Olay Super Serum Night Repair for combination skin
Niacinamide
Lactic Acid
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7
High
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
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
- Offers moderate exfoliation and oil control for your oily shine and combination skin due to the presence of salicylic acid and lactic acid in concentrations that help manage excess sebum and refine pores.
- Niacinamide and panthenol add hydration and soothing effects, though stronger humectant support could improve comfort over time.
- The product is generally safe for your combination skin, with a low risk of irritation from lactic acid and salicylic 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
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly rated for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated. It is frequently praised for its fragrance-free formula, which is beneficial for sensitive and acne-prone skin, leading to noticeable improvements in smoothness, fine lines, and skin tone over time. Some users find the bottle design inconvenient and the price point high, while a smaller number report it not being moisturizing enough for dry skin or experiencing slow results.
Highlights
Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “no sticky residue”
- “lightweight formula”
Smoother, softer skin Mostly Mentioned
- “velvety soft skin”
- “reduced texture”
- “smoother feel”
Fragrance-free Often Mentioned
- “no scent”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “fragrance-free”
Hydrating & plumping Sometimes Noted
- “plump skin”
- “deep moisture”
- “looks hydrated”
Improves skin tone Sometimes Noted
- “faded dark spots”
- “brighter complexion”
- “more even tone”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey for size”
- “value is disheartening”
Poor bottle design Sometimes Noted
- “dropper is frustrating”
- “can't reach bottom”
- “product gets wasted”
Not enough for dry skin Rarely Noted
- “needs moisturizer over it”
- “not rich enough”
- “slightly drying”
Potential sensitivity Rarely Noted
- “tingling”
- “slight burn”
- “purging”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “takes time to work”
- “saw no change”
- “was underwhelming”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, olay.com, cosmopolitan.com, supersavvyme.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Olay Super Serum Night Repair a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit because it offers moderate exfoliation and oil control for oily shine with salicylic acid and lactic acid, while niacinamide and panthenol help calm and hydrate your skin. It has a low risk of irritation and is generally safe for your skin type.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin because salicylic acid and lactic acid help manage excess oil and refine pores. Niacinamide and panthenol also add helpful hydration and soothing effects with a low risk of irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
What does Lactic Acid do for combination skin?
Lactic acid helps balance combination skin by gently removing dead surface cells and managing oil while keeping moisture locked in. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, and instead supports a smooth, clear, and well-hydrated complexion across both oily and dry areas. This type of skin needs ingredients that gently clear pores without stripping natural moisture, such as balanced hydrators and mild exfoliants.
Frontiers in Physiology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Lovi routines place treatments at night for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, but it is best to avoid using it on the exact same nights as your retinol to prevent irritation. Apply this treatment after cleansing and before your moisturizer when used alone.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this serum in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. Start by applying it once a week to see how your skin reacts, and if your skin tolerates it well without irritation, you may carefully use it more often.
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 it contains salicylic acid and lactic acid, which help manage excess oil and refine pores. It has a low risk of causing irritation and is generally safe for your skin type.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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, 2005Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Dipeptide-7, Rice Bran Extract, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Salicylic Acid, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Benzoate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide
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
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