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Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 excellent suitability for your oily skin, as mandelic acid provides effective chemical exfoliation to address acne and blemishes while propanediol and glycerin offer essential hydration.
  • Panthenol and hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate further support skin barrier function and moisture retention, complementing the exfoliating benefits for your skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.9Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

It is very effective at clearing breakouts and improving skin texture, with many users noting its quick absorption and gentle feel. Some users occasionally experience dryness or find the price point high.

Highlights

  • Clears acne breakouts Mostly Mentioned
    • “Only one thing has kept all of the cystic acne away and it has been this product right here!!”
    • “She no longer struggles with recurring breakouts.”
    • “It helped me get rid of my closed comedones.”
    • “I was breaking out less frequently, and the blemishes that did occur were much easier to manage.”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “So gentle and I have sensitive dehydrated skin.”
    • “It's gentle on my skin, lightweight, and not at all sticky.”
    • “The redness in my face has toned down significantly.”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “My skin feels smoother and less textured after using.”
    • “Within the first week, my skin felt much smoother.”
    • “It's been great for evening out my skin tone and keeping texture away.”
    • “Gently smooths bumpy, uneven texture.”
  • Absorbs very quickly Sometimes Noted
    • “The serum absorbs quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky, tacky or tight.”
    • “It's very watery... soaks into my skin super fast, and doesn't leave any uncomfortable residue.”
    • “I found the texture to be watery and it sank nicely into the skin.”
    • “The product itself is a very runny serum and absorbs into the skin rather quickly.”
  • Can cause dryness Rarely Noted
    • “I experienced some slight dryness after 3 days of continued use.”
    • “So drying if you use it too often, definitely not meant for every day use.”
    • “I find this too harsh for daily use.”
  • Expensive price point Rarely Noted
    • “At just under an ounce, this is a splurge, no way around it.”
    • “Expensive 60%”
    • “I did a lot to get my hand on it”
  • Requires additional moisturizer Rarely Noted
    • “I wouldn't rely on this mandelic serum to act as a main hydrator.”
    • “You will want to layer a moisturizer on top of it to get that dewiness.”
    • “Slightly present on skin... does best with a night cream on top.”

Sources: lovi.care, sofiepavittface.com, violetgrey.com, tnuck.com, skinsort.com, forbes.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Mandelic Clearing Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum is a great fit because mandelic acid provides effective chemical exfoliation to address acne and blemishes, while propanediol and glycerin offer essential hydration. Panthenol and hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate further support your skin barrier and moisture retention without adding heaviness.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Mandelic acid is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because it provides gentle chemical exfoliation to clear blemishes. Glycerin, propanediol, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate team up to lock in essential moisture and keep your skin barrier strong without feeling heavy.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Mandelic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Mandelic acid helps clear breakouts and manage oil on acne-prone skin with a lower chance of irritation than many other acids. It gently removes dead skin cells to keep pores clean and smooth.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

Apply this serum in your evening routine, starting just once a week and using it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. It is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin because it clears blemishes while keeping your skin hydrated and protected.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying this treatment first and then following with your retinol on separate nights or with caution, as using both exfoliating ingredients at once may raise the likelihood of irritation. The product helps clear acne while keeping your skin calm and hydrated, and it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

How often should I use this serum?

Start using this serum just once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps your skin adjust to the exfoliating mandelic acid while keeping your moisture balanced.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum is a great fit because mandelic acid clears out blemishes while glycerin and propanediol keep oily skin hydrated. It is very unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts, though a mild amount of dryness may occasionally happen.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?

This serum is safe to use on your body, but you should avoid applying it to the thin skin around your eyes. Mandelic acid and hydrating ingredients provide great care for body skin, while the eye area requires products specifically tested for that delicate region.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.

    Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019
  • Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.

    BMJ Open, 2018
  • Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.

    Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • 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, 2017
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

Ingredients

Water, Mandelic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Panthenol, Glycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silanetriol, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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