Topicals Faded Serum for oily skin
Tranexamic Acid
Niacinamide
Azelaic Acid
Alpha-Arbutin
Kojic Acid DipalmitateHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- 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 formulation is highly suitable for your oily skin, with niacinamide and azelaic acid effectively managing oil production and inflammation, while tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, and kojic acid dipalmitate work to significantly brighten and even your skin tone.
- The inclusion of licorice root extract and Centella Asiatica leaf extract further soothes your skin, complementing the potent brightening agents and ensuring a comfortable experience.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of calming 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
★4.4Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised as a "holy grail" for fading stubborn hyperpigmentation, post-acne marks, and melasma, with users reporting brighter and more even skin tone after consistent use. While highly effective for discoloration, the original formula is infamous for its strong sulfur-like scent, though a newer unscented version has mitigated this concern for many.
Highlights
Fades dark spots Mostly Mentioned
- “Cleared my post-acne marks in weeks”
- “Faded dark spots I've had for years”
- “Best product for hyperpigmentation I've tried”
- “Noticeable difference on my melasma”
Unpleasant smell Mostly Mentioned
- “Smells like rotten eggs”
- “The scent is unbearable”
- “Smells like a perm”
- “Has a strong sulfur funk”
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “My skin looks so much brighter”
- “Gave me a nice glow”
- “Evened out my skin tone completely”
- “My face looks less dull”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “Tube cracked on the side”
- “Product oozes out when opened”
- “Cap broke easily”
- “Messy packaging wastes product”
Creamy texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels like a light lotion”
- “Very moisturizing”
- “Doesn't dry me out”
- “Nice creamy consistency”
Effective ingredient blend Sometimes Noted
- “Love the ingredient list”
- “Great mix of actives”
- “Contains everything needed for discoloration”
- “Better than buying separate serums”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “Caused cystic acne”
- “Too heavy for my oily skin”
- “Triggered a bad breakout”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Leaves a sticky residue”
- “Feels heavy on the skin”
- “Pills under my sunscreen”
- “Too tacky for daytime use”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, purewow.com, nbcnews.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Topicals Faded Clearing Serum a great fit for oily skin?
Topicals Faded Serum is a great fit for oily skin because niacinamide and azelaic acid manage oil and redness while tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, and kojic acid dipalmitate brighten your skin tone. Calming ingredients like licorice root and Centella Asiatica keep your skin comfortable, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum is a great fit for oily skin because niacinamide and azelaic acid help manage oil production and inflammation, while tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin, and kojic acid dipalmitate brighten and even your skin tone. Licorice root and Centella Asiatica leaf extracts soothe the skin to ensure a comfortable experience with a very low risk of irritation.
What does Tranexamic Acid do for oily skin?
Tranexamic acid helps oily skin by calming redness and keeping the skin barrier strong, which is especially useful when dealing with stubborn dark spots and uneven tone. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores and may improve overall skin texture while balancing the complexion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2014Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Using it at night helps keep things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure, while managing oil and brightening your skin tone comfortably.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, applying retinol first and waiting a few minutes before putting on the treatment. This approach is unlikely to cause irritation because the serum contains calming ingredients that help keep your skin comfortable.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment in your evening routine once a week to start, and carefully use it more often if your oily skin tolerates it well and shows good results. It is unlikely to irritate your skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes calming components.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is a great fit for oily skin and is very safe with no harsh ingredients, but some reviewers do complain that it causes breakouts. Niacinamide and azelaic acid help manage oil and inflammation while soothing components keep the experience comfortable.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Behenyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Kojic acid dipalmitate loaded ethosomal gel provided a significant decrease in skin melanin, erythema, and sebum levels while improving skin hydration and elasticity.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2008Topical 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, 2005Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.
Cutis, 2010Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.
International Wound Journal, 2013
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Tranexamic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Alpha-Arbutin, Behenyl Alcohol, Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Glutathione, Curcuma Longa Butter, Ethylene Brassylate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanyl Palmitate, Azelaic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Melatonin, Phytic Acid, Squalane, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Arginine, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Cetyl Palmitate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ceteareth-12, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol
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?
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