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Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums 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

  • Excellent for your combination skin and acne concerns, retinal and niacinamide work synergistically to promote skin renewal and reduce inflammation, effectively addressing breakouts and fine lines.
  • The inclusion of squalane and hyaluronic acid derivatives provides essential hydration, supporting your skin's barrier function without exacerbating oiliness.
  • The formulation is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients or irritants identified.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
  • Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviews

Users with acne-prone and textured skin report significant improvements in smoothness and clarity, often seeing faster results than with traditional retinols without the typical irritation. While the yellow tint and high price point are common complaints, the majority find it to be a gentle, effective solution for brightening dark spots and refining pores.

Highlights

  • Smoother texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “acne has disappeared”
    • “skin looking super smooth”
    • “smoothing rough skin”
    • “helped with texture”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “zero irritation redness”
    • “gave me nothing but happy skin”
    • “gentle efficacy”
    • “no discomfort”
  • Yellow tint Often Mentioned
    • “turned skin yellow”
    • “stained my skin”
    • “yellow tint looks odd”
    • “face yellow and tacky”
  • Brightening and glow Sometimes Noted
    • “visibly brighter”
    • “radiant look”
    • “dark spots fading”
    • “even out skin tone”
  • Fast visible results Sometimes Noted
    • “results in one week”
    • “fast acting”
    • “results within couple weeks”
    • “shocked by amount of results”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “very expensive”
    • “pricey side”
    • “costs way too much”
    • “out of budget”
  • Hydrating feel Rarely Noted
    • “plump juicy brighter”
    • “hydrating ingredients”
    • “skin feels better”
    • “not heavy or greasy”
  • Dryness and flaking Rarely Noted
    • “felt dry and flaky”
    • “little drying”
    • “drys out the skin”
    • “skin felt dry”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “not doing anything”
    • “didn't find added value”
    • “unhelpful for acne”
    • “no change in pores”
  • Pump issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump is awful”
    • “pump hard to press”
    • “stiff pump”
    • “impossible to get little product”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, kohls.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, youthtothepeople.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum a great fit for acne-prone skin?

Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum is a great fit because retinal and niacinamide work together to clear breakouts and calm redness, while squalane and hyaluronic acid keep your skin hydrated without feeling oily. This gentle formula has a very safe profile with no harsh irritants, helping your skin stay smooth and clear.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?

This serum is a great fit for acne-prone skin because retinal and niacinamide work together to help clear breakouts and calm redness, while squalane and ceramides keep your skin barrier healthy without feeling oily.

What does Retinal do for acne-prone skin?

Retinal helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing blemishes, clogged pores, and redness while improving overall skin texture. Side effects are very uncommon when using this ingredient.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1999

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.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Cureus, 2024

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, following the simple and safe approach for active serums. It helps clear breakouts and smooth fine lines while keeping skin hydrated and calm.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

Can I use this serum with AHA, and in what order?

It is best to use this serum and AHA on alternate nights rather than together, because combining strong active ingredients may increase the likelihood of skin irritation. If you do use them in the same routine, apply the AHA first after cleansing, let it absorb fully, and then apply this treatment.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024American Family Physician, 2012

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and is designed to be used in your evening routine. It helps renew skin and calm breakouts without adding extra oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum is a great fit for acne-prone skin and helps clear breakouts without clogging pores, though you may experience mild dryness or flaking as your skin adjusts to the retinal. The combination of retinal, niacinamide, and squalane works to calm inflammation and support your skin barrier while keeping oiliness under control.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.

    Scientific Reports, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2021

  • Application of squalene/phosphotungstate calcium nanowires (Sql/PWC) oleogel on UVB-irradiated skin decreased epidermal thickness, increased dermal thickness, and promoted the expression of elastin, collagen, and skin barrier markers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

    Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025

  • Twice-daily application of a plant adaptogen serum combined with moisturizing lotion before and after non-ablative fractional laser treatment reduced dryness and erythema and improved global skin healing and quality compared to moisturizing lotion alone in women with mild-to-moderate photodamaged skin.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2026

  • Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

  • Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.

    Dermatology, 2002

  • Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.

    Dermatology, 1999

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • Topical 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, 2005

  • Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Niacinamide, Squalane, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Arginine, Retinal, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Stem Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Letinus Edodes Mycelium Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil Shea Oil, Ceramide Eop, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Capryloyl Glycerin Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosterols, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Raspberry Ketone

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play