Bubble Day Dream for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid
Niacinamide
Alpha-Arbutin
Tranexamic Acid
Licorice Root ExtractAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, this formula contains Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to help regulate oil production and provide antioxidant benefits, though its primary focus is on brightening and evening skin tone with Alpha-Arbutin and Tranexamic Acid.
- While Glycerin and Ceramide NP offer hydration, they are not the main focus for addressing your oily shine.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Licorice Root Extract.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this brightening serum is highly praised for its lightweight, non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly. It is frequently reported to be effective for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, with users noting improvements in skin tone and a reduction in post-acne dark spots. The affordable price point is also a significant positive. Some users mention the bottle size is small, and a low number of reviews indicate potential for irritation, a noticeable scent, or a lack of dramatic results.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Melts right into my skin.”
- “Gentle, non-greasy texture.”
- “Absorbs quickly without sticky residue.”
Affordable price Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't break the bank.”
- “Best Vitamin C serum for the price.”
Brightens skin Often Mentioned
- “Noticeable hydration and brightness.”
- “Makes my skin look a little brighter.”
- “Even tone, reduce scarring and dark spots.”
Good for acne Often Mentioned
- “Perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.”
- “Haven't had any issues with breakouts.”
- “Helps regulate oil production.”
Small bottle size Sometimes Noted
- “Main value concern is the small bottle size.”
- “Only lasts about five weeks.”
- “Wish it came in a larger size.”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “Saw no visible difference in my skin.”
- “Just didn't do enough for me.”
- “Results were not as dramatic as expected.”
Noticeable scent Rarely Noted
- “Makes my skin smell like sulfur.”
- “I love that this has a bit of a scent.”
- “Has a subtle smell.”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “Some guests experienced irritation.”
- “Importance of patch testing.”
- “Caused a reaction for my sensitive skin.”
Sources: lovi.care, lemon8-app.com, reddit.com, the-independent.com, skincarmanyc.com, dermapproved.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bubble Day Dream Tone and Texture Balancing Serum work for oily skin?
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
This serum helps oily skin mainly through niacinamide and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which regulate oil production and provide antioxidant support. Oily skin also needs ingredients like zinc PCA and lightweight hydrators that control shine and pores without causing breakouts.
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though an oily skin type needs lightweight formulas with niacinamide and ingredients that help manage excess shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying this serum first and your retinol afterwards. To properly care for oily skin, this type of product needs ingredients like Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate to help control shine.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it three times a week at first and slowly increasing to daily if your skin feels comfortable. While it works safely on oily skin, this skin type needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil without heavy feel.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a safe profile with soothing ingredients like licorice root extract and no harsh irritants. However, because its main focus is brightening rather than managing oily shine, an oily skin type needs lightweight formulas with ingredients like niacinamide and sodium ascorbyl phosphate to help regulate oil.
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, 2017Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 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, 2005A non-hydroquinone topical formulation (SKNB19) improved hyperpigmentation by 28.5% in patient self-assessment and 27% in independent reviewer assessment compared with 4% hydroquinone in 18 adult subjects, while showing significantly less irritation and better tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Encapsulation of alpha arbutin in an optimized ethosomal gel significantly improved skin melanin reduction, moisture content, and elasticity in human volunteers compared to conventional formulations.
Heliyon, 2023Combining a home-based radiofrequency device and arbutin cream reduced mMASI scores by 25.6% and melanin index by 22.8% at 8 weeks compared to baseline in 38 participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Tranexamic Acid, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide Eop, Xanthan Gum, Brassica Campestris Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract Marshmallow Root Extract, Rice Bran Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sucrose Distearate, 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.
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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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