SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense for combination skin
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Citric AcidHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, the glycolic acid and salicylic acid work synergistically to provide excellent treatment for acne-prone skin by reducing lesions and blemishes while also offering moderate exfoliation for oily shine.
- The keratolytic action and seboregulation provided by these key ingredients ensure a balanced approach to managing excess oil and improving skin texture.
- The formulation 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. 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 1.9k+ reviewsThis dual-action serum is widely praised by adults with oily and combination skin for simultaneously treating cystic acne and smoothing fine lines. While highly effective at reducing sebum and clearing congestion, users note it can be drying and may cause an initial "purge" period before results become visible. The summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Clears stubborn acne Mostly Mentioned
- “cystic acne shrinking”
- “no new pimples”
- “kept acne at bay”
- “reduced to nothingness”
- “clearing up skin”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin looked smoother”
- “fades red marks”
- “even tone”
- “pores less visible”
- “refines skin surface”
Reduces excess oil Often Mentioned
- “felt less oily”
- “regulation of sebum”
- “inhibits excess sebum”
- “cuts through oil”
- “less shiny by midday”
Anti-aging benefits Sometimes Noted
- “improves fine lines”
- “compliments on no wrinkles”
- “skin looks younger”
- “diminishes signs of aging”
- “smoother forehead”
Drying or irritating Sometimes Noted
- “skin feeling parched”
- “drying acne products”
- “strong alcohol content”
- “not for sensitive skin”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “splurge-worthy”
- “waste of money”
- “investment product”
Strong chemical scent Sometimes Noted
- “alcohol fumes hit nostrils”
- “strong smell”
- “smells like chemicals”
- “ugh alcohol”
- “fumes hit your nostrils”
Initial skin purging Rarely Noted
- “tiny bit of purging”
- “worse before better”
- “breakouts initially”
- “purging period”
- “brought bumps to surface”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, target.com, acne.org, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense a great fit for combination skin?
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid work together to clear blemishes and calm oily shine. This blend helps balance excess oil and smooth skin texture safely without causing irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid make this serum a great fit for combination skin by clearing breakouts and keeping oily shine under control. These acids gently smooth the skin texture while keeping irritation unlikely.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?
Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening, starting once a week and slowly increasing frequency if your skin handles it well. This routine timing provides extra safety around sun exposure while helping glycolic acid and salicylic acid clear blemishes and smooth skin texture.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternating nights to help prevent dry or irritated skin. Using both active treatments at the same time may easily cause too much peeling and redness.
American Family Physician, 2012Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
How often should I use it?
Start using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your combination skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. Daily or regular use of these active acids helps reduce blemishes and control oily shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
It is unlikely to clog pores, but initial skin purging is a low possibility when you start using it. The acids in the formula help clear blemishes and control oily shine while maintaining a safe and balanced approach for your skin.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.
Cutis, 2012Topical 20% citric acid lotion increases viable epidermal thickness and dermal glycosaminoglycan content in sun-damaged skin compared to vehicle alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 1997
Ingredients
Alcohol Denat, Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycolic Acid, Diisopropyl Adipate, Octadecenedioic Acid, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Citric Acid, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-10, Salicylic Acid
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.