Olay Super Serum for dry skin
Niacinamide
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Peptide
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
High
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
- Highly suitable for your dry skin, this serum effectively moisturizes and plumps with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, while dimethicone provides emollient benefits to combat dryness and flakiness.
- Niacinamide and panthenol further support skin hydration and barrier function, addressing your primary goal of managing dry or flaky skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 9.0k+ reviewsBased 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 skin?
Olay Super Serum is a great fit for dry skin because it uses glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to deeply moisturize, alongside dimethicone to smooth away dryness and flakiness. Niacinamide and panthenol also help support skin hydration and protect your skin barrier without causing irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
This serum is a great fit for dry skin because it uses glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to deeply moisturize, alongside dimethicone to smooth away flakiness. Niacinamide and panthenol further support your skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?
Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid do for dry skin?
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid helps brighten uneven skin and smooth out fine lines while supporting overall hydration. It is generally well-suited to improve skin appearance without causing significant irritation.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and safe. Some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help hydrate and smooth your dry skin, followed by your retinol. Using a hydrating layer underneath may also help reduce any dryness or flakiness often caused by retinol.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in the evening as part of your routine. Daily application of moisturizers and hydrating treatments helps improve skin moisture and barrier function.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is a great fit for dry skin and is unlikely to cause clogged pores, breakouts, or purging. The formula relies on hydrating ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate along with a safe, gentle profile that helps manage dryness without heavy oils.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes and on the body because its moisturizing ingredients and gentle formula are safe for sensitive areas and various skin regions. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin help hydrate delicate skin, while panthenol and dimethicone support the skin barrier without causing irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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, 2017A 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, 2017Topical 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, 2002Topical 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 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, 2019Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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.
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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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.