Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm for combination skin
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-C14
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Retinyl Palmitate
Tocopherol- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Low
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the serums alongside 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 firming and smoothing for your combination skin due to Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-C14 and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, though ingredients like Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethicone may pose risks of worsening oily shine by potentially clogging pores.
- Glycerin and Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil provide some humectant and emollient benefits, but the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control on your oily areas.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with mature or dry skin frequently praise this product for its velvety, silicone-based texture that instantly smooths fine lines and acts as an exceptional primer for concealer. While many report visible firming and improved elasticity, some reviewers find the high price point hard to justify and others experienced no significant long-term reduction in deep wrinkles.
Highlights
Silky texture Mostly Mentioned
- “feels like velvet”
- “glides on effortlessly”
- “soft silky texture”
- “not greasy”
Makeup primer Often Mentioned
- “great makeup prep”
- “concealer goes on nicer”
- “prevents concealer caking”
- “smooth base”
Expensive product Often Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “pricey”
- “investment”
- “cost prohibitive”
Firms and smooths Sometimes Noted
- “softens fine lines”
- “skin is firmer”
- “fills out wrinkles”
- “improves elasticity”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like sweets”
- “refreshing citrus scent”
- “smells lovely”
- “fruity fragrance”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “irritating to eyes”
- “caused redness”
- “sting or burn”
- “watery eyes”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “didn't notice change”
- “no dramatic results”
- “didn't help wrinkles”
- “average moisturizer”
Not hydrating Rarely Noted
- “not hydrating enough”
- “need extra moisturizer”
- “sat on top of skin”
Sources: lovi.care, dermalogica.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm a weak match for combination skin?
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm is a weak match for combination skin because ingredients like cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone may worsen oily shine by clogging pores. A treatment for combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis to regulate oiliness and provide hydration without excess oil.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for combination skin?
Cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone make this cream a weak match for combination skin because they may worsen oily shine by potentially clogging pores. A treatment for this skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and propolis to regulate oiliness and provide balance without overwhelming oily areas.
What does Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-C14 do for combination skin?
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-C14 helps smooth fine lines and improves hydration for combination skin. This ingredient supports a firmer, more elastic feel while keeping skin soft.
What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for combination skin?
Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten dark spots and evens out skin tone while providing antioxidant protection for combination skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall complexion and photodamage over several weeks of regular use.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Combination skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients for oil control to balance oily areas.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You should not use this cream with another retinol, as combining them may easily irritate your skin and worsen oily shine. A treatment of this type for combination skin needs balancing ingredients that control oil on oily areas while keeping dry patches smooth.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
How often should I use this cream?
This treatment is applied in the evening. Combination skin needs a product of this type that balances oil control with hydration while avoiding heavy silicones that may clog pores.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This cream may pose risks of worsening oily shine by potentially clogging pores in your combination skin because of ingredients like Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethicone. To better fit combination skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that provide optimal oil control.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).
What the research says
Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and retinyl propionate at a 5:9 weight ratio synergistically enhanced antiaging gene expressions in vitro and improved skin wrinkles, smoothness, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity in 42 Chinese urban women over an 8-week period without adverse reactions compared to retinol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023A topical serum containing hydroxypinacolone retinoate and peptides used twice daily for 16 weeks achieved parity or statistically significantly better improvement in facial aging parameters compared to a single fractional CO2 laser treatment in women with moderate global photodamage.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 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, 2022Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tricaprylin, Tribehenin, Glycerin, Silica, Nylon-12, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Boron Nitride, Magnesium Ascrobyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidyl Choline, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-C14, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Alba Cera, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Stearoxymethicone Dimethicone Copolymer, Dimethyl Isorbide, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oil, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Water, Limonene
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
How does it fit your skin?
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