Hero Cosmetics-focused skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin
A routine for oily acne-prone skin built around Hero Cosmetics products, complemented by other brands where they fit better, for complete care.
Cleansers and toners with glycerin and niacinamