MEDIHEAL Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad for acne-prone skin
Retinol
Collagen
Beta-Glucan
Ceramide NpAverage
- HighCombination 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 benefits for your combination skin, as retinol and hydrolyzed collagen work to firm and reduce wrinkles, while glycerin and beta-glucan provide hydration and soothing support for your acne and blemishes.
- The formulation is highly suitable for combination skin, with retinol helping to regulate desquamation and beta-glucan aiding in barrier repair.
- The product is safe for your 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
★4.8Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers consistently praise these pads for delivering immediate hydration and a "glass skin" glow, with many noting that the unique, stretchable fabric allows for a customized fit on targeted areas like cheeks and forehead. While the lifting effects are often described as subtle or requiring long-term consistency, the product is widely appreciated as a gentle, non-irritating introduction to retinol that plumps fine lines and improves skin texture.
Highlights
Customizable stretch fit Mostly Mentioned
- “stretch beautifully”
- “covers wide area”
- “spider web shape”
- “fits facial contours”
Gentle for daily use Often Mentioned
- “no irritation”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentle retinol”
- “daily morning/night”
Intense hydration glow Often Mentioned
- “skin felt bouncy”
- “healthy dewy glow”
- “glass skin effect”
- “instant moisture boost”
Convenient packaging Sometimes Noted
- “tweezers included”
- “hygienic storage”
- “generous essence amount”
- “easy quick mask”
Subtle lifting results Sometimes Noted
- “didn't notice lifting”
- “takes time”
- “low retinol percentage”
- “more hydrating than firming”
Adherence issues Rarely Noted
- “slides down”
- “falls off easily”
- “dries out quickly”
- “doesn't stick well”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “slight tingling”
- “minor redness”
- “caused breakouts”
- “sensitizing for some”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “slightly sticky”
- “tacky residue”
- “oily finish”
- “heavy for day”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, oliveyoung.com, sokoglam.com, stylevana.com, hwahae.co.kr, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mediheal Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad work for acne-prone skin?
Mediheal Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad works moderately well for acne-prone skin, as retinol and collagen help firm the skin while beta-glucan and glycerin soothe and hydrate. It is safe and generally well-tolerated, though other products fit this skin type better. To work best for acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs targeted ingredients that clear breakouts while keeping the skin balanced and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this pad a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Retinol and hydrolyzed collagen help firm and reduce wrinkles, while glycerin and beta-glucan provide hydration and soothing support for your acne and blemishes. To work best for acne-prone skin, this type of product needs ingredients that target blemishes and absorb excess oil while delivering comprehensive hydration and nourishment across all areas.
What does Retinol do for acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps acne-prone skin by speeding up cell turnover and clearing pores to reduce breakouts. It regulates skin growth and fights inflammation, though it may cause some mild peeling or stinging when you first start using it.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Collagen do for acne-prone skin?
Collagen does not directly target breakouts, but it helps keep dry or aging acne-prone skin soft and hydrated without clogging pores. Because this skin type often needs lightweight moisture and soothing care, a product of this type needs non-greasy hydrators and calming ingredients to support clear skin.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2019
Where does this pad go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment pad goes in your evening routine, starting at once a week and slowly increasing if your skin tolerates it well. To fit acne-prone skin best, this type of product needs ingredients like soothing agents and barrier-repair helpers to keep the skin calm and balanced.
Can I use it with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night, as separating them helps keep your skin calm. To give acne-prone skin the best care, this type of product also needs extra soothing ingredients and oil-balancing support.
How often should I use this pad?
Start by using this pad once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product works for your skin, but acne-prone skin often does better with products that include targeted blemish-clearing ingredients and soothing hydrators.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This product works for acne-prone skin, though other choices fit it better because it offers moderate benefits with a safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation. To work well for this skin type, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and gentle hydrators to keep breakouts calm.
Is it 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, 2019Skin 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 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 application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.
Marine Drugs, 2023Treatment 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, 2022Topical application of oat beta-glucan ameliorates epidermal hyperplasia and accelerates epidermal barrier recovery by promoting keratinocyte differentiation through dectin-1-mediated ERK and p38 signaling pathways that upregulate CaSR expression.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2021
Ingredients
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Diphenyl Dimethicone, Hydroxyacetophenone, Triethylhexanoin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Octyldodeceth-16, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sphingomonas Extract Ferment, Adenosine, Disodium Edta, Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Phytosterols, Anthemis Nobilis Oil Flower, Retinol, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide Np
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
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