LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream for acne-prone skin
Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Shea Butter
Vitamin E
Aloe BarbadensisAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 moderate suitability for combination skin as retinol helps regulate desquamation and aloe barbadensis leaf juice provides humectant action, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Shea butter and aloe barbadensis leaf juice offer general hydration supportive for acne-prone skin, but the formula may not deliver optimal results across all areas of your combination skin.
- The product is safe for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like aloe barbadensis leaf juice and camellia sinensis leaf extract.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
People Say
★4.9Overall rating based on 30.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly praised for its gentle and hydrating formula that effectively improves skin texture, softens fine lines, and promotes a more youthful, radiant complexion. It is frequently noted for being suitable for various skin types, including sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin, by providing anti-aging benefits without the harsh irritation often associated with retinol products. Some users have reported issues with the pump dispenser, while a low number of reviews mention limited anti-aging results or mixed feelings about the scent.
Highlights
Gentle formula Mostly Mentioned
- “No redness or dryness”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Non-irritating formula”
Hydrating feel Often Mentioned
- “Very moisturizing feel”
- “Leaves skin supple”
- “Not drying at all”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels so smooth”
- “Noticeably softer skin”
- “Improved skin texture”
Reduces lines Sometimes Noted
- “Softened forehead lines”
- “Less visible wrinkles”
- “Smoothed out lines”
Faulty pump Sometimes Noted
- “Dispenser is horrible”
- “Pump got stuck”
- “Pumps out too much”
Limited anti-aging Rarely Noted
- “Not effective on wrinkles”
- “Lack of visible results”
- “Minimal change”
Scent issues Rarely Noted
- “Mixed feelings about scent”
- “Unpleasant smell”
- “Prefer no scent”
Sources: lovi.care, lilyananaturals.com, walmart.com, whatsinmyjar.com, misumiskincare.com, tenereteam.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream work for acne-prone skin?
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream works moderately well for acne-prone skin because retinol helps regulate skin shedding and aloe vera provides light hydration, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target breakouts. Because other products fit this skin type better, an acne-prone product of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients alongside soothing agents to manage breakouts effectively.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Retinol, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and camellia sinensis leaf extract help make this cream a fit for your skin by providing soothing and gentle benefits. However, because this product only offers moderate suitability, acne-prone skin needs a treatment that includes specific ingredients to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
What does Retinol do for acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps acne-prone skin by speeding up cell turnover and clearing pores to reduce breakouts. It regulates skin growth and fights inflammation, though it may cause some mild peeling or stinging when you first start using it.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cream goes in the evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and before moisturizing. To better fit acne-prone skin, this type of product needs specialized ingredients that directly target blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use this cream with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this cream in your evening routine, but it is best to apply vitamin C in the morning and this retinol treatment at night to avoid irritation. Alternating times helps your skin handle both active ingredients safely.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream works well as an evening treatment for your acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. For the best care, acne-prone skin needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to directly clear blemishes and breakouts.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause harsh reactions on acne-prone skin since it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing extracts, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target blemishes and breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively clear pores and prevent breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is safe to use on the body and around the eyes, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing plant extracts. However, because skin is much thinner around the eyes, you should apply it carefully and watch for any irritation.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
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, 2017A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006
Why other moisturizers fit acne-prone skin better
A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Isopropyl Palmitate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Cassia Angustifolia Polysaccharide Seed Extract, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum Sodium Hyaluronate Gum, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Alcohol, Retinol, Lecithin, Willow Bark Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Dandelion Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Geranium Extract
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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