20 Best Serums For Acne Prone Skin (Jan 2023 Update)

Little to no scent, it does sting a little after applying but after checking multiple sources and many reviews, this is normal with retinol products. I have very sensitive skin so I imagine those with normal skin will not have any stinging.I dislike that CeraVe doesn’t disclose the amount of retinol percentage and instead gives a non-answer, but the tiny amount of retinol it has is indeed effective. I have REALLY uneven skin, lots of bumps from old blemishes that made hiding everything with makeup difficult. I bought this a little over three weeks ago and used it in tandem with Melano CC to lighten blemishes and it’s amazing how much has changed, my skin is nearly flat! I never thought any product could make my blemishes go away completely but I think it’s possible if I use resurfacing products for a while.For the first two weeks, I applied once daily before bumping it up to twice daily with the rest of my routine. Be prepared for a LOT of flaking at first if you had bad issues like me. After using up this bottle, I intend to change to a resurfacing product with a higher percentage of retinol!DN

I have sensitive and combination skin, parts are extremely dry and other parts are extremely oily. Many products break me out so I was hesitant to try this. After my first use I immediately noticed dry, flaky patches that begin to burn. I almost decided to stop it but thankfully I went online and did some research. After reading about retinol I learned that it's completely normal to have dry, red patches and some tingling or burning for the first week or 2. My skin was purging and becoming used to the product. I added in a non comedogenic moisturizer to help with the dryness. It has been a few weeks now of me using 2-3 times weekly and it no longer causes flakiness or burning. The red, post acne spots on my chin are already disappearing and my face is looking much healthier. I will be recommending this product to everyone who suffers from post acne spots and scarring.MandaK

I'm on my 3rd bottle of this serum. It is the only retinol I have ever used that does not burn my skin. "Resurfacing" is a great name for the effect, the application feels gentle but after a few consecutive days my skin starts flaking off like no tomorrow. Like, sheets of skin. In the first few weeks of use it dug up healed acne cysts, turned old scars bright red, and made my skin feel like a paper bag. Derma-E Vitamin C Night Cream makes for a great tag team. After healing up my skin is hydrated, bright and even and I rarely use concealer anymore. It's important to drink enough water, use moisturizer and sun protection with retinol, and to exfoliate gently and frequently. And don't ever ever put this on your lips lolLyz

i’ve struggled with acne since my preteen years (i’m in my late twenties now). always had those pesky acne flare ups especially close to that time of the month! i’ve tried a lot of different products to help with my acne, but none that really blew me away until THIS came along! i didn’t really have any expectations, but when i consistently used the probiotic acne serum every evening as part of my skin routine, i DEFINITELY saw improvements in my skin! usually i feel like i just have to deal with the acne sitting on my face, but it’s like this amazing product would magically stop the zits in their tracks and make them vanish! what really amazes me is that it’s really gentle on the skin compared to other products, but get the job done so well nonetheless. while i know healthy skin starts from within & doesn’t just come from the external products you put on your face, this wonderful serum is definitely worth adding to your line up because it actually works! def gonna be buying this over & over again! 🙂Jamie A.

I have never found something this amazing that gets rid of my acne without destroying my skin in the process. over the years I've spent an insane amount of money on products that "promised" my skin would be ance free, only to leave my face peeling and worse than before (i bet many of you can agree with this). I came across this cocokind product while shopping at my local target, and fell in love with the natural ingredients and the fact that it was a serum (i have very dry skin). when I first started using the product I had a small breakout on my forehead, and within a week it was gone!!! I've been using this product for about a month now and my skin has never looked this good. it's glowing, incredibly hydrated with no acne insight. I will definitely be buying this again and recommending it to all my friends. don't hesitate to buy this serum it will seriously change your skincare game for the better!!Alexa D.

I noticed a change in my skin within one overnight use, my mind is blown. I typically have dry skin, but I get small white heads sometimes on my nose. I washed my face with the AHA hibiscus gel, toned with the raspberry vinegar, and then applied two 4 drop layers of this serum focusing on my nose. I waited for it to dry down and then patted some RPC cream over everything. I woke up the next morning with the whiteheads gone and absolutely no redness, only small non-noticable bumps where they used to be. I'm going to continue to use this product like an overnight treatment and use SPF liberally the next morning. Highly recommend, even for dry skin!Tori

I have to say the reviews surprised me. I've been using this serum with my routine for 3 weeks now and can only say good things. My skin is very dry and dehydrated. I'm in my 40s with some old sun damage and fine lines and my goal was to help heal my pregnancy melasma and help texture and lines. I use a korean essense first, followed by this niacinamide serum, vitamin c serum, a moisturizing ceramide toner and a moisturizing sunscreen every day and use a peptide-cerimide mousurizer unstead of sunscreen at night. The only thing I changed 3 weeks ago was switching out my old hyaluronic acid serum for this product. My skin is glowing. Im noticing a slow decrease in the extra texture and "patchiness" and keep getting complimented by friends who see it too. I saw a change after my 2nd time.

