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IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum for sensitive skin

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 skin treatment for your normal skin, as niacinamide and adenosine help with evening skin tone and minimizing fine lines, while Lactobacillus Lysate Ferment and Beta-Glucan provide supportive benefits for redness and irritation.
  • The formulation is highly suitable for normal skin, with niacinamide aiding barrier repair and adenosine stimulating collagen for overall skin health.
  • The product has a good safety profile, with no risks of irritation for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

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

★4.8Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture and its ability to visibly reduce facial puffiness and refine skin texture. While highly effective for "de-puffing" and strengthening the moisture barrier, some users with very dry skin find it requires an additional moisturizer, and the high price point is a frequent point of contention.

Highlights

  • Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs like water”
    • “zero stickiness”
    • “sinks right in”
    • “lightweight and refreshing”
  • Reduces puffiness Often Mentioned
    • “swelling goes down quickly”
    • “jawline looks tighter”
    • “less puffiness in morning”
    • “face looks more contoured”
  • Expensive product Often Mentioned
    • “price gives me pause”
    • “wish it were affordable”
    • “rationing it due to cost”
    • “price-to-amount ratio is steep”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no irritation on sensitive days”
    • “works gently”
    • “didn't experience blemishes”
    • “soothing feel”
  • Improves skin barrier Sometimes Noted
    • “skin barrier feels stronger”
    • “pores look managed”
    • “skin became smoother”
    • “refined skin texture”
  • Dry skin needs more Sometimes Noted
    • “not heavy-duty hydration”
    • “need cream afterwards”
    • “felt tightness after a few hours”
    • “too light for winter”
  • Minor breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “small breakouts on forehead”
    • “tiny red bumps”
    • “caused minor texture issues”
  • Subtle anti-aging Rarely Noted
    • “haven't noticed major firmness changes”
    • “results are preventative”
    • “didn't see dramatic transformation”

Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.co.kr, sokoglam.com, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot work for sensitive skin?

IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum works moderately well for sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients that help calm redness and irritation without harshness. To fit sensitive skin even better, this type of product needs ingredients that soothe redness and irritation while avoiding any risk of irritation and staying highly compatible with the skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

Lactobacillus Lysate Ferment and Beta-Glucan make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin because they help calm redness and irritation. To fit this sensitive skin even better, a treatment of this type needs extra soothing components and ingredients that protect and comfort delicate skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Bio-PDRN do for sensitive skin?

Bio-PDRN helps calm sensitive skin by reducing inflammation and supporting skin regeneration. It may also improve skin texture and reduce irritation.

Molecular Medicine Reports, 2023

What does Caffeine do for sensitive skin?

Caffeine is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin and helps calm redness by boosting microcirculation and providing antioxidant protection against UV damage. It is generally well tolerated, though sensitive skin types looking for this benefit need formulas with soothing ingredients and without harsh fragrances.

Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013Frontiers in Physiology, 2019

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine for sensitive skin, applied after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening helps keep things simple and adds safety around sun exposure, while a product of this type for sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and calming ferments to keep the skin calm and comfortable.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to calm and hydrate your skin, followed by your retinol. This product is unlikely to cause irritation on sensitive skin due to its gentle ingredients, but sensitive skin needs soothing additions like beta-glucan and calming ferment extracts to handle stronger treatments comfortably.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine. A product of this type for your sensitive skin needs soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and calming ferment lysates to keep redness and irritation away.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

This serum is unlikely to cause major breakouts or irritation for sensitive skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients, though minor breakouts are a low possibility for some users. To safely care for sensitive skin, a treatment product of this type needs soothing ingredients like beta-glucan and gentle ferment lysates to calm redness while keeping pores clear.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches showed similar or better efficacy on skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration compared to adenosine cream in 22 female subjects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
  • Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026
  • Horse oil-spread and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkles compared with adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches in 20 women without causing adverse events.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical application of Low-Peony PDRN enhanced barrier recovery and improved periorbital skin elasticity in human subjects.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025
  • Polydeoxyribonucleotide promotes skin regeneration by increasing ERK phosphorylation, collagen accumulation, and cell proliferation and migration in fibroblasts while inhibiting ERK phosphorylation and inflammatory cytokine expression in keratinocytes.

    Molecular Medicine Reports, 2023
  • A topical mixture of polydeoxyribonucleotide, vitamin C, and niacinamide delivered via a microneedling therapy system decreased skin pigmentation and increased skin elasticity by attenuating melanogenesis and the destruction of collagen and elastin fibers in a UV-B-radiated animal model.

    Molecules, 2022
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
  • 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
  • Topical adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.

    The Journal of Dermatology, 2008
  • Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
  • Adenosine treatment of dermal papilla cells upregulates fibroblast growth factor-7 expression via the A2b adenosine receptor and intracellular cAMP signaling, and fibroblast growth factor-7 significantly stimulates hair fiber elongation in human scalp hair follicle organ cultures.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2007
  • Probiotic-derived lotion successfully reduced inflammatory acne lesion counts and erythema index comparably to 2.5% benzoyl peroxide in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, while causing fewer side effects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
  • Lactobacillus plantarum extracellular vesicles modulated extracellular matrix related gene expression in vitro and suppressed wrinkle formation and pigmentation in clinical trials.

    Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2022

Ingredients

Lactobacillus Lysate Ferment, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Caffeine, Dipropylene Glycol, 2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Mannitol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, T-Butyl Alcohol, Arginine, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Beta-Glucan, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11, Tocopherol

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 5 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.