Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum for combination skin
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Glycolic Acid
Tranexamic Acid
Ascorbyl GlucosideAverage
- 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
- Offers moderate treatment for uneven skin tone and texture due to niacinamide and glycolic acid, which help to brighten and smooth your combination skin by balancing oil production and refining texture.
- Provides general skincare benefits like hydration and mild exfoliation from glycerin and glycolic acid, which are supportive for your oily shine concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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 300+ reviewsThis serum is frequently praised for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that effectively targets dark spots, uneven skin tone, and fine lines. Users with various skin types report a brighter, smoother complexion with consistent use over several weeks. Some users find the price point to be high and note that results can take time, with a few experiencing issues with the packaging.
Highlights
Fast absorption Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “non-sticky”
- “sinks in fast”
Evens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “Faded dark spots”
- “more even complexion”
- “reduced discoloration”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Very light consistency”
- “not greasy”
- “feels weightless”
Brightening effect Sometimes Noted
- “Skin looks glowing”
- “more translucent”
- “noticeable radiance”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't irritate”
- “great for sensitive”
- “no stinging”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “A bit expensive”
- “budget-heavy”
- “pricey for size”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “Need more time”
- “no change yet”
- “results take weeks”
Packaging design Rarely Noted
- “Difficult to dispense”
- “applicator issues”
- “messy bottle”
Sources: lovi.care, tryandreview.com, dermstore.com, skincare.com, serumtruth.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum work for combination skin?
Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum works as an average fit for combination skin, helping to brighten uneven tone and smooth texture while supporting oily shine concerns with ingredients like glycerin and glycolic acid. Because other products fit this skin type better, a treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and propolis or zinc PCA to regulate oiliness, enhance radiance, and provide optimal hydration without causing excess oiliness or dryness.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide, glycerin, and glycolic acid make this serum a good fit by balancing oil production, providing hydration, and smoothing your skin texture. Combination skin needs products with effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA or propolis that manage oily shine and enhance radiance while keeping hydration balanced without excess oiliness.
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 Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure. Combination skin works best with products that offer moderate treatment for uneven tone and texture while balancing oil production and providing hydration.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternating nights to help prevent skin irritation, or by using retinol at night and this serum in the morning. This product of this type needs soothing ingredients and lightweight hydration to support combination skin when paired with strong actives.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this serum in your evening routine once a week to start, as exfoliating acids are best introduced gradually. If your skin feels comfortable and tolerates it well, 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, as it is safe with no harsh ingredients. However, because it contains glycolic acid, it may cause mild purging as it smooths your skin. Combination skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators and gentle exfoliants to balance oil and refine texture without clogging pores.
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, 2017Topical 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, 2005The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Vitreoscilla Ferment, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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