Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum for dry skin
Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex
Retinoid
Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other serums 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 moderate wrinkle reduction for you due to the presence of peptides like acetyl hexapeptide-8 and hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which support smoothing texture and provide general hydration beneficial for dry skin. Glycerin and squalane further enhance this hydration, making the formula generally safe for your dry skin with no risks of irritation.
- While the formula provides hydration through ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, it lacks sufficient emollient ingredients for optimal hydration for your dry skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, fragrance-free formula that effectively hydrates and smooths skin texture without causing irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin. While many report visible improvements in fine lines, plumpness, and overall radiance, some users note that deep wrinkles require consistent, long-term use to show significant changes and that the high price point is a consideration.
Highlights
Smoother skin Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “leaves my skin soft”
- “improves texture immediately”
Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
- “visibly plumped up”
- “instantly made my skin more moisturized”
- “hydrates fine wrinkles”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “sinks right into the skin”
- “not greasy”
- “layers easily under moisturizer”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “quite pricey”
- “price point is so high”
- “expensive unless on sale”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “gentle and non-irritating”
- “no bad reactions”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “crows feet were visibly plumped”
- “softens my skin and lines”
- “forehead wrinkles look better”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “don't expect miracles overnight”
- “no where as effective as laser”
- “didn't notice a difference”
Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “hard to get small amount”
- “pump issues”
Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “increase your skin's sun sensitivity”
- “must use SPF”
- “treat with caution”
Sources: lovi.care, hometesterclub.com, sephora.sg, sephora.my, ulta.com, clinique.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Smart Clinical Repair serum work for dry skin?
This serum works for your dry skin, though other products fit it better. It offers moderate wrinkle reduction and general hydration, but a product for dry skin needs rich nourishing ingredients, ceramides, and barrier-supporting ingredients to give optimal hydration.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
This serum works for dry skin thanks to hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which provide hydration, alongside peptides and hydroxypinacolone retinoate that help smooth texture. A product of this type needs rich nourishing ingredients, ceramides, and barrier-supporting components to deliver optimal hydration for dry skin.
What does CL1870 Laser Focus Complex do for dry skin?
CL1870 Laser Focus Complex helps dry skin feel smooth and keeps it hydrated. A product of this type needs moisturizing ingredients like ceramides to help repair the moisture barrier and keep dry skin soft.
What does retinoid do for dry skin?
Retinoids help improve dry skin by supporting hydration when properly formulated with moisturizing ingredients. Clinical studies show that hydrating retinoid eye creams can significantly reduce dryness over time while smoothing texture.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022Dermatology Research and Practice, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. A product for dry skin of this type needs rich, nourishing hydrators and barrier-protecting oils to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before putting on this treatment. This combination is generally safe and helps smooth texture while providing extra hydration for dry skin.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works for your dry skin in the evening, though a product of this type needs richer, oil-based softening ingredients for optimal moisture.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as it has a very safe formula with no harsh or heavy ingredients. It may cause a very mild initial purging phase due to the retinoid ingredient.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2017Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and retinyl propionate at a 5:9 weight ratio synergistically enhanced antiaging gene expressions in vitro and improved skin wrinkles, smoothness, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity in 42 Chinese urban women over an 8-week period without adverse reactions compared to retinol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Topical 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, 2019Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.
European Journal of Neurology, 2013Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Why other serums fit dry skin better
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract Algae Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Wheat Extract Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Whey Lactis Protéine Du Petit-Lait Protein, Isohexadecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cholesterol, Peg-8, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Peg-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.