SKINFOOD Yuja C Dark Spot Clear Cream for oily skin
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Tranexamic Acid
Niacinamide
GlutathioneAverage
- 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 moderate brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin, as niacinamide and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate work to reduce dark spots and regulate sebum production. Tranexamic acid further supports seboregulation, contributing to a balanced complexion.
- The formula provides general hydration and soothing benefits with ingredients like Beta-Glucan and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, which are beneficial for overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this cream is widely appreciated for its fresh citrus scent and unique gel-cream texture containing tiny capsules that melt into the skin, providing immediate hydration and a subtle glow. While many users report a brighter complexion and fading of dark spots over time, those with oily skin often note a sticky finish, and significant pigmentation changes require consistent, long-term use.
Highlights
Pleasant scent Mostly Mentioned
- “fresh citrus scent”
- “smells lovely”
- “heavenly scent”
- “refreshing”
Brightens and glows Often Mentioned
- “brighter complexion”
- “fades pigmentation”
- “glowing skin”
- “lightens skin”
Hydrating texture Often Mentioned
- “good moisture”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “smooth and effective”
- “hydrating”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “non-irritating”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentle formula”
- “no breakouts”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “sticky residue”
- “tacky finish”
- “sticky afterwards”
- “feels sticky”
Not rich enough Rarely Noted
- “not enough for dry skin”
- “needs layering”
- “light moisture”
Oily sensation Rarely Noted
- “little oilier”
- “uncomfortable for oily skin”
- “heavy for oily skin”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “minimal brightening”
- “needs consistent use”
- “takes time”
- “not instant”
Sources: lovi.care, skinfood.us, pickyw.com, korean-skincare.cs, youtube.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SKINFOOD Yuja C Cream work for oily skin?
This cream works moderately well for oily skin, helping to brighten dark spots and keep excess oil in balance while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Oily skin often does best with a product that uses ingredients like niacinamide to control shine and smooth uneven texture without causing irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, and tranexamic acid make this cream a good fit for oily skin by helping to reduce dark spots and control excess oil. For this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide to manage shine and uneven texture while keeping the skin comfortable and balanced.
What does Yuzu Fruit Extract do for oily skin?
Yuzu Fruit Extract helps brighten skin and supports firm, smooth skin by protecting against sun damage and boosting collagen. It is unlikely to feel heavy on oily skin, but because it tends to target dryness and aging, oily skin may also need lightweight ingredients that balance oil and clear pores.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Antioxidants, 2022
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps oily skin by reducing unwanted oil production and preventing oil from oxidizing on your face. It also provides effective antimicrobial action that keeps breakouts under control and helps clear up acne lesions.
Drug Research, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cream goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some treatments may also be used in the morning or twice a day. Oily skin needs lightweight hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C derivatives to help brighten tone and balance oil without feeling heavy.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream in the same routine as retinol by applying your retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this treatment. This product is unlikely to irritate oily skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and dipotassium glycyrrhizate to keep your complexion calm.
How often should I use this cream?
This treatment works well in your evening routine, where you can safely apply it once a day. Oily skin benefits most from a lightweight formula with niacinamide and tranexamic acid to balance oil production while keeping pores clear.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. However, a product for this skin needs a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that controls shine without leaving a heavy or sticky finish.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Niacinamide 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 topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical formulations containing ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, coenzyme Q10, green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuated inflammatory signs compared to untreated skin and vehicle in 25 Japanese volunteers exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017Citrus junos callus extract decreased melanin content in melanocytes 1.85-fold compared with arbutin and promoted the proliferation of and procollagen synthesis by human fibroblasts by 154% and 176% at 500 μg/mL.
Molecules, 2017Yuja-peel fractions (ethyl acetate, hexane, and butanol) inhibited MMP expression, induced moisturizing factors filaggrin and serine palmitoyltransferase, and decreased melanin content in UVB-irradiated HaCaT, HDF, and α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells.
Antioxidants, 2022Upcycled low-molecular-weight anionic peptides from Citrus junos seeds protected UVR-irradiated keratinocytes and reconstructed skin tissue by scavenging reactive oxygen species, reducing paracrine cytokines, inhibiting melanin synthesis and TRP-2 expression, and increasing filaggrin, laminin-5, and type I collagen expression.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Topical 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 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, 2005Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Polydecene, Glyceryl Stearate, Beta-Glucan, Caprylyl Methicone, Propanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tromethamine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyglycerin-3, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Panthenol, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tranexamic Acid, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Guar Gum, Ubiquinone, Tetrasodium Edta, Agar, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Glutathione, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Limonene, Linalool
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
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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