Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Alpha-Arbutin
Tranexamic Acid
Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
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 suitability for your oily skin, as niacinamide helps regulate sebum and sodium ascorbyl phosphate provides antioxidant benefits, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine.
- The serum provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive for oily skin, with ingredients like Alpha-Arbutin and Tranexamic Acid contributing to brightening and evening of skin tone.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with a low risk of irritation from Ascorbic acid.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly regarded for its lightweight, milky texture that absorbs quickly and layers well. It is frequently praised for brightening dullness and fading dark spots, especially for sensitive and acne-prone skin types. Some users have noted issues with the pump packaging and a peculiar scent.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “feels like nothing”
- “perfect for layering”
- “non-sticky finish”
Brightens skin Often Mentioned
- “faded acne scars”
- “skin looks radiant”
- “helped with redness”
- “evened out my complexion”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “no stinging”
- “didn't break me out”
- “soothing formula”
- “great for teen skin”
Affordable price Sometimes Noted
- “great value”
- “beats expensive serums”
- “affordable skincare”
- “good price for the quality”
Hydrating and smoothing Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels soft”
- “smooths rough patches”
- “hydrating enough for oily skin”
- “plumps the skin”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “bottle felt half empty”
- “straw missing inside”
- “hard to get product out”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like hot dog water”
- “weird earthy scent”
- “smells expired”
- “has a funk”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “saw no difference”
- “didn't brighten anything”
- “just a basic serum”
- “results take too long”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused fungal acne”
- “broke me out”
- “burning sensation”
- “red rash appeared”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, walmart.com, target.com, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum work for oily skin?
This serum offers moderate suitability for oily skin, helping control shine with niacinamide and sodium ascorbyl phosphate while providing general hydration and brightening. To work best for oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like zinc pca and ferulic acid that specifically target excess oil and enlarged pores.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin because niacinamide helps regulate sebum and sodium ascorbyl phosphate provides antioxidant benefits. To be a better fit for this skin type, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients to directly address oily shine, such as zinc PCA and ferulic acid.
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
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
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. An oily skin type needs specialized ingredients that directly control excess shine and oil.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product. This product is generally safe for oily skin, but combining active treatments may increase the likelihood of dryness or irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment serum fits into your evening routine once a day or a few times a week, as active serums are typically used in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is generally safe for your oily skin, though an oily skin type needs specialized ingredients to directly control shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is generally safe for oily skin with a low risk of irritation, and it is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. While niacinamide helps regulate sebum, an oily skin type also needs targeted ingredients that directly control excess shine.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2005A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Polyvinyl pyrrolidone-K90/Eudragit RL100 dissolving microneedle patches loaded with alpha-arbutin and resveratrol enhanced intradermal delivery by approximately 2.6 times compared to cream and slightly decreased the melanin index in human participants without causing skin irritation.
Biomaterials Science, 2023Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025
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, 2024Niacinamide 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, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eop, Xanthan Gum, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract Marshmallow Root Extract, Rice Bran Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sucrose Distearate, Phenoxyethanol
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
How does it fit your skin?
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