DIME TBT Serum for acne-prone skin
Mandelic Acid
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Peptides
BakuchiolHigh
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 due to mandelic acid, which chemically exfoliates and smooths texture while niacinamide helps regulate oil production.
- Sodium hyaluronate and Camellia Sinensis Extract provide hydration and soothing benefits, supporting overall skin health.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like niacinamide and green tea extract.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 4.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise the serum for its ability to smooth skin texture and provide a radiant glow, often noting improvements in fine lines and acne scarring over time. Reactions are mixed regarding hydration; while many find it lightweight and effective, a notable subset of users with sensitive or dry skin experienced irritation, breakouts, or a lack of sufficient moisture.
Highlights
Improved skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “smoother skin”
- “softer feel”
- “reduced roughness”
Radiant complexion Often Mentioned
- “healthy glow”
- “brighter skin”
- “less dullness”
Clean formulation Sometimes Noted
- “gentle ingredients”
- “EWG verified”
- “vegan/cruelty-free”
Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
- “reduced acne scars”
- “evened skin tone”
- “lighter hyperpigmentation”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “non-greasy”
- “layers well”
Skin irritation Sometimes Noted
- “redness”
- “rashes”
- “breakouts”
- “itchiness”
Unpleasant texture Sometimes Noted
- “sticky finish”
- “tacky feel”
- “heavy residue”
Insufficient hydration Rarely Noted
- “drying effect”
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “requires extra cream”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “no visible change”
- “plateaued improvement”
- “ineffective for wrinkles”
Scent issues Rarely Noted
- “overpowering smell”
- “unpleasant odor”
Sources: lovi.care, dimebeautyco.com, amazon.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, gurlgonegreen.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes DIME TBT Serum a great fit for acne-prone skin?
DIME TBT Serum is a great fit because mandelic acid gently removes dead skin and smooths texture while niacinamide helps keep extra oil under control. Sodium hyaluronate and green tea extract add soothing hydration that supports your skin's health.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid and niacinamide make this serum a great fit for your acne-prone skin by gently smoothing texture and helping regulate oil production. Additionally, soothing ingredients like green tea extract and sodium hyaluronate help keep your skin calm and hydrated.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2001
What does Mandelic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid helps clear acne and smooth the skin by gently exfoliating and calming breakouts with fewer side effects than many other acids. It is unlikely to cause heavy irritation, and combining it with other treatments may improve stubborn acne and dark spots even further.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine as a treatment step, applied after cleansing and before your moisturizer. You can start using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well, you may carefully use it more often.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternate nights or spacing them out to avoid dryness and irritation. Using strong exfoliating acids and retinol together is more likely to cause redness and peeling on acne-prone skin unless you build up tolerance slowly.
How often should I use this serum?
Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well with good results, you may carefully use it more often. Chemical exfoliants help smooth texture and manage breakouts, while hydrating and soothing ingredients support overall skin comfort.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for acne-prone skin because mandelic acid provides gentle chemical exfoliation to keep pores clear while niacinamide helps regulate oil production. It is unlikely to cause harsh irritation or breakouts thanks to soothing ingredients like green tea extract and sodium hyaluronate.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Application of green tea extracts on normal human skin resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of UV-evoked erythema, reduced sunburn cells, protected Langerhans cells, and decreased UV-induced DNA damage compared to untreated UV-exposed skin.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2001Topical application of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) to human skin before UV irradiation decreases UV-induced production of hydrogen peroxide by 68-90% and nitric oxide by 30-100%, inhibits leukocyte infiltration and lipid peroxidation by 41-84%, and restores glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase activity compared to UV exposure alone.
Carcinogenesis, 2001Regular consumption and topical application of green tea and its compounds improve skin parameters, enhance antioxidant capacity, alleviate cognitive decline, and promote physical and mental health by reducing oxidative stress and modulating aging-related pathways.
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2025Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 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 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 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, 2019A 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, 2015Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mandelic Acid, Niacinamide, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Oil Rosehip Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Oil, Neem Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Phoenix Dactylifera Extract Date Palm Extract, Resveratrol, Bakuchiol, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Gynostemma Pentaphyllum, Lycium Barbarum Berry Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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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