MEDI THERAPY Retinal Skin Booster for oily acne-prone skin
Retinal
Centella Asiatica
NiacinamideAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 treatment for minimizing fine lines and wrinkles for your oily skin, as retinal helps smooth texture and regulate desquamation, while niacinamide aids in seboregulation.
- Provides general skincare benefits like soothing and hydration, supportive for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, though it lacks targeted ingredients for significant acne improvement.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive, acne-prone, and aging skin report this product is gentle and effective, improving skin texture and hydration without irritation. Many users notice a radiant glow, reduced pore visibility, and smoother skin. Some users with very dry skin mention needing additional moisturization.
Highlights
Gentle & non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “Gentle enough for daily use”
- “No burning or redness”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “Zero irritation even on first use”
Hydrating & lightweight Often Mentioned
- “Hydration without dryness”
- “Absorbs beautifully”
- “Not greasy or heavy”
- “Skin feels plump”
Improves texture & pores Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels baby soft”
- “Pores look noticeably smaller”
- “Texture became incredibly smooth”
- “Refined and put-together”
Fades acne & marks Sometimes Noted
- “Fades acne scars”
- “Reduces breakouts”
- “Helps with discoloration”
- “Calms troubled skin”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “Generous amount for price”
- “Lasts over two months”
- “Absolute steal”
- “Can use on body too”
Dry skin needs more Rarely Noted
- “Need to layer moisturizer”
- “Not enough for winter”
- “Hydration doesn't last long”
- “Dry skin needs more”
Mild stinging Rarely Noted
- “Stings on open wounds”
- “Burned slightly around eyes”
- “Tingle on application”
- “Sensitive areas reacted”
No visible change Rarely Noted
- “No visible change”
- “Didn't see brightening”
- “Don't notice anything different”
- “Just okay”
Packaging quality Rarely Noted
- “Label riddled with bubbles”
- “Messy label application”
- “Hard to see product level”
- “Pump dispenses too much”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “A little sticky”
- “Feels tacky after application”
- “Hair sticks to face”
- “Sticky residue”
Sources: lovi.care, gogumacider.com, oliveyoung.com, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does MEDI THERAPY Retinal Skin Booster work for oily acne-prone skin?
MEDI THERAPY Retinal Skin Booster is an average fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it offers moderate smoothing and oil control with retinal and niacinamide, though it lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients. It is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation due to soothing centella asiatica. A product of this type needs targeted acne-treating ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or sebum-balancing components like propolis and vitamin c to work best for oily acne-prone skin.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinal, centella asiatica, and niacinamide make this serum a good fit by helping smooth texture, soothe blemishes, and control oil. This treatment works for your skin, but a product of this type needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, along with soothing plant extracts and oil-controlling vitamins, to truly excel on oily acne-prone skin.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
What does Retinal do for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinal helps clear clogged pores, reduces bumps and pimples, and helps balance oil production for oily, acne-prone skin. It is generally well tolerated when used regularly as part of an acne skincare routine.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1999European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2014
What does Centella Asiatica do for oily acne-prone skin?
Centella asiatica helps calm redness, reduce acne breakouts, and improve moisture while supporting skin barrier repair. It may also help decrease inflammation and excess oil.
Molecules, 2023Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening, using it as a step after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. This product is unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes calming components like Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C, but it is best to apply them at different times of day to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. Use your vitamin C in the morning routine and this treatment at night, as both ingredients are active and work well when separated. To properly fit your oily acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs strong acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid alongside soothing components like Centella Asiatica.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a week at first and carefully building up to more often if your skin handles it well. Retinal helps smooth texture, while Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide help keep irritation low.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide, though it lacks targeted ingredients for significant acne improvement. A product for this skin needs strong blemish-clearing ingredients and oil-balancing agents to properly manage breakouts.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
What the research says
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, 2021Treatment 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, 2024Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with asiaticoside-rich Centella asiatica extract achieved controlled drug release, skin permeability, antimicrobial activity, and synergistic wound healing effects in an in vitro model.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023Twice daily application of retinaldehyde 0.1% and 0.05% creams for 3 months improved skin texture and hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in 40 female Korean volunteers, with only the 0.1% cream significantly improving the melanin index.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018Topical retinaldehyde demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria both in vitro and in vivo, leading to decreased bacterial counts without inducing resistance.
Dermatology, 2002Topical 0.05% retinaldehyde applied over 1 year significantly increased epidermal thickness of the temple and cutaneous elasticity compared to an emollient control group in 40 aging skin patients.
Dermatology, 1999Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical 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 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006
Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better
Adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% fixed-dose combination gel provided significantly greater, synergistic efficacy and a faster onset of action compared with the vehicle, adapalene monotherapy, and benzoyl peroxide monotherapy in patients with acne vulgaris.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2009Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% gel treatment improved acne severity, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, and transepidermal water loss, while significantly reducing microbial diversity and the prevalence of Cutibacterium in 33 patients with acne vulgaris.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Ingredients
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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