Some By Mi Retinol Intense for acne-prone skin

Retinol
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Peptides
Bakuchiol
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best eye cares for acne-prone skin.
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 high suitability for your combination skin, as retinol and niacinamide work synergistically to regulate desquamation and sebum production, addressing your acne, blemishes, and breakouts effectively.
- The inclusion of Centella Asiatica Extract and Hyaluronic Acid further supports skin renewal and hydration, complementing the primary actives for enhanced results.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users widely praise this retinol line as an excellent starter option for beginners and those with sensitive skin, noting its gentle, hydrating formula that minimizes irritation. Many report smoother texture, reduced dark circles, and a radiant glow. Some experienced users find the effects too mild or slow, and a moderate number of users noted sensitivity to the added fragrance.
Highlights
Gentle for beginners Mostly Mentioned
- “mild formula, low irritation, no stinging, suitable for sensitive skin”
Hydrating and moisturizing Often Mentioned
- “non-drying, plumping effect, leaves skin soft, good for dry skin”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “lightweight, absorbs quickly, non-greasy, spreads easily”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “affordable price, generous size (especially eye cream), little goes a long way”
Visible skin improvements Sometimes Noted
- “smoother texture, reduced fine lines, brighter under-eyes, "glass skin" glow”
Fragrance sensitivity Sometimes Noted
- “strong floral/soapy smell, contains essential oils, irritating for some”
Breakouts and purging Rarely Noted
- “caused milia, small bumps, or initial acne flare-ups”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “tube cracking, difficult to squeeze last bit, dropper issues”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “redness, burning sensation, stinging eyes, dryness if overused”
Slow or mild results Rarely Noted
- “takes time to work, not potent enough for deep wrinkles, "too weak" for retinol veterans”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, sokoglam.com, picky.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SOME BY MI Retinol Intense a great fit for acne-prone skin?
SOME BY MI Retinol Intense is a great fit because retinol and niacinamide team up to control oil and clear breakouts, while centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid calm and hydrate your skin. This formula is unlikely to cause irritation and supports safe skin renewal.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because retinol and niacinamide work together to clear breakouts and control oil. Soothing ingredients like Centella asiatica extract and hyaluronic acid help calm redness and keep your skin hydrated without irritation.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
What does Retinol do for acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps acne-prone skin by speeding up cell turnover and clearing pores to reduce breakouts. It regulates skin growth and fights inflammation, though it may cause some mild peeling or stinging when you first start using it.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps it simple and safe around sun exposure. The product is unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
Can I use this cream with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this cream with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this cream at night, as using both at the same time may cause irritation. This approach helps you get the brightening benefits of vitamin C while letting this cream smooth and calm your acne-prone skin.
How often should I use this cream?
This eye cream is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and is safe to use in your evening routine. It helps clear breakouts and manage oil production while keeping your skin calm, smooth, and hydrated.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Molecules, 2023
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a great fit and is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on your acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing components and no harsh ingredients. Retinol and niacinamide help manage oil and blemishes, while centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid keep the skin calm and hydrated.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Molecules, 2023
Is this cream 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
Cosmetic 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, 2023A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical 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, 2005Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014A nature-based bakuchiol-containing cleanser and moisturizer improved visual and tactile smoothness, clarity, radiance, overall appearance, global anti-aging, and skin moisture content by 16% in 60 female subjects with sensitive mild to moderate photodamaged skin over 4 weeks.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020Bakuchiol demonstrated multidirectional antiageing efficacy in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, sharing features with retinol while uniquely stimulating extracellular matrix components, epidermal regeneration, and wound healing.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Retinol, Squalane, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Ceramide Np, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, 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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