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Bayer Skinoren Cream 20% for dry skin

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

Bayer Skinoren Cream 20%

Low

  • LowDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • Low RiskSafety

A weak match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 excellent treatment for acne and hyperpigmentation due to azelaic acid, but it may have a drying effect on your dry skin, and the formula lacks sufficient emollients and humectants to counteract this. Glycerin provides some hydration, but it is insufficient to address your dry or flaky skin concerns.
  • The presence of benzoic acid introduces a slight risk of irritation for your dry skin.
  • The product is generally safe for your dry skin.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.0Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

A significant number of reviewers note that patience is required due to a slow initial working period and common side effects like intense itching and dryness upon application.

Highlights

  • Clears active acne Mostly Mentioned
    • “Cleared cystic acne”
    • “Stopped new breakouts”
    • “Pimples disappear in days”
    • “Heals spots faster”
  • Itching and stinging Mostly Mentioned
    • “Pins and needles”
    • “Burned like fire”
    • “Itches every time”
    • “Stings for 15 mins”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “Faded red marks”
    • “Lightened acne scars”
    • “Removed hyperpigmentation”
    • “Evened skin tone”
  • Drying and flaking Often Mentioned
    • “Skin became flaky”
    • “Dried out lips”
    • “Tight chalky feeling”
    • “Caused peeling”
  • Reduces redness Sometimes Noted
    • “Less pink skin”
    • “Inflammation went down”
    • “Soothed angry spots”
  • Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels smoother”
    • “Reduced oiliness”
    • “Unclogged pores”
    • “Mattifies the skin”
  • Initial purging phase Sometimes Noted
    • “Worse before better”
    • “Broke out initially”
    • “More whiteheads appeared”
    • “Caused a purge”
  • Slow onset Sometimes Noted
    • “Took 4-8 weeks”
    • “Results are slow”
    • “Requires patience”
    • “Months to see difference”

Sources: lovi.care, acne.org, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, superdrug.com, and more

Questions and answers

Why is Skinoren Cream a weak match for dry skin?

Skinoren Cream is a weak match because it may have a drying effect on your dry skin, and the formula lacks sufficient emollients and humectants to counteract this. Additionally, the presence of benzoic acid introduces a slight risk of irritation, and glycerin provides insufficient hydration for dry or flaky skin concerns. A treatment of this type needs soothing ingredients, ceramides, niacinamide, peptides, propolis, or vitamin C to provide significant hydration and support skin health without irritation.

Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for dry skin?

Azelaic acid and benzoic acid make this cream a weak fit because they may dry out and irritate your dry skin. A treatment for dry skin needs rich, soothing ingredients like propolis, niacinamide, ceramides, or peptides that provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Pharmaceutics, 2021

What does Benzoic Acid do for dry skin?

Benzoic acid is unlikely to improve dry skin on its own, as studies generally use it to test skin barrier permeability rather than to hydrate or soften dry areas. Skin of this type needs rich, nourishing ingredients like ceramides and natural oils to help lock in moisture and keep the surface smooth.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta, 2011European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2011

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This cream goes in the evening routine after cleansing, followed by a moisturizer. A product for this skin needs plenty of rich softening ingredients and deep hydrators to keep dry or flaky skin comfortable.

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

This cream is generally safe for your dry skin, but it may cause dryness and irritation when combined with retinol. To help prevent this, a product of this type needs rich moisturizers and hydration boosters like heavy oils and extra glycerin to keep dry or flaky skin soft and smooth.

How often should I use this cream?

This treatment is used in the evening routine once a week to start, and can carefully be used more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. It may have a drying effect and a slight risk of irritation on dry skin, so this type of product needs rich moisturizing ingredients and soothing hydrators to keep skin soft and smooth.

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This cream is unlikely to clog pores, but it may cause an initial purging phase and dryness for dry skin. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating ingredients and soothing emollients to keep it soft and smooth.

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

  • Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

  • Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021

  • Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023

  • Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.

    Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023

  • Azelaic acid 15% gel showed comparable efficacy to adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing lesions, severity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in women with adult acne, with significantly lower dryness and scaling, and demonstrated superiority during maintenance compared to no further treatment.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015

  • Trioxsalen bath PUVA therapy suppressed nonimmunologic immediate contact reactions to benzoic acid and methyl nicotinate in 12 dermatologic patients, with the suppressive effect intensifying during therapy.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 1989

  • 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, 2017

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

Why other serums fit dry skin better

Ingredients

Azelaic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocoglycerides, Benzoic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Malate, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Cetearyl Octanoate, Stearoyl Macrogolglycerides, Peg-30 Stearate

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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