🇨🇦Canada

SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum for oily acne-prone skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 benefits for your oily skin, as niacinamide and retinol help regulate oil production and skin cell turnover, supporting your goals for acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • Glycerin and panthenol provide general hydration and soothing effects, which are beneficial for your skin, though specialized ingredients for directly targeting acne are not present.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this serum is highly praised for its anti-aging effects, improving skin texture and firmness while reducing fine lines. Some users experienced a greasy feel or slow results, and a negligible number mentioned the presence of fragrance.

Highlights

  • Gentle formula Mostly Mentioned
    • “Most tolerated retinol for my sensitive skin.”
    • “Does not make my skin peel.”
    • “Gentle enough for sensitive skin.”
    • “No irritation at all.”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “Noticeable difference in my skin texture.”
    • “Skin is soft and supple.”
    • “Skin texture and tone are so much better.”
    • “Smoother and firmer skin.”
  • Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
    • “Reduced the appearance of fine lines.”
    • “Appearance is quite youthful for my age.”
    • “Helped with clear discolored spots.”
    • “Boosts collagen and elastin production.”
  • Hydrating Sometimes Noted
    • “Deep hydration to prevent redness.”
    • “Plenty of hydration.”
    • “Keeps skin comfortably moisturized.”
  • Contains fragrance Rarely Noted
    • “It does have fragrance.”
  • Greasy feel Rarely Noted
    • “Very silicone based so it's really greasy feeling.”
    • “Texture feels a bit heavy.”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “Unfortunately didn't see any changes.”
    • “Need more time to see benefits.”
    • “Too early to speak to results.”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, dermavenue.com, harbenhouse.com, skinelite.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Bio Complete Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?

SENTÉ Bio Complete Serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as retinol and niacinamide help manage oil and breakouts while glycerin and panthenol provide light hydration. It lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne, so treatments for this skin need targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-control agents.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Niacinamide and retinol make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin because they help regulate oil production and skin cell turnover. Glycerin and panthenol also provide general hydration and soothing effects. To get a better fit for this skin type, a product needs effective ingredients like propolis or vitamin C that specifically target acne, along with a balanced mix of humectants and soothing extracts to control excess oil and prevent breakouts.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

What does Retinol do for oily acne-prone skin?

Retinol helps oily acne-prone skin by clearing up breakouts and smoothing the skin, though it may occasionally cause some mild scaling or stinging. This ingredient works by addressing the root causes of acne, making it a reliable choice for keeping pores clear and skin smooth.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2018

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, as putting active serums at night adds extra safety around sun exposure. An oily acne-prone skin type needs a product of this type that contains specialized ingredients for directly targeting acne, alongside oil-regulating and soothing ingredients.

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

You can use this serum with glycolic acid, but it is best to apply them on alternate nights to lower the chance of irritation. Using strong exfoliating acids and retinoids together may overwhelm oily skin, so spacing them out helps keep your barrier calm and smooth.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works well in your evening routine, as treatments fit best at night for simplicity and sun safety. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes specialized ingredients for directly targeting acne, along with oil-regulating and soothing components.

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

This serum is unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients for directly targeting acne, an oily acne-prone skin needs a product with strong acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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
  • Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
  • Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.

    Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
  • Topical treatment with sphingolipids and glycosaminoglycans attenuated clinical worsening and reduced CADESI and PVAS scores compared to the untreated control group in house dust mite-allergic beagle dogs.

    BMC Veterinary Research, 2020
  • Glycosaminoglycans restored type I collagen synthesis, reduced matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels, upregulated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and attenuated apoptosis in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated human dermal fibroblasts by inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase/activator protein-1 signaling.

    International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 2018
  • Fraction 3 of glycosaminoglycans from Liparis tessellatus eggs showed 20.1% tyrosinase inhibition at 50mg/mL and effective skin regeneration activities at 200mg/mL against skin fibroblast CCD-986sk cell lines.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2017
  • A topical eye cream containing low molecular weight heparan sulfate and naturally derived extracts improved periorbital hyperpigmentation, fine and coarse wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles in 15 subjects over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical low molecular weight heparan sulfate improved periorbital discoloration and wrinkles starting at week two with continuous improvement up to week 12.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical low molecular weight heparan sulfate improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, barrier function, and fine lines and wrinkles in 15 patients over 8 weeks.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005

Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Peg-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Glycerin, Heparan Sulfate, Pentylene Glycol, Retinyl Safflowerate, Retinol, Lysophosphatidic Acid, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Ethyl Safflowerate, Ethyl Flaxseedate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Alanine, Arginine Hcl, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Histidine Hcl, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine Hcl, Acetyl Methionine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Valine, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Inositol, Niacinamide, Pyridoxal Hcl, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Beta-Carotene, Polysorbate 80, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Tromethamine

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.