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Olay Super Serum for dry sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Olay Super Serum

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, 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 benefits for your dry and sensitive skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration and panthenol supports barrier repair. Niacinamide also contributes to soothing and improving skin texture.
  • The inclusion of lactic acid offers mild exfoliation, which can help with flakiness, though it may require careful introduction for sensitive skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no harsh or irritating ingredients identified.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
  • Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 9.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its ability to deliver an immediate "lit-from-within" glow and a velvety-soft finish that works exceptionally well as a makeup primer. Many reviewers with dull or uneven skin texture report smoother, brighter skin after consistent use, though some with very dry skin note that it requires an additional moisturizer.

Highlights

  • Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly”
    • “no residue”
    • “layers well”
    • “dries fast”
  • Instant radiance Often Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow”
    • “brightens complexion”
    • “dewy look”
    • “healthy shine”
  • Luxurious texture Often Mentioned
    • “silky feel”
    • “velvety finish”
    • “non-greasy”
    • “lightweight”
  • Poor dropper design Often Mentioned
    • “hard to dispense”
    • “doesn't reach bottom”
    • “messy application”
    • “product waste”
  • Makeup compatibility Sometimes Noted
    • “acts as primer”
    • “prevents pilling”
    • “smooth base”
    • “grips makeup”
  • Skin smoothing Sometimes Noted
    • “softer skin”
    • “improved texture”
    • “reduces roughness”
    • “minimizes pores”
  • Price point Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for drugstore”
    • “small bottle”
    • “pricey per ounce”
    • “not good value”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “floral scent”
    • “overpowering smell”
    • “lingering perfume”
    • “irritates nose”
  • Hydration limits Rarely Noted
    • “not moisturizing enough”
    • “needs lotion”
    • “dry patches persist”
    • “tight feeling”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “breakouts”
    • “allergic reaction”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “redness”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, ulta.com, target.com, olay.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Olay Super Serum a great fit for dry sensitive skin?

Olay Super Serum is a great fit because glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration while panthenol supports barrier repair, helping to keep dry and sensitive skin calm and smooth. Niacinamide also helps soothe the skin and improve its texture, and lactic acid offers mild exfoliation to help with flakiness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a great fit by providing essential hydration, while panthenol supports barrier repair. Niacinamide also helps soothe your skin and smooth its texture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for dry sensitive skin?

Niacinamide helps dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and keeping moisture locked in so your face feels soft and smooth. It works to build up your skin barrier and calm redness while being very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013

What does 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid helps brighten an uneven skin tone and fights signs of aging, but for dry sensitive skin it may need extra moisturizing ingredients like dexpanthenol to keep skin calm, soft, and smooth.

Pharmaceutics, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2012

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

Apply this serum in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. Because it contains lactic acid, it is best started just once a week so your skin can adjust comfortably without irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to deliver hydration and soothing ingredients, followed by your retinol. This approach helps support your skin barrier and keeps the combination gentle enough for dry, sensitive skin.

Cutis, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine once a week to start, as gentle acids work best when introduced slowly on dry and sensitive skin. If your skin feels comfortable and handles the exfoliation well, you may gradually use it more often.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it is free of heavy, pore-clogging ingredients. The inclusion of lactic acid provides mild exfoliation that helps sweep away dead cells, though sensitive skin may need to introduce it slowly to avoid irritation.

Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this serum on your body, but the thin skin around your eyes may need a gentler formula since this product contains lactic acid. The ingredients in this treatment are generally safe, yet sensitive areas can react strongly to exfoliating acids.

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, 2017

  • A 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, 2017

  • Topical 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, 2002

  • A 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, 2025

  • 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 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, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical 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

  • 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

  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Trehalose, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Sodium Lactate, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Benzoate

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

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

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play