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

This serum is a great fit for your oily skin because tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ferulic acid provide excellent antioxidant protection and help control oily shine. Additionally, ingredients like tocopherol and beta-glucan help soothe your skin and keep it comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

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

This serum goes in the evening routine for oily skin, right before your moisturizer. Using it at night helps keep things simple and avoids extra safety concerns around sun exposure.

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

Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum before your retinol product to help protect your skin while minimizing potential irritation. This combination is unlikely to cause discomfort because the product has a favorable safety profile and soothing ingredients like beta-glucan.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is a great fit for your oily skin, as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ferulic acid help protect your skin and manage oily shine with a very low risk of irritation.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

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

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe profile with a low risk of irritation. However, some reviewers do mention that it can leave a greasy or shiny finish and a heavy silicone feel.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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