Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Concentrated Serum for sensitive skin
Ascorbic Acid Activ Cg
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
BakuchiolAverage
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 normal skin, as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid provide hydration and barrier support, but the presence of Ascorbic Acid and Citric Acid may pose a slight irritation risk for your sensitive skin.
- The serum provides excellent brightening and smoothing texture due to Ascorbyl Glucoside and Bakuchiol, which are beneficial for general radiance but do not directly address your primary concerns of redness and irritation.
- The safety profile is generally good, with minimal risk of irritation from the included acids.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers frequently report that this serum provides immediate radiance and a healthy glow, with a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly without greasiness. Many with sensitive skin find it gentle and effective for improving texture and brightening dark spots. A smaller number of users experienced irritation, breakouts, or found the fragrance too strong.
Highlights
Enhances radiance Mostly Mentioned
- “immediate radiance boost”
- “skin looks brighter”
- “healthy dewy glow”
- “complexion looks even”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs very quickly”
- “milky lightweight texture”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “great under makeup”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation occurred”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentler than pure Vitamin C”
- “felt soothing/moisturizing”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “pores look cleaner”
- “skin feels plumped”
- “softens fine lines”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “no difference after month”
- “didn't fade dark spots”
- “not effective enough”
- “expected better results”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “bottle unscrews itself”
- “dropper is defective”
- “messy application”
- “hard to close tightly”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused burning sensation”
- “redness and rash”
- “skin felt tight/dry”
- “breakouts after use”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “scent is too strong”
- “fragrance caused irritation”
- “smell is overpowering”
- “prefer fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, aveneusa.com, boots.com, cocooncenter.co.uk, lovelyskin.com, beautycrew.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Avene Vitamin Activ Cg Radiance Serum work for sensitive skin?
This serum works moderately well for sensitive skin, as its niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help provide hydration and barrier support, but its vitamin C and citric acid may pose a slight irritation risk. A treatment for this skin needs ingredients that actively soothe redness and irritation without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid make this serum a fit for sensitive skin because they provide hydration and barrier support. To work well for this skin, a treatment of this type needs ingredients that soothe redness and irritation while avoiding potential irritants like certain acids.
What does Ascorbic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Ascorbic Acid helps improve skin elasticity and calms redness in reactive and sensitive skin when used properly. Studies show it is generally well-tolerated and provides safe anti-aging benefits for delicate skin types.
What does Avene Thermal Spring Water do for sensitive skin?
Avène Thermal Spring Water helps calm sensitive skin by significantly reducing stinging, burning, and redness. It is unlikely to cause irritation and is well-suited for keeping dry or easily upset skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after your cleanser and soothing toner, followed by a moisturizer. Sensitive skin types working with this product need gentle, hydrating ingredients and calming agents to reduce redness and avoid irritation.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
This serum contains active ingredients that may pose a slight irritation risk, so combining it with retinol can sometimes be too strong for sensitive skin. To use both safely, apply this brightening treatment in the morning and reserve your retinol for the evening routine.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in your evening routine once a week to help your sensitive skin adjust, and you may carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients and gentle hydration to keep your skin calm while brightening and smoothing.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, though the active ingredients may occasionally cause a slight stinging or irritation. To better care for sensitive skin prone to redness, a product of this type needs calming ingredients that soothe irritation and strengthen the skin barrier without strong acids or added fragrance.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024Topical 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, 2019Treatment with ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex lotion significantly decreased pigmentation scores and melanin index while increasing lightness in solar lentigos of Japanese females compared to placebo over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical 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, 2022Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical 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 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 dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Why other serums fit sensitive skin better
Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016
Ingredients
Avene Thermal Spring Water Avene Aqua, Avene Aqua, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, C9-12 Alkane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetracaprylate Tetracaprate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Bakuchiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Parfum, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Tribehenin, Water, Xanthan Gum
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.