Allies of Skin 1A Retinal & Peptides Overnight Mask for oily acne-prone skin
Retinal
Peptides
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
PterostilbeneAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other nourishing masks fit it 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin as niacinamide helps regulate sebum and repair the skin barrier, though it lacks more potent oil-controlling ingredients.
- The formulation provides excellent nourishment and hydration through glycerin and argan kernel oil, which are beneficial for general skin health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using the creamy mask 3 times a week and slowly move to daily use.
- Apply the creamy mask after your cleanser and toner, but right before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently smooth a thin layer of the creamy mask over your face. Avoid any harsh rubbing motions.
- Apply the creamy mask evenly on clean and dry skin for the best results against blemishes. Let it sit comfortably without rushing the process.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area. Do a quick patch test before your very first application to check for safety.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently describe this mask as a "game-changer" for acne-prone and aging skin, praising its ability to deliver potent retinal results without the typical dryness or irritation associated with retinoids. The formula is frequently highlighted for simultaneously smoothing texture, reducing breakouts, and deeply hydrating the skin overnight, leaving a "glass skin" effect by morning.
Highlights
Smoother texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt so much smoother by morning”
- “visibly plumper and polished”
- “texture improved instantly”
Non-drying hydration Often Mentioned
- “no flaking or dryness”
- “skin feels nourished not stripped”
- “intense hydration for a retinal”
Reduces acne Often Mentioned
- “angriness in breakouts reduced”
- “cleared up my hormonal acne”
- “reduced acne lesions significantly”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “very expensive for the amount”
- “pricey but worth it”
- “wish it was more affordable”
Brightening radiance Sometimes Noted
- “woke up with glowing skin”
- “skin looked brighter and even”
- “removed dullness overnight”
Yellow staining Sometimes Noted
- “leaves yellow residue on pillowcases”
- “bright yellow color stains”
- “face looks yellow until washed”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused a purging phase”
- “strong for sensitive skin”
- “tingled and caused redness initially”
Rich texture Rarely Noted
- “a tad too rich for daily use”
- “felt slightly sticky”
- “heavy for very oily skin”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, allies.shop, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Allies of Skin 1A Retinal & Peptides Overnight Mask work for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask works reasonably well for your oily acne-prone skin, as niacinamide helps control oil and repair the skin barrier. While it is safe and provides good nourishment, a product of this type needs more targeted ingredients for acne and blemishes, along with a lighter texture, to achieve a better fit.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask works for your oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide helps balance oil and repair your skin barrier, while glycerin and argan kernel oil provide moderate nourishment and hydration. To be a better fit for this skin type, a product of this type needs targeted ingredients like Centella Asiatica for soothing blemishes and keeping excess oil under control without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Antioxidants, 2021
What does Retinal do for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinal helps clear clogged pores, reduces bumps and pimples, and helps balance oil production for oily, acne-prone skin. It is generally well tolerated when used regularly as part of an acne skincare routine.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1999European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2014
What do Peptides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Peptides help calm oily, acne-prone skin by targeting acne-causing bacteria and reducing redness and swelling. Advanced delivery methods like nanomicelles may also improve how deeply these helpful ingredients sink into the skin.
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This nourishing mask works as an evening treatment in your routine, helping to keep oily skin balanced and nourished without irritation. Oily acne-prone skin typically needs products with stronger oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid or clay to better manage shine and blemishes.
Can I use this mask with AHA, and in what order?
You can use this mask in your evening routine after your AHA treatment once your skin is adjusted, though this type of skin needs a product with stronger oil-controlling ingredients for an ideal fit.
How often should I use this mask?
This mask works well as an evening treatment, though oily acne-prone skin needs products with stronger oil-controlling ingredients for the best fit.
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This mask is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, as it is safe and free of harsh ingredients. However, it offers only moderate suitability for your skin because it lacks stronger oil-controlling ingredients, which an ideal product for this skin type needs alongside pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (geraniol, limonene, and linalool).
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 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, 2021Twice 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 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 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, 2019A 0.4% formulation of natural pterostilbene reduced markers of aging, wrinkles, and fine lines while improving skin hydration and elasticity in healthy volunteers over 8 weeks.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020Pterostilbene at 20 μM protected HaCaT keratinocytes from particulate matter-induced damage by reducing intracellular ROS, inhibiting AHR nuclear translocation, suppressing inflammation and aging protein cascades, and rescuing moisturizing protein expression.
Antioxidants, 2021Topical pterostilbene is equally or more potent than resveratrol in inhibiting TPA-induced AP-1, NF-kappaB, COX-2, and iNOS activation in mouse epidermis.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 2008
Why other nourishing masks fit oily acne-prone skin better
Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Co-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, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Argan Kernel Oil, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Retinal, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Galactoarabinan, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Cassia Angustifolia Polysaccharide Seed Alexandrian Senna Seed Polysaccharide Seed, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oxycoccus Palustris Seed Oil Cranberry Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Berry Seed Oil Cloud Berry Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Pterostilbene, Ellagic Acid, Phenyl T-Butylnitrone Spin Trap, Ergothioneine, Glutathione, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Glutamyl Amidoethyl Imidazole, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Cyclodextrin, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dextran, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
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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