Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum for oily skin
Alpha Arbutin
Tranexamic Acid
Niacinamide
Mushroom Complex
6 Brighteners
Peptides
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 moderate brightening for your oily skin due to the presence of tranexamic acid and alpha-arbutin, which help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Niacinamide and tranexamic acid provide seboregulation and melanogenesis regulation, making it highly suitable for oily skin.
- The product is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation, as it lacks 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 200+ reviewsUsers frequently report this serum effectively brightens skin and reduces hyperpigmentation like acne scars and melasma, with many appreciating its gentle, soothing, and lightweight formula suitable for sensitive skin. Some users find the price high and the results take longer than anticipated.
Highlights
Boosts radiance Often Mentioned
- “gives skin an instant dewy glow”
- “enhancing my glow”
- “ignites your complexion”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “scars visibly lightened after I started using this”
- “pigmentation faded to nothing within just a couple of days”
- “dark spots seem to be slightly lighter after 3 weeks”
Gentle and soothing Often Mentioned
- “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “sinks easily into damp skin”
- “lightweight but luxurious texture”
- “layers well under makeup”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “price definitely hurts”
- “pretty pricey”
- “expensive, not sure if it worth it”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “still not impressed with the results”
- “need to use longer to see if there's results”
- “not sure if it helps”
Skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “rashes popped up on my neck”
- “breakouts”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “gives a weird fermented stench”
- “serum stinks a little”
- “smell is brownish/fermented”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, sephora.sg, revolve.com, lovelyskin.com, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin by helping fade dark spots with tranexamic acid and alpha-arbutin, while niacinamide helps manage oil. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation, though oily skin often needs a product with ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and light hydrators to control excess oil and pores without feeling heavy.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and tranexamic acid make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping control excess oil and even out skin tone. To work best for oily skin of this type, a treatment needs oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA, alongside lightweight hydrators and soothing extracts that keep the skin calm and clear.
What does Alpha Arbutin do for oily skin?
Alpha Arbutin helps fade dark spots and even out skin tone while being gentle enough for oily skin. It is unlikely to clog pores or cause extra shine, and regular use may brighten dull areas without adding heaviness.
What does Tranexamic Acid do for oily skin?
Tranexamic acid helps oily skin by calming redness and keeping the skin barrier strong, which is especially useful when dealing with stubborn dark spots and uneven tone. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores and may improve overall skin texture while balancing the complexion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. It is safe for oily skin and unlikely to cause irritation, though oily skin benefits even more from products that include lightweight hydration and targeted oil control ingredients.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, applying this treatment first and following with your retinol once it absorbs. This combination is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with targeted treatments that balance oil production while keeping pores clear and skin calm.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very low risk of skin reactions and lacks harsh ingredients. However, because it is an average fit for your skin type, an ideal product for oily skin also needs lightweight, oil-balancing ingredients that control shine while fading dark spots.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Niacinamide 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 non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Polyvinyl pyrrolidone-K90/Eudragit RL100 dissolving microneedle patches loaded with alpha-arbutin and resveratrol enhanced intradermal delivery by approximately 2.6 times compared to cream and slightly decreased the melanin index in human participants without causing skin irritation.
Biomaterials Science, 2023Aziderm cream, Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel, and an arbutin 5% formulation significantly reduced skin pigmentation in healthy female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic 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, 2005Skin 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, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Ferment Filtrate Lentinus Edodes Extract Ferment Filtrate, C13-15 Alkane, Tranexamic Acid, Glycerin, Alpha-Arbutin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Pancratium Maritimum Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydrolyzed Pea, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Arginine Lysine Polypeptide, Glucose, Pentapeptide-34 Trifluoroacetate, 2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, C14-22 Alcohols, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Hydrolysate Starch, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sorbitan Caprylate, Carbomer, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Succinate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
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?
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