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Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even 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

  • This serum offers excellent treatment for fine lines and wrinkles due to the presence of retinol and retinal, which are highly compatible with your oily skin. Niacinamide and BHA further support seboregulation and exfoliation, addressing your oily shine.
  • The formulation includes soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and Panthenol, which provide general hydration and skin comfort without exacerbating oiliness.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of beneficial soothing components.

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

★4.7Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely celebrated as an ideal "starter retinol" for beginners and those with sensitive skin, frequently praised for delivering anti-aging benefits without the harsh irritation typical of retinoids. Users consistently report smoother skin texture, reduced acne, and a "glass skin" glow, though advanced users may find the formula too gentle for dramatic, rapid results.

Highlights

  • Extremely gentle Mostly Mentioned
    • “Zero irritation or redness”
    • “Perfect for first-time users”
    • “Did not sting my sensitive skin”
    • “Gentlest retinol I've tried”
  • Smoothes texture Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels baby soft”
    • “Texture looks refined”
    • “Helped with tiny bumps”
    • “Face feels smoother the next morning”
  • Effective for acne Sometimes Noted
    • “Helped clear my acne”
    • “Pores look smaller”
    • “Faded post-acne marks”
    • “Reduced my breakouts significantly”
  • Hydrating and non-drying Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a nice glow”
    • “Very moisturizing finish”
    • “Didn't dry me out at all”
    • “Feels hydrating like an essence”
  • Noticeable fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “Smell is too strong”
    • “Wish it was fragrance-free”
    • “Scent lingers for a while”
    • “Smells like soap/perfume”
  • Mild purging phase Rarely Noted
    • “Broke out the first week”
    • “Had some small whiteheads”
    • “Purged for a few days”
    • “Caused minor bumps initially”
  • Results take time Rarely Noted
    • “Not strong enough for deep wrinkles”
    • “Takes months to see difference”
    • “Very mild results”
    • “Better for maintenance than repair”
  • Tacky finish Rarely Noted
    • “Leaves a sticky residue”
    • “Takes a while to sink in”
    • “Feels a bit tacky”
    • “Heavy if layered too much”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, oliveyoung.com, gopicky.com, sokoglam.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum a great fit for oily skin?

This serum is a great fit for your oily skin because retinol and retinal smooth fine lines while niacinamide helps manage oily shine. Soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica and panthenol provide comfort without making your face feel greasy, and the formula has a very safe profile with little chance of irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Retinol and retinal make this serum a great fit because they target fine lines while being compatible with oily skin, and niacinamide helps manage excess shine. Soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract and panthenol provide comfort without adding extra oil.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Retinol do for oily skin?

Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2012

What does Retinal do for oily skin?

Retinal helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and clearing clogged pores when used daily. This ingredient is well-suited for managing breakouts while keeping skin smooth and calm.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Using it at night helps keep your skin safe from sun exposure while addressing oily shine and fine lines.

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

It is best to use vitamin C in your morning routine and this retinol serum at night to avoid overloading your oily skin. Using them at different times of day helps prevent irritation while still giving you the smoothing and brightening benefits of both ingredients.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening, applying it a few times a week at first and slowly building up as your skin gets used to it. This serum helps smooth and refresh oily skin safely without adding extra shine or causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

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

This serum is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts, though a very mild purging phase may occasionally happen as the ingredients go to work. Soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and panthenol help keep skin comfortable while addressing excess shine.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

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, 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
  • Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.

    Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
  • 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
  • Topical 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, 2017
  • Silicone 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, 2018
  • Topical 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, 2017
  • Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
  • Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.

    Dermatology, 2002
  • Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.

    Dermatology, 1999
  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.

    Health Science Reports, 2025
  • Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • 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
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Poly C6-14 Olefin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Piper Methysticum Stem Extract Root Leaf, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract Berry, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Palm Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Bakuchiol, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Retinol, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Cetyl Alcohol, Bht, Collagen, Myristic Acid, Bha, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Bifida Lysate Ferment, Ceramide Np, Saccharomyces Ferment, Retinal, Asiaticoside, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Madecassoside, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja Soybean Peptide, Resveratrol, Sucrose Distearate, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Peg-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin

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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Prices checked 16 Oct – 4 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Italy.

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