StriVectin AR™ Night Treatment for combination skin
Advanced Retinol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Peptides
Niacinamide
Vitamin EAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 retinol and niacinamide provide antioxidant activity and seboregulation, but it may lack sufficient humectant action for drier areas.
- Glycerin and shea butter offer general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which are supportive for oily shine and combination skin, but not targeted for these specific concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this retinol treatment is highly regarded by users, particularly those with mature and dry skin. It is frequently praised for its effectiveness in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and for providing deep hydration without causing irritation. Many users report smoother, softer, and plumper skin by morning. Some users experience mild peeling or dryness, and a few mention an unpleasant scent or breakouts, but these are less common concerns.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “intense hydration”
- “skin feels moisturized, nourished”
- “hydrated very well”
- “rich creamy texture left my skin feeling great”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “minimizing my fine lines”
- “fine lines are not as noticeable”
- “reduces the depth of wrinkles”
- “deeper lines have improved somewhat”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “gentle enough to use every day”
- “doesn't cause me any irritation or redness”
- “no dry skin or peeling”
- “great retinol for sensitive skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “smoother texture”
- “skin feels so soft and smooth”
- “refines texture and the look of pores”
- “rough texture has also improved”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “broke me out almost immediately”
- “caused some breakouts”
- “woke up with blemishes”
Causes peeling/dryness Rarely Noted
- “new formula is causing peeling or drying”
- “experienced slight irritation from the retinol”
- “can only use it a couple nights a week or peeling begins”
Greasy residue Rarely Noted
- “oily residue that never really absorbed”
- “way too heavy for me”
- “woke up feeling really greasy”
High price Rarely Noted
- “comes at a pretty steep price”
- “price is too high for the regular size”
- “wish it was more affordable”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “could not get over the scent”
- “didn't love the color and scent”
- “has a noticeable fragrance”
Sources: lovi.care, macys.com, costco.com, dermstore.com, boots.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does StriVectin AR™ Night Treatment work for combination skin?
StriVectin AR Night Treatment works moderately well for combination skin because retinol and niacinamide help balance oil, but it may lack enough moisture for drier areas. Combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and propolis or zinc PCA that regulate oil and provide balanced hydration without extra oiliness or dryness.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for combination skin?
Retinol and niacinamide help your combination skin by balancing oil and providing antioxidant activity, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate offer hydration. A treatment for combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and provide deep hydration without causing dryness or excess shine.
What does Retinol do for combination skin?
Retinol helps smooth out uneven skin tone, softens fine lines, and keeps pores clear for a balanced look. Because combination skin can sometimes be sensitive or dry in certain areas, starting slowly helps your skin adjust and minimizes any irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2016
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing, to keep things simple and safe around sun exposure. Combination skin needs a product that also brings in extra hydrating ingredients to help keep drier areas comfortable.
Can I use this treatment with glycolic acid, and in what order?
It is best to use this treatment on different nights from glycolic acid to help keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. Using both exfoliating acids and retinoids at the same time can be too harsh for combination skin.
How often should I use this treatment?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your combination skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause breakouts or clogged pores for combination skin, and reviewers rarely mention any breakouts. However, it may cause mild peeling or dryness because it contains retinol.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum). 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, 2017Topical 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 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, 2019Topical 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, 2005Topical 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Parfum
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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