StriVectin AR™ Night Treatment for acne-prone skin
Advanced Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Peptides
Niacinamide
Vitamin EAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
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 your combination skin as retinol and niacinamide provide antioxidant activity and seboregulation, though it may lack sufficient humectant action for drier areas.
- The presence of glycerin and allantoin offers general hydration and soothing benefits supportive for acne-prone skin, but specialized ingredients to directly target breakouts are absent.
- The product is safe for your combination skin 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 and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this retinol treatment is highly regarded by users, particularly those with mature and dry skin. It is frequently praised for its effectiveness in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and for providing deep hydration without causing irritation. Many users report smoother, softer, and plumper skin by morning. Some users experience mild peeling or dryness, and a few mention an unpleasant scent or breakouts, but these are less common concerns.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “intense hydration”
- “skin feels moisturized, nourished”
- “hydrated very well”
- “rich creamy texture left my skin feeling great”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “minimizing my fine lines”
- “fine lines are not as noticeable”
- “reduces the depth of wrinkles”
- “deeper lines have improved somewhat”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “gentle enough to use every day”
- “doesn't cause me any irritation or redness”
- “no dry skin or peeling”
- “great retinol for sensitive skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “smoother texture”
- “skin feels so soft and smooth”
- “refines texture and the look of pores”
- “rough texture has also improved”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out almost immediately”
- “caused some breakouts”
- “woke up with blemishes”
Causes peeling/dryness Rarely Noted
- “new formula is causing peeling or drying”
- “experienced slight irritation from the retinol”
- “can only use it a couple nights a week or peeling begins”
Greasy residue Rarely Noted
- “oily residue that never really absorbed”
- “way too heavy for me”
- “woke up feeling really greasy”
High price Rarely Noted
- “comes at a pretty steep price”
- “price is too high for the regular size”
- “wish it was more affordable”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “could not get over the scent”
- “didn't love the color and scent”
- “has a noticeable fragrance”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, costco.com, dermstore.com, boots.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does StriVectin AR Night Treatment work for acne-prone skin?
This treatment works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, as retinol and niacinamide help manage oil and antioxidants while glycerin and allantoin provide soothing moisture. However, it lacks specialized ingredients that directly target breakouts or enough moisture for drier areas. Acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that control oil and target blemishes while providing balanced hydration.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This treatment works for acne-prone skin because retinol, niacinamide, and peptides help balance oil and support skin health. To work even better for this skin type, a product of this kind needs targeted breakout-fighting ingredients like propolis and zinc PCA, along with deeper hydration to keep the skin balanced.
What does Retinol do for acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps clear breakouts by speeding up skin renewal and unclogging pores. When used on acne-prone skin, it may cause less irritation and redness if it is formulated with soothing or encapsulated ingredients.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2020
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 treatment go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Acne-prone skin works best with products that combine soothing hydrators like glycerin with targeted ingredients that directly clear breakouts.
Can I use this treatment with glycolic acid, and in what order?
It is best to use this treatment on different nights than glycolic acid to help keep your skin calm and lower the chance of irritation.
How often should I use this treatment?
Use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. A product of this type for acne-prone skin needs ingredients that directly target breakouts and provide enough moisture for drier areas.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts as it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients, though it may cause mild peeling because of retinol. A product of this type for acne-prone skin needs specialized ingredients to directly target breakouts along with enough hydrating ingredients to keep dry areas smooth.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
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, 2017Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016Silicone 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 treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2005Topical 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, 2024
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A 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, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Parfum
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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