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Balance Me Congested Skin Serum for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Balance Me Congested Skin Serum

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.

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

  • This serum offers moderate benefits for your combination skin, with Picea Abies Extract and Iris Florentina Root Extract helping to decongest pores and improve clarity, while Lemon Peel Oil and Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf provide some seboregulation and antimicrobial action. Glycerin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract offer general hydration and soothing support, but the formula lacks ingredients specifically targeting significant oil control for your oily shine concerns.
  • The product is formulated without harsh ingredients, making it safe for your combination skin and unlikely to cause irritation.
  • Overall, it provides basic skincare benefits and is safe for your skin type.

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

★4.0Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin frequently praise this serum as an effective "on-the-spot" treatment that rapidly calms inflammation and reduces redness without causing dryness. While many appreciate its natural ability to clear blemishes and hormonal breakouts within days, a notable portion of users are divided on its strong herbal scent and small bottle size.

Highlights

  • Rapidly clears blemishes Often Mentioned
    • “Spots disappear within a few hours”
    • “Breakout almost gone in a day or two”
    • “Gone in half the time”
  • Soothes redness Often Mentioned
    • “Reduces redness overnight”
    • “Calms inflammation instantly”
    • “Takes the anger out of spots”
  • Strong medicinal scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells strongly of medicine”
    • “Scent is a bit much”
    • “Smell is off-putting”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
    • “Absorbs very quickly”
    • “Not greasy”
    • “Sinks in immediately”
  • Non-drying and gentle Sometimes Noted
    • “Doesn't leave a tacky feel”
    • “No dryness or irritation”
    • “Gentle enough for sensitive skin”
  • Small bottle size Sometimes Noted
    • “Wish it was a bigger bottle”
    • “Expensive for the size”
    • “Tiny tube”
  • Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
    • “Did nothing for my skin”
    • “Saw no difference”
    • “Ineffective on my acne”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “Pump dispenses too much”
    • “Hard to control amount”
    • “Lid broke easily”

Sources: lovi.care, ipsy.com, amazon.com, lookfantastic.com, ocado.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Balance Me Congested Skin Serum work for combination skin?

This serum works reasonably well for your combination skin by helping clear pores and calm dry areas, but it does not control oily shine very well. Treatments that fit combination skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to balance oiliness and maintain hydration without causing breakouts.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?

This serum works well for your combination skin because Picea Abies Extract and Iris Florentina Root Extract help clear pores, while Glycerin and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract provide soothing hydration. To be a top fit for this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control oily shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Moringa Seed Oil do for combination skin?

Moringa seed oil helps calm inflammation and supports skin balance by reducing redness and soothing irritated areas. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep both dry and oily zones comfortable.

Polymers, 2022Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020

What does Kanuka Oil do for combination skin?

Kanuka oil helps calm and soothe combination skin by managing irritation and keeping the skin balanced. Because it has natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, it is unlikely to cause adverse reactions while supporting clearer skin.

Phytotherapy Research, 2000Pharmaceuticals, 2024

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This treatment serum goes in your evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, to keep things simple and safe around sun exposure. Combination skin dealing with oily shine also needs ingredients that specifically target oil control.

Can I use this serum with salicylic acid, and in what order?

You can use this serum with salicylic acid, applying the salicylic acid first after cleansing and letting it absorb before you put on the serum. The formula is safe for your skin type and unlikely to cause irritation, though combination skin also needs ingredients that specifically target oily shine.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine, as treatments fit best there for extra safety and simplicity. To better manage oily shine on combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients specifically targeted for strong oil control.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on combination skin, as it is formulated without harsh ingredients and has a very safe profile. However, because it lacks ingredients that provide strong oil control for oily shine concerns, combination skin still needs targeted oil-balancing ingredients and lightweight hydrators to keep pores clear.

Polymers, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol, limonene, linalool, citral, geraniol, citronellol, and eugenol).

What the research says

Why other serums fit combination skin better

  • Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.

    BioMed Research International, 2022

  • 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, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Rice Bran Oil, Glycerin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil Moringa Seed Oil, Picea Abies Extract Spruce Knot Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Papaver Rhoeas Flower Extract Corn Poppy Flower Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract Iris Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Flower Lavender Oil Flower, Lemon Peel Oil, Litsea Cubeba Oil Fruit, Eucalyptus Globulus Oil Leaf Eucalyptus Oil Leaf, Anthemis Nobilis Oil Flower Chamomile Oil Flower, Kunzea Ericoides Oil Leaf Kanuka Oil Leaf, Clove Oil Bud, Chondrus Crispus, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Dilauryl Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Citronellol, Eugenol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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