🇩🇪Germany

NATURIUM Retinol Complex Serum for dry skin

NATURIUM Retinol Complex Serum

Low

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

A weak match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 treatment for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles due to the presence of retinol and bakuchiol, which can be drying for your dry skin.
  • Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients like Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter to fully address your dryness.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

This serum is widely praised as a gentle, entry-level retinol that effectively smooths skin texture and improves tone without the harsh irritation often associated with retinoids. While many users with sensitive or acne-prone skin report clearer, brighter complexions, a subset of reviewers experienced significant purging, breakouts, or found the undisclosed retinol percentage frustrating.

Highlights

  • Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “smoothens skin”
    • “refines texture”
    • “skin feels soft”
  • Gentle for beginners Often Mentioned
    • “perfect formula for beginners”
    • “no irritation”
    • “great first retinol”
  • Pleasant consistency Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “lightweight texture”
    • “non-greasy”
  • Clears acne Sometimes Noted
    • “cleared up acne”
    • “helped with breakouts”
    • “reduced clogged pores”
  • Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
    • “diminishes fine lines”
    • “softens wrinkles”
    • “plumper skin”
  • Purging phase Sometimes Noted
    • “bad purging period”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “worse before better”
  • Brand controversy Rarely Noted
    • “sketchy launch”
    • “Susan Yara controversy”
    • “distrust brand ethics”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “mild redness”
    • “burned my skin”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “took weeks to work”
    • “slow progress”
    • “needed consistent use”
  • Undisclosed percentage Rarely Noted
    • “unknown retinol strength”
    • “wish percentage was listed”
    • “unclear concentration”

Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, target.com, reddit.com, spacenk.com, pickyskincare.com, and more

Questions and answers

Why is Naturium Retinol Complex Serum a weak match for dry skin?

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum is a weak match for your dry skin because retinol and bakuchiol can be drying. While it contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, it lacks enough rich softeners to fully address your dryness. A product of this type for dry skin needs soothing ingredients that provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier, such as ceramides, niacinamide, propolis, or peptides, alongside nourishing antioxidants.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for dry skin?

Retinol and bakuchiol make this serum a weak match for your dry skin because they can be very drying and may cause scaling or stinging. A treatment for dry skin needs rich moisturizing ingredients, soothing elements like propolis and niacinamide, ceramides, and barrier-supporting components to provide deep hydration and prevent irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

What does Retinol do for dry skin?

Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Bakuchiol do for dry skin?

Bakuchiol helps soothe sensitive dry skin while keeping it soft and smooth. It improves skin moisture content and barrier function while reducing redness and irritation.

Health Science Reports, 2025Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it can be drying for dry skin. A product for this skin needs richer smoothing butters and extra hydrating ingredients to fully stop dryness.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

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

You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this retinol treatment in your evening routine to help prevent extra dryness on your dry skin. A product for this skin needs plenty of hydrating ingredients and rich smoothing ingredients to keep your skin soft and comfortable.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum is a weak match for your dry skin because retinol and bakuchiol can be drying, so you may want to start using it slowly in your evening routine. While it offers moderate treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, your dry skin needs a product with more rich, nourishing butters and deep hydrators to prevent flaking.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum may cause a purging phase with breakouts as your skin adjusts to the retinol. A product of this type needs richer, deeply moisturizing ingredients and heavier smoothing agents to keep dry skin comfortable and calm.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • 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 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
  • 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 stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017
  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.

    Health Science Reports, 2025
  • Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 5% Jucá ethanolic extract formulations in Carbopol and Astrocaryum murumuru butter improved wound retraction and fibroplasia in dermal wounds of dogs compared to a commercial ointment control.

    Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020

Why other serums fit dry skin better

  • Retinol in this serum

    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
  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Fruit Water, Retinol, Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract Cone Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Ferulate

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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