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Clarins Double Serum for oily acne-prone skin

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 suitability for your oily skin as Glycerin and Squalane provide hydrating and moisturizing benefits, though it lacks sufficient seboregulating ingredients to fully address oiliness.
  • The formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive but not targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Ascorbic Acid.

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 10.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this dual-phase serum is highly praised for providing immediate hydration and a healthy glow, benefiting dry, dull, or mature skin. Many users report smoother texture and reduced fine lines. However, some users with oily or acne-prone skin have experienced breakouts or found the finish too greasy. The product's strong fragrance is a moderate concern, and its high price point is frequently mentioned.

Highlights

  • Hydration and glow Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up”
    • “gives a dewy complexion”
    • “instant healthy glow”
    • “relieved my dry patches”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “feels like silk”
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “non-greasy finish”
    • “spa-like experience”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “way too expensive”
    • “not worth the money”
    • “price is steep”
    • “waiting for a sale”
  • Anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
    • “plumped my fine lines”
    • “skin looks firmer”
    • “pores appear smaller”
    • “smoother skin texture”
  • Innovative packaging Sometimes Noted
    • “love the adjustable dial”
    • “pump gives perfect amount”
    • “cool dual-chamber bottle”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like cheap perfume”
    • “scent is overpowering”
    • “triggered my allergies”
    • “too heavily fragranced”
  • Breakouts/Irritation Rarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne”
    • “gave me white bumps”
    • “broke me out immediately”
    • “rash on my neck”
  • Greasy residue Rarely Noted
    • “sat on top of skin”
    • “too oily for me”
    • “left a sticky film”
    • “makeup slid off”

Sources: lovi.care, clarins.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, influenster.com, makeupalley.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Clarins Double Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?

Clarins Double Serum offers an average fit for oily acne-prone skin because while it provides hydration and soothing care with glycerin and squalane, it lacks enough oil-controlling ingredients to fully manage oiliness and breakouts. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and propolis to balance oil and target blemishes safely.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and squalane make this serum a good fit for oily skin by providing essential hydration, while oat extract helps soothe the skin. To work best for oily acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide and blemish-fighting components like vitamin C or propolis.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Turmeric Root Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?

Turmeric Root Extract helps calm angry, red spots and keeps oily, acne-prone skin clear by fighting blemish-causing bacteria and soothing irritation. This ingredient works to reduce redness and improves the overall look of troubled skin without feeling heavy.

Phytotherapy Research, 2016Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023

What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?

Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2006

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily acne-prone skin needs a treatment of this type to include ingredients that help control oil and target blemishes.

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

Yes, you can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying it after your cleanser and hydrating toner, and before your moisturizer in your evening routine. This product is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients, and using a supportive routine can help reduce skin discomfort from retinoid treatments.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Oily and acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also brings oil-controlling and breakout-targeting ingredients to work well for you.

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

Clarins Double Serum is unlikely to cause irritation on your skin, but it may leave a greasy residue and does not target acne or oiliness. An oily acne-prone skin needs products with oil-controlling ingredients to properly manage breakouts.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

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, 2017
  • Colloidal oatmeal induced skin barrier-related gene expression in vitro and showed significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, moisturization, and barrier in 50 healthy female subjects treated with a colloidal oatmeal lotion.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
  • Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.

    Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002
  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023
  • Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.

    Drug Discovery Today, 2017
  • A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.

    Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018
  • Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
  • Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical quinoa bioester application upregulated skin barrier proteins and antioxidant enzymes, shifting proteomic profiles to predict lower biological skin ages compared to vehicle-treated skin by median differences of 11 and 16 years for participants under and over 50.

    Communications Biology, 2026
  • Quinoa bioester exposure in human reconstructed epidermis tridimensional cell cultures increased the abundance of proteins related to preventing premature aging, homeostasis, tissue regeneration, and protection against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative damage compared to untreated counterparts.

    Scientific Reports, 2020
  • Quinoa husk peptide fraction reduces melanin content via Akt signaling and apoptosis pathways in A375 cells and rat skin cells.

    IScience, 2023
  • Topical 0.5% silymarin-loaded antioxidant serum applied twice daily significantly reduced clinical acne severity, lesion counts, and melanin pigmentation in 22 Korean acne patients over 4 weeks without associated adverse events.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Cosmetic eye and facial creams containing palmitoyl peptides, Silybum marianum seed oil, and vitamin E improve facial wrinkles, elasticity, dermal density, and skin tone in healthy volunteers with aged skin after 4 weeks of application compared to pre-application.

    Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 2016
  • Topical silymarin cream 1.4% showed comparable results to salicylic acid 30% peels in reducing acne severity in 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 2024

Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Ppg-3 Myristyl Ether, Ethylene Propylene Styrene Copolymer, Dipsacus Sylvestris Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Carbomer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Escin, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Butylene Ethylene Styrene Copolymer, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Caramel, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Musa Sapientum Fruit Extract, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Stem Extract Leaf, Disodium Edta, Tocopherol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Mangifera Indica Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Jania Rubens Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Engelhardtia Chrysolepis Leaf Extract, Ci 14700 Red 4, Callicarpa Japonica Fruit Extract

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

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