🇺🇸United States

NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum for oily skin

Superior

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best serums for oily skin.

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

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 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users report this serum effectively brightens dull complexions and smooths rough skin texture without causing dryness. It is frequently praised for regulating excess sebum and minimizing the appearance of pores, making it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.

Highlights

  • Brightens & evens tone Often Mentioned
    • “fades dark spots”
    • “skin looks radiant”
    • “helped with hyperpigmentation”
    • “evened out my skin tone”
  • Refines texture & pores Often Mentioned
    • “smooths my face out”
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “texture is smoother”
    • “helped with large pores”
  • Controls oil/sebum Sometimes Noted
    • “reduced oil production”
    • “regulates excess sebum”
    • “less oily during the day”
    • “keeps skin clear”
  • Hydrating & lightweight Sometimes Noted
    • “lightweight milky consistency”
    • “deeply moisturized”
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “doesn't dry me out”
  • Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
    • “giant layer of white crust”
    • “messy bottle”
    • “crystallizing around the rim”
    • “product escaping”
  • Pilling/residue Rarely Noted
    • “white residue if used too much”
    • “pills under makeup”
    • “can be sticky”
  • Potential irritation Rarely Noted
    • “tingling sensation”
    • “too strong for daily use”
    • “caused slight redness”
    • “sensitive skin warning”

Sources: lovi.care, sokoglam.com, neogenlab.us, gopicky.com, yesstyle.com, oliveyoung.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Neogen Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum one of the best fits for oily skin?

This serum is one of the best fits for oily skin because niacinamide and zinc PCA help regulate oil and minimize pores, while ferulic acid and vitamin C offer antioxidant protection. It also firms the skin and boosts plumpness, all with a safe, soothing formula that is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Drug Research, 2017

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

Niacinamide and zinc pca make this serum a great fit for oily skin because they help control excess oil and reduce the look of pores. Ferulic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate also add helpful antioxidant protection.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Drug Research, 2017

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

What does Ferulic Acid do for oily skin?

Ferulic acid helps protect oily skin from sun damage and environmental stress when used as part of a daytime antioxidant serum. It is often combined with vitamins C and E to boost overall defense and keep skin healthy.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008

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

This serum goes in your evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening helps keep things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.

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

You can use this treatment in your evening routine alongside retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product. This helps balance your oily skin while minimizing potential irritation thanks to soothing ingredients like bisabolol and calendula extract.

How often should I use this serum?

Apply this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps balance oil production while keeping your skin calm.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Drug Research, 2017

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as its ingredients help control oil and soothe the skin without heavy oils. Potential irritation is low, and the gentle formula helps keep skin calm and clear.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A topical antioxidant solution of 15% L-ascorbic acid, 1% alpha-tocopherol, and 0.5% ferulic acid provides significant photoprotection against solar-simulated UV radiation in human skin compared to its vehicle.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008
  • 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, 2017
  • Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
  • 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 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
  • Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • Combining fractional microneedle radiofrequency with a topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced wrinkle severity by 29.9% versus 18.0%, increased elasticity by 12.9% versus 2.3%, and improved aesthetic outcomes in 31 participants compared to radiofrequency and placebo.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025
  • Topical ferulic acid-containing formulations effectively reduce skin erythema, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging in adults compared to baseline or alternative conditions.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • Moisturizer 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, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

Ingredients

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Bisabolol, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Tromethamine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide Np, Riboflavin, Arbutin, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Zinc Pca, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Octenylsuccinate Starch, Maltodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Silica

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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