I layer a lot of products, although I mist between layers to help it soak in. Im my case I need all that moisture, and for my dry middle aged skin this has been great. Reading the reviews though I wont be trying it on my boyfriend who has rosacea… Eek!Tara Klang

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus 2% Zinc helps improve uneven skin tone, minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, skin texture, and fine lines while balancing excess oil production. Key Ingredients: – Niacinamide a stable form of Vitamin B that helps overall skin improvements including the fading of dark spots and smoothing of skin texture – Zinc PCA redness and irritation in addition to excess shine and oiliness. It’s also an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial – Glycerin replenishes and restores the skin by drawing and locking in moisture The texture is a creamy gel that is lightweight. It does absorb fast but leaves a tackiness behind once it has. This serum leaves my skin feeling hydrated, has reduced redness in my cheeks slightly, and overtime I have noticed my pores are smaller in appearance. I would recommend for all skin types. PROS: – Doesn’t Irritate my skin – Leaves skin feeling hydrated – Reduced redness in cheeks – Overtime I noticed a difference in my pores – Skin is noticeably brighter – Helped to unclog pores CONS: – Feels tacky on skin after it absorbscourtney.h

I too have fallen for the Niacinamide fad that had happened on Insta and have tried my share of different Niacinamide serums. The @naturium serum is by far my favorite stand alone Niacinamide product. It checks off everything in the box, high percentage, formulated with Zinc, works well with layering. It shows a visible difference in my skin when used consistently. The other ingredients include, Propanediol, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Vitamin E, by and Sodium Hyaluronate. Zinc is supposedly an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and regulates oil. It also shows to protect and aid in wound healing and regeneration. This is why Zinc Oxide is so often found in high performing sunscreens, as it can reflect the sun and it creates a barrier between the skin and any damaging UV rays. The serum feels hydrating, non-sticky, and has very light creamy/gel texture. The serum absorbs into the skin nicely and helps reduce some of my dark spots and provides a nice glow. It also helps with reducing the redness in my cheeks, and my overall appearance of my skin has improved. #skincare #skincarecommunity #beauty #antiaging #antiagingskincare #wrinkles #menskin #menskincare #selfcare #skincareproducts #skincareblogger #reviewsmatter #skincarejunkie #skincareaddict #mensbeauty #proaging #skinblog #productreview #discoverunder2k #serum #selfcare #instaskin #instatester #naturium #skincareserum #niacinamidelandon.g

I have had acne-prone skin for as long as I can remember. Thankfully, I never broke out severely, but every month I get one or two pimples that pop up. Oh, and please let’s not even begin to talk about the acne I get when I’m stressed. As a beauty expert for over 20 years in places that include Macy’s and Sephora, I have tried numerous products and programs to try to keep those breakouts under wraps. And while finally developing a great skincare routine has definitely helped, I still get hormonal breakouts. Enter: Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum. This magic potion includes some amazing ingredients like Willow Bark Extract, Zinc, Niacinamide and caffeine. White Willow Bark is a natural BHA that gently exfoliates. Zinc is an antioxidant that helps prevent acne, as well as fight and prevent free radicals and environmental damage. Niacinamide is notorious for brightening the skin and making it appear more youthful, while also being an anti-inflammatory property that helps fight future breakouts. I’ve been using this, faithfully, twice a day, every day. After washing my face (or rinsing in the AM) and then toning, I squeeze a dropper-full into my hands, rubs them together and then press the serum into the skin on my face and neck. I love that Versed is cruelty free- something that is very near and dear to my heart. I also love their packaging. Their label creates a very classic, sophisticated look to all of their packaging. Plus, they are vegan, sulfate free, paraben free and non-toxic. They are truly “clean”. I’ve been using this for a few weeks and I definitely notice a difference in my skin, so this will most definitely be a permanent step in my skincare routine.kimberlynicole

As a licensed esthetician, my daily beauty routine is important to me. Keeping my skin as clear and healthy as possible is a passion for me. However, I have ADHD along with other mental health struggles that make skincare difficult at times. That’s where this serum comes in for me. I don’t typically have problematic skin, but I definitely notice when the consistency of my skincare routines is lacking. Over the past month of trying out this serum, it’s become my go-to “fix” for when I end up skipping a routine or two (or three.) Rather than beating myself up over falling behind, I use those moments for extra selfcare. Slathering this clarifying serum on and letting it soak in before my moisturizer has become my saving grace. With one use my skin feels soothed, and I’ll use it a few more times before my skin feels back to normal. I’ve been fortunate to try out several Versed products through BeautyTap, and this is yet another great one I’m happy to add to my skincare arsenal.nicolethersa

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this product has completely transformed my skin. Since I was a teenager, I would suffer from acne and redness, mostly lots of small bumps (closed comedones) all over my forehead and around my nose. I've tried all sorts of products – lots of strong, drying cleansers, topical treatments, various exfoliators, but honestly just accepted that my skin wouldn't budge. After a few weeks of using this serum, my acne was significantly better. I've used this product twice a day for over a year, and I rarely get acne now, only small red splotches that often vanish overnight. My typical routine now is super simple and basically the same 2x a day; just the Cerave renewing SA cleanser, this TO Niacinamide, then a moisturizer & spf in the AM. I try to exfoliate twice a week, but even in weeks where I fall off this habit, my skin stays clear thanks to this serum. I almost never write reviews for products, but am writing this now so anyone with similar skin issues to me can give this serum a try! I had never tried other niacinamide products before this, so I imagine other niacinamide solutions would also work well for me – but this TO serum is so affordable, I don't plan on trying anything else any time soon.Jess

This serum has been an almost-miracle product for my sensitive, redness-prone, blemish-prone skin. My only qualm with it is that it SERIOUSLY STINGS if you apply it to any active breakouts or broken skin. My skin was in seriously terrible condition due to a Lupus flare and hormonal acne, but after everything healed, I have been able to use this without irritation, following it with the Hyaluronic Acid/B5 serum, Pycnogenol, and Marula Oil (or moisturizing factor lotion). It really has transformed the texture of my skin, to a more noticeable degree than most of The Ordinary's other products (besides the Alpha Lipoic Acid serum, which I miss so much). My pores are refined, especially on my forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks on either side of my nose. Once prone to being easily-inflamed, sensitive areas of my face are no longer red, and now look more smooth. Oily patches, especially my nose, are less-oily. I have fewer clogged pores and blackheads, and less blemishes from irritation. I purchased the 2oz bottle from The Ordinary's website, since I apply this to my chest, upper arms, and back as well, as I sometimes have breakouts from malassezia. It also quickly fades the purple/red post-blemish marks on my very fair skin. It does make my skin feel drier and tight if I don't moisturize thoroughly afterwards, especially during this part of the winter, so keep that in mind. The price also makes it easier to use it liberally where ever I need it. Other than the stinging, it's a fantastic serum for my very high-maintenance, 30-year-old skin.arh

