Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence for acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid Active Vitamin C
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Derivative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate- Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
- European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
- Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
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
- Offers high suitability for your combination skin, as Ascorbic Acid and Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate effectively target inflammation and hyperpigmentation associated with acne and blemishes.
- The inclusion of Tocopheryl Acetate and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate further supports skin tone evening and provides antioxidant benefits, complementing the primary actives for your skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, containing no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 5.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this essence for its ability to fade post-acne marks and brighten skin tone without rapid oxidation. While some find the initial texture oily, it generally absorbs well, though it may be best for spot treatment or layering. A significant number of reviews highlight its effectiveness on dark spots and the smart packaging that prevents oxidation. Moderate feedback points to its lightweight absorption and good value, while some users note an oily residue, and a low number report breakouts, dispensing issues, or fragrance sensitivity.
Highlights
Effective on dark spots Mostly Mentioned
- “Faded my acne scars”
- “lightened hyperpigmentation significantly”
- “spots are barely visible”
- “brightens overall complexion”
Smart packaging Often Mentioned
- “Tube prevents oxidation”
- “stays clear for months”
- “nozzle dispenses one drop”
- “great for travel”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “Lasts a long time”
- “little goes a long way”
- “affordable price point”
- “unbeatable for the cost”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “sinks into skin”
- “layers well under makeup”
Oily texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels greasy at first”
- “leaves an oily film”
- “too shiny for day use”
- “slippery consistency”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused closed comedones”
- “broke me out”
- “gave me small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
Difficult dispensing Rarely Noted
- “Hard to squeeze out”
- “dispenses too slowly”
- “drop-by-drop is annoying”
- “struggle to get product”
Fragrance sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Strong citrus scent”
- “smells like yuzu”
- “irritated my sensitive skin”
- “wish it was fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, stylevana.com, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Melano CC Vitamin C Essence a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence is a great fit because its active vitamin C and vitamin C tetraisopalmitate effectively target inflammation and dark spots linked to breakouts. It is also safe and gentle for this skin type, using soothing ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and vitamin E to calm redness and help even out your skin tone without causing irritation.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because ascorbic acid and vitamin c tetraisopalmitate effectively target inflammation and dark spots from breakouts. Tocopheryl acetate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate also help calm redness and even out your skin tone without causing irritation.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
What does Ascorbic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Ascorbic acid helps brighten dark spots left behind by acne and protects acne-prone skin from everyday oxidative stress. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used correctly, though this depends on the specific formula and your skin's sensitivity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Molecular Medicine, 1995
What does Tocopheryl Acetate do for acne-prone skin?
Tocopheryl Acetate is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin. Studies show that dermatological products containing this ingredient have a non-comedogenic safety profile with very low potential to form microcomedones.
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 your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening helps keep your skin safe around sun exposure while fading dark spots and calming redness.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum in the same routine as retinol by applying this Vitamin C treatment first, letting it absorb fully, and then following with your retinol. Because both ingredients are active, alternating them between morning and evening or starting slowly may help prevent your skin from becoming dry or irritated.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a day or a few times a week depending on how your skin feels. It is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because vitamin C and other gentle ingredients target dark spots and soothe redness without causing irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it targets inflammation and dark spots without harsh ingredients that cause irritation. It is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts, though a few reviewers have noted an oily texture.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2017Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 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, 2022Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Cardamonin suppressed pigmentation and decreased intracellular melanin production by inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and suppressing MITF and tyrosinase expression in human normal melanocytes.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2009
Ingredients
Ascorbic Acid Active Vitamin C, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Derivative, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isopropyl Methylphenol, Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract Alpinia White Seed Extract, Bg, Edetate
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.