Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ for acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid Ester
Copper Tripeptide
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Omega 3
Glycolic AcidAverage
- AverageCombination 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 suitability for your combination skin, as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate provide humectant benefits, while Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 work to smooth texture and minimize fine lines.
- While the formula offers general hydration and antioxidant support, it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.2Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users frequently praise this serum for its ability to dramatically smooth rough texture and minimize the appearance of pores, often delivering visible results within a few weeks. While many report firmer, more radiant skin and improved tone, a significant number of reviewers struggle with its distinct scent and high price point.
Highlights
Unpleasant scent Mostly Mentioned
- “smells like fish”
- “scent is off-putting”
- “earthy and funky smell”
- “hard to get past the smell”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “smooths my skin overnight”
- “minimized my large pores”
- “texture is not grainy anymore”
- “skin feels fantastic”
High price tag Often Mentioned
- “very expensive product”
- “not worth the money”
- “price is steep”
- “waiting for a sale”
Fast absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs pretty quickly”
- “sinks right in”
- “lightweight and not sticky”
- “non-greasy finish”
Increases radiance Sometimes Noted
- “saw more radiance”
- “brightening dark spots”
- “skin looks youthful”
- “helps with dullness”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “softens crow's feet”
- “lines appear diminished”
- “helps with wrinkles”
- “skin looks plumper”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “jar is unsanitary”
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “prefer a bottle”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused redness and burning”
- “broke me out”
- “too strong for sensitive skin”
- “caused dry patches”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, perriconemd.com, amazon.com, sephora.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Cold Plasma Plus+ work for acne-prone skin?
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, though it lacks targeted ingredients to actively clear breakouts. To properly care for acne-prone skin, this type of product needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and propolis that target breakouts and control oiliness while keeping skin balanced.
Which ingredients make it a good serum for acne-prone skin?
Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ works for acne-prone skin because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate hydrate, while tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and acetyl hexapeptide-8 help smooth texture and reduce fine lines. However, it lacks ingredients that target breakouts, so acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to control oil and calm blemishes.
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 Copper Tripeptide do for acne-prone skin?
Copper Tripeptide helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing inflammation and supporting tissue repair. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help improve the look of blemishes over time.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Because it is an average fit for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing agents to properly care for breakouts.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before following with this product. This routine is unlikely to cause irritation, and acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents.
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Acne-prone skin works well with a product of this type when it includes soothing botanical extracts and gentle clarifying ingredients that help clear blemishes without causing irritation.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This product works for your acne-prone skin, though other choices fit it better. While it is unlikely to irritate your skin, it lacks the targeted ingredients needed to effectively clear blemishes and breakouts. An acne-prone skin type needs specialized ingredients to clear pores and calm breakouts.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013Topical 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, 2022Topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin caused no significant reduction in erythema or objective improvement in wrinkles compared to controls, but significantly increased patient satisfaction regarding overall skin quality.
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2006A novel regimen combining a hydroxy acid-based scrub and copper tripeptide serum significantly reduced adherent scalp flaking by 61.24%, increased hair density by 12.48%, increased hair thickness by 25.36%, and improved scalp skin hydration by 76.24% in adults with mild to moderate dandruff over 15 days.
Cureus, 2024The combination of Thermus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis mixed-culture ferment extract and copper tripeptide-1 GHK-Cu reduced inflammatory cytokines, protected skin explants from UV-induced damage, and improved wrinkles and skin barrier conditions compared to individual components or controls.
Skin Research and Technology, 2026Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.
European Journal of Neurology, 2013Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide 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, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Phosphatidylcholine, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dimethyl Mea, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Tyrosine, Glycolic Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Rosaminus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Copper Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dimethicone, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Ceteareth-20, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polysorbate 20, Zea Mays Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.