I heard amazing things about this product and did some digging into all the great benefits niacinamide and zinc have for the skin, and it seemed like it would help target my main skin concerns! I was aware of the possibility that I may experience purging and that some people can have allergic reactions but it's incredibly rare to the point where many dermatologists will assume its not an allergy to niacinamide, rather another ingredient present in the product that the person reacted to. I knew niacinamide was meant to help with the skin barrier as well as brightening and texture improvement, all things I struggle with. I did a bit more digging and noticed that the tested amounts shown to be effective and safe for the skin range between 2-5%. To be clear, I'm not saying 10% is bad or dangerous, it's just not as tried and true as that 2-5% range that's been studied many times. Like all new products, I did a 48 hour patch test on my arm as directed by The Ordinary's guidelines, and had no issues. Before starting my routine I used their (very helpful!) resource for when and how often to use specific products and to only introduce one new product at a time to prevent irritation/negative effects. What I'm a little upset about, is the lack of easily accessible information about how this product can cause irritation (among other negative effects) for people with non-oily skin. After about a week of use (3 drops for face and neck), my cheeks became hard like rough leather… I also felt a burning sensation after each use, but really wanted to give it a chance and went back to the basics (cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen) and I still had issues and my skin continued to harden and dry up. I was frustrated and confused because I couldn't find answers as to why I was having such a strange reaction anytime I used this product. Eventually, after much digging, I discovered that this should not be used by those with dry skin, especially at such a high concentration of 10%. I still stand by niacinamide and zinc as skincare ingredients, they are excellent for your skins health and have really helped many people in their skincare journey. This can be a great option for those struggling with acne prone skin and textural irregularities (if you have an oilier skin type). I'm here because I don't want other people with similar skin types to mine to buy this and feel lost or confused if they have a bad reaction. It's not that your skin is being ridiculous or difficult, it just may be that the concentration is too high, or that niacinamide may not be something you use as an active/solo-ingredient in your daily/weekly skincare routine. I challenge The Ordinary to include a section under this product outlining that if you have dry skin, that this product may cause issues, or better yet, offer a niacinamide product formulated for people with dry and/or sensitive skin to increase inclusivity. All in all, I hope whoever chooses to read this lengthy review, that you feel more informed and empowered to make a confident decision for yourself. By no means do I dislike The Ordinary, I LOVE all the other products I have from them! I just wish I had been advised about the potential issues if you don't have more of an oily/combo skin type.MMB

This product line was recommended to me by my esthetician. I was initially very weary about trying a new serum! I had a pretty rough case of perioral dermatitis last year and have since been VERY cautious with what I apply on my face. I have had absolutely zero issues with this serum and noticed dramatic results after just my first bottle! It helps with any skin inflammation and has completely transformed my tone and texture. My skin looks so much smoother and radiant! I use this at night after my cleanser. I leave my face slightly damp and one pump applies nicely to both my face and neck. It feels a little sticky but absorbs quickly. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a gentle retinal!RC

As I've mentioned in my other reviews, this product line was recommended to me by my esthetician. All of the Osmosis products and serums have seriously transformed my skin. This is my first bottle of Correct – (as I eased into the retinals with Calm first). I have had no issues since using Correct and my skin looks so radiant after a few weeks. I use this after my cleanser and one pump is enough for my face/neck. Others have commented on the stickiness, but I find damp hands or a damp face does the trick! Definitely recommend if you're looking to step up your retinal game!RC

This serum is absolutely amazing. I've been using it a few times a week for about 3 weeks now, and honestly my skin has changed so much! It used to be dry, patchy and dull and now it is incredibly smooth and radiant. I've tried so many skin care products but Artnaturals are by far the best I've ever tried. I’m a bit disappointed because it arrived so late.Sandra

I have used a couple of Glycolic Acid products and this is my favorite. The dropper applicator makes it easy to use. The product is thick without being sticky. I have been using for 1 week at night (and using the hyaluronic acid serum in the morning) and have seen a great improvement in my skin texture and brightness. My pores are smaller and my skin is smooth and bright. The number of blackheads and whiteheads visibly reduced. I have sensitive skin, I have not had any redness, burning or other negative side effects.AgingGracefully

I cannot tell you enough how effective this serum has been in just five days. I'm a skincare junkie and love to test out all sorts of products, but this one honestly is the fastest acting serum at a reasonable price that helped smoothen my skin tone and lightened my dark spots from sun damage. I’ll be getting more of this serum.Essie

