🇳🇱Netherlands

Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other serums fit it 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

  • Offers moderate benefits for your oily skin, as niacinamide and glycolic acid help regulate oil production and smooth texture, though they do not directly address oily shine.
  • Tranexamic acid and hydroxyethyl urea provide general hydration and skin tone evening, which are supportive but not primary benefits for your main concern.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

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

★4.5Overall rating based on 300+ reviews

This serum is frequently praised for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that effectively targets dark spots, uneven skin tone, and fine lines. Users with various skin types report a brighter, smoother complexion with consistent use over several weeks. Some users find the price point to be high and note that results can take time, with a few experiencing issues with the packaging.

Highlights

  • Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly”
    • “non-sticky”
    • “sinks in fast”
  • Evens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “Faded dark spots”
    • “more even complexion”
    • “reduced discoloration”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Very light consistency”
    • “not greasy”
    • “feels weightless”
  • Brightening effect Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin looks glowing”
    • “more translucent”
    • “noticeable radiance”
  • Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
    • “Doesn't irritate”
    • “great for sensitive”
    • “no stinging”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “A bit expensive”
    • “budget-heavy”
    • “pricey for size”
  • Slow results Sometimes Noted
    • “Need more time”
    • “no change yet”
    • “results take weeks”
  • Packaging design Rarely Noted
    • “Difficult to dispense”
    • “applicator issues”
    • “messy bottle”

Sources: lovi.care, tryandreview.com, dermstore.com, skincare.com, serumtruth.com, lovelyskin.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does LiftActiv B3 Serum work for oily skin?

Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum works moderately well for your oily skin, helping smooth texture and balance oil production while keeping you safe from irritation. To get a better fit for oily skin, a treatment of this type needs ingredients that directly manage oily shine and enlarged pores, such as zinc pca and ferulic acid, alongside soothing extracts.

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?

Niacinamide and glycolic acid make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping regulate oil production and smooth texture, though other products fit it better because they directly address oily shine with ingredients like zinc PCA and ferulic acid alongside soothing extracts.

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

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with products containing niacinamide and salicylic acid to directly target oily shine and keep pores clear.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first in your evening routine, followed by your retinol. This product is safe for your oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

How often should I use it?

Use this treatment in your evening routine once a week to start, as it contains exfoliating acids, and you may carefully use it more often if your skin handles it well. Oily skin needs products with ingredients like salicylic acid or oil-absorbing minerals to directly target excess shine and oil production.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it is formulated without heavy, pore-clogging ingredients. However, it does not directly control oily shine or stop breakouts, so oily skin generally needs products with stronger oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid to stay clear and matte.

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical 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, 2021

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • Topical 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, 2005

  • 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, 2017

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

  • Repeated 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, 2000

  • Serial 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, 2017

  • Topical 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, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical 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

Why other serums fit oily skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Niacinamide 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, 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

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