NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Ferulic Acid
Zinc Pca
Vitamin B5 Panthenol
Ceramide Np
High
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by niacinamide and zinc pca, which regulate sebum and offer humectant action, while ferulic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate deliver antioxidant benefits.
- The serum also offers significant skin firming and smoothing effects due to niacinamide and adenosine, which improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing agents like Bisabolol and Calendula Officinalis Extract.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users report this serum effectively brightens dull complexions and smooths rough skin texture without causing dryness. It is frequently praised for regulating excess sebum and minimizing the appearance of pores, making it suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
Highlights
Brightens & evens tone Often Mentioned
- “fades dark spots”
- “skin looks radiant”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
- “evened out my skin tone”
Refines texture & pores Often Mentioned
- “smooths my face out”
- “pores look smaller”
- “texture is smoother”
- “helped with large pores”
Controls oil/sebum Sometimes Noted
- “reduced oil production”
- “regulates excess sebum”
- “less oily during the day”
- “keeps skin clear”
Hydrating & lightweight Sometimes Noted
- “lightweight milky consistency”
- “deeply moisturized”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “doesn't dry me out”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “giant layer of white crust”
- “messy bottle”
- “crystallizing around the rim”
- “product escaping”
Pilling/residue Rarely Noted
- “white residue if used too much”
- “pills under makeup”
- “can be sticky”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “tingling sensation”
- “too strong for daily use”
- “caused slight redness”
- “sensitive skin warning”
Sources: lovi.care, sokoglam.com, neogenlab.us, gopicky.com, yesstyle.com, oliveyoung.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Neogen Real Niacinamide 15% Firming Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and zinc pca regulate oil while keeping your skin calm, and ferulic acid provides antioxidant protection. It is very unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin due to soothing ingredients like bisabolol, and it helps firm and smooth the skin.
Drug Research, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide and zinc pca help control oil, while ferulic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate provide helpful antioxidants. It is also very safe and soothing for your skin due to the lack of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming agents like bisabolol and calendula extract.
What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Ferulic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ferulic acid helps protect oily, acne-prone skin from sun damage and supports recovery after breakouts or treatments. This ingredient reduces redness and dark marks while helping to calm irritation.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first in your routine to help balance oil and smooth your skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula is gentle and includes soothing ingredients.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is used in the evening routine. Lovi routines place treatments in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, though some may also be used in the morning or twice a day.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin. It contains soothing ingredients like bisabolol and calendula extract that help keep irritation low and calm your skin.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches showed similar or better efficacy on skin wrinkles, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration compared to adenosine cream in 22 female subjects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Horse oil-spread and adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches significantly improved skin elasticity, hydration, dermal density, and wrinkles compared with adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches in 20 women without causing adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Topical 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, 2005Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Combining fractional microneedle radiofrequency with a topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced wrinkle severity by 29.9% versus 18.0%, increased elasticity by 12.9% versus 2.3%, and improved aesthetic outcomes in 31 participants compared to radiofrequency and placebo.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2025Pretreatment with a topical antioxidant mixture of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin attenuated ultraviolet-induced sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, p53 protein expression, and the suppression of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells in human skin compared to vehicle control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Propanediol, Bisabolol, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Tromethamine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ceramide Np, Riboflavin, Arbutin, Thiamine Hcl, Panthenol, Zinc Pca, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Octenylsuccinate Starch, Maltodextrin, Calcium Pantothenate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyridoxine Hcl, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Silica
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
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