🇸🇬Singapore

Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum for dry skin

Low

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ConcerningSafety

A weak match for dry skin; the serums alongside fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 exfoliation for your dry skin due to the presence of Mandelic Acid and Lactic Acid, which provide some benefits but may not fully address your dryness and could potentially exacerbate it.
  • The serum contains humectant ingredients like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate for hydration, but it lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal moisture retention on your dry skin.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based 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

Why is Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum a weak match for dry skin?

This serum is a weak match because it offers only moderate exfoliation that may exacerbate dryness, while lacking sufficient softening and sealing ingredients for optimal moisture retention. A treatment for dry skin needs rich, soothing ingredients that provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier, such as ceramides, peptides, or propolis.

Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for dry skin?

This serum is a weak match for your dry skin because it contains exfoliating acids like mandelic and lactic acid that can make your dryness worse. It also lacks enough rich, softening ingredients to properly lock in moisture. Dry skin needs formulas rich in deep hydrators, soothing agents, ceramides, and skin-repairing ingredients to keep it soft and comfortable.

What does Retinol do for dry skin?

Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

What does Ferulic Acid do for dry skin?
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it is a weak match for dry skin because it lacks enough rich, softening ingredients to lock in moisture and prevent flaking.

Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?

This serum is a weak match for your dry skin because it lacks the rich softening and barrier-sealing ingredients needed to keep dry skin fully moisturized and comfortable.

How often should I use this serum?

Start using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your dry skin tolerates it well and sees good results. Dry skin needs rich moisturizing ingredients like plant oils or butters to lock in hydration and prevent irritation from strong active ingredients.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, but the retinol in it may cause some initial purging as your skin adjusts. Because this is a weak match for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer moisturizing and sealing ingredients along with gentle exfoliants to keep dry skin smooth and comfortable.

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 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2019
  • Silicone 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, 2018
  • Treatment 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, 2022
  • Combining 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, 2025
  • Pretreatment 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • A 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, 2015
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Bakuchiol 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

Why other serums fit dry skin better

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.