Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Avocado
Ceramides
Niacinamide
Allantoin
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers 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 excellent moisturizing and skin barrier repair for your oily skin, with glycerin, avocado oil, and ceramides supporting hydration and reducing inflammation, while niacinamide helps regulate oil production.
- The inclusion of bisabolol and allantoin further soothes the skin, contributing to a healthier skin barrier and managing blemishes.
- The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring beneficial components like bisabolol and allantoin.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 3.3k+ reviewsWhile many find it hydrating and calming, a subset of users with acne-prone skin experienced breakouts, and others felt it wasn't moisturizing enough on its own for very dry skin.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “milky and absorbs fast”
- “not sticky or heavy”
- “layers well under makeup”
- “feels like a drink of water”
Reduces redness Often Mentioned
- “immediate reduction in redness”
- “great for post-workout flush”
- “soothed maskne irritation”
Soothing & calming Often Mentioned
- “healed my damaged barrier”
- “stopped the stinging”
- “calms sensitive skin instantly”
- “feels cooling on application”
Hydrating & plumping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin bouncy”
- “gives a healthy glow”
- “skin feels plumped”
- “good hydration boost”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells fresh like cucumber”
- “light and not overpowering”
- “enjoyable spa-like scent”
- “subtle green tea fragrance”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “gave me whiteheads”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused cystic acne flare-up”
- “skin texture got bumpy”
Expensive for size Sometimes Noted
- “bottle runs out fast”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “not worth the high cost”
- “finished in a month”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “need a moisturizer on top”
- “too light for winter”
- “didn't fix my dry patches”
- “disappears too quickly”
Irritation/reaction Rarely Noted
- “stung my sensitive skin”
- “made my face redder”
- “caused a burning sensation”
- “allergic reaction to extracts”
Pump/packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “hard to get last drops”
- “bottle is heavy glass”
- “pump gets stuck”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, ipsy.com, glowrecipe.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily, acne-prone skin, offering great barrier repair and soothing benefits while helping to regulate oil production. However, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and targeted ingredients for acne that balance hydration without clogging pores or causing extra oiliness to achieve a top fit for this skin type.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin, avocado oil, and ceramides support hydration and reduce inflammation, while niacinamide helps regulate oil production, and bisabolol and allantoin soothe the skin and manage blemishes. A product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight humectants that provide hydration and balance for acne without clogging pores or causing excess oiliness.
What does Avocado do for oily acne-prone skin?
Avocado oil and extracts are generally too heavy for oily, acne-prone skin because they can clog pores and trigger breakouts. While plant oils can help repair skin barriers, oily skin needs lighter, non-greasy ingredients that hydrate without adding excess oil.
What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ceramides help restore the protective barrier of oily, acne-prone skin, which often lacks these vital lipids and suffers from moisture loss and irritation. Using products with ceramides supports skin hydration, calms redness, and improves overall texture while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
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 Lovi routines place serums with actives in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. While this product works for oily acne-prone skin, this skin type often benefits from products that also include lightweight salicylic acid or targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to better manage oil and breakouts.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to calm your skin and strengthen its barrier, followed by your retinol. This pairing helps keep your oily skin comfortable and may reduce the dryness or irritation that retinol sometimes causes. An oily acne-prone skin type needs a lightweight, oil-balancing formula with niacinamide and soothing ingredients to manage breakouts without clogging pores.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in your evening routine, where you can apply it daily. Using it regularly helps keep your oily skin hydrated while calming blemishes, though this skin type also benefits from lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil production.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Yes, this serum may cause breakouts for your oily acne-prone skin, as some reviewers have reported. Oily acne-prone skin typically needs lightweight, non-greasy hydrators and pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid to stay clear.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes, though oily acne-prone skin needs a lighter eye gel with hyaluronic acid and caffeine for puffiness.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
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, 2017Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.
Food & Function, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract Avocado Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Ceramide Eos, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Allantoin, Rice Bran Oil, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Grape Fruit Extract, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Cetyl Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Jasmine Leaf Extract Flower, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract Raspberry Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dextran, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Sandalwood Extract Wood, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
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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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
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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