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ZO Skin Health Firming Serum for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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 firming and tightening effects for your oily skin, as Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 and Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture support skin renewal and collagen production, addressing your concerns with acne and breakouts.
  • Retinyl Palmitate further aids in treating blemishes and oiliness by promoting skin cell turnover, while Glycerin and Propanediol provide essential hydration without adding excess oil.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like Glycerin and Tocopheryl Acetate.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviews

This product is highly praised for its ability to visibly lift, tighten, and improve the structural integrity of aging skin. Users across various skin types report that the lightweight, hydrating formula effectively reduces the appearance of sagging jowls and fine lines, resulting in a more defined and youthful facial contour.

Highlights

  • Visible firming Mostly Mentioned
    • “My jowls don't bother me as much.”
    • “Finally got that much-needed lift.”
    • “Marionette lines appear less pronounced.”
    • “Visibly tightens and firms the skin.”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Lightweight and tolerable formulation.”
    • “Gel formula, super hydrating without heaviness.”
    • “Absorbs quickly, feels amazing.”
  • Expensive product Often Mentioned
    • “I just wish it weren't so expensive!”
    • “Even though it's expensive I love it.”
    • “Price is a bit high for the amount.”
  • Improves texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels smoother, wrinkles reduced.”
    • “Skin quality improved greatly.”
    • “Skin feels hydrated and plump.”
  • Minimal results Rarely Noted
    • “Actives are not the most effective.”
    • “Effect is most likely minimal.”
    • “Hard to photograph results.”

Sources: lovi.care, zoskinhealth.com, judge.me, myfacedr.com, uzuriaesthetics.com, whatsinmyjar.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes ZO Firming Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

ZO Skin Health Firming Serum is a great fit because ingredients like Retinyl Palmitate help treat blemishes and oiliness, while Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 and Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture support skin renewal to address breakouts. Glycerin and Propanediol also provide essential hydration without adding excess oil, and soothing components like Tocopheryl Acetate ensure a safe profile for your skin.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

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

Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 and Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture make this serum a great fit by supporting skin renewal and collagen production to help with breakouts. Retinyl Palmitate also aids in managing blemishes and oiliness, while Glycerin and Propanediol provide light hydration without adding extra oil.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

What does Retinyl Palmitate do for oily acne-prone skin?

Retinyl palmitate helps manage acne-prone skin by reducing acne blemishes and spots while keeping skin irritation low. It works well for oily skin types because it supports normal skin cell turnover and helps keep pores clear, though this type of skin also needs ingredients that control excess oil and soothe inflammation.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2012

What does Sodium DNA do for oily acne-prone skin?

Sodium DNA helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by supporting barrier recovery and reducing inflammation. It is also useful for addressing enlarged facial pores often linked to excess oil and acne.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025Skin Research and Technology, 2024

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

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, making it simple and safe for your skin. It helps firm and tighten oily skin while addressing breakouts and oiliness without adding extra oil.

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

This serum is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because it contains ingredients that firm and help clear breakouts without adding extra oil. Since it already includes Retinyl Palmitate, you should be careful when combining it with a separate retinol to avoid irritation, and always apply the lighter serum before any heavier retinol creams.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment is used in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, though it may also be used in the morning or twice a day.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin and tocopheryl acetate. Retinyl palmitate helps manage blemishes and oiliness by supporting skin cell turnover.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum and limonene).

What the research says

  • Leontopodium alpinum callus culture extract improved anti-periorbital wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, skin thickness, antioxidant activity, and moisturizing activity while suppressing inflammation and wrinkling compared to placebo and in response to UVB treatment.

    Genes, 2020
  • Retinyl palmitate ethosomal hydrogel reduced non-inflammatory and total acne lesion counts significantly better than marketed tretinoin while improving tolerability with minimal skin irritation in patients with acne vulgaris.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021
  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • Dermatological 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, 2021
  • Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021
  • A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010
  • A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • Topical application of Low-Peony PDRN enhanced barrier recovery and improved periorbital skin elasticity in human subjects.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotide promotes skin regeneration by increasing ERK phosphorylation, collagen accumulation, and cell proliferation and migration in fibroblasts while inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokine expression in keratinocytes.

    Molecular Medicine Reports, 2023
  • A topical mixture of polydeoxyribonucleotide, vitamin C, and niacinamide delivered via a microneedling therapy system decreased skin pigmentation and increased skin elasticity by attenuating melanogenesis and the destruction of collagen and elastin fibers in a UV-B-radiated animal model.

    Molecules, 2022
  • Leontopodium alpinum callus culture extract at 10-15 mg/mL promoted COL-I production and inhibited MMP-1, OPN3, ROS, and calcium influx in a blue-light-induced human foreskin fibroblast damage model, indicating an anti-blue-light-damage effect through the OPN3-calcium pathway.

    Molecules, 2023
  • A concentrated ethanol extract of Edelweiss callus culture (ECC55) protected primary human keratinocytes and endotheliocytes against various inflammatory and oxidative stimuli by inhibiting chemokine release, restoring sirtuin-inhibited cellular markers, and suppressing inflammation-related gene expression.

    Mediators of Inflammation, 2012
  • Leontopodic acid A effectively boosted COI-1 expression, hindered MMP-1 expression, curbed ROS and Ca2+ endocytosis, and reduced OPN3 expression in human foreskin fibroblasts to protect against blue light damage.

    Molecules, 2023
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2024
  • A 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, 2022

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Dna, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Marrubium Vulgare Meristem Cell Culture, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Lecithin, Dextran, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Cellulose, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Ultramarines, Ext, Violet 2, Limonene

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.