Medicube Zero Pore Cream 2.0 for acne-prone skin
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts as niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help minimize pores and support skin health for your combination skin.
- Glycerin and panthenol provide humectant action and soothing effects, contributing to overall skin comfort.
- The formulation is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.9k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with combination and oily skin frequently praise this cream for its ability to balance sebum production while providing deep hydration without a sticky finish. Many report smoother skin texture and a fresh feeling. However, a significant number of reviewers note that visible reduction in pore size is subtle or non-existent despite the product's claims.
Highlights
Excellent hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “feels wonderfully hydrating without pilling”
- “rich moisturizer but absorbs well”
- “perfect for dehydrated oily skin”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “glides on smoothly”
- “fresh and non-sticky finish”
- “soft texture that absorbs fast”
Ineffective on pores Often Mentioned
- “didn't fade my pores as promised”
- “skeptical about pore-minimizing”
- “no huge difference noticed”
Sebum control Sometimes Noted
- “regulated sebum production”
- “nose less shiny throughout the day”
- “mattifies instantly”
Skin smoothing Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels velvety”
- “smoother complexion”
- “great base for makeup”
Strong scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells medicated”
- “has fragrance so not for sensitive skin”
- “scent is a bit overpowering”
Heavy for some Rarely Noted
- “feels more of a rich moisturizer”
- “bit on the oily side for summer”
- “felt heavy on my face”
Potential irritation Rarely Noted
- “felt dryness around eyes”
- “caused acne flare-ups for me”
- “tingling sensation was harsh”
Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes medicube Zero Pore Cream 2.0 a great fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help minimize pores and support skin health. Glycerin and panthenol provide soothing comfort while keeping the formula safe and gentle.
Molecules, 2023American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help minimize pores and support skin health, while glycerin and panthenol provide soothing effects for skin comfort. The absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components make the formulation safe for your skin.
Molecules, 2023American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, as niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help minimize pores and support skin health for acne-prone skin.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying it after your retinol product to help keep your skin calm and comfortable. The formula includes soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation when combined with active routines.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is gentle enough for regular use, helping to keep your skin calm and clear.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. Niacinamide and centella asiatica extract help minimize pores and support skin health, while glycerin and panthenol provide soothing comfort.
Molecules, 2023American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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 new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 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, 2020Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Cryotherapy 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, 2010Topical 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, 2019A 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, 2019Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Topical lycopene-enriched virgin olive oil provides effective pain relief similar to a placebo in patients with burning mouth syndrome, showing a strong placebo effect.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2014
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

