Bioderma Sébium H2O for oily skin

Zinc Gluconate
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides
Fluidactiv Patent
Mannitol
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily skin; other products 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 suitability for your oily skin as zinc gluconate helps regulate sebum production to address oily shine, though it lacks ingredients for optimal results.
- The cleansing action is excellent due to zinc gluconate and copper sulfate, which effectively decongest pores.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with minimal risks of irritation from citric acid and parfum.
How to apply
- Use your micellar water for both AM and PM routines. Start using it daily since your skin is not sensitive.
- Apply the micellar water after cleansing and before toner. Follow up with your regular moisturizer or SPF.
- Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it across your face. Avoid harsh rubbing to protect your skin.
- Apply the micellar water on dry skin to easily remove excess oil and shine. Clean skin helps the product work better.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a quick patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers with combination, oily, and acne-prone skin highly recommend this micellar water for its ability to effectively remove makeup and excess sebum without stripping the moisture barrier. Many reviewers note that it helps regulate oil production and prevents breakouts, leaving the skin feeling fresh and balanced rather than tight or dry.
Highlights
Effective oil control Mostly Mentioned
- “Helps control excess oil”
- “keeps my T-zone matte”
- “regulates sebum well”
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels clean but not tight”
- “doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
Thorough cleansing Often Mentioned
- “Removes sunscreen effortlessly”
- “takes off all foundation”
- “leaves no residue”
Helps clear acne Sometimes Noted
- “Helps with my millia”
- “keeps breakouts at bay”
- “clears clogged pores”
Price point Sometimes Noted
- “Price is a little steep”
- “expensive for a water”
- “good but pricey”
Waterproof makeup removal Sometimes Noted
- “Won't budge waterproof mascara”
- “struggles with heavy eye makeup”
- “need a separate eye remover”
Contains fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Has a cucumber scent”
- “wish it was fragrance-free”
- “smell is a bit strong”
Slightly drying Rarely Noted
- “Left my cheeks dry”
- “a bit drying in winter”
- “better for summer use”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, boots.com, dermstore.com, walgreens.com, target.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bioderma Sébium H2O work for oily skin?
Bioderma Sébium H2O works moderately well for oily skin because zinc gluconate helps regulate oily shine and decongest pores. Oily skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients like salicylic acid, glycerin, or niacinamide for balanced hydration and better oil control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Zinc gluconate and copper sulfate make this cleanser a good fit because they help control oily shine and decongest pores. This micellar water works for oily skin, though an average fit of this type also needs ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide for optimal results.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Zinc Gluconate do for oily skin?
Zinc gluconate helps calm oily skin by reducing oil production and keeping inflammation down. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated and may help clear up acne breakouts.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1980European Journal of Dermatology, 2005
What does Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract do for oily skin?
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract helps calm oily skin and reduces inflammation by lowering redness-causing factors. It also helps manage breakouts and keeps the skin balanced when included in your daily routine.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2010Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This micellar water goes in the evening routine as a makeup remover before your cleanser, and also in your weekly routine. To best care for oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that regulate oil and help clear pores, such as zinc gluconate.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this micellar water in your routine, applying it as a makeup remover before your cleanser both morning and night. While zinc gluconate helps manage oily shine, an oily skin routine also needs ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide for optimal blemish control and even tone.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This micellar water works as a makeup remover in your evening routine and whenever you need to clean makeup off. It is safe for daily use on your oily skin and helps clear away oil and impurities, though oily skin also needs ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help control oil and blemishes best.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This micellar water is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it helps decongest pores, though an oily skin type needs ingredients that better control oil for optimal results.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2013Topical application of a 2% cream containing combined fruit extracts for 56 days significantly reduced wrinkle depth by 11.5%, length by 10.07%, and area by 29.55% in 21 female subjects compared to a placebo.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015A 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 Ginkgo biloba cream for two weeks reduced wrinkles and improved skin shape, texture, and tautness in human volunteers compared to baseline.
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2023Combining ectoine and mannitol with UV filters significantly improved protection of squalene oxidation, catalase activity, and trans-UCA compared to UV filters alone in 10 subjects on irradiated areas.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical mannitol cream reduced self-reported pain scores compared to a control cream in 25 adults with capsaicin-induced lip pain.
PM & R, 2015A hyaluronic acid dermal filler containing mannitol improved nasolabial folds in 61% to 89% of Middle Eastern participants through 24 weeks, significantly decreasing wrinkle area and volume compared with baseline.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2025
Why other products fit oily skin better
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Peg-6 Caprylic Capric Glycerides, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Sulfate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Bromide, Parfum
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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