Olay Super Serum for combination skin
Niacinamide
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Peptide
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best moisturizers for combination skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as lactic acid and niacinamide work to mildly renew the skin and control oil, addressing your oily shine.
- The presence of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provides excellent moisturizing and plumping effects, enhancing overall skin hydration.
- This formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 9.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its ability to deliver an immediate "lit-from-within" glow and a velvety-soft finish that works exceptionally well as a makeup primer. Many reviewers with dull or uneven skin texture report smoother, brighter skin after consistent use, though some with very dry skin note that it requires an additional moisturizer.
Highlights
Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly”
- “no residue”
- “layers well”
- “dries fast”
Instant radiance Often Mentioned
- “iridescent glow”
- “brightens complexion”
- “dewy look”
- “healthy shine”
Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
- “silky feel”
- “velvety finish”
- “non-greasy”
- “lightweight”
Poor dropper design Often Mentioned
- “hard to dispense”
- “doesn't reach bottom”
- “messy application”
- “product waste”
Makeup compatibility Sometimes Noted
- “acts as primer”
- “prevents pilling”
- “smooth base”
- “grips makeup”
Skin smoothing Sometimes Noted
- “softer skin”
- “improved texture”
- “reduces roughness”
- “minimizes pores”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for drugstore”
- “small bottle”
- “pricey per ounce”
- “not good value”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “floral scent”
- “overpowering smell”
- “lingering perfume”
- “irritates nose”
Hydration limits Rarely Noted
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “needs lotion”
- “dry patches persist”
- “tight feeling”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “breakouts”
- “allergic reaction”
- “burning sensation”
- “redness”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, target.com, olay.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Olay Super Serum a great fit for combination skin?
Olay Super Serum is a great fit because it gently renews the skin and controls oily shine with lactic acid and niacinamide, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate deliver deep hydration to keep your skin plump and soft. This formula is also safe for your combination skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because lactic acid and niacinamide mildly renew your skin and control oil to tackle oily shine, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin deeply moisturized and plump. It is also safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
What does 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for combination skin?
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid helps brighten combination skin and reduce aging signs by promoting an even tone and better skin health. Topical formulas containing vitamin C derivatives are generally well tolerated and may improve skin look without disrupting moisture balance.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this serum in your evening routine, using it after your toner and before your moisturizer. Starting it once a week helps your skin adjust safely before you consider using it more often.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to hydrate and smooth your skin, followed by your retinol product once the serum absorbs. This routine helps your skin handle the retinol comfortably because the formula is gentle and safe for combination skin.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum once a week to start, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. It is generally best to apply treatments in the evening to keep your routine simple and protect your skin around sun exposure.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin and is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging. Its ingredients help control excess oil and mildly renew the skin while keeping it hydrated safely without harsh additives.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This serum is safe to use on the body and around the eyes, though the skin there is much thinner than on the rest of your face. Its gentle moisturizing ingredients help hydrate delicate areas without irritation.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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 application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.