Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum for combination skin

Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ceramide Np
Swertia Chirata Extract
Shea Ethyl Esters Butter
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
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 treatment for oily shine and combination skin, as retinol and hydroxypinacolone retinoate promote cell turnover and regulate sebum production, while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide humectant action.
- The inclusion of urea, yeast amino acids, trehalose, inositol, taurine, and betaine ensures a gentle experience, minimizing irritation for your combination skin.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with aging or textured skin frequently report visible improvements in fine lines and overall radiance, often praising the formula for being significantly gentler than typical retinols. The "Tri-Active" technology is widely credited for delivering effective anti-aging results without the dryness or irritation commonly associated with vitamin A products.
Highlights
Gentle, non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “Good for beginners”
- “No redness/peeling”
- “Gentle enough for nightly use”
Improves texture/tone Often Mentioned
- “Smoother skin”
- “Softens texture”
- “Glowing complexion”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “Lines faded”
- “Less visible wrinkles”
- “Plumper skin”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Very expensive”
- “Pricey”
- “Not budget-friendly”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “Creamy consistency”
- “Non-drying”
- “Absorbs quickly”
Hygienic packaging Sometimes Noted
- “Airless pump”
- “Easy to dispense”
- “Protects ingredients”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Floral scent”
- “Perfume is strong”
- “Smell lingers”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused purging”
- “Small bumps”
- “Acne flare-up”
Pump malfunctions Rarely Noted
- “Pump stopped working”
- “Hard to get last bit”
- “Nozzle clogged”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “Took months”
- “Mild effect”
- “Not strong enough”
Sources: lovi.care, murad.com, sephora.co.uk, ulta.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum work for combination skin?
This serum works moderately well for combination skin by helping smooth out texture and manage oily shine, though other products fit this skin type better. To work best for combination skin, a product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis to regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and keep the skin balanced without causing excess oiliness or dryness.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2003
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum works for combination skin because retinol and hydroxypinacolone retinoate help manage oily shine while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin keep skin soft with needed moisture. At the same time, ingredients like urea, betaine, and taurine are included to help keep the experience gentle and lower the risk of irritation. Combination skin of this type needs products containing niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and boost radiance without any risk of irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2003
What does Retinol do for combination skin?
Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.
Archives of Dermatology, 2007The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine for combination skin. Combination skin needs products with retinol, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramides to balance oily shine and keep the skin smooth.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is used in the evening, starting once a week to see how your skin reacts, and you can gradually use it more often if your skin tolerates it well. To work better for combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that balance oil and deeply hydrate without causing irritation.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for combination skin, as complaints of potential breakouts are low and soothing ingredients help keep irritation down. To properly care for combination skin, this type of product needs ingredients that balance oily shine while maintaining moisture without heavy oils.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol and parfum).
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003Topical 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 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Palmitate, C14-22 Alcohols, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Shea Ethyl Esters Butter, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Ceramide Np, Sodium Hyaluronate, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Tomato Fruit Extract, Swertia Chirata Extract, Squalane, Punica Granatum Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycine Soja Extract Soybean Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Silica, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, Polysorbate 20, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Tris Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol Citrate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891, Red 4 Ci 14700, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Parfum
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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