BYOMA Brightening Serum for oily skin
Niacinamide
Tri-Ceramide Complex
Sodium Hyaluronate
Ascorbic Acid
SqualaneAverage
- SuperiorOily 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
- Offers moderate brightening and evening of skin tone for your oily skin due to the presence of niacinamide and ascorbic acid, which hydrate and improve skin radiance.
- The inclusion of lactic acid provides seboregulation and keratolytic action, supporting your oily skin type, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address excess oiliness.
- The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsThis serum is frequently described as a lightweight, hydrating product that strengthens the skin barrier and is suitable for sensitive skin. Many users report softer, smoother skin and a healthy glow. However, results for significant brightening of dark spots or hyperpigmentation are mixed, with some finding it less effective than stronger alternatives.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “sinks in quickly”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “light runny texture”
- “layers well under makeup”
Affordable price point Often Mentioned
- “budget-friendly”
- “great value”
- “accessible price”
- “good cheap alternative”
Hydrating & soothing Often Mentioned
- “skin feels soft”
- “very hydrating”
- “strengthens skin barrier”
- “leaves a nice glow”
Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “didn't cause redness”
- “gentle formula”
Improved skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “smoother complexion”
- “skin feels plump”
- “helps with uneven texture”
- “softens rough patches”
Lack of brightening Sometimes Noted
- “didn't see difference”
- “dark spots didn't fade”
- “not potent enough”
- “no change in radiance”
Poor dropper design Sometimes Noted
- “hard to get product out”
- “dropper stops working”
- “can't reach bottom”
- “packaging is frustrating”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “small bumps appeared”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused acne flare-up”
- “skin reacted badly”
Texture too runny Rarely Noted
- “very watery”
- “runs off hand”
- “too thin”
- “messy application”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, sephora.ae, ulta.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does BYOMA Brightening Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin by hydrating and brightening it, but an oily skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and ascorbic acid help brighten and even your oily skin tone, while lactic acid gently clears away dead skin cells. This treatment for oily skin needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil, along with soothing and hydrating extracts for comfortable daily use.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
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
What do Ceramides do for oily skin?
Ceramides help oily skin by balancing moisture levels and strengthening the skin barrier without feeling heavy or greasy. This type of skin needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that control excess oil while keeping the surface smooth and calm.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin also needs specialized ingredients to directly control excess oil.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol, applying the treatment first and following with your retinol. This product is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment in your evening routine once a week to start, as it gently exfoliates while brightening your oily skin. If your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. To truly target excess oiliness, this type of skin needs a product with dedicated mattifying and oil-balancing ingredients.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation, though some users report breakouts. A product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients to properly balance oily skin without heavy layers.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Niacinamide 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, 2002A 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, 2020Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Topical 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 a ceramide complex cream significantly ameliorated lactic acid sensations and increased stratum corneum total ceramide content in 39 female subjects with sensitive skin compared with placebo.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2018A canine-specific ceramide complex consisting of a 4:1 ratio of CER [NS] to [EOP] reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, upregulated skin barrier-related genes and enzymes, improved stratum corneum organization, and accelerated skin barrier repair in vitro and in vivo.
Animals, 2026Topical 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, 2019Topical 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, 2022Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Methylpropanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide Np, Cholesterol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Phytate, Ascorbic Acid, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Squalane, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
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?
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