Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum for combination skin
Microencapsulated Retinol
Vitamins C
Squalane
Bisabolol
Cyclopentasiloxane
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums 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 exfoliation for your combination skin, as retinol and squalane help regulate desquamation and provide emollient action to balance oily and dry areas.
- The serum provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, with retinol and tocopheryl acetate offering moderate exfoliation that is supportive for your oily shine.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Bisabolol.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 4.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this retinol serum is highly regarded for its anti-aging effects, including smoothing fine lines and improving skin texture, with most users experiencing a radiant and refined complexion without irritation. Some users reported a lack of visible results or found the thin consistency and premium price point to be drawbacks.
Highlights
Non-irritating formula Mostly Mentioned
- “Zero irritation”
- “gentle but effective”
- “no peeling or flaking”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “Smile lines fading”
- “fine lines disappeared”
- “wrinkles nearly gone”
Smoother texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin is softer”
- “smoother complexion”
- “refined skin texture”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “Soaks in quickly”
- “dries quickly”
- “silky smooth application”
Radiant complexion Sometimes Noted
- “Face is brighter”
- “skin is radiant”
- “luminous appearance”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “Not worth it”
- “very pricey”
- “expensive for the results”
Lack of results Sometimes Noted
- “No visible changes”
- “did absolutely nothing”
- “no change in skin”
Oily feel Rarely Noted
- “Feels oily”
- “greasy application”
- “leaves residue”
Thin consistency Rarely Noted
- “Very, very watery”
- “feels like dry oil”
- “too thin”
Sources: lovi.care, peterthomasroth.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, macys.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum work for combination skin?
This serum is an average fit for combination skin, as it provides moderate exfoliation and hydration to balance oily and dry areas. To work best for this skin, a treatment needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that regulate oiliness and boost radiance without any risk of imbalance.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Microencapsulated retinol and squalane help balance oily and dry areas by regulating shedding and smoothing the skin, while bisabolol keeps it calm. To work even better for combination skin, a treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and enhance radiance without imbalance.
What does Microencapsulated Retinol do for combination skin?
Microencapsulated retinol helps smooth and even out combination skin while keeping irritation low through a slow release over time. This type of product needs hydrating ingredients and antioxidants to balance oily and dry areas without clogging pores.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten combination skin and smooth out uneven texture while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines with regular use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Combination skin needs targeted treatments that balance oily and dry areas with ingredients that provide gentle exfoliation and hydration.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this serum with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment once it absorbs. This approach helps keep your combination skin balanced without overloading it, though products with stronger soothing ingredients and lighter hydration fit this skin type better.
How often should I use this serum?
Start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. Non-prescription topical treatments like retinols serve as a low-risk mainstay intervention for your skin.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on combination skin, as it features soothing agents like bisabolol and lacks harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation. Retinol helps regulate skin cell shedding to balance oily and dry areas, though products fitting this skin better often combine stronger pore-clearing ingredients with lightweight, non-greasy hydrators.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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 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, 2022Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-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, 2025Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Squalane, Water, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bisabolol, Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate-20, Alcohol
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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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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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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