Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Azelaic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Retinol
Niacin
4-ButylresorcinolHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your oily skin, this serum contains BHA and Retinol to regulate cell turnover and exfoliate, while 4-butylresorcinol and tranexamic acid effectively brighten and even your skin tone.
- Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Niacin provide soothing benefits, ensuring a comfortable experience for your skin.
- The product has a favorable safety profile with no significant irritation risks for oily skin.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users frequently report this serum effectively brightens the complexion and reduces hyperpigmentation like melasma, sun spots, and acne marks, leading to smoother and more luminous skin. Many appreciate its fast absorption and lightweight feel. Some users with sensitive or dry skin find it can be drying and recommend using a moisturizer.
Highlights
Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbing very fast”
- “lightweight”
- “no oily residue”
- “sinks deep into skin”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “huge difference in pigmentation”
- “removed stains from face”
- “fades spots fast”
- “marks down to faint shadows”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin smooth and luminous”
- “leaves skin glowy”
- “soft and alive”
- “texture is better”
Acne control Sometimes Noted
- “kept breakouts at bay”
- “pimples heal faster”
- “good for acne”
- “prevented new imperfections”
Drying effect Sometimes Noted
- “cheeks felt tight”
- “can dry you out”
- “needs moisturizer”
- “slightly aggressive initially”
High price Rarely Noted
- “expensive”
- “small bottle”
- “pricey for the size”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “didn't see any effect”
- “oldest marks still there”
- “not a magic wand”
- “took forever to work”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “sticky at first”
- “slight tacky feel”
- “feels a bit sticky”
Sources: lovi.care, notino.ie, influenster.com, skinsort.com, perfumesclub.co.uk, makeup.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Sesderma Azelac RU Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum is a great fit because it contains BHA and Retinol to help clear pores and regulate cell turnover, alongside 4-Butylresorcinol and Tranexamic Acid to brighten dark spots. Niacin and Glycyrrhetinic Acid also help calm your skin and keep it comfortable without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because it contains BHA and Retinol to clear pores and exfoliate, while 4-butylresorcinol and tranexamic acid brighten dark spots. It also includes Niacin and Glycyrrhetinic Acid to calm your skin and keep it comfortable without causing irritation.
What does Azelaic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Azelaic acid helps calm angry blemishes, clears out pores, and fades leftover dark marks on oily, acne-prone skin. It targets multiple root causes of breakouts by keeping bacteria in check and reducing swelling, which makes it very helpful for everyday management.
What does Tranexamic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Tranexamic acid helps reduce redness and inflamed spots like pimples and pustules on oily, acne-prone skin. It may also fade lingering dark marks left behind by breakouts with a very low chance of irritation.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are used then for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, and it is unlikely to cause significant irritation on oily skin.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C, but it is best to apply vitamin C in the morning and save this treatment for the evening routine to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits your oily acne-prone skin well and can be used in your evening routine, starting once a week and gradually increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Retinol and other actives in this product help regulate cell turnover and brighten skin tone safely and comfortably.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because it contains retinol and BHA to help clear out pores and regulate cell turnover. It is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts, though a moderate drying effect may happen as your skin adjusts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol and alcohol denat).
What the research says
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, 2017A dermo-cosmetic formula containing 2% enoxolone significantly reduced erythema at 24 hours and pain at 30 minutes following non-ablative fractional laser treatment in 10 healthy subjects compared to a moisturizer control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Topical 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, 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, 2005The 4-n-butylresorcinol dissolving microneedle patch demonstrated safety and was more than two times more effective than the control patch in skin depigmentation among 45 subjects over 8 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 20164-n-butylresorcinol inhibits human tyrosinase and melanin production more potently than hydroquinone, arbutin, and kojic acid, and visibly reduces age spots within 8 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2013Combined application of dissolving microneedle patches on serum-treated skin successfully delivered more 4-n-butylresorcinol and showed higher efficacy in reducing patients' melanin index and hyperpigmented regions compared to traditional DMN-only and serum-only applications.
Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Lecithin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, 4-Butylresorcinol, Alcohol Denat, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Azelaic Acid, Bha, Bht, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Citronellyl Methylcrotonate, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Diacetyl Boldine, Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Disodium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Niacin, Nicotiana Benthamiana Sh-Polypeptide-7, Parfum, Peg Ppg-20 6 Dimethicone, Phenethyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Sorbate, Retinal, Retinol, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cholate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tranexamic Acid, Triethanolamine, Triisopropanolamine, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Xanthan Gum
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.