Image Skincare the MAX™ Stem Cell Serum for combination skin
Pyrus Malus Extract Cell Fruit Culture
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
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 offers excellent anti-aging benefits for your combination skin, with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 effectively minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. While Sodium Hyaluronate and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provide beneficial hydration and antioxidant support, they do not specifically target your oily shine concerns.
- The formula is highly suitable for combination skin due to the presence of soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and a lack of harsh components.
- It is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation identified.
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 400+ reviewsUsers with mature, dry, or environmentally stressed skin frequently praise this serum for its hydrating, firming, and smoothing effects, which target fine lines and improve elasticity for a more youthful appearance. Some users note that consistent, long-term use is necessary to see the full benefits.
Highlights
Firms and tightens Often Mentioned
- “smooths and tightens my skin”
- “improves elasticity and skin structure”
- “skin looks firmer”
- “restores resilience”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “makes my fine lines less noticeable”
- “drastically reduces fine lines”
- “diminishes the appearance of fine lines”
- “smooths expression lines”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “light, smooth texture absorbs quickly”
- “easily absorbed”
- “fast-absorbing formula”
- “lightweight and easy to layer”
Hydrates and smooths Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin soft and refined”
- “alleviate the uneven dryness visually”
- “skin becomes smooth”
- “adds just the right balance”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “among the most expensive products”
- “serum that costs so much”
- “simpler serums may provide comparable results at a lower price”
- “results are gradual rather than dramatic for the price”
Faulty pump Rarely Noted
- “bad bottle dispenser”
- “it dispenses unevenly”
- “spurts out across the bathroom counter”
- “have to scoop it off the surface”
Slow to show Rarely Noted
- “not a miracle serum by any means”
- “results take 6-12 weeks”
- “not overnight wonder”
- “truly don't see much of a difference”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstreet.com, skinmart.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the MAX Stem Cell Serum work for combination skin?
This serum works well for combination skin by smoothing fine lines and keeping skin calm, though it does not target oily shine. To work best for this skin type, a treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc or propolis to balance oiliness while providing hydration.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Centella Asiatica Extract makes this serum a good fit for combination skin because it helps calm the skin, while peptides like Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 smooth out fine lines. To be a better fit for this skin type, a treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to manage oily shine.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013
What does Apple Fruit Cell Culture Extract do for combination skin?
Apple fruit cell culture extract helps protect skin cells and improve skin smoothness, elasticity, and overall radiance. It supports skin regeneration and helps reduce the look of wrinkles while keeping skin comfortable and balanced.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2014
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. A product of this type for combination skin needs balancing ingredients like niacinamide or clay to help control oily shine while keeping the skin hydrated.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying your retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this treatment to keep your skin calm and hydrated. Because this product is an average fit for your combination skin, a treatment for this skin also needs ingredients that balance oily shine.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well in the evening for your combination skin, helping smooth lines with peptides while keeping things calm. To better balance combination skin, a product of this type also needs oil-controlling ingredients that target shiny areas.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your combination skin, as it has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients and no harsh components. To better care for combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that help balance oily shine while keeping your skin hydrated.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Argireline 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, 2013Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013Treatment 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, 2019Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016A cosmetic cream with 6% standardized wild apple fruit extract and a conventional emulsifier demonstrated stable antioxidant activity of 19.25 %RSC, increased skin moisturization, and a decreased melanin index by -31.40 without causing skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2019A novel facial serum containing apple stem cell extract, pro-collagen lipopeptide, creatine, and urea improved mitochondrial function in human senescent cultured fibroblasts and demonstrated anti-wrinkle, dermal density, and skin elasticity benefits in 32 women with sensitive skin applied twice daily for 28 days compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016Topical 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, 2019Acetyl 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, 2017Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.
European Journal of Neurology, 2013Dissolving microneedles loaded with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-8 achieved higher cumulative transdermal delivery than aqueous solutions and significantly reduced photoaging signs while restoring oxidative balance in a UV/D-galactose-induced mouse model.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026A 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, 2026Topical 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, 2022
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide 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, 2022A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sucrose Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pyrus Malus Extract Cell Fruit Culture, Plankton Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Phaseolus Radiatus L Callus Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Argania Spinosa Extract Cell Sprout Culture, Superoxide Dismutase, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Peg-8 Smdi Copolymer, Pullulan, Glycine Soja Protein Soybean Protein, Isomalt, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Citric Acid, Pvp, Disodium Edta, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.