Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil for dry sensitive skin
Salicylic Acid
Licorice Root Extract
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Cranberry Seed Oil
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil MilkLow
- LowDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for dry sensitive skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 exfoliation for your acne-prone skin, as salicylic acid and hexylresorcinol work to reduce blemishes, but these ingredients may be too harsh for your dry and sensitive skin, potentially worsening dryness and flakiness.
- While the formula is free of harsh irritants and safe for sensitive skin, it lacks deeply emollient ingredients to counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid, making it moderately unsuitable for your dry skin type.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsThis medicated dry oil is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its ability to rapidly clear cystic acne and congestion without causing dryness. While many users report smoother texture and diminished redness overnight, results regarding blackhead removal are mixed, and the product's potent herbal scent is a polarizing feature.
Highlights
Rapidly clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “shrinks pimples overnight”
- “vanished in 2-3 days”
- “cleared hormonal breakouts”
- “stopped cystic acne”
Strong medicinal scent Mostly Mentioned
- “smells like oregano”
- “pungent herbal smell”
- “scent is repulsing”
- “smells like dirt”
Fast absorption Often Mentioned
- “sinks in immediately”
- “dry oil texture”
- “not greasy at all”
- “mattified appearance”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive”
- “hefty price tag”
- “not budget friendly”
- “pricey for the size”
Fades scars/redness Sometimes Noted
- “diminished facial redness”
- “faded acne scars”
- “evened skin tone”
- “calms inflammation”
Non-drying formula Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't dry out skin”
- “hydrating but clarifies”
- “no flaky patches”
- “leaves skin soft”
Caused breakouts/purging Rarely Noted
- “caused tiny bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “irritated my skin”
- “made acne worse”
Ineffective for blackheads Rarely Noted
- “didn't clear blackheads”
- “pores look same”
- “no change in congestion”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, spacenk.com, sephora.sg, sephora.co.uk, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Sunday Riley U.F.O. Oil a weak match for dry sensitive skin?
This oil is a weak match because its salicylic acid can dry and irritate dry sensitive skin, and the formula lacks deeply rich moisturizers to counteract that dryness. A treatment for this skin needs nourishing, hydrating ingredients and skin barrier support.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this oil a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid makes this oil a poor fit for your dry sensitive skin because it may be too harsh, potentially worsening dryness and flakiness. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating and nourishing components, ceramides, and multiple forms of vitamin C to provide deep moisture and protect the skin barrier without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid is generally a poor fit for dry, sensitive skin because it is designed to clear out pores by removing excess oil, which can easily leave dry skin irritated. A product of this type needs gentle exfoliating helpers paired with rich, soothing moisturizers and barrier-repairing ingredients to keep dry skin calm and comfortable.
What does Licorice Root Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Licorice root extract helps calm redness and lower irritation in dry, sensitive skin with its antioxidant properties. It is unlikely to cause issues when used properly, though chronic use of some forms may occasionally lead to skin sensitivity or other side effects.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020
Where does this oil go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment is used in the evening routine, starting just once a week to see how your skin tolerates it. Because it contains salicylic acid which may be too harsh and worsen dryness for this skin type, a product of this type needs deeply moisturizing and nourishing ingredients to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this oil with retinol, and in what order?
This oil is a weak match for your dry and sensitive skin because its ingredients may be too harsh and worsen dryness and flakiness. When using active treatments like retinol, this type of skin needs gentle, deeply nourishing ingredients and rich hydrators to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
How often should I use this oil?
This oil is a weak match for your dry and sensitive skin because its ingredients may be too harsh and worsen your dryness and flakiness. A product of this type needs soothing and deeply moisturizing ingredients to keep this skin soft and smooth. You should start using it just once a week in the evening.
Can this oil clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This oil is unlikely to clog pores, but the salicylic acid in it may cause dryness and flakiness for dry sensitive skin. A product for this skin needs rich, deeply nourishing oils and soothing plant extracts to keep skin soft while clearing blemishes.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Is this oil fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (linalool, limonene, farnesol, and geraniol) and drying alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Thymoquinone-loaded liposomal chitosan gel demonstrated superior in vivo anti-inflammatory activity over thymoquinone gel and a comparable effect to marketed indomethacin gel in rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2018Thymoquinone pre-treatment attenuated UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial apoptosis in human HaCaT keratinocytes through COX-2 inhibition via the activation of the NrF2/ARE pathway.
Molecular Immunology, 2021Topical application of thymoquinone treated with cold plasma significantly improved wound healing potential, augmenting skin regeneration indices, reducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and enhancing hyaluronic acid, collagen type I, interleukin-10, alpha smooth muscle actin, and vascular endothelial growth factor compared to thymoquinone alone in a rat wound model.
International Immunopharmacology, 2023Silybum marianum flower extract increased human hair follicle dermal papilla cell proliferation and VEGF production while suppressing cellular senescence, and in a clinical study using hair shampoo, it significantly increased hair density and total hair count at 16 and 24 weeks compared with a placebo group.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum applied twice daily significantly reduced clinical acne severity, lesion counts, and melanin pigmentation in 22 Korean acne patients over 4 weeks without associated adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical silymarin cream 1.4% showed comparable results to salicylic acid 30% peels in reducing acne severity in 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2024
Why other serums fit dry sensitive skin better
A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Glycerol accelerates barrier repair and improves stratum corneum hydration compared to untreated and base-treated sites.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1999In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Ingredients
Silybum Marianum Seed Oil Milk, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Cranberry Seed Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Licorice Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Apricot Kernel Oil, Hexylresorcinol, Ethyl Linoleate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil Flower, Melia Azadirachta Neem Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Sunflower Seed Oil, 4-Terpineol, Linalool, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Limonene, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Amber Powder, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Rosemary Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Water, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Salicylic Acid
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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