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Bayer Skinoren Cream 20% for combination skin

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

Bayer Skinoren Cream 20%

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even 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 excellent treatment for acne-prone skin due to the high concentration of azelaic acid, which effectively reduces acne lesions and blemishes, while glycerin provides humectant action suitable for combination skin.
  • The anti-inflammatory and keratolytic actions of azelaic acid also offer moderate benefits for controlling oily shine and improving skin texture.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin 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

★4.0Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

A significant number of reviewers note that patience is required due to a slow initial working period and common side effects like intense itching and dryness upon application.

Highlights

  • Clears active acne Mostly Mentioned
    • “Cleared cystic acne”
    • “Stopped new breakouts”
    • “Pimples disappear in days”
    • “Heals spots faster”
  • Itching and stinging Mostly Mentioned
    • “Pins and needles”
    • “Burned like fire”
    • “Itches every time”
    • “Stings for 15 mins”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “Faded red marks”
    • “Lightened acne scars”
    • “Removed hyperpigmentation”
    • “Evened skin tone”
  • Drying and flaking Often Mentioned
    • “Skin became flaky”
    • “Dried out lips”
    • “Tight chalky feeling”
    • “Caused peeling”
  • Reduces redness Sometimes Noted
    • “Less pink skin”
    • “Inflammation went down”
    • “Soothed angry spots”
  • Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin feels smoother”
    • “Reduced oiliness”
    • “Unclogged pores”
    • “Mattifies the skin”
  • Initial purging phase Sometimes Noted
    • “Worse before better”
    • “Broke out initially”
    • “More whiteheads appeared”
    • “Caused a purge”
  • Slow onset Sometimes Noted
    • “Took 4-8 weeks”
    • “Results are slow”
    • “Requires patience”
    • “Months to see difference”

Sources: lovi.care, acne.org, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, superdrug.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Skinoren Cream 20% a great fit for combination skin?

Bayer Skinoren Cream 20% is a great fit because its high concentration of azelaic acid effectively reduces acne blemishes, controls oily shine, and improves skin texture. Glycerin also helps keep combination skin balanced by providing needed moisture without heavy oils, while the formula's gentle makeup is unlikely to cause irritation.

Pharmaceutics, 2021Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

Azelaic acid makes this cream a great fit for your combination skin because it helps clear acne breakouts, control oily shine, and smooth out your skin texture. Meanwhile, glycerin adds gentle moisture that keeps your skin balanced without clogging pores, and the formula has a very safe profile that is unlikely to cause irritation.

Pharmaceutics, 2021Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

What does Azelaic Acid do for combination skin?

Azelaic acid helps combination skin by calming redness, clearing breakouts, and fading dark spots while keeping the skin smooth. It is unlikely to irritate dry areas while working on oily spots. Combination skin of this type needs a balanced routine with gentle exfoliants and soothing hydrators.

Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015

What does Benzoic Acid do for combination skin?

Benzoic acid helps keep formulas fresh and safe for daily use on combination skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used in typical cosmetic amounts, though it may occasionally trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2009International Journal of Toxicology, 2001

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Using it at night helps keep things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.

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

This cream can be used alongside retinol by applying retinol at night and this treatment at a separate time or alternating nights to prevent irritation. Combining these ingredients is unlikely to cause issues because this product has a very safe formula with gentle ingredients, but you should introduce them slowly to keep your skin calm and smooth.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a week at first and carefully increasing the frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It is very safe and is unlikely to cause irritation for your combination skin.

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

Yes, this cream may cause an initial purging phase and breakouts when you first start using it. It is unlikely to cause long-term clogs, but reviewers often mention drying, flaking, itching, and stinging on combination skin.

Pharmaceutics, 2021

Is this cream 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

  • Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021

  • Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.

    Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

  • 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 application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023

  • Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.

    Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023

  • Azelaic acid 15% gel showed comparable efficacy to adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing lesions, severity, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in women with adult acne, with significantly lower dryness and scaling, and demonstrated superiority during maintenance compared to no further treatment.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2015

  • Trioxsalen bath PUVA therapy suppressed nonimmunologic immediate contact reactions to benzoic acid and methyl nicotinate in 12 dermatologic patients, with the suppressive effect intensifying during therapy.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 1989

  • 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

Ingredients

Azelaic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cocoglycerides, Benzoic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate Malate, Cetearyl Nonanoate, Cetearyl Octanoate, Stearoyl Macrogolglycerides, Peg-30 Stearate

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

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