Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Serum for oily skin
Retinol
Niacinamide
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Glycerin
Retinyl Propionate
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 excellent wrinkle reduction and skin smoothing for your oily skin due to the presence of niacinamide for seboregulation and retinol for desquamation regulation. Dimethicone and glycerin provide hydration and smoothing, which are supportive but not directly targeted at managing oily shine.
- The serum is highly suitable for oily skin and generally safe, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
- The formulation is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for delivering significant anti-aging results like firmer skin and reduced fine lines, with a notable absence of typical retinol irritation. Its lightweight, hydrating, and fragrance-free formula is well-suited for sensitive skin, effectively improving texture and evening out skin tone over time.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels like silk”
- “woke up to soft skin”
- “texture is much smoother”
- “bumps are gone”
- “face feels baby soft”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “no redness or peeling”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “zero irritation”
- “gentlest retinol I've used”
- “didn't dry me out”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often Mentioned
- “absorbs almost instantly”
- “not greasy at all”
- “lightweight milky texture”
- “sinks right in”
- “doesn't feel heavy”
Brightens and evens tone Sometimes Noted
- “faded my dark spots”
- “complexion looks brighter”
- “helped with acne scars”
- “skin tone is more even”
- “glowy morning skin”
Hydrating and plumping Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks plumped”
- “very moisturizing”
- “hydrates well overnight”
- “no need for extra cream”
- “woke up glowing”
Poor dropper design Sometimes Noted
- “dropper is clunky”
- “hard to get product out”
- “button mechanism fails”
- “bottle design is frustrating”
- “dispenses inconsistently”
Slow visible results Sometimes Noted
- “took months to see difference”
- “no immediate miracle”
- “slow progress on deep wrinkles”
- “needs consistent use”
- “hard to tell difference at first”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused minor purging”
- “broke me out initially”
- “small whiteheads appeared”
- “clogged my pores”
- “reaction on chin”
Pilling or residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves a white film”
- “pills under moisturizer”
- “feels slightly sticky”
- “residue on pillow”
- “doesn't layer well”
Texture preference Rarely Noted
- “prefer the cream version”
- “too watery for me”
- “wanted something thicker”
- “runs off hand easily”
- “cream feels more luxurious”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, byrdie.com, youtube.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Olay Retinol 24 work for oily skin?
This serum works for oily skin, though other products fit it better because they manage shine more directly. It helps smooth the skin and reduces wrinkles safely without causing irritation. Oily skin needs products containing ingredients like niacinamide to control oil, alongside soothing extracts and lightweight hydrators.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and retinol make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping control oil and smooth the skin. Oily skin also benefits from ingredients like zinc pca, ferulic acid, and soothing extracts that manage shine and pores while keeping the skin comfortable.
What does Retinol do for oily skin?
Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, keeping application simple and safe around sun exposure. Oily skin works best with products that balance oil and smooth texture using ingredients like niacinamide and retinol.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C, but it is best to apply vitamin C in the morning and this retinol serum at night to keep your oily skin calm and comfortable. This approach helps you get the smoothing benefits without overloading your skin.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in your evening routine, and you can start by using it a few times a week. Oily skin often benefits from lightweight serums that balance oil and smooth texture while keeping irritation unlikely.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe formulation with no harsh ingredients. However, because it contains retinol, it may occasionally lead to mild purging as your skin adjusts. Oily skin also benefits from lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide to keep pores clear.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical 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, 2005A 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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Retinol, Retinyl Propionate, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Titanium Dioxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dmdm Hydantoin, Mica, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-4, Laureth-7, Disodium Edta, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.