Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Black Tea Extract
Honeysuckle Leaf Extract
Squalane
Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums 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 benefits for your oily skin with Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract providing antioxidant activity and potential seboregulation, though it lacks targeted ingredients for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The presence of acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 offers firming and smoothing texture, while glycerin and squalane provide general hydration.
- The product is safe for your oily skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that provides immediate hydration and a temporary plumping effect, smoothing fine lines. Many users report a pleasant sensory experience with a nice scent. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the advertised firming and lifting results are subtle or absent, leading to concerns about the product's high price point not being justified by dramatic anti-aging changes. Some users also find the dropper design to be inconvenient.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly without sticky residue”
- “layers beautifully under makeup”
- “silky consistency, not heavy or greasy”
Expensive for value Mostly Mentioned
- “too expensive for just hydration”
- “not worth the high price tag”
- “results don't justify the cost”
Hydrating and plumping Often Mentioned
- “skin feels instantly bouncy and hydrated”
- “plumps up fine lines immediately”
- “leaves face feeling soft and supple”
Lacks firming Often Mentioned
- “didn't notice any lifting or corset effect”
- “no change in jawline contour”
- “firming claims are exaggerated”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like fresh tea and flowers”
- “cooling sensation upon application”
- “luxurious spa-like scent”
Poor dropper Sometimes Noted
- “dropper doesn't pick up product well”
- “hard to get the last bit out”
- “pipette mechanism is frustrating”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, makeupalley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Firming Serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, providing antioxidants and light hydration without causing irritation, though it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. For this skin, a treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and propolis that manage excess oil and target acne while keeping the skin calm and clear.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum works reasonably well for oily skin because black tea extract and fermented yeast filtrate help control oil and provide antioxidants. To be a better fit for oily acne-prone skin, this type of product needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like niacinamide and propolis.
What does Black Tea Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Black tea extract helps calm oily, breakout-prone skin and supports overall skin health by easing inflammation and restoring a smooth surface. Topical green and black tea ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation and may reduce redness and pimples.
What does Honeysuckle Leaf Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Honeysuckle Leaf Extract helps calm angry, red pimples and balances oily skin by fighting inflammation and slowing down oil production. It is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it targets the root causes of breakouts and helps clear up the skin.
Experimental Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
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 at night for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is safe for oily skin and unlikely to cause irritation, but because it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and breakouts, oily acne-prone skin needs a product with blemish-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying your retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this treatment. This product is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but to properly manage breakouts, an oily acne-prone skin routine needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
How often should I use this serum?
You can safely use this serum in your evening routine, applying it once a day to fit your skin type. It is unlikely to cause irritation, but an average fit for your skin needs targeted ingredients to help with breakouts and blemishes.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily acne-prone skin because it is free of harsh or heavy ingredients that typically irritate or congest the skin. However, since it offers only moderate benefits, oily acne-prone skin ultimately needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components to truly keep pores clear.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, citronellol, and geraniol).
What the research says
Topical and in vitro application of a Camellia sinensis leaf extract demonstrated immunomodulatory, detoxification, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties while improving mood states, skin hydration, barrier function, rejuvenation, and facial skin health.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015A 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, 2017Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021A combination serum containing galactomyces ferment filtrate, dexpanthenol, and Centella asiatica effectively treated post-acne hyperpigmentation in subjects with colored skin by significantly increasing lightness scores in Fitzpatrick skin type V and reducing the melanin index in Fitzpatrick skin type IV compared to placebo.
Skinmed, 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 application of standardized black tea extract prior to or after UVB exposure reduced erythema, skinfold thickness, inflammation, and the accumulation of c-fos and p53 proteins in murine and human skin.
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1999Topical application of black tea gel prevented UV-induced erythema in all six subjects compared to unprotected control sites where erythema appeared after 4 hours.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Lonicera japonica and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Polyphenolic Extract (LCPE) reduces inflammation-mediating cytokines COX-2 and iNOS and inhibits NF-kB and MAPK pathways in lipopolysaccharide-induced skin keratinocytes.
Antioxidants, 2023The incorporation of blue honeysuckle powder into cosmetic face masks resulted in stable emulsions that provided proper skin hydration and altered the physical properties of the masks.
Molecules, 2021Squalane 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, 2025Cosmetic products containing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol demonstrated a faster and more pronounced soothing effect on capsaicin-induced burning compared to those containing acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester in volunteers with sensitive skin.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2016Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better
A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide 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, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Jojoba Peg-150 Esters Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Acacia Senegal Gum, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rhizobian Gum, Xanthan Gum, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Blackberry Leaf Extract, Lonicera Japonica Leaf Extract Honeysuckle Leaf Extract, Litchi Chinensis Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Peg-150, Squalane, Lecithin, Carbomer, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitol, Parfum, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Maltodextrin, Algin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-51, Adenosine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Bht, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Biotin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol
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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