Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen for oily acne-prone skin
Liquid Collagen
Alguronic Acid- Collagen
Niacinamide
Tocopherol
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 plumping for your oily skin due to collagen and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, which support volume and elasticity, while niacinamide helps with seboregulation but lacks sufficient mattifying ingredients for optimal results.
- Glycerin and Propanediol provide general hydration benefits, which are supportive but not specifically targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers frequently report that this serum provides immediate hydration and plumps the skin, leading to a noticeable glow and improved bounce. Many also experience softer skin texture and a reduction in fine lines. However, a significant number of reviews mention the high price point and a strong, sometimes irritating floral or vanilla fragrance.
Highlights
Plumps and hydrates Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels plump”
- “Super hydrating”
- “Restores bounce”
- “Instant hydration”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin felt softer”
- “Smoother texture”
- “Softened look”
- “Velvety feel”
High price Often Mentioned
- “$115 is expensive”
- “Pricey”
- “Not worth $115”
- “Cost prohibits repurchase”
Radiant glow Sometimes Noted
- “Instant glowing”
- “Beautiful glow”
- “Radiant complexion”
- “Luminous finish”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “Reduces fine lines”
- “Lines less noticeable”
- “Smoothed out lines”
- “Wrinkles diminished”
Strong scent Sometimes Noted
- “Strong perfumey scent”
- “Sickly strong perfume”
- “Artificial vanilla scent”
- “Smell is overwhelming”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Clogged my pores”
- “Caused breakouts”
- “Acne flare-ups”
- “ bumps appeared”
Dropper issues Rarely Noted
- “Difficulty with dropper”
- “Hard to dispense”
- “Dropper doesn't fill”
- “Poor bottle design”
Sticky texture Rarely Noted
- “Sticky/Tacky finish”
- “Greasy residue”
- “Sticky before makeup”
- “Takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, cultbeauty.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen work for oily acne-prone skin?
Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen works moderately well for your oily acne-prone skin, providing general hydration and volume while helping balance oil, though it lacks strong mattifying ingredients for breakouts. This type of product needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or Vitamin C to target excess oil and blemishes safely without clogging pores.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Liquid collagen, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, and niacinamide make this serum a fit by offering moderate plumping and oil control, while glycerin and propanediol provide general hydration. This treatment is safe for your oily skin with no risk of irritation, though a product of this type needs specialized ingredients like propolis, vitamin C, and strong mattifying or oil-controlling agents to better target breakouts and excess shine.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Hydrolyzed Collagen do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hydrolyzed Collagen is unlikely to suit oily acne-prone skin because it tends to be too heavy and lacks the oil-controlling and pore-clearing benefits this skin needs. To care for oily acne-prone skin, look for ingredients like niacinamide that help calm inflammation, balance oil, and clear breakouts without clogging pores.
What does Alguronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Alguronic acid helps hydrate and smooth oily, acne-prone skin without clogging pores, keeping your face feeling soft and balanced. It may also help tighten the look of skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines over time. This type of skin needs lightweight ingredients that provide moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening, after cleansing and before your moisturizer. A product for your skin needs mattifying ingredients and targeted blemish fighters to deliver the best possible results.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying your retinol first and following it with this serum once it absorbs. This product is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but to get the best results for breakouts, this type of skin needs targeted oil-controlling and blemish-clearing ingredients.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. This product of this type needs to include strong oil-absorbing and breakout-clearing ingredients to properly manage oily, acne-prone skin.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Algenist GENIUS Liquid Collagen is unlikely to cause irritation on your oily skin, though low numbers of reviewers do mention breakouts. This product type needs strong oil-control and blemish-targeting ingredients to properly care for acne-prone skin.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum and limonene).
What the research says
Chronomodulated 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, 2026Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024A 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, 2017A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.
Marine Drugs, 2023Topical 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 oily acne-prone skin better
A 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
Collagen, Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Dextrin Palmitate, Collagen Amino Acids, Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides, Chlorella Protothecoides Oil, Helichrysum Italicum Flower Extract, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis Extract, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Adenosine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Palmitic Acid, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Amodimethicone, Homosalate, Polysorbate 20, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Octocrylene, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Beta-Carotene Ci 40800
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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