🇦🇺Australia

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum for oily acne-prone skin

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

Average

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 hydration for your oily skin, as sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide excellent humectant benefits without increasing oiliness.
  • While beneficial for general hydration, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly target your concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for its ability to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, providing an immediate dewy effect. Many users value its hydrating properties and fast absorption, with moderate mentions of it strengthening the skin barrier and improving texture. A significant number of reviewers find the bottle size to be too small, leading to it running out quickly, and some note a sticky finish. There are also moderate comments regarding the price and low mentions of packaging issues.

Highlights

  • Small bottle size Mostly Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product”
    • “ran out fast compared to other serums”
    • “bottle only lasts about a month”
    • “wish the size was bigger”
  • Deep hydration Often Mentioned
    • “skin felt firm and plump”
    • “leaves my skin feeling super hydrated”
    • “hydration hits your skin instantly”
    • “makes my skin feel plump and smooth”
  • Fast absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs fast into the skin”
    • “extremely lightweight serum that isn't greasy”
    • “dries down really silky smooth”
    • “penetrates the skin quickly”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “smooths out and plumps”
    • “dry patches... stayed smooth”
    • “makeup applies more smoothly”
    • “leaves a smooth and hydrated finish”
  • Strengthens skin barrier Sometimes Noted
    • “effective at supporting my skin barrier”
    • “soothing effect on my skin barrier”
    • “ceramides help strengthen compromised skin”
    • “protects against dryness and dehydration”
  • Price per value Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for me”
    • “price point is pretty steep”
    • “costs so much money relative to the original”
    • “would probably only grab this during a sale”
  • Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “feels slightly sticky”
    • “slightly tacky feel”
    • “formula does lean a bit sticky”
    • “sticky residue that bothers me”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “packaging is terrible”
    • “cannot get the last drops”
    • “wish the cap were a bit more sturdy”
    • “too heavy bottle”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, cosrx.com, lookfantastic.ie, walmart.com, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Hyaluronic Acid 3 work for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum works moderately well for oily skin by offering lightweight hydration without increasing oiliness or causing irritation, but it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and breakouts. To truly thrive, oily acne-prone skin needs specialized ingredients like Niacinamide or soothing agents to actively clear blemishes, regulate oil production, and balance pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin make this serum a good fit by providing moderate hydration without increasing oiliness. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide to help target acne, regulate oil production, and minimize pores for this skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ceramides help keep oily acne-prone skin calm and smooth by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture. Since acne-prone skin often has lower levels of these natural lipids, adding ceramides helps reduce irritation, redness, and moisture loss. A product for this skin type needs barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and gentle hydrators to prevent dryness and balance oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients to directly target breakouts and blemishes.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying it before your retinol to keep your skin soft and comfortable while reducing the dryness and irritation retinol may cause. This product type works well for oily acne-prone skin when it includes soothing ingredients and acne-fighting components to help clear blemishes.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works well in your evening routine, where you can apply it daily to keep your oily skin feeling soft and comfortable without increasing oiliness. Oily acne-prone skin often needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help clear blemishes and prevent breakouts.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily acne-prone skin because it avoids harsh or irritating ingredients. However, it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne and blemishes, so a product for this skin needs added blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.

Skin Research and Technology, 2003

Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this serum safely around the eyes, though the skin there is much thinner than on the body. Its moisturizing ingredients hydrate these delicate areas well, but this skin type needs targeted anti-aging or barrier-repairing ingredients for best results.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Polymers, 2023

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).

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, 2017
  • Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2003
  • A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.

    Molecules, 2024
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Topical dry mouth products containing olive oil, betaine, and xylitol significantly increased unstimulated whole salivary flow rates, reduced xerostomia complaints, and improved quality of life in adults with polypharmacy-induced xerostomia compared to their normal routine care, with no clinically significant adverse events.

    Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2007
  • Mixed surfactant systems of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dimethyl dodecyl amido betaine significantly reduce acute skin irritation potential in human volunteers compared with the individual surfactants, demonstrating that irritation potential cannot be predicted by simple summation.

    Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1998
  • Polyhexanide/betaine may be nontoxic and effective in enhancing wound healing, whereas the majority of other topical cleaning agents are locally toxic and of limited or no proven efficacy.

    Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 2013

Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • A peel-off facial mask containing myoinositol and trehalose-loaded liposomes improved adult female acne by decreasing lesion counts, sebum production, GAGS scores, and local androgen levels while increasing beclin-1 levels.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Pca, Glyceryl Acrylate Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pvm Ma Copolymer, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Proline, Ceramide Np, Cholesterol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Phytosphingosine, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Australia.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.