Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum for combination skin
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for combination skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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
- This serum is an excellent match for your combination skin, as niacinamide and retinol work synergistically to regulate oil production and refine skin texture, addressing your oily shine concerns.
- The inclusion of collagen amino acids and sodium hyaluronate provides additional hydration and plumping effects, further enhancing the serum's benefits for your skin.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and ferulic acid.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users frequently report waking up to smoother and brighter skin with improved texture and tone, appreciating its non-irritating formula. Some users find the results subtle for the price.
Highlights
Non-irritating formula Often Mentioned
- “not drying at all”
- “gentle on the skin”
- “no adverse reactions”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin is super soft”
- “woke up with smooth skin”
- “smoother-looking complexion”
- “improves texture”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “high price tag”
- “expensive”
- “overpriced”
- “pricey for the size”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “sinks in quickly”
- “absorbs quickly into skin”
- “non-greasy”
- “glides on like silk”
Brightens and evens tone Sometimes Noted
- “noticeably brighter”
- “dark spots are improving”
- “even out skin tone”
- “fresher looking”
Slow or subtle results Sometimes Noted
- “effects are subtle”
- “didn't do much”
- “need to increase usage”
- “subtle on most skin”
Mixed scent opinions Rarely Noted
- “smell... people don't always love”
- “smells wonderful”
- “strong scent”
- “medicinal smell”
Packaging problems Rarely Noted
- “pump issues”
- “hard to get product out”
- “small bottle”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, sephora.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because niacinamide and retinol help balance oil and smooth out texture to tackle oily shine. Sodium hyaluronate and collagen amino acids also add helpful hydration and plumping effects, while soothing ingredients keep irritation unlikely.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because niacinamide and retinol help balance oil and smooth out texture, while sodium hyaluronate adds hydration. These ingredients work safely together to keep your skin calm and clear without causing irritation.
What does Retinol do for combination skin?
Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.
Archives of Dermatology, 2007The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
What does Ferulic Acid do for combination skin?
Ferulic acid helps protect combination skin from sun damage and everyday environmental stress while boosting the performance of vitamins C and E. For combination skin to get the best results, this ingredient needs to be paired with antioxidants and lightweight hydrators that balance oil and dry areas without clogging pores.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Putting it at night helps keep your skin safe around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this serum at night. Combining active ingredients this way helps you avoid irritation while keeping your skin smooth.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is used in the evening routine, starting at once a week and gradually increasing frequency as tolerated. Retinol and niacinamide help regulate oil production and refine texture, while sodium hyaluronate adds moisture.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because niacinamide and retinol help regulate oil production while soothing ingredients keep irritation risks low. However, retinol may cause mild temporary purging as it speeds up skin cell renewal.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.
Drug Delivery, 2017Topical 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 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, 2018Treatment 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, 2008Topical 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, 2019A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Isostearyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylresorcinol, Ellagic Acid, Gallic Acid, Silybum Marianum Ethyl Ester, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Pca, Retinyl Palmitate Carrot Polypeptide, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Acacia Decurrens Wax Flower, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Polyglycerin-3, Tricaprylin, Acrylates Carbamate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Bht, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylcellulose, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Bergamot Fruit Extract, Lemon Peel Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Octoxynol-9, 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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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