Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner for oily skin
Fluidactiv Patent
Salicylic Acid
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract
Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract
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 pore refining for your oily skin due to salicylic acid and fomes officinalis extract, which help decongest pores and manage oiliness. Glycerin provides supportive hydration, addressing your oily shine concerns.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
- This product provides general skincare benefits suitable for your skin type and concerns.
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 3.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this product is highly regarded by users with combination to oily skin for its immediate mattifying effect and ability to blur pores, creating a smooth canvas for makeup. A moderate number of users note it can be drying, especially for non-oily areas, while a low number of reviews mention temporary results or skin irritation.
Highlights
Instant mattifying Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps you shine free”
- “Controls the oil on my skin”
- “Matte effect lasts for hours”
Excellent primer Often Mentioned
- “Foundation didn't settle into pores”
- “Makeup applies smoother”
- “Better than high-end primers”
Pore blurring Often Mentioned
- “Noticeable difference in size of pores”
- “Face looks like porcelain”
- “Pores are definitely less visible”
Lightweight texture Sometimes Noted
- “Soaks in immediately”
- “Leaves no residue”
- “Feels like a silky cream”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “Skin looks like sandpaper”
- “Lack of moisture provided”
- “Too drying for normal skin”
Price vs. quantity Rarely Noted
- “Quite expensive for the amount”
- “Tube is small”
- “Pricey for a primer”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “Stings on open pimples”
- “Caused breakouts”
- “Ruined my skin barrier”
Temporary results Rarely Noted
- “Pores are back after washing”
- “Didn't notice long-term difference”
- “Effect is temporary”
Sources: lovi.care, bioderma.com, amazon.com, dermstore.com, target.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner work for oily skin?
Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner works moderately well for your oily skin because salicylic acid and mushroom extract help decongest pores and manage shine, while glycerin provides supportive hydration. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and ferulic acid that actively control oil and enhance radiance without irritation, alongside soothing extracts and barrier-supporting ceramides for daily comfort.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
This cream works for oily skin due to salicylic acid and fomes officinalis extract, which help decongest pores and manage oiliness, along with glycerin for supportive hydration. To fit oily skin even better, a treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and reduce enlarged pores, plus soothing and hydrating extracts that keep the skin comfortable without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017BioMed Research International, 2020
What does Fluidactiv Patent do for oily skin?
Fluidactiv Patent helps keep oil clear and fluid so it does not get thick and clog pores, making it a good match for oily skin. Oily skin needs ingredients that help balance oil production and keep pores clear to prevent breakouts.
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
Apply this treatment in the evening routine, placed after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. This timing keeps your routine simple and adds extra safety around sun exposure. Oily skin often benefits from products featuring salicylic acid and mushroom extract to clear out pores and manage oiliness.
Can I use this cream with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide by applying your niacinamide product first, letting it absorb, and then following with this cream. This combination is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin.
How often should I use this cream?
This treatment is meant for your evening routine, starting at once a week and slowly increasing if your skin tolerates it well.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin because it contains salicylic acid and mushroom extract, which help clear out pores and manage oil. However, it can sometimes be drying, so oily skin types often need a balanced routine with gentle hydration and oil-controlling ingredients.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
A 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, 2017A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A 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, 2015Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010White button mushroom extract treatment increased VEGF densities, EGF, PCNA, and collagen fibers, while decreasing apoptotic cells and limiting TGF-beta and CD4 reactions in ICR mice and chorioallantoic culture, indicating beneficial effects on skin regeneration and injury.
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2012Topical 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, 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, 2023A cosmetic formulation combining green tea and Ginkgo biloba extracts synergistically improved skin elasticity and skin barrier function in 48 volunteers compared to individual extracts.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Salicylic Acid, Dodecyl Gallate, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Silica, Trideceth-6, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Lauryl Peg Ppg-18 18 Methicone, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum Mineral Oil, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Peg Ppg-18 18 Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, 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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