Augustinus Bader The Serum for oily acne-prone skin

Tfc8 Trigger Factor Complex 8
Resveratrol
Squalane
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Vitamin C Derivative
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
High
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by resveratrol and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, which offer antioxidant activity and melanogenesis regulation, respectively, alongside humectant ingredients like glycerin and xylitol for hydration without greasiness.
- The presence of O-cymen-5-ol and Camellia sinensis leaf extract in concentrations that help regulate sebum and provide antioxidant protection offers relevant benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, and oiliness or shiny skin.
- The product is safe for your skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients like resveratrol and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★3.9Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers frequently praise the serum for its lightweight, milky texture that provides immediate hydration and a radiant glow, leading to smoother and plumper skin. However, a notable number of reviewers feel the long-term anti-aging benefits do not justify the very high price point.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast Mostly Mentioned
- “sinks in instantly”
- “feather-like consistency”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “no sticky residue”
Extremely high price Mostly Mentioned
- “steep price tag”
- “insanely expensive”
- “not worth the money”
- “cost a fortune”
Instant hydration & glow Often Mentioned
- “healthy glow”
- “skin feels plump”
- “instant boost of hydration”
- “glass-skin look”
Improved skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin felt noticeably firmer”
- “reduced redness”
- “extremely soft and supple”
- “texture improved”
Luxurious packaging Sometimes Noted
- “epitome of luxury”
- “display piece”
- “packaging is so luxe”
- “beautiful bottle”
Bulky packaging Sometimes Noted
- “excessive packaging”
- “big and bulky”
- “useless outer shell”
- “takes up space”
Lack of results Sometimes Noted
- “minimal results for me”
- “nothing groundbreaking”
- “didn't notice any difference”
- “just okay”
Dispensing issues Rarely Noted
- “hard to figure out”
- “fragile glass”
- “pump issues”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.uk, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, bluemercury.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Augustinus Bader The Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Augustinus Bader The Serum is a great fit because it contains resveratrol and vitamin C to protect and balance your skin, alongside glycerin and xylitol for lightweight hydration without greasiness. It is also very safe for your skin since it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components, while green tea extract and O-cymen-5-ol help regulate sebum to keep breakouts and shine under control.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because resveratrol and vitamin C provide antioxidant care, while glycerin and xylitol give hydration without any greasiness. O-cymen-5-ol and green tea extract also help regulate sebum and protect against breakouts.
What does Tfc8 do for oily acne-prone skin?
Tfc8 is unlikely to benefit oily acne-prone skin because its rich, heavy formulas tend to trap oil and clog pores. Skin of this type needs lightweight, oil-free hydrators with salicylic acid or niacinamide to clear breakouts and keep the surface smooth.
What does Resveratrol do for oily acne-prone skin?
Resveratrol helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing extra oil and keeping redness and swelling down. Daily use of this ingredient may also noticeably clear up breakouts over time.
International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2022American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2011
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are placed then for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Some of these products 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 in your evening routine, followed by your retinol. The product is unlikely to irritate oily acne-prone skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits your oily acne-prone skin very well and is used in the evening routine. Applying it then keeps things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and features soothing elements like resveratrol and vitamin C alongside light hydrators that keep skin soft without greasiness. It also includes green tea extract, which helps regulate oil.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational 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, 2017Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical treatment with a combination of pyridine-2, 4-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester and resveratrol significantly increased hair density in 79 Caucasian female subjects starting from 1.5 months compared to baseline.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020A nighttime topical antioxidant containing resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin E significantly improved fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, elasticity, laxity, hyperpigmentation, radiance, roughness, and dermal thickness in subjects with mild to moderately photodamaged skin over 12 weeks.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical 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, 2022Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.
Food & Function, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cellulose, Ethylhexyl Polyhydroxystearate, Resveratrol, Squalane, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Rice Bran Oil, Maltitol, Leontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Lecithin, Anhydroxylitol, Citric Acid, Xylitol, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Punica Granatum Extract, Sodium Phytate, Glucose, Xanthan Gum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Alanyl Glutamine, Arginine, Oligopeptide-177, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenylalanine, Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil
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
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