Osmosis Skincare Renew Level 4 Vitamin A Serum for oily acne-prone skin

Vitamin A
Niacinamide
Retinal
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Sodium Hyaluronate
High
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by niacinamide and retinal, which regulate sebum and promote skin renewal to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts. Palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and thioctic acid further enhance skin rejuvenation by boosting collagen synthesis and cellular turnover.
- The inclusion of beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate offers additional hydration and soothing benefits, supporting overall skin health.
- The product has a favorable safety profile with no reported irritation risks for your skin type.
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
★4.9Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users find this serum to be a highly effective anti-aging treatment that smooths fine lines and refines skin texture without causing irritation. It is frequently praised for its gentle, hydrating formula and its ability to deliver a noticeable glow. Some users report peeling if the product is overused, and a moderate number find the price point to be high.
Highlights
Gentle & non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “Does not irritate at all”
- “Gentle but effective”
- “No redness or peeling”
- “Great for sensitive skin”
Effective anti-aging Often Mentioned
- “Smooths fine lines”
- “Skin looks tighter”
- “Reverses signs of aging”
- “Best age-fighter”
Improves texture & tone Often Mentioned
- “Skin looks clearer”
- “Minimizes pores”
- “Glowing skin”
- “Smooths texture”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “Sinks well into skin”
- “Feels not greasy”
- “Hydrating”
- “Leaves skin soft”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive”
- “Not worth it”
- “Pricey investment”
- “Costly for the size”
Dispenser issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump won't dispense”
- “Hard to get out”
- “Pump stopped working”
- “Defective bottle”
Peeling if overused Rarely Noted
- “Peeling like crazy”
- “Flaky phase”
- “Used too much”
- “Dryness at first”
Yellow tint Rarely Noted
- “Slightly yellow tint”
- “Orange color”
- “Stains pillowcase”
- “Yellow residue”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermoi.com, medifine.co.uk, theskinboutique.com, osmosisbeauty.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Osmosis Renew Level 4 a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Osmosis Renew Level 4 is a great fit because its niacinamide and retinal regulate oil and promote skin renewal to help clear breakouts. Ingredients like palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and thioctic acid boost collagen to smooth the skin, while beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate provide soothing hydration without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and retinal help regulate oil and clear breakouts on oily, acne-prone skin. Ingredients like palmitoyl tripeptide-38 and thioctic acid also improve skin renewal, while beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate provide calming hydration with a very safe profile.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003
What does Vitamin A do for oily acne-prone skin?
Vitamin A helps oily acne-prone skin by clearing out pores and calming inflammation to keep skin smooth and clear. It maintains healthy skin cells and oil glands, though it may cause dryness when you first start using it.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2012
What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, placed after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night, as recommended in the routine for your skin type. Using strong active ingredients at different times of day helps your skin stay calm and lowers the chance of irritation.
American Family Physician, 2012Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
How often should I use this serum?
Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting once a week and slowly increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Retinoids and active serums are generally placed in the evening to keep things simple and avoid extra sun sensitivity.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide and retinal help control oil and clear breakouts while keeping irritation risks low. Beta-glucan and sodium hyaluronate add soothing hydration to support overall skin health. However, because it promotes skin renewal, you may experience some peeling if you use it too often.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Treatment with a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid for 12 weeks reduces skin roughness by an average of 50.8% compared to 40.7% with placebo in women with photoaged facial skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2003Application of 5% cubosomal alpha lipoic acid gel twice daily for 6 months significantly improved global aesthetic scores and increased epidermal thickness compared to placebo in 20 aging female faces.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Skin 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, 2021Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Topical 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, 2005Twice 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 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Phosphatidylcholine, Glycerin, Asiaticoside, Cyclodextrin, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Thioctic Acid, Fulvic Acid, Dimethyl Sulfone, Retinal, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxyproline, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Santalum Austrocaledonicum Oil Wood Sandalwood Oil Wood, Rubus Chamaemorus Berry Seed Oil Cloud Berry Seed Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Dextran, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol Denat, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol
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
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