I am 35 years old with combination-dry skin. I've suffered acne, whiteheads, blackheads, closed comedones, congestion, large clogged pores, and rosacea for MOST of my life…. 2/3 of it. At the start of this year (2022) I committed to really getting to the bottom of my skincare concerns, as I can't remember the last time I felt confident about my skin. I've hid behind makeup, filters, and hair for as long as I can remember, but I was tired of it. After weeks of doing some research, I landed on THIS. I chose it over the Original 2% Solution as A) the new one wasn't out yet, and B) I figured this would be a gentler introduction into SA products, anyway. I was also careful to consider what types of products I was already using, or willing to replace with this, by studying contraindications, reviews, and possible side effects thoroughly, and also limited my product-usage to the bare necessities. My routine: Cleanser — Riversol Toner — Glow Recipe Serum/Treatment — this Moisturizer — Riversol I had read many reviews so I knew to expect an oil-y product, but I had never used squalane before. So upon initial application I was actually surprised that it tended to just sit atop my skin, just as reviewers had commented. But, seeing as I suffer tight/dry areas on the face, I didn't mind. I just started applying it in the PM a good couple hours before putting head to pillow. And, regardless of the moisturizing benefits of squalane, I ALWAYS followed with moisturizer, which helps keep it all locked in. Within the first week I was awe-struck at how amazing my complexion appeared. Each morning I'd wake up to supple, hydrated, and just glowing skin. And I was thrilled. Never once did I experience any irritation, though some mornings my face would feel tighter than others (hence why the moisturizer is needed, and nothing a good AM routine couldn't fix.) By Week 2, the dreaded purge began. And at first I was caught off guard, discouraged even — before quickly remembering this is a common process when using Salicylic Acid, so I pushed on. For another 2-3 weeks. Around this time I noticed that the product and its squalane base started absorbing into my skin much quicker — about half the amount of time — and, thus, seemed to start working better or faster. By mid-Week 3, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as my skin-tone had become so much more even, my face was better hydrated and moisturized than it had ever been, and my acne blemishes and acne spots were starting to fade away. On Day 27 and Day 28 my face decided to throw out a couple new pimples, including 2 blind ones, but this is also when I started incorporating a spin brush (Clarisonic knockoff from Amazon) into my PM routine. It is my belief that doing so has increased the efficacy of this product and ALL skincare products that I use, and which may have seemingly gave my Anhydrous SA Solution a boost to work overtime and banish those last few zits … over night. Even the blind pimples which never surfaced. On Day 30 I woke up to the most beautiful skin I'd ever experienced since my childhood — and shed literal tears of joy because of it. For the FIRST time in 23 years, I was PROUD of my skin. So proud, that when my husband and I were having a little date night that same day, I went out without makeup (foundation or powder) on for the first time since I was probably a teenager. My skin looked so amazing my husband initially thought I was wearing foundation, until he got up right close to me to study me, and realized I wasn't joking. He was so thrilled, himself, as we've been together 13 years, and thus he knows how much of a struggle and insecurity my complexion has been for me. Needless to say, this product has changed my life. As of today, Day 34, I have no active breakouts — but a singular stubborn closed comedone, which I'm not even mad about. And while it's important to note that every one's skin is different and will react differently to different products, I do truly believe that many of the negative experiences from this product could be over come with time and patience. Yes, the squalane is initially uncomfortable — but not only does the skin adapt, with consistent use our skin will absorb it more readily as well. I also noticed that my oilier T-Zone has become more normalized since using this. To the point I don't feel I suffer oily areas anymore. Instead, the squalane has merely upped my moisture game and gifted me a stronger moisture barrier — giving me a glow rather than a sheen. Yes, your face will likely purge from this product — but the ultimate outcome is so worth it in the end if you can push through it. Also remember to be consistent. I've never skipped a single day of AM or PM routine. I used this every PM, after I patch tested to assure it'd be okay for my skin. I don't use in the AM as I use that time to apply anti-aging serums or Niacinamide, but other than that, I am consistent. Ritualistic even. And while I'm still eCEM

As a preface, I realize lot of people struggle with skin because they do not understand it. TO has 2 options- water based & this is oil based. Water & oil do not mix, right? Many falsely still believe that you don't moisturize oily skin🤦‍♀️ or to avoid oil. Since water and oil don't mix… oil helps oily/acne skin even more! Because it's the only thing that will penetrate oil! Hello! The only people who complain about this product are people who still haven't figured out skin and don't understand that. No this product isn't meant to be used under makeup, etc & that's okay. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have its place- you have to actually understand skin, this product, etc. This is a wonderful safer/more studied alternative to tea tree oil for oily skin. It's meant to be oily lol. Oil mixes better with oil- not water! Basic chemical principle. This is for use at night before you go to sleep- and wooweee ! Lol, it will help clear up your skin while your skin goes into overdrive work while you're asleep. Think of the "slugging" trend- many of us already knew about oiling before "slugging" went TikTok viral and this would be a perfect product for it for oily/acne people vs Vaseline, since Vaseline isn't acne friendly. The people who give it low stars just don't understand it & it would help them to check out a chemistry 101 class. But as they say the girls that get it, GET IT! Thank you @theordinary this is an amazing product!!Angie

So I bought this product to use in combination with the glycolic acid to help decongest my pores over my nose as I have large pores. And I follow up with HA, then the Niacinamide, and then the retinoid 2% serum. I started my journey w their products almost a month ago and just recently added this salicylic acid and the retinoid serum to my routine as I loved how my skin was looking and being controlled (very oily skin) but needed to clear my pores better. This product is so oily even though it's oil free- I didn't didn't use ONE drop and it spread across my entire nose and chin and has been sitting to "dry" for well over 30 minutes and still hasn't sunk into my skin enough to apply my other serums and appears and feels very wet still . I'm highly unimpressed and disappointed. From what I've read, the original serum formulation was the BOMB, and I look forward to trying that one if it ever comes back since this doesn't burn my skin like any other salicylic acid wash or cleanser usually does. I will absolutely he returning this product im so disappointed because i have severely oily skin and the other products have helped me so much and this is not what I was expecting it to be. I love my serums and just can't justify giving them up and ruining my skin for this one exfoliating solution. I'll be much happier when the original serum comes back. If you don't like products that go on and sit on your skin like oil that never dries I dont recommend buying this.Heather

It’s a decent product but if I noticed my skin. It hasn’t done something special that I would love. I mean it’s not bad, but it’s consistency is just like water and 1% oil with a lot of tea tree. If your skin is sensitive like mine, I wouldn’t refer this as it burns when you apply it. I always mix it with toner so it won’t burn. But the fact it’s CND $25. I think even ordinary’S lactic acid 5% is same way but better if you want to use something for acne or buy the pure tea tree oil from there and use as a spot treatment would rather be better.sophi.v

