NATURIUM Retinol Complex Serum for oily skin
Retinol
Bakuchiol
Vitamin E
Sodium Hyaluronate
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 treatment for fine lines and wrinkles due to retinol and bakuchiol, which help regulate desquamation and provide mild exfoliation suitable for your oily skin.
- While the formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and soothing, these are not directly targeted at managing oily shine.
- 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
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis serum is widely praised as a gentle, entry-level retinol that effectively smooths skin texture and improves tone without the harsh irritation often associated with retinoids. While many users with sensitive or acne-prone skin report clearer, brighter complexions, a subset of reviewers experienced significant purging, breakouts, or found the undisclosed retinol percentage frustrating.
Highlights
Improves skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “smoothens skin”
- “refines texture”
- “skin feels soft”
Gentle for beginners Often Mentioned
- “perfect formula for beginners”
- “no irritation”
- “great first retinol”
Pleasant consistency Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight texture”
- “non-greasy”
Clears acne Sometimes Noted
- “cleared up acne”
- “helped with breakouts”
- “reduced clogged pores”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “diminishes fine lines”
- “softens wrinkles”
- “plumper skin”
Purging phase Sometimes Noted
- “bad purging period”
- “caused breakouts”
- “worse before better”
Brand controversy Rarely Noted
- “sketchy launch”
- “Susan Yara controversy”
- “distrust brand ethics”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “mild redness”
- “burned my skin”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “took weeks to work”
- “slow progress”
- “needed consistent use”
Undisclosed percentage Rarely Noted
- “unknown retinol strength”
- “wish percentage was listed”
- “unclear concentration”
Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, target.com, reddit.com, spacenk.com, pickyskincare.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Naturium Retinol Complex Serum work for oily skin?
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum works moderately well for oily skin, helping smooth fine lines while feeling safe and gentle, though it lacks specific ingredients to manage excess shine. To fit oily skin best, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, and zinc PCA to control sebum production and address enlarged pores.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Retinol and bakuchiol make this serum a fit for your oily skin by helping regulate skin shedding and providing mild exfoliation. Because this product is an average fit, an oily skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and ferulic acid to control excess oil and shine.
What does Retinol do for oily skin?
Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.
What does Bakuchiol do for oily skin?
Bakuchiol helps balance oily skin by regulating sebum production and reducing inflammation with a very low likelihood of irritation. This type of skin needs ingredients that provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits to help control breakouts and keep pores clear.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine. Treatments like serums are placed in the PM for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C, but it is best to apply vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night to help prevent irritation. Because this serum has an average fit for oily skin, an ideal product for this skin type needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that actively help control excess shine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in the evening, applying it carefully at first and building up frequency as your skin adjusts. Oily skin works best with lightweight treatments that also help control shine and balance oil production.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum may cause a moderate purging phase for oily skin, but it is unlikely to cause irritation. Oily skin works best with lightweight ingredients that help control shine and balance oil production.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Alpha-tocopherol loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel provided enhanced moisturizing and anti-aging properties in human volunteers over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel increased skin deposition, stability, moisture, and mechanical properties in 13 human subjects compared to a control gel over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical 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, 2024Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Topical 5% Jucá ethanolic extract formulations in Carbopol and Astrocaryum murumuru butter improved wound retraction and fibroplasia in dermal wounds of dogs compared to a commercial ointment control.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020
Why other serums fit oily skin better
A 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, 2024Niacinamide 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, Propanediol, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Fruit Water, Retinol, Glycerin, Bakuchiol, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Humulus Lupulus Extract Cone Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Carnauba Wax, Phenoxyethanol, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Ferulate
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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