Vichy Liftactiv Specialist B3 Serum for combination skin
Niacinamide
Glycolic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
High
- 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
- Offers excellent skin tone evening and brightening for your combination skin, as niacinamide and glycolic acid work to exfoliate and improve skin tone. Tranexamic acid and niacinamide further help to reduce hyperpigmentation and control oil production, leading to a more balanced complexion.
- The formula is highly suitable for combination skin, with niacinamide providing seboregulation and glycolic acid offering mild keratolytic action to manage oily shine.
- The safety profile is excellent, 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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised by users dealing with hyperpigmentation, dullness, and uneven skin tone for its ability to visibly fade dark spots and brighten the complexion. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula is frequently noted as gentle on sensitive skin. Some users indicate that consistent, long-term use is necessary to see significant results on stubborn dark spots and deep wrinkles.
Highlights
Evens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “it has seemed to have evened my skin tone as I used to have alot of dark patches”
- “My skin looks brighter and more plump”
- “I can see my skin is brighter and glowing after 3 weeks.”
- “Now I have radiant, even and smooth skin.”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “I have definitely noticed a difference in my dark spots they seem to be slowly fading”
- “helps me correct some dark pigmentation spots I had on my left cheek.”
- “Helps with smoothing fine lines & fading dark spots!”
- “diminishing the appearance of dark spots and evening out skin tone.”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often Mentioned
- “The formula is so light and doesn't leave skin feeling oily.”
- “It absorbs quickly into my skin and is so smooth”
- “This lightweight, non-greasy serum absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a sticky residue.”
- “The serum is light and Its absorbs quite quickly and it's not sticky”
Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “This is a great serum for sensitive skin.”
- “I like it doesn't irritate my skin.”
- “didn't cause me any negative reaction and my skin felt smoother”
- “gentle on sensitive skin.”
Takes time for results Sometimes Noted
- “haven't seen a change in dark spots but I need to give it more time”
- “It's still too early to tell any visible difference”
- “hopeful that with continued use I will see the changes”
- “Repeated use and time will tell.”
Applicator design issues Rarely Noted
- “The only issue I have with it is the applicator, I wish it had a drop applicator instead so I don't waste so much product”
- “The applicator... is a bit unique. With the long pointed tip offering precision, I felt like a scientist”
- “I wish it had a drop applicator instead so I don't waste so much product”
Ineffective on deep wrinkles Rarely Noted
- “so far have not seen any improvement in my deep wrinkles.”
- “I'm hoping in time I will see some results.”
- “haven't seen any improvement in my deep wrinkles.”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lookfantastic.com, walmart.ca, my-origines.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Liftactiv Specialist B3 Serum a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and glycolic acid help balance oil production and smooth the skin, while tranexamic acid targets dark spots for a more even tone. Its very safe formula is unlikely to cause irritation on combination skin.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because niacinamide and glycolic acid help exfoliate and balance oily shine while improving skin tone. Tranexamic acid and niacinamide further help reduce dark spots and control oil production for a more even complexion.
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
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 this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. Lovi routines put treatments here for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying this treatment first and following with your retinol on separate nights or spaced out carefully, since both are strong actives. This routine helps brighten skin and manage oily shine while minimizing the risk of irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
Vichy Liftactiv Specialist B3 Serum is a great fit for your combination skin, and you can start using it once a week in your evening routine. If your skin handles it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin, as it features ingredients that help control oil production and gently exfoliate. Its very safe formula avoids harsh components, meaning it is unlikely to irritate your skin or cause purging.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2002Topical 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, 2005Repeated 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, 2017Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.
Food & Function, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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