If you haven't already added this to your skincare routine start ASAP. It's a must in mine! This is such a great product. My skin is looking flawless and I don't get the usual breakouts I used to. I'm not as oily as well. Which excess oils can cause breakout. I use it in the morning/night after washing my face before applying moisturizer. You can even use this to rehydrate your makeup if it becomes a little dry. In example I'll use it on my brow pomade so it gives it a darker silky look. This is hands down my absolute need in my skincare. I kid you not. However if you're unsure just test it out and see how it works for you. They have different sizes available at different prices. I decided to buy the big one because I ran out of the little one and I was suffering waiting for this guy to come in. My skin was not happy and broke out. That's how I knew this product keeps the skin looking great and feeling great!Sofia

I randomly picked this up two weeks ago because my skin had been a little dry which isn’t normal for me. I am in LOVE. I don’t think I’ve had a pimple since, my skin is so even (no dry patches) and I feel like my skin tone is more even too. It isn’t overly moisturizing. At first I thought it would be a little sticky but after 3 seconds if was dry and super soft. I’ll definitely be buying this again when I’m out!Em

This serum does what it says it does; gets rid of skin congestion! I was already using other serums and acne meds, but since I got this I’ve only used it and just my moisturizer after. My skin is noticeably calmer looking. The overall texture has improved greatly. I it is super AMAZING.Diane

Since getting older, I have struggled with my skin not being like it once was. My face now has some redness, uneven skin tone, roughness, and it just looks so dull. When it comes to facial products, it's hard for me to find one that works and won't make my face oiler or break me out. This serum has helped me out so much. My face looks so much healthier and bright and it feels so smooth now. It is very easy to apply and absorbs really good.Janet

Love it. Love it. It works great on my skin. I have couple acnes ( little scurs) on my face, plus it had a red color. So I started my treatment with this product and I must to say "IT WORKS. YES, IT WORKS 100%" Using this product for a few months, I've noticed a bug difference "BEFORE and AFTER". Unfortunately, doesn't have a picture, to prove it. But believe,me it will clen and renew your skin where it needed. It renews skin and makes acne spots less visible. Highly recommend this product. Also, it works great against of redness on you face. This product doesn't have any bad scent and absorbs super fast without any grease on your skin.Olga Evlanova

Axis-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum works to correct dark spots and improve uneven skin tone while retaining moisture to keep your skin glowing and healthy. Key Ingredients: – Niacinamide (5%) delivers overall skin improvements including the fading of dark spots and smoothing of skin texture – Papaya Fruit Extract contains anti-inflammatory properties and brightens skin by removing dead skin cells – Squalane adds weightless hydration to the skin – Rice Bran works to purify, smooth and brighten the skin – Sea Buckthorn helps brighten skin and reduce dark spots – Allantoin soothes and calms skin, encourages cell regeneration – Calendula works to speed the healing of blemishes and scars Texture/Scent: – Lightweight gel, serum-like. Fragrance free. I have been using 2-3 pumps in both my AM and PM routine and have had no issues of irritation, even when used with other actives. It absorbs quickly and does not leave behind a sticky or greasy residue behind. Consistency is key with this serum. This is a great serum if you have acne prone skin as it has helped heal my occasional hormonal acne quickly. After a month my complexion has looked less dull with my skin texture feeling more smooth. Around month 2 my tone appeared to be more even and balances and dark spots/hyperpigmentation began to visibly fade. I love the packaging, the tube with a pump make it easy to use. I find this to be gentle enough for all skin types to use and definitely recommend giving it a try! PROS: ✅ Doesn’t irritate skin or cause breakouts ✅ Lightweight and absorbs well into the skin ✅ No sticky/greasy residue left behind on skin ✅ Complexion is visibly brighter ✅ Tone is more even and balanced ✅ W/ consistent use dark spots begin to fade ✅ Heals breakouts and scars quickly ✅ Skin texture is more smooth ✅ Works well with actives in my routine CONS: ❌ None. I love this serum.courtney .h

I've been struggling with acne and mainly acne scars for about 3 years now. I've tried different kinds of medication, different kinds of skincare products and so many other methods, and nothing worked. I wouldn't say this magically cleared my skin up, but it did help my acne scars fade a lot more. I saw the dermatologist at the beginning of the pictures, and somehow it made my skin worse and hurt a lot. I decided to stop seeing the dermatologist and started using this instead. I can't say that this would work for everyone because everyone's skin is different. But, this worked really well for me and I'm really I bought it. I really recommend it!Jessie

let me start by saying I've had a very troubled skin since i was a kid which leaves me with very scarred face, full of red, purple and brown marks which take months or years to fade (despite using various products, hydrating cleansing exfoliating, you name it). I have been religiously using this serum every day (once or twice a day, it depends) for two weeks now and oh boy, it works wonders! My dark ugly marks are starting to fade and new ones appear less agitated and heal much faster than they used to. My skin tone is evening out and i don't really remember my complexion looking this bright and healthy! I haven't even used a half of it but I'm already repurchasing it because wow, it's simply amazing!!Joanna

I've been dealing with adult hormonal acne for awhile now but everything I try to clear it up makes my skin so dry and sensitive, I can't use it long enough for it to work. Decided to give this a try and am so glad I did. I've been using for over a month now and it's definitely working. I don't use it every night cause I rotate it every other night with my retinA, and while my acne is not all gone yet, I see a noticeable difference when I wake up the next morning after using it the night before. Any acne I had the night before is reduced in size, swelling, and redness. I'm tempted to stop using my retinA and use this every night to kick the acne faster but hate to stop the retinA for the anti-aging benefits. Also, and this is HUGE for me, I do not have any sensitivity from this product. No dryness. No sensitivity. Nothing. It's been SO good!! I've already bought a second bottle so I make sure I have it on hand when my first runs out.Katie F.

