La Mer The Serum Essence for oily skin
Algae Extract
Niacin
Squalane
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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 treatment for your oily skin due to Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 and Algae Extract, which help smooth texture and enhance barrier resilience.
- Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action suitable for oily skin, but the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Algae Extract and Laminaria Digitata Extract.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsLa Mer The Serum Essence is widely praised by long-term users for its ability to hydrate, firm, and improve the overall texture of aging skin. While many report a more youthful, plump, and resilient complexion, some users with sensitive skin or specific climate needs have experienced irritation or dryness, and the high price point remains a significant point of contention.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps older skin moisturized and less dry”
- “Feels very nice and hydrating on the skin”
- “Helps keep my face more hydrated”
Extremely expensive Mostly Mentioned
- “It's expensive and there are many serums out there for half the price”
- “It's a little expensive but one bottle lasts a year”
- “Pricey, over $600 for this ounce”
Improves skin firmness Often Mentioned
- “Helps reveal firmer, smoother, more lifted-feeling skin”
- “My skin was firm, I had less wrinkles”
- “Skin felt and looked more firm and plump”
Poor bottle design Often Mentioned
- “No way you're going to be able to get all the product out”
- “Paddle applicator does not allow you to reach the bottom”
- “Hard to overturn the bottle to get the rest of the product”
Refines skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Effective in addressing wrinkles and improving skin texture”
- “Pores and fine lines were less visible”
- “Texture of my skin was satiny smooth”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “I noticed my skin seemed a bit red and irritated”
- “Experienced a burning sensation”
- “Product dried out my skin and created a bit of texture”
Sources: lovi.care, cremedelamer.com, nordstrom.com, bloomingdales.com, wmagazine.com, mywomenstuff.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does La Mer The Serum Essence work for oily skin?
La Mer The Serum Essence works moderately well for oily skin by helping smooth texture and strengthen the skin barrier, though other products fit this skin type better. It needs ingredients like niacinamide to control shine and excess oil.
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12, algae extract, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a moderate fit for oily skin by smoothing texture and providing comfortable hydration, though this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide for oil control.
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Algae Extract do for oily skin?
Algae extract helps balance oily skin by providing lightweight hydration and powerful antioxidants that calm the skin. This ingredient may also help reduce excess shine and protect against daily environmental stress without feeling heavy.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2004Marine Drugs, 2020
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps oily skin by significantly reducing oil production on the face while calming redness and irritation. It also supports your skin barrier to keep it smooth and balanced without causing dryness.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and safe around sun exposure. To better fit oily skin, a product of this type needs additional ingredients for optimal oil control alongside its smoothing and soothing benefits.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside retinol by applying the retinol first and following with this essence once it absorbs. This product is safe for your oily skin and unlikely to cause irritation, but a product of this type works best for oily skin when it includes targeted oil-control ingredients to manage shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Oily skin of this type needs targeted oil-control ingredients and mattifying agents to manage excess shine effectively.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe profile with soothing ingredients and no harsh irritants. However, to truly balance oily skin, this type of product needs extra oil-controlling ingredients.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum, citronellol, geraniol, linalool, and limonene) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 permeates the stratum corneum and epidermis, initiating gel formation via endogenous ions and strengthening and repairing the skin barrier after delipidation in human skin.
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2025A 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, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Treatment with lipid algae extract reduced the level of oxidized proteins in human keratinocytes and stratum corneum skin cells.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2004Topical astaxanthin-loaded algae extract hydrogel and lipogel formulations exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and successful in vitro release, suggesting their potential as anti-aging formulations.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Antarctic marine algae extracts increased cell viability, protected against inflammation, and enhanced the barrier integrity of human intestinal and keratinocyte cell lines damaged by lipopolysaccharide or ultraviolet radiation.
Marine Drugs, 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, 2005Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-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, 2025Topical 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, 2022Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
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
Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Polysilicone-11, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake Sunflower Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal Seed, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf Eucalyptus Oil Leaf, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Whey Lactis Du Petit-Lait Protein, Caffeine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pisum Sativum Extract, Helichrysum Italicum Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract Coffee Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Wheat Extract Germ Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract Raspberry Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sucrose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract Soybean Seed Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Sodium Pca, Urea, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycosaminoglycans, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tetracetylphytosphingosine, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Vinyl Dimethicone Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Squalane, Hydrogenated Oil, Ruby Powder, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Tourmaline, Hydrolyzed Algin, Potassium Sorbate, Gold, Glucosamine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Yeast Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 80, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Hexylene Glycol, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Cholesterol, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Alcohol Denat, Xanthan Gum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disodium Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Caramel, Red 4 Ci 14700
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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