Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum for acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid Activ Cg
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
BakuchiolAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it 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 brightening and smoothing for your combination skin, as Ascorbyl Glucoside and Bakuchiol target texture and radiance, while Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid provide essential hydration and oil control.
- Glycerin and Tocopheryl Glucoside offer supportive antioxidant protection and hydration, beneficial for managing acne and blemishes.
- The formulation is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers frequently report that this serum provides immediate radiance and a healthy glow, with a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly without greasiness. Many with sensitive skin find it gentle and effective for improving texture and brightening dark spots. A smaller number of users experienced irritation, breakouts, or found the fragrance too strong.
Highlights
Enhances radiance Mostly Mentioned
- “immediate radiance boost”
- “skin looks brighter”
- “healthy dewy glow”
- “complexion looks even”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs very quickly”
- “milky lightweight texture”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “great under makeup”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation occurred”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentler than pure Vitamin C”
- “felt soothing/moisturizing”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “pores look cleaner”
- “skin feels plumped”
- “softens fine lines”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “no difference after month”
- “didn't fade dark spots”
- “not effective enough”
- “expected better results”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “bottle unscrews itself”
- “dropper is defective”
- “messy application”
- “hard to close tightly”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “redness and rash”
- “skin felt tight/dry”
- “breakouts after use”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too strong”
- “fragrance caused irritation”
- “smell is overpowering”
- “prefer fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, aveneusa.com, boots.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautycrew.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Avene Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum work for acne-prone skin?
This serum works moderately well for acne-prone skin, offering helpful brightening and smoothing with niacinamide and bakuchiol while keeping skin calm. It provides a safe option for your routine, though acne-prone skin often does better with a product that includes targeted ingredients like propolis or zinc PCA for stronger oil control and blemish care.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide, bakuchiol, and hyaluronic acid help brighten and smooth your skin while keeping oil and hydration in balance. These ingredients support acne-prone skin by managing blemishes without causing irritation, though this skin type also benefits from targeted acne-fighting ingredients like zinc PCA or propolis.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does Ascorbic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Ascorbic acid helps brighten dark spots left behind by acne and protects acne-prone skin from everyday oxidative stress. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used correctly, though this depends on the specific formula and your skin's sensitivity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Molecular Medicine, 1995
What does Avene Thermal Spring Water do for acne-prone skin?
Avène Thermal Spring Water helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing stinging, pain, and redness. It also helps keep skin hydrated while supporting overall comfort during acne routines.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, followed by a moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum alongside a retinol product by applying this serum first and following with your retinol once it absorbs. Because both ingredients help smooth texture, using them together may occasionally cause dryness or irritation, so it helps to start slowly and watch how your skin reacts.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment serum in the evening. Acne-prone skin often does better with a product that includes calming ingredients and gentle oil control, such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum works for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better, and it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since it has a safe formula with no harsh ingredients. To properly care for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for oil control and hydration, alongside bakuchiol to manage blemishes.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Topical 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, 2019Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002A 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, 2015Combining oxothiazolidine and delta-tocopheryl glucoside in a sunscreen formulation provides complementary immediate and 24-hour prolonged sunlight protection against oxidative stress markers in a reconstructed human epidermis model compared to individual antioxidants.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021A 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, 2017Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 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 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, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014A nature-based bakuchiol-containing cleanser and moisturizer improved visual and tactile smoothness, clarity, radiance, overall appearance, global anti-aging, and skin moisture content by 16% in 60 female subjects with sensitive mild to moderate photodamaged skin over 4 weeks.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua, Avene Aqua, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate Tetracaprate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Tribehenin, Water, 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.
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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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