StriVectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream for combination skin
Nia-114 Technology
Sodium Hyaluronate
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Adenosine
Beta-GlucanLow
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
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 moisturizing and firming for your combination skin due to glycerin and myristyl nicotinate, but lacks specialized ingredients to effectively address oily shine, potentially posing risks of worsening this concern.
- While adenosine and acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester provide some benefits for elasticity, they do not fully target the specific needs of combination skin.
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 600+ reviewsThis product is highly regarded for enhancing skin firmness, elasticity, and jawline definition, addressing concerns of sagging and volume loss. Most users find its texture lightweight and non-greasy, appreciating its hydrating effects. A moderate number of users report no visible results, and a small number mention concerns about the product's consistency or thickness.
Highlights
Visible firming/lifting Mostly Mentioned
- “Noticeable difference in skin's firmness”
- “Jawline looks more defined”
- “Helps lift up and tighten skin”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Smooth, buttery texture”
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Not heavy or greasy”
Deep hydration Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels plump and hydrated”
- “Provides good hydration”
- “Leaves skin feeling supple”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “Effective for sensitive skin”
- “Doesn't break me out”
No visible results Sometimes Noted
- “Not seeing any noticeable changes”
- “Way too expensive to not deliver”
- “No visible changes”
Formula thickness Rarely Noted
- “Find the formula too thick”
- “A bit heavy for my preference”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “Way too expensive”
- “Economical jar but pricey”
- “Cost is a factor”
Product contamination Rarely Noted
- “Found a hair in the item”
- “Very off-putting to find hairs”
- “Strange to find debris”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, walmart.com, strivectin.com, macys.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is StriVectin Contour Restore Tightening & Sculpting Face Cream a weak match for combination skin?
This cream is a weak match for combination skin because it offers moderate moisture and firmness but lacks ingredients to manage oily shine, which may risk worsening it. Combination skin needs products with brightening ingredients that reduce oily shine without irritation, along with soothing agents, antioxidants, and a balanced formulation to maintain skin health.
Experimental Dermatology, 2007Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for combination skin?
This cream is a weak match for your combination skin because it lacks specialized ingredients to control oily shine and may worsen that concern. A moisturizing treatment for combination skin needs ingredients that reduce oily shine while providing hydration, along with soothing agents and antioxidants.
What does Niacin do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance combination skin by reducing excess oil production while supporting the skin barrier to keep dry areas comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall texture across different facial zones.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cream goes in the moisturizer step of your morning and evening routines. Because it is a weak match for combination skin, a moisturizer of this type needs lightweight hydrators and balancing ingredients that control oily shine without clogging pores.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first and following it with this moisturizer. This combination helps keep your skin soft while managing dryness, though this specific product may not fully address oily shine and requires lightweight hydrating ingredients and oil-balancing agents to better fit combination skin.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream is a weak match for combination skin because it lacks specialized ingredients to control oily shine. A product for this skin needs balancing and oil-controlling ingredients to keep dry areas hydrated without increasing shine.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream may be too heavy for combination skin and could potentially worsen oily shine and clog pores. Combination skin needs lighter, balancing ingredients that control oil in the T-zone while keeping dry areas soft and smooth.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is generally safe to use on the body, but the thin skin around the eyes requires extra care and specialized ingredients since body skin is much thicker than facial skin.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, benzyl alcohol, limonene, and citral). Cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical myristyl nicotinate increased skin cell NAD, stratum corneum thickness, epidermal thickness, epidermal renewal, minimal erythemal dose, and barrier resistance while reducing transepidermal water loss in subjects with photodamaged skin compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2007A 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, 2017Prior and concurrent use of myristyl nicotinate with retinoic acid therapy for facial photodamage mitigated barrier impairment, reduced side-effects, and improved tolerability without interfering with clinical efficacy in female subjects.
Experimental Dermatology, 2007Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches showed similar or better efficacy on skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration compared to adenosine cream in 22 female subjects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Horse oil-spread and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkles compared with adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches in 20 women without causing adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical 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, 2019A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical 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, 2021Skin 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, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycol Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Undecane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Nicotinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Beta-Glucan, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract Flower, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Commiphora Mukul Extract Resin, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Ornithine, Glycolipids, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose Palmitate, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Panthenol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Levulinic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Butylene Glycol, Tridecane, Propanediol, Isostearyl Isostearate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Linoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Cetyl Stearate, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sorbitan Laurate, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Citric Acid, P-Anisic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Citral
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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