I had pretty bad adult hormonal acne along my cheeks but nothing worked! I spent thousands of dollars trying new products going to the dermatologist but nothing worked. Then I tried this stuff and let me tell you it’s the only thing that’s helped. Make sure to stick with it! I’d say it took around 6-8 months of using these products to clear up my acne. I still have a little scarring and if I don’t use this for a few days (like when I get a spray tan because it will make it come off) my acne starts to come back. I also used the greeni mask at ultra a few days a week before applying these products. That combo worked really well for my skin. Would highly recommend!Samantha H.

I love this product. After my purging phase I am more clear than I have been my whole life. I wish I had found this product sooner! I love the stinging sensation, feeling it attacking any spots before they even become a problem. You can really feel it working. Don't worry- it's a gentle sting like how you would feel while getting a professional facial and dissipates within moments. I generally use it at night but will also spot treat in the morning. Be sure to introduce it slowly and have a good DRMTLGY moisturizer on hand so you don't dry out!Amelia E.

I hate to give this a 1 star because it actually works. It doesn’t break my skin out or burn, and it actually evened out my skin tone and made it smoother. Why the negative review then? I can not in all good conscience recommended this to anyone I know or a stranger because the price per portion is absolutely insane. $24 for 0.5oz?!! That’s ridiculous, and the larger one is even a higher mark up. The Ordinary makes an equally great one for 1.0oz and it’s like $16. Change the price or make it bigger. Until then I will not be repurchasing or recommending.Heather

I read reviews before purchasing this product and read that it smelled awful, but I thought it couldn’t possibly be that bad. No, it’s terrible. So bad that the first time applying it I nearly threw up about 3 times with it sitting on my face. HOWEVER, the applications after the first weren’t bad at all and I was used to it. I promise after the first run it’s not bad and it’s completely worth your time. This product makes my skin glow for real. I’ve only experienced a very small purge that was literally nothing compared to how my face reacts to other skincare products typically. I could see a difference after a few days of application twice a day and my skin is already looking so smooth and more even toned. Blemishes that were an issue before starting the serum are almost nothing now and i’m genuinely more confident in my skin!!Spencer W.

First the packaging is very cathy because of the light blue boxing and labels. This is a different type of drops bottle that I've seen before. Very wide enough for more product. And made of glass. Directions were well easy to understand as well as the ingredients etc. The dropper is made of glass as well and holds a lot of product when using. I apply this serum twice a week in my morning and night skincare routine after cleaningand toner. The scent is very very much citrus and just like squeezed oranges. The texture is runny so be careful! But thickens up a bit when rubbed in. Glides on pretty well and not too oily. I would recommend using sparsely you don't want to be super moisturized. You can definitely notice right away the moisture from this serum. My skin feels very hydrated, soft and breathable. No hars scents, over drying, oiliness nor breakouts. I have hopes to notice my dark spots disappearing soon but we shall see in due time. Overall, I believe this serum can be a game changer for me. It works for my sensitive, oily, dark spots and aging skin. And it isn't irritating.ashiah.w

I am a 42-year-old who just recently started battling acne for the first time ever; on top of that, my skin is aging, so I feel like I am battling two things at once. My friends call me "crunchy" since I prefer to use organic brands like Juice Beauty or Andalou Naturals, but my usual go-to acne products were not helping my most recent flare-up of pimples. I decided to ignore ingredients for once and try something new and I was pleasantly surprised to find a product that tackles both fine lines and acne at the same time. I bought it without batting an eye, despite the hefty price tag. The first night I used it, it did seem to help with acne and my skin felt like oily than it had; however, I did notice my skin seemed red and agitated. It was not anything awful like breaking out in a rash or hives, just not happy skin. After my third or fourth night of use, I noticed that it was having an effect on a mole I have had for at least 10 years. Y'all, I'm not even lying, but this product destroyed my mole. Now, I was not emotionally attached to this mole, but my mole never hurt anyone and it was fine just sitting there on my face. This product killed it — it was like it ate it off of my skin. Yes, I know that sounds disgusting, but that's literally what happened. After the 4th time and me noticing my mole dying, I stopped using the product altogether. It was too late to save my mole. (RIP mole) While I want something to kill my acne, I think it's a little too strong if it can do that to a perfectly fine mole. IDK. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I have never had a face product do that before. It should be noted that I do tend to have sensitive skin, so others may not experience the issues I did. I am attaching a picture of the current status of my skin where the mole WAS.Beach Hippy

I am 45. I have had moderate acne all of my life. I now have fine lines. This product has changed my life. I figured out I was not getting all my makeup off washing my face, after I began vigorously using Neutrogena face wipes. That settled down the acne, but this product put the acne TO REST. I use it in the night and morning. The best thing is that it has eliminated a lot of my undereye fine lines, and the fine lines around my mouth. I will never not have this!!!!! Buy it now!!! It takes about a month for you to see results. Be patient!Jennifer

I bought this product because I get acne here and there and have mild acne scars that I was hoping this product would help eliminate. I have used this product twice daily and everyday as instructed. I have been patient to even give it some time to work. My acne had gotten worse and left darker marks that do not seem to disappear with this product. I feel like this product does nothing but clogs my pores. I was hoping to find a solution to a clear and acne- free face, BUT this project has definitely disappointed me.Tina17

At first I was worried about this product because there are no clear indications of the concentration of these ingredients. I wanted something with vitamin C but I would prefer a higher, clearly stated concentration. I decided to use this on my chest and back and it made su a difference in my incidence of breakouts and inflammation! My skink is so much smoother and I don’t get breakouts anymore! I think this is a sneaky good product and worth trying if you’re considering it!caroline.s

