Image Skincare the MAX™ Stem Cell Serum for dry sensitive skin
Pyrus Malus Extract Cell Fruit Culture
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 treatment for your dry and sensitive skin due to the presence of acetyl hexapeptide-8 and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which smooth texture and brighten tone.
- Sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed rice bran protein provide beneficial hydration for your dry or flaky skin, though stronger humectant support could enhance comfort.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers with mature, dry, or environmentally stressed skin frequently praise this serum for its hydrating, firming, and smoothing effects, which target fine lines and improve elasticity for a more youthful appearance. Some users note that consistent, long-term use is necessary to see the full benefits.
Highlights
Firms and tightens Often Mentioned
- “smooths and tightens my skin”
- “improves elasticity and skin structure”
- “skin looks firmer”
- “restores resilience”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “makes my fine lines less noticeable”
- “drastically reduces fine lines”
- “diminishes the appearance of fine lines”
- “smooths expression lines”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “light, smooth texture absorbs quickly”
- “easily absorbed”
- “fast-absorbing formula”
- “lightweight and easy to layer”
Hydrates and smooths Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin soft and refined”
- “alleviate the uneven dryness visually”
- “skin becomes smooth”
- “adds just the right balance”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “among the most expensive products”
- “serum that costs so much”
- “simpler serums may provide comparable results at a lower price”
- “results are gradual rather than dramatic for the price”
Faulty pump Rarely Noted
- “bad bottle dispenser”
- “it dispenses unevenly”
- “spurts out across the bathroom counter”
- “have to scoop it off the surface”
Slow to show Rarely Noted
- “not a miracle serum by any means”
- “results take 6-12 weeks”
- “not overnight wonder”
- “truly don't see much of a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstreet.com, skinmart.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
What makes IMAGE Skincare the MAX Stem Cell Serum a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is a great fit because it contains acetyl hexapeptide-8 and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which smooth rough texture and brighten dull tone. Sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed rice bran protein also bring needed moisture to dry skin, and the formula is very safe against irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate make this serum a great fit because they smooth texture and brighten tone, while sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed rice bran protein help hydrate dry or flaky skin. It is also safe for this skin type and poses no risk of irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
What does Apple Fruit Cell Culture Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Apple fruit cell culture extract helps make dry, sensitive skin look smoother and supports skin regeneration. When used in a facial serum twice a day, it may also help improve wrinkles and skin elasticity without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2014
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for dry, sensitive skin because it brings a large boost in hydration, making the skin feel soft and smooth while improving barrier function. It helps calm tightness and dryness, and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Dermatology and Therapy, 2021
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. Applying it at night keeps things simple and helps avoid any extra sensitivity around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying your retinol product first and following with this treatment, or by using your retinol at night and this serum in the morning. This routine is unlikely to cause irritation because the serum lacks harsh ingredients and has a very safe profile for your dry and sensitive skin.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits into your evening routine and is safe to use daily because it lacks harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation. Applying it in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on dry and sensitive skin. It is made with gentle, skin-friendly ingredients that pose no risk of irritation or heavy residue.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013A novel facial serum containing apple stem cell extract, pro-collagen lipopeptide, creatine, and urea improved mitochondrial function in human senescent cultured fibroblasts and demonstrated anti-wrinkle, dermal density, and skin elasticity benefits in 32 women with sensitive skin applied twice daily for 28 days compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.
European Journal of Neurology, 2013Dissolving microneedles loaded with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-8 achieved higher cumulative transdermal delivery than aqueous solutions and significantly reduced photoaging signs while restoring oxidative balance in a UV/D-galactose-induced mouse model.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026Topical 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, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sucrose Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyrus Malus Extract Cell Fruit Culture, Plankton Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus L Callus Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Argania Spinosa Extract Cell Sprout Culture, Superoxide Dismutase, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Peg-8 Smdi Copolymer, Pullulan, Glycine Soja Protein Soybean Protein, Isomalt, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Citric Acid, Pvp, Disodium Edta, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, 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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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
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