Rohto Mentholatum Melano CC Vitamin C Essence for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid Active Vitamin C
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Derivative
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate- Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate
Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract
Average
- HighOily 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 brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin, as Ascorbic Acid Active Vitamin C and Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate regulate melanogenesis and provide antioxidant effects. Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract further supports skin tone evenness.
- The formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive for oily shine, due to the presence of Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Derivative.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
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 5.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this essence for its ability to fade post-acne marks and brighten skin tone without rapid oxidation. While some find the initial texture oily, it generally absorbs well, though it may be best for spot treatment or layering. A significant number of reviews highlight its effectiveness on dark spots and the smart packaging that prevents oxidation. Moderate feedback points to its lightweight absorption and good value, while some users note an oily residue, and a low number report breakouts, dispensing issues, or fragrance sensitivity.
Highlights
Effective on dark spots Mostly Mentioned
- “Faded my acne scars”
- “lightened hyperpigmentation significantly”
- “spots are barely visible”
- “brightens overall complexion”
Smart packaging Often Mentioned
- “Tube prevents oxidation”
- “stays clear for months”
- “nozzle dispenses one drop”
- “great for travel”
Great value Sometimes Noted
- “Lasts a long time”
- “little goes a long way”
- “affordable price point”
- “unbeatable for the cost”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “sinks into skin”
- “layers well under makeup”
Oily texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels greasy at first”
- “leaves an oily film”
- “too shiny for day use”
- “slippery consistency”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Caused closed comedones”
- “broke me out”
- “gave me small bumps”
- “clogged my pores”
Difficult dispensing Rarely Noted
- “Hard to squeeze out”
- “dispenses too slowly”
- “drop-by-drop is annoying”
- “struggle to get product”
Fragrance sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “Strong citrus scent”
- “smells like yuzu”
- “irritated my sensitive skin”
- “wish it was fragrance-free”
Sources: lovi.care, stylevana.com, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Melano CC Essence work for oily skin?
This essence works moderately well for oily skin by offering brightening, evening of skin tone, and soothing hydration with a very safe profile. Oily skin often benefits even more from products containing ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Ascorbic acid active vitamin c, vitamin c tetraisopalmitate, and alpinia katsumadai seed extract make this serum a good fit for oily skin by brightening and evening skin tone, while tocopheryl acetate vitamin e derivative provides hydration and soothing benefits. To fit oily skin even better, treatments need ingredients like niacinamide, zinc pca, and ferulic acid that control excess oil and reduce shine without causing irritation.
What does Ascorbic Acid do for oily skin?
Ascorbic acid helps brighten skin and smooth out texture, making it a useful addition to an oily skin routine. It also provides antioxidant benefits that protect the skin and may improve overall clarity.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2025
What does Tocopheryl Acetate do for oily skin?
Tocopheryl Acetate is unlikely to clog pores on oily skin because it has a non-comedogenic safety profile. This ingredient helps keep the skin calm and moisturized without feeling heavy.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some serums with actives may also be used in the morning or twice a day. Oily skin works best with lightweight vitamin C serums and soothing plant extracts that brighten dark spots and control shine without causing irritation.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the vitamin C first in your morning routine and your retinol at night to help keep your oily skin bright and smooth without irritation. Oily skin works best with lightweight, soothing vitamin C formulas that also offer oil control and gentle hydration.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Oily skin often benefits from antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E, along with soothing agents to help manage shine and brighten tone safely.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients, though a small number of reviewers have reported breakouts. Oily skin dealing with breakouts typically benefits from lightweight, oil-free formulas with gentle soothing and balancing ingredients.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Vitamin C mesotherapy produced a significant and earlier reduction in gingival pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to topical gel in twenty healthy non-smokers with hyperpigmented gingiva, with both methods reducing the mean area fraction of melanin-forming cells at 6 months without causing pain.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2021Co-encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl acetate in nanostructured lipid carrier gel formulations significantly enhanced moisture retention up to 68% and improved skin elasticity in human volunteers compared to a solution gel.
Scientific Reports, 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, 2022Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Cardamonin suppressed pigmentation and decreased intracellular melanin production by inhibiting the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and suppressing MITF and tyrosinase expression in human normal melanocytes.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2009
Ingredients
Ascorbic Acid Active Vitamin C, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E Derivative, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isopropyl Methylphenol, Vitamin C Tetraisopalmitate, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpinia Katsumadai Seed Extract Alpinia White Seed Extract, Bg, Edetate
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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