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Derma E Retinol Concentrated Serum for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin, this serum utilizes retinol and bakuchiol to effectively minimize fine lines and wrinkles by promoting exfoliation and regulating sebum production.
  • It offers moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, with ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and allantoin providing hydration and soothing effects.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 2.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for being gentle and suitable for sensitive skin, effectively improving texture and firmness. Many users report positive results without irritation, making it a good option for those new to retinol. Some users express frustration with the dropper design, and a few mention slow results or a sticky texture.

Highlights

  • Gentle on skin Mostly Mentioned
    • “I'm usually very sensitive to retinol but... so far no irritation.”
    • “My skin can handle it daily... no irritation or peeling.”
    • “Ideal for sensitive skin... won't irritate.”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “My facial skin is considerably firmer and smoother.”
    • “Smooths rough patches and refines texture.”
    • “My skin becomes more radiant and firmer.”
  • Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
    • “It sinks in nicely.”
    • “Well absorbed.”
    • “Praised for its quick absorption and lightweight feel.”
  • Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
    • “Great value and perfect for starting retinol!”
    • “A smart entry point into retinol.”
    • “Gentle and gradual rather than aggressive.”
  • Dropper design issues Sometimes Noted
    • “Horrible dispenser... very little product came out.”
    • “The top is a dropper but you have to push down... to release it.”
    • “Dissatisfaction with the dropper's functionality.”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “I haven't seen visible wrinkle reduction yet.”
    • “Don't know its effectiveness yet, but I'm going on faith.”
    • “I hope to see more visible results but I know... it always takes time.”
  • Sticky texture Rarely Noted
    • “It's a bit sticky and very thick.”
    • “I use it only for my evening routine as it's a bit sticky.”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, dermae.com, lovelyskin.com, target.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes DERMA E Retinol Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

DERMA E Retinol Concentrated Serum is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses retinol and bakuchiol to clear pores and balance oil while smoothing fine lines. It also includes sodium hyaluronate and allantoin to provide light hydration and keep your skin calm. The formula has a very safe profile and is unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is a great fit because retinol and bakuchiol help smooth fine lines by encouraging skin renewal and balancing oil, while sodium hyaluronate and allantoin add light hydration and keep things calm. It is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

What does Encapsulated Retinol do for oily acne-prone skin?

Encapsulated retinol helps reduce blemishes and excess oil on oily, acne-prone skin while causing much less irritation than standard formulas. This ingredient works deep within the skin to smooth out texture and keep pores clear, though any product of this type also needs soothing ingredients to keep skin calm and balanced.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Life, 2024

What does Bakuchiol do for oily acne-prone skin?

Bakuchiol helps clear oily acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and dark spots left behind. It is gentle on the face and is unlikely to cause the heavy peeling or stinging that often comes with traditional acne treatments.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and safer around sun exposure.

Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment serum at night. It is unlikely to irritate your oily skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, though introducing them slowly helps your skin adjust safely.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

How often should I use this serum?

This serum fits your oily acne-prone skin well and is best used in the evening as part of your routine. You may start using it once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses retinol and bakuchiol to regulate oil and promote gentle exfoliation. It is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts, and hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate help keep your skin calm and smooth.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Controlled Release, 2018

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical 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, 2019
  • Silicone 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, 2018
  • Astaxanthin-loaded polyhydroxybutyrate microbeads achieved 98.1% encapsulation efficiency with sustained release, reduced degradation by 2-fold compared to unencapsulated astaxanthin, and showed no cytotoxicity or skin irritation in human cells and tests.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024
  • Topical 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, 2017
  • Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017
  • Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995
  • A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.

    Health Science Reports, 2025
  • Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract formulated into a serum and mask showed significantly better facial skin lightening efficacy than placebo in 30 volunteers over 28 days.

    Planta Medica, 2020
  • Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015
  • A topical microemulsion containing Punica granatum extract significantly reduced skin erythema and melanin compared to a placebo in healthy Asian subjects over 12 weeks.

    Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014
  • Oral astaxanthin supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo in humans.

    Nutrients, 2021
  • Combining oral and topical astaxanthin in 30 healthy females improved skin wrinkles, age spots, elasticity, texture, and moisture, while 6 mg daily oral supplementation in 36 healthy males improved crow's feet wrinkles, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss.

    Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2012
  • Twice-daily application of a novel topical antioxidant formulation safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving overall skin quality, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, and hyperpigmentation in 32 healthy female subjects over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Astaxanthin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Aspalathus Linearius Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Pca, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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