I'm not sure what happened here. I currently use their vit C as well as their cleanser and enjoy both. While I haven't seen any difference with their vit C, it sinks into my skin nicely and causes no irritation. I've also used countless other vit C and haven't seen any drastic difference so maybe my skin just isn't a fan of vit C. Their cleanser is awesome and I'll repurchase that. As for this product, the superserum, I think I got a bad bottle. For one, I truly wish Naturium would provide clear bottles. These bottles are a bit heavier than most glass bottles that skincare comes in which makes it hard to tell when you are almost finished with the product, which is very annoying. But the main reason I dislike this product is that every time I try to use the product hardly none comes out. Maybe I have a bad dropper, but since it is a thicker consistency I've been forced to literally just try and pour on my hands. Even doing that, the product only lasted like 2 weeks which makes me think I wasn't given nearly enough. The dropper for Vit C works great and it is a lot like the superserum consistency so I'm really dumbfounded what is going on. ps, niacinamide is a great product too, best niacinamide I've used, but I have NO CLUE when I'll be finished because it isn't in a clear bottle.Adam

I bought this with the retinol complex serum, which I began using first, then had the worst skin reaction of my life. So it took me a good month before I got the courage to attempt this serum. I asked Naturium whether I should even try this one after the fiasco with the retinol serum and they said I should give it a try. I did, and I'm glad I did. I was using it at night, and when my skin healed enough to add in a different retinol product (granactive retinol by a different brand, recommended by Gothamista a couple years ago at the beginning of her retinol journey), I was alternating 2 nights with the granactive retinol and 3 nights with the vitamin C. I decided mixing actives in the same routine was not a good idea for my sensitive skin. A few weeks ago I began moving this to the morning routine (I wasn't using an active in the morning at all), and I think that's when I started seeing real, perceptible results. My hyperpigmentation seems about the same, but overall, my skin appears more refined and brighter. I did also add in a heavier water cream sleeping mask at night, so maybe the combo of that and the vitamin C in the morning is really helping. Or, it could be that I'm now using a vitamin C serum daily by moving it to the morning routine, and I can also use my granactive retinol more than 4 nights a week. Overall, I am happy with this vitamin C serum, My sensitive skin accepts it, and it seems to have some visible results before I finish the first bottle. There's another vitamin C serum I want to try, but this is def. going on my re-purchase list.G.H.

I am on my sixth or seventh bottle of Auto-Save. This serum is an absolute God send! It’s a creamy, but very lightweight texture. It almost has a slight cooling effect on my skin which feels amazing. I don’t know why others don’t like the smell, but I absolutely love the smell. It’s so warm and cozy to me. This serum has made my skin look absolutely flawless. The slight fine lines my forehead once had are now almost entirely vanished. My skin has never looked and felt so smooth. I get compliments all the time on how smooth and glowy my skin looks and I owe it all to Versed. If I use this in the AM, I love to pair it with skin soak. If I use this in the PM, I love to pair it with recovery mode. Both are perfect duos. My skin looks so smooth and healthy. I even get a little lifting effect from this serum which is a huge plus! I have very sensitive skin and this serum didn’t give me any trouble at all. I can’t recommend this product enough!Katielise

I’ve been using this for a week and here are my thoughts. Yeah it smells weird. To me the bacon bits smell people describe tips towards cloves. I first thought cloves but I can see the meat comparison. For me it fades when I apply sunscreen. So I don’t mind it. The results: I think it works. I did have tingling and light irritation the first time I used it, which is normal with my sensitive skin. But by the third time I didn’t notice much but a little redness, which I get applying almost anything. I follow it up with soothing moisturizers and it’s fine. At the end of the week I noticed my skin did look smoothed and glowy. It also feel softer. I can see that it will probably do a lot for texture and firmness and will continue using it. This seemed to replace On the Rise, which I liked. I think this might have better texture and results. If it didn’t smell so weird it might be a big hit.Bean2020

Yes, it does have a smell. It's the acid I would assume. Smells bad- like something smoky but does dissipate after awhile, it's noticeable but doesn't bother me much. The results are worth it. For the price, ingredients, results, it's a great find at the drug store. It definitely resurfaces (very gently yet effectively) brightens my skin and overall gives a nice glow. Doesn't feel sticky or yuck like most serums do, the consistency is like a watered down lotion. IMO it acts like a super gentle non irritating retinol. Not saying it's the same as retinol- similar results tho. I'm 28, fair, my skin is dry prone to clogged pores. I need lots of gentle exfoliation and this product gets it done. I even put it around my eyesThomas

I'm in my mid 30s, workout 2+ hours daily, and needed something that would help with acne, lines, etc. I have very oily skin and living in So. Florida doesn't make it any better. I've tried many products including Estee Lauder, Clinique, Origins, etc. Origins worked well for my face but about a month or so ago I started breaking out horribly on my forehead, cheeks, and chin. I decided to try the Nip + Fab line after reading the reviews and couldn't be more impressed with the results after one use. I noticed my skin was smooth, less lines than before, brighter, the acne cleared up a bit but not completely. I've been using the line for a week now and have received so many compliments. I no longer wear foundation to cover up my spots and blemishes, my complexion is smooth. I still have a few pimples here and there but not as much as before. Extremely happy with my purchase.CPetti

I don’t love it, the smell is very over-powering and if you use even a little bit too much, it doesn’t absorb. Very sticky on hands and as said, if you don’t use EXACTLY the right amount, it dries sticky and flakey on your face. Won’t be buying again once I’ve used this bottle but too expensive to wasteSarah C.

I was having issues with dry patches on my skin due to harsh winter weather and my moisturizers weren't seeming to help at all. I had been exfoliating with a scrub once weekly and that helped somewhat, but I definitely still had texture issues when I was applying makeup. I decided to buy a product with a chemical exfoliant but I didn't want to spend too much money, so I decided on this. It has helped tremendously. I use it about twice weekly because my skin is sensitive, but this combined with the skyn Iceland arctic face oil has really rescued my skin. It is somewhat sticky but that doesn't bother me because I put it on at night before bed and after about 10 minutes I put an oil on top. A lot of these reviews say there's a bad smell but perhaps that was an old formula because it just smells like grapefruit. I think it's a really great value for the money. It is difficult to find skincare products that actually work and do what they promise… so that is why I am recommending this!Sarah

Was so excited to receive this La Roche-Posay Effaclar Salicylic Acid Serum from La Roche-Posay and Influenster last week! I've *always* had acne prone skin – even now in my 30s – and uneven texture, so Salicylic Acid is a regular part of my routine. This serum goes on super smoothly from its glass dropper (bonus for ensuring sanitary application!) and glides on your skin. It has a very nice, even texture – a little goes a long way! I've only been using this for about a week now, but have noticed improved texture and clearing breakouts in my chin area! The best part is that it doesn't leave my skin feeling super dry or stripped of oils – just clean, even, and fresh. I'll definitely keep using this to see if it continues to improve my skin. So far, highly recommend! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. #complimentary #EffaclarSerumLRP @Influenster @larocheposayusasally.f

Wow such a nice serum. I've heard so many good things about la roche posay ive only been able to try a couple things so far but everything they make is so good and so good for your skin. I will always trust every product this brand makes. But this serum is really nice it's not just a Salycilic Acid Serum for acne and breakouts it also has glycolic acid and Niacinimide in it. I do a nightly skincare rotation throughout the week. 1st night exfoliants 2nd night retinol 3rd 4th night recovery w/ just Hyaluronic acid. I've added this serum into my exfoliant night routine and it's perfect just what I was missing because I still get random breakouts here and there so the Salycilic Acid helps with that and the Niacinimide and glycolic acid for exfoliating, resurfacing brightening. It also feels so smooth going on and absorbs nicely. Just perfect perfect perfect a really great serum i absolutely love itleann.w

I was excited to receive this product from La Roche-Posay, a brand I love. I do have hormonal acne, so I thought I might be a good candidate for this product. However, I think the active ingredients in this product were a bit too strong to incorporate into my existing skincare routine. I also use a retinoid, and I think the addition of this glycolic acid in this product was just too irritating for my skin. I think if you’re looking to try a new product for acne, this is a great place to start, as the ingredients are effective for many people (BHA, AHA, niacinamide). However, I prefer to use my retinoid and in combination with this, it was too irritating on my dry skin. I used the Effaclar SA Serum for over a week, replacing my retinoid, and I noticed I had a bit more acne than usual, which could have been purging, but I did not notice any existing spots faded. The texture of this product was a bit gooey/sticky. I think this product has great potential, but unfortunately, just wasn’t good for my specific skin type and existing routine.shelby.c

I got a sample of this serum in a BeautyFix box. I have oily, acne-prone skin and I found this product to be slightly too heavy to use as a serum (under a moisturizer), but not softening enough to use in place of a moisturizer. (And by "too heavy," I don't mean that it leaves a residue; it doesn't, it actually absorbs completely. I mean that I can feel a bit of tightness on my skin's surface after application and I can still feel a slightly uncomfortable layer when I put a moisturizer on top.) So to use up the rest of the sample, I put this serum on right after cleansing (without my usual toner/essence underneath), and put on one of my more moisturizing sunscreens on top. This worked out okay, although my skin did get greasy more quickly with this routine than I'm used to with my usual routine. I am also not a fan of skincare products with perfume-y scents. So because of the product's scent and incompatibility with my skin type and preferences, I wouldn't recommend this serum unless you have normal-to-dry skin and don't mind perfume-y scents.Anonymous

I’ve been using this for well over two months and it does not work at all if you have any type of atopic dermatitis (eczema, psoriasis, etc). The first two or so weeks I used this it seemed to work pretty well, but after that it was terrible. If you have dehydrated skin, a skin condition that makes it dry like eczema, or both, I DO NOT RECOMMEND. It soaks into your skin in less than 60 seconds (I’m not kidding I timed it one day and it took about 20 seconds for it to completely disappear into my skin). Around my eyes especially is dry to the point it’s almost scaly, very flaky at times, and always looks red / wrinkly. (I’m only 18). This product is a waste of time and money. My moms been using it for a few weeks now and even though she has oily skin, it soaks in almost as fast for her as it does me. We both made the comment that it almost makes your skin feel dry because it soaks in too fast and leaves nothing behind to coat your skin and make it continue to feel hydrated. Trust me, I’ve tried every combination of products and order of using this in my skin care routine I could think of, and it seems to counteract every other moisturizer and hydrating product I use. It’s so bad I resorted to buying one of the bioderma chapsticks to use around my eyes and the driest parts of my face like around my eyes solely because I needed something to give me that terrible greasy feeling to keep my skin from hurting so bad I’d have to ice it. Again. Not worth a single penny since two people with very different skin types feel that it’s borderline drying and does not help hydrate your skin in any way.AW2020

I like this product. It's very effective at cleansing and the feel during application on my skin is excellent. It leaves my face feeling soft and clean without being stripped of moisture. There are a couple of downsides for me: the packaging, which becomes difficult to pry open after a couple of uses and the lid feels quite flimsy, as if it's about to break off. The other downside is that it contains a fragrance which I find a bit overwhelming, I usually prefer my skincare products to be fragrance free. But overall, I think it's still a good cleanser.Belinda W.