Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum for combination skin
Avocado
Ceramides
Niacinamide
Allantoin
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers 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 benefits for your combination skin, as glycerin and niacinamide provide essential hydration and support your skin barrier, which is beneficial for managing oily shine.
- The inclusion of multiple ceramides and avocado oil further enhances moisturization and barrier repair, contributing to overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no reported irritation risks due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like bisabolol and allantoin.
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 3.3k+ reviewsWhile many find it hydrating and calming, a subset of users with acne-prone skin experienced breakouts, and others felt it wasn't moisturizing enough on its own for very dry skin.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “milky and absorbs fast”
- “not sticky or heavy”
- “layers well under makeup”
- “feels like a drink of water”
Reduces redness Often Mentioned
- “immediate reduction in redness”
- “great for post-workout flush”
- “soothed maskne irritation”
Soothing & calming Often Mentioned
- “healed my damaged barrier”
- “stopped the stinging”
- “calms sensitive skin instantly”
- “feels cooling on application”
Hydrating & plumping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin bouncy”
- “gives a healthy glow”
- “skin feels plumped”
- “good hydration boost”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells fresh like cucumber”
- “light and not overpowering”
- “enjoyable spa-like scent”
- “subtle green tea fragrance”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “gave me whiteheads”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused cystic acne flare-up”
- “skin texture got bumpy”
Expensive for size Sometimes Noted
- “bottle runs out fast”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “not worth the high cost”
- “finished in a month”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “need a moisturizer on top”
- “too light for winter”
- “didn't fix my dry patches”
- “disappears too quickly”
Irritation/reaction Rarely Noted
- “stung my sensitive skin”
- “made my face redder”
- “caused a burning sensation”
- “allergic reaction to extracts”
Pump/packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “hard to get last drops”
- “bottle is heavy glass”
- “pump gets stuck”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, ipsy.com, glowrecipe.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Serum work for combination skin?
Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum works well for combination skin by delivering essential hydration and supporting your skin barrier to help manage oily shine. While it provides moderate benefits and soothing moisture, a product of this type needs richer hydrating and skin-repairing ingredients that balance moisture levels without causing excess oiliness to achieve a top fit for this skin type.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Glycerin, niacinamide, and multiple ceramides make this serum a good fit by providing essential hydration, supporting your skin barrier, and helping manage oily shine. To work even better for combination skin, a product of this type needs effective hydrating and skin-repairing ingredients that balance moisture levels without causing excess oiliness.
What does Avocado do for combination skin?
Avocado helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by balancing dry patches while feeling light on oily areas. It helps hold in moisture and is unlikely to cause irritation.
What do Ceramides do for combination skin?
Ceramides help balance combination skin by supporting the skin barrier to keep dry areas hydrated without feeling heavy on oily zones. This type of skin needs lightweight hydrators and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and cholesterol to maintain a smooth and calm feel across both dry and oily areas.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003Scientific Reports, 2022
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, placed after cleansing and before moisturizing. Combination skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators like glycerin and niacinamide, along with barrier-supporting ceramides and soothing ingredients to manage shine without irritation.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying it before your retinol or by choosing a product that enhances skin barrier recovery to help reduce irritation. This combination helps keep your skin comfortable and supports your barrier while using stronger treatments.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in the evening as part of your routine. Some moisturizing treatments like this may also be used in the morning or twice a day if your skin tolerates it well.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum may cause breakouts for combination skin, as some reviewers report this issue. To better fit combination skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and pore-clearing ingredients that balance oily shine without heavy oils.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on the body, though the thin skin around the eyes and thicker skin on the body require specialized care with deep hydration and barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide to truly thrive.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Application of Body Lotion for 5 weeks on cosmetic dry skin improved barrier properties, increased levels of cholesterol, ceramides, and long-chain fatty acids, increased beneficial skin bacteria, and enhanced microbiome functional potential compared to baseline.
Scientific Reports, 2022A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020Topical 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 gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.
Food & Function, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Jojoba Esters, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract Avocado Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Ceramide Eos, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Allantoin, Rice Bran Oil, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract Grape Fruit Extract, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Phytate, Cetyl Alcohol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Behenic Acid, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Jasmine Leaf Extract Flower, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Chlorophyllin-Copper Complex, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract Raspberry Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dextran, Hydroxyacetophenone, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Sandalwood Extract Wood, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ceteareth-25, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
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
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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
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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