Skinbetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum for sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Ergothioneine
Superoxide DismutaseAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 redness and irritation, as Bisabolol and Niacinamide provide mild soothing and barrier support, which is suitable for your normal skin type. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ergothioneine offer excellent protection against environmental stressors, complementing your skin's needs.
- The serum provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, which you will notice, and is excellent for normal skin due to Niacinamide and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate concentrations that offer antioxidant activity and barrier repair.
- The safety profile indicates a low to absent irritation risk for your normal skin, with minimal risks from Chlorogenic Acids and Ascorbic Acid.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis serum is highly praised for its sophisticated formula that significantly enhances skin radiance, tone, and texture. Its elegant, non-tacky texture is frequently mentioned as a positive attribute, making it easy to incorporate into daily routines. The primary drawback noted by users is the high price point, with some experiencing low-frequency issues like dryness or a slight yellow residue.
Highlights
Elegant texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Feels lightweight and silky”
- “No tackiness or grit”
- “Layers perfectly under SPF”
High price point Mostly Mentioned
- “Very pricey”
- “Expensive investment”
- “Cost is a barrier”
Improves radiance Often Mentioned
- “Skin looks less dull”
- “Brighter and more rejuvenated”
- “Noticeable tonal clarity”
Reduces redness Often Mentioned
- “Noticeable decrease in redness”
- “Skin looks less reactive”
Non-irritating formula Sometimes Noted
- “Great for sensitive skin”
- “No stinging or burning”
- “Very tolerable”
Potential dryness Rarely Noted
- “Found it slightly drying”
- “Need extra hydration”
- “Less hydrating than others”
Rare reactions Rarely Noted
- “Started reacting to it”
- “Caused a breakout”
- “Not for my skin”
Yellow residue Rarely Noted
- “Can leave yellow residue”
- “Stains eyebrows if overused”
- “Yellow tint”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, them-ethod.com, skinelite.com, dermstreet.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Alto Advanced work for sensitive skin?
This serum works moderately well for sensitive skin, offering mild soothing and barrier support while carrying a low risk of irritation. To achieve a better fit, a treatment for this skin needs high compatibility without allergens, combined with potent antioxidants and soothing ingredients that effectively calm redness and irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Bisabolol and Niacinamide help soothe sensitive skin and support the moisture barrier, while Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and Ergothioneine protect against environmental stressors. A treatment for sensitive skin needs calming ingredients that reduce redness and irritation without any risk of upset, alongside gentle hydrators and antioxidants.
What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.
What does Vitamin C do for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, Vitamin C helps calm redness and evens out dark spots while improving overall skin quality and radiance. Daily use is generally well-tolerated and may help protect against environmental stress.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. A product of this type needs soothing ingredients like bisabolol and niacinamide, along with antioxidants, to calm redness and protect sensitive skin.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with a retinoid, applying this treatment after your toner and before your moisturizer in your evening routine. Using a soothing regimen alongside active treatments may help lower the likelihood of retinoid-induced skin discomfort and dryness, particularly during the first two weeks. To best care for sensitive skin, a product of this type needs calming ingredients and barrier support like bisabolol, niacinamide, and ceramides to keep the skin feeling calm and smooth.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works for your sensitive skin as an average fit, though other products fit it better. To use it safely, this skin type needs gentle soothing ingredients like bisabolol and niacinamide, along with antioxidants like tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and ergothioneine to calm redness and protect against environmental stress.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin, as its safety profile indicates a low to absent irritation risk. To better fit sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like bisabolol and niacinamide to calm redness and support the skin barrier.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A targeted skincare regimen containing active ingredients such as rhodophyceae extract, ergothioneine, and L-carnosine significantly reduced transepidermal water loss by 24.09%, improved skin elasticity, and decreased redness, dryness, and desquamation in thirty-five female Chinese participants over 4 weeks following advanced optimal pulse technology treatment.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025A 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil applied once daily decreased wrinkles by 11%, increased skin firmness by 8%, reduced redness by 70%, and improved overall skin quality and complexion in 103 female subjects over 28 to 84 days compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical formulations containing ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, coenzyme Q10, green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuated inflammatory signs compared to untreated skin and vehicle in 25 Japanese volunteers exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017Chlorogenic acid and taurine accelerated keratinocyte proliferation, upregulated tight junction proteins, modulated inflammatory cytokines, and restored barrier function in SLS-induced wounds compared to natural healing.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024Topical 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, 2019A triple combination of ergothioneine, collagen peptides, and sodium hyaluronate attenuated UV-induced skin damage ex vivo and improved facial skin hydration, elasticity, barrier function, and wrinkles in Chinese women.
Frontiers in Nutrition, 2026Ergothioneine at nanomolar concentrations ameliorated UVA-induced skin damage, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in human keratinocyte-derived HaCaT cells by upregulating Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2015Ergothioneine at submicromolar concentrations ameliorated UVA-induced skin aging in human dermal fibroblasts by inhibiting the AP-1 pathway and activating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant genes.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016Topical treatment with the synthetic SOD/catalase mimetic EUK-134 reduced lipid peroxide levels both at baseline on non-irradiated human skin and at the surface of UVA-exposed skin when applied before or after irradiation, compared to controls.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2004Topical superoxide dismutase formulations maintained physical stability and enzymatic activity for 6 months at 4 and 30 degrees C, and effectively inhibited UVB-induced skin erythema for 48 hours, whereas formulations combined with alpha-tocopherol were unstable.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2007
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Chlorogenic Acids, Niacinamide, Lauryl Lactate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Allyl Ester, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ergothioneine, Benzylidene Dimethoxydimethylindanone, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Carnosine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Grape Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract Olive Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Buddleja Officinalis Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Extract Cell Leaf Coffee Extract Cell Leaf, Crocus Sativus Extract Cell Leaf Culture, Superoxide Dismutase, Ubiquinone, Plankton Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Arginine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sea Whip Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Pca, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Wax Seed Sunflower Wax Seed, Acacia Decurrens Wax Flower, Lecithin, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Propanediol Dicaprylate Caprate, Polyglycerin-3, Ceteth-20 Phosphate, Diisostearyl Malate, Xanthan Gum, Steareth-2, Acacia Senegal Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carbomer, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dextran, Ricinoleth-40, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 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.
-
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.