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

Ascorbic Acid
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Superoxide Dismutase
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+ 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 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.
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
Skin 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, 2021A 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 formulations containing ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, coenzyme Q10, green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuated inflammatory signs compared to untreated skin and vehicle in 25 Japanese volunteers exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017Topical 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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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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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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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