Skinbetter Science Alto Defense Serum for acne-prone skin
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Superoxide Dismutase
Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 suitability for your combination skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration, but it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oilier areas.
- The serum provides excellent antioxidant protection due to ingredients like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ergothioneine, which shield your skin from environmental stressors.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like bisabolol and licorice root extract.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsMost users report a more luminous and even complexion without irritation. A few users note the high price point, small packaging, and occasional lack of visible results.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “evened out my tone and texture so well”
- “definite improvement in hydration and texture”
- “My skin tone looks more even and luminous”
- “makes my face smooth”
Reduces skin redness Often Mentioned
- “This is really helping to reduce the redness”
- “helped so much with the texture and redness”
- “improvement in some of my redness”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “4 stars due to the cost”
- “I don't like that is relatively expensive”
- “definitely on the pricier side”
- “the product is pretty expensive”
Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “so gentle that it causes no irritation whatsoever”
- “in derivative form, hence no irritation”
- “not irritating at all”
- “hasn't had any issue at all”
Hydrates the skin Sometimes Noted
- “helped my skin to feel more hydrated”
- “my skin feels extremely hydrated”
- “My skin is so soft and hydrated”
- “Gives skin good hydration”
No visible results Rarely Noted
- “I see absolutely no change whatsoever”
- “Hasn't been earth-shattering yet”
- “haven't seen any effect in terms of skin redness”
- “didn't do anything for me”
Small bottle size Rarely Noted
- “actual size of this travel size bottle is extremely small”
- “smaller than I thought it would be”
- “small amount for the money”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, realself.com, lazskincare.com, reddit.com, ellemesmedspa.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Skinbetter Science Alto Defense work for acne-prone skin?
Skinbetter Science Alto Defense Serum works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, providing helpful hydration and strong antioxidant protection without causing irritation. However, it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on oilier areas. An acne-prone skin product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis to target breakouts and control oil while keeping skin balanced.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2015
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum works for acne-prone skin because it contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate for hydration, alongside soothing ingredients like bisabolol and licorice root extract that are unlikely to cause irritation. However, it provides only an average fit because it lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on oilier areas. A product of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to target breakouts while balancing oil and hydration.
What does Grape Seed Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Grape seed extract helps balance oil and soothe redness on acne-prone skin while improving overall skin smoothness. It is unlikely to cause irritation and has a safe profile for daily use.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Archives of Dermatological Research, 2019
What does Licorice Root Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Licorice root extract helps calm redness and swelling in acne-prone skin while easing irritation. It also works to reduce oxidative stress in the skin cells, making it a soothing addition to a blemish-focused routine.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day. Acne-prone skin works best with products of this type that also include ingredients to help control oil.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the treatment after cleansing and before your moisturizer in your evening routine. This helps keep your skin calm and protected while letting your retinol work effectively.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It works for acne-prone skin, though this skin type needs oil-controlling ingredients to manage shine best.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. However, acne-prone skin often needs a product of this type that features targeted oil control and blemish-clearing ingredients to work best.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A 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, 2017Ergothioneine at nanomolar concentrations ameliorated UVA-induced skin damage, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in human keratinocyte-derived HaCaT cells by upregulating Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2015An ergothioneine-sodium hyaluronate dressing scavenges free radicals, reduces oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis, and inflammation in vitro and in vivo to protect against radiation-induced skin injury.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2024Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Resveratrol cream improved skin hydration and tightening compared to cream without resveratrol in a group of probands.
Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2019Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Combining 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, 2025Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016Topical treatment with the synthetic SOD/catalase mimetic EUK-134 reduced lipid peroxide levels both at baseline on non-irradiated human skin and at the surface of UVA-exposed skin when applied before or after irradiation, compared to controls.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Topical superoxide dismutase formulations maintained physical stability and enzymatic activity for 6 months at 4 and 30 degrees C, and effectively inhibited UVB-induced skin erythema for 48 hours, whereas formulations combined with alpha-tocopherol were unstable.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2007Topical 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, 2022
Why other serums fit acne-prone 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, 2024A 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, 2018Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorogenic Acids, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Lauryl Lactate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Carnosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract Olive Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Extract Cell Leaf, Crocus Sativus Extract Cell Leaf Culture, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Pca, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Acacia Decurrens Wax Flower, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Propanediol Dicaprylate Caprate, Polyglycerin-3, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Carbomer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextran, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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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