IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum for oily skin
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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
- Highly suitable for your oily skin due to the presence of niacinamide and caffeine which offer seboregulation and antioxidant activity.
- The serum provides excellent skin firming and plumping benefits from Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, while Glycerin and Beta-Glucan offer supportive hydration and soothing effects for general skincare.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture and its ability to visibly reduce facial puffiness and refine skin texture. While highly effective for "de-puffing" and strengthening the moisture barrier, some users with very dry skin find it requires an additional moisturizer, and the high price point is a frequent point of contention.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs like water”
- “zero stickiness”
- “sinks right in”
- “lightweight and refreshing”
Reduces puffiness Often Mentioned
- “swelling goes down quickly”
- “jawline looks tighter”
- “less puffiness in morning”
- “face looks more contoured”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “price gives me pause”
- “wish it were affordable”
- “rationing it due to cost”
- “price-to-amount ratio is steep”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation on sensitive days”
- “works gently”
- “didn't experience blemishes”
- “soothing feel”
Improves skin barrier Sometimes Noted
- “skin barrier feels stronger”
- “pores look managed”
- “skin became smoother”
- “refined skin texture”
Dry skin needs more Sometimes Noted
- “not heavy-duty hydration”
- “need cream afterwards”
- “felt tightness after a few hours”
- “too light for winter”
Minor breakouts Rarely Noted
- “small breakouts on forehead”
- “tiny red bumps”
- “caused minor texture issues”
Subtle anti-aging Rarely Noted
- “haven't noticed major firmness changes”
- “results are preventative”
- “didn't see dramatic transformation”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.co.kr, sokoglam.com, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum a great fit for oily skin?
IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum is a great fit for oily skin because it contains niacinamide and caffeine, which help balance oil and protect against damage with antioxidant activity. Glycerin and beta-glucan provide supportive hydration and soothing effects, while the formula has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients that might cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum is a great fit for oily skin because it contains niacinamide and caffeine, which help control oil and provide antioxidant protection. It is also very safe and unlikely to cause irritation since it lacks harsh ingredients.
What does Bio-PDRN do for oily skin?
Bio-PDRN helps calm oily skin by reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair. It works to manage skin irritation and helps keep the skin smooth while promoting a balanced, healthy look.
What does Caffeine do for oily skin?
Topical caffeine helps keep oily skin looking fresh by preventing excessive fat accumulation and boosting microcirculation. It is generally well tolerated and provides antioxidant protection against sun damage.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and adds safety around sun exposure, while niacinamide and caffeine help manage oil.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, but it is best to apply retinol first, let it sink in, and then follow with this serum to keep your skin calm and hydrated. This formula is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, and using it alongside retinol helps maintain a smooth and firm feel.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is a great fit for your oily skin and is used in the evening as part of your routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps balance oil while keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is a great fit for oily skin and has an excellent safety profile, meaning it is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts. Reviewers report only low chances of minor breakouts, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients that typically clog pores.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical caffeine acts as an active cosmetic compound by preventing excessive fat accumulation through phosphodiesterase inhibition, protecting cells against UV radiation with antioxidant properties, increasing skin microcirculation, and stimulating hair growth via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013A 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, 2017Skin 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, 2021Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Topical application of Low-Peony PDRN enhanced barrier recovery and improved periorbital skin elasticity in human subjects.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025Polydeoxyribonucleotide 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, 2023A 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, 2022A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021Caffeine stimulates metabolic activity in hair follicles and acts as an antioxidant through adenosine pathway interactions, showing potential as an effective and safe management option for hair loss despite current study limitations.
Molecules, 2025Topical 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 adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021Probiotic-derived lotion successfully reduced inflammatory acne lesion counts and erythema index comparably to 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, while causing fewer side effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021Lactobacillus plantarum extracellular vesicles modulated extracellular matrix related gene expression in vitro and suppressed wrinkle formation and pigmentation in clinical trials.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2022
Ingredients
Lactobacillus Lysate Ferment, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Dipropylene Glycol, 2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Mannitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arginine, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Tocopherol
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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