Nécessaire The Body Retinol for dry skin
Retinol
Glycolic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Niacinamide
Sodium HyaluronateWarning
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- RiskySafety
A poor match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
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 skin smoothing and anti-aging effects due to retinol and glycolic acid, which can be drying for your dry skin, though glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action.
- The moderate exfoliation from glycolic and mandelic acids may pose risks of direct worsening for your dry or flaky 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
★4.3Overall rating based on 2.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this body retinol is highly praised for improving skin texture and reducing crepey skin and hyperpigmentation. Users with various skin types find the formula gentle and non-irritating, though it is noted to function best as a treatment serum requiring a follow-up moisturizer for hydration.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “My skin is completely transformed; any texture on my legs, gone.”
- “I've noticed a real improvement in my skin's texture - smoother, more even.”
- “Genuinely smooths and restores skin texture.”
Expensive price point Mostly Mentioned
- “It is pricey, and you will notice how fast the bottle empties.”
- “Very expensive for the size.”
- “The size is small for the price.”
Absorbs quickly Often Mentioned
- “It absorbs quickly, feels nourishing, and has been gentle on my skin.”
- “The lightweight formula absorbs quickly leaving behind no sticky or greasy residue.”
- “It absorbs instantly.”
Gentle, non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “I have been using it for almost a month, no irritation, no redness.”
- “It didn't irritate my skin which can sometimes be a concern.”
- “Works well when used consistently without irritation.”
Effective for KP Sometimes Noted
- “Amazing for KP.”
- “Fading and diminishing all bumps and blemishes with each application.”
- “Finally curing my bumpy skin.”
Not deeply moisturizing Sometimes Noted
- “It does not feel instantly moisturising, it is a treatment not a lotion.”
- “On its own, it does not give that comforting hydrated feeling.”
- “Some might find it a bit too minimal if you're used to richer creams.”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “The lid does not stay on very securely.”
- “The bottle does not open; you cannot unscrew the top to get extra product.”
- “Tragic because you can't get all the product out.”
Strong scent Rarely Noted
- “Everything was great except for the smell.”
- “Some mention the scent is strong or unpleasant.”
- “There is a very faint clinical scent.”
Sources: lovi.care, necessaire.com, dermapproved.com, goop.com, elestyled.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise against Nécessaire The Body Retinol for dry skin?
Lovi advises against this product because its exfoliating acids and retinol may dry out or irritate dry skin. Dry skin of this type needs deeply hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and peptides, along with soothing agents that nourish without causing flaking.
Which ingredients make this treatment a poor fit for dry skin?
What does Retinol do for dry skin?
Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry skin?
Glycolic acid helps smooth and soften dry skin by speeding up the shedding of older surface cells. Because it can also cause the skin to lose more moisture, dry skin needs extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid alongside it to keep the skin comfortable.
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine for dry skin, after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it is a poor match for your skin type. Because strong acids and retinol can worsen dryness and flakiness, dry skin needs products featuring gentle hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin alongside rich, soothing emollients.
Can I use it with vitamin C, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this product with vitamin C on dry skin, because combining them may easily cause too much dryness and irritation. Products for this skin need gentle, deeply moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid alongside soothing care to protect the skin barrier.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment is a poor match for your dry skin because the acids and retinol may cause drying and direct worsening. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating and soothing ingredients like ceramides and natural oils to keep the skin comfortable and smooth.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This product is a poor match for your dry skin because its strong acids and retinol may cause dryness and peeling. To care for dry skin, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients and soothing agents like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Is it 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
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 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Alkanes, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Silica, Silica Silylate, Magnesium Stearate, Niacinamide, Retinol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bacillus Folic Acid Extract Ferment Filtrate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, C13-14 Alkane, C15-23 Alkane, Tricaprylin, Acetyl Glutamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lecithin, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil Fruit, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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