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Vichy LIFTACTIV for oily acne-prone skin

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

Vichy LIFTACTIV

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 moisturizing for your oily skin due to glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which provide humectant action and hydration, but lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control to address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • Ascorbic acid offers antioxidant benefits, but the overall formulation does not directly target your primary concerns of acne and oiliness.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with tocopherol providing soothing benefits and no harsh ingredients present.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users generally praise this moisturizer for its ability to hydrate and smooth mature or dry skin, often noting a visible improvement in skin radiance and firmness. While many appreciate its non-greasy finish and suitability for sensitive skin, a notable minority experiences issues with the product "pilling" under makeup or finds the fragrance too strong.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels "plump,"”
    • “"soft,"”
    • “"moisturized all day"”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “it "smooths fine lines,"”
    • “"softens wrinkles,"”
    • “"firms the skin"”
  • Brightens complexion Sometimes Noted
    • “notice a "radiant glow,"”
    • “"brighter look,"”
    • “"healthier appearance"”
  • Makeup compatibility Sometimes Noted
    • “"works well under foundation"”
    • “"great makeup base"”
  • Non-greasy feel Sometimes Noted
    • “"lightweight,"”
    • “"absorbs quickly,"”
    • “"non-sticky"”
  • Pilling under makeup Sometimes Noted
    • “the cream "rolls off skin"”
    • “"balls up"”
    • “"peels" when touched”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “the scent is "overpowering"”
    • “"too perfumed"”
    • “"smells like chemicals"”
  • Greasy residue Rarely Noted
    • “"leaves a film"”
    • “"feels heavy"”
    • “"makes face shiny"”
  • Skin irritation Rarely Noted
    • “experienced "breakouts"”
    • “"itching"”
    • “"redness"”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, lovely.com, walmart.com, vichyusa.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Vichy Liftactiv Specialist work for oily acne-prone skin?

Vichy LIFTACTIV works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, providing hydration through glycerin and hyaluronic acid while helping protect skin with vitamin C. However, it lacks sufficient ingredients for oil control and addressing breakouts. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or pro vitamin B5 to balance oil and manage acne without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid make this treatment a moderate fit for your oily skin by adding moisture, while ascorbic acid provides antioxidant benefits. Because it lacks enough ingredients to control oil and breakouts, an oily acne-prone skin needs a product with ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, or lightweight hydrators to manage blemishes and balance oil without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Vitamin C do for oily acne-prone skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out texture, and improve uneven spots for oily acne-prone skin. It may also help fade marks left behind by blemishes.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. A product of this type needs balancing ingredients that help control oil and target breakouts for this skin.

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

You can use this treatment with retinol by applying it after cleansing and before your moisturizer in your evening routine. It provides soft hydration for your skin, but oily acne-prone skin needs a product with targeted oil control and blemish-fighting ingredients.

How often should I use it?

Use this moisturizing treatment in the evening as part of your routine. This helps keep your oily skin hydrated while keeping things simple and safe around sun exposure.

Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment is unlikely to cause skin irritation or make your oily acne-prone skin worse, as it is generally safe and contains soothing ingredients. However, it offers only moderate hydration and lacks strong ingredients to control oil and breakouts, so this skin type actually needs oil-balancing and blemish-clearing ingredients to stay clear.

Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body, though it is primarily formulated for the face. The thin skin around your eyes and the skin on your body may benefit from its hydration, but a product of this type needs lightweight, soothing ingredients designed for delicate areas to ensure the best results.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol denat).

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

  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • 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

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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, 2012

  • 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

Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipropylene Glycol, Neohesperidin Dihydrochalcone, Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, 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.

  • 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

How does it fit your skin?

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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