Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum for acne-prone skin
Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex
Retinoid
Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 benefits for your combination skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration while squalane offers emollient action, though it does not directly target acne concerns.
- The formulation includes Algae Extract and Sunflower Seed Extract for soothing effects, which can be supportive for acne-prone skin, and Glycyrrhetinic Acid further aids in calming.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its lightweight, fragrance-free formula that effectively hydrates and smooths skin texture without causing irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin. While many report visible improvements in fine lines, plumpness, and overall radiance, some users note that deep wrinkles require consistent, long-term use to show significant changes and that the high price point is a consideration.
Highlights
Smoother skin Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “leaves my skin soft”
- “improves texture immediately”
Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
- “visibly plumped up”
- “instantly made my skin more moisturized”
- “hydrates fine wrinkles”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “sinks right into the skin”
- “not greasy”
- “layers easily under moisturizer”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “quite pricey”
- “price point is so high”
- “expensive unless on sale”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “gentle and non-irritating”
- “no bad reactions”
- “safe for sensitive skin”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “crows feet were visibly plumped”
- “softens my skin and lines”
- “forehead wrinkles look better”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “don't expect miracles overnight”
- “no where as effective as laser”
- “didn't notice a difference”
Pump issues Rarely Noted
- “pump dispenses too much”
- “hard to get small amount”
- “pump issues”
Sun sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “increase your skin's sun sensitivity”
- “must use SPF”
- “treat with caution”
Sources: lovi.care, hometesterclub.com, sephora.sg, sephora.my, ulta.com, clinique.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Serum work for acne-prone skin?
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum works moderately well for acne-prone skin because it offers soothing and hydrating benefits, though it does not directly target acne. Treatments that fit this skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to target breakouts and control oiliness while keeping the skin balanced.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum works for acne-prone skin because it includes algae extract and sunflower seed extract for soothing effects, along with glycyrrhetinic acid to help calm the skin. To be an even better fit for this skin type, a product needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that directly target acne and breakouts while keeping oiliness under control.
What does Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex do for acne-prone skin?
Cl1870 Laser Focus Complex is an average fit for acne-prone skin because it lacks the lightweight texture, pore-clearing ingredients, and sebum control needed to manage breakouts and oiliness.
What does Retinoid do for acne-prone skin?
Retinoid helps clear acne-prone skin by keeping pores clear and calming inflammation. Because it can sometimes cause dryness and irritation when you first start using it, a gentle routine with soothing ingredients helps keep your skin comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. While it provides gentle hydration and soothing ingredients, acne-prone skin also needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to best address breakouts.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this serum with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment. This combination is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep acne-prone skin balanced and hydrated.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in the evening as part of your routine. A product of this type for acne-prone skin needs ingredients that help balance oil and clear pores alongside hydration and soothing components.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it has a safe formula with soothing ingredients that help keep skin calm. However, because it works well on hydration rather than directly targeting blemishes, acne-prone skin typically benefits more from products that also include targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017A dermo-cosmetic formula containing 2% enoxolone significantly reduced erythema at 24 hours and pain at 30 minutes following non-ablative fractional laser treatment in 10 healthy subjects compared to a moisturizer control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A dermocosmetic regimen significantly reduced retinoid-induced skin discomfort compared to a routine skin care regimen in subjects with acne using a topical adapalene/benzoyl peroxide fixed drug combination, especially during the first 14 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 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, 2019Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical 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, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide 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, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract Algae Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Wheat Extract Germ Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Whey Lactis Protéine Du Petit-Lait Protein, Isohexadecane, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cholesterol, Peg-8, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Peg-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Phosphate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polysorbate 80, Carbomer, Hexylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Tin Oxide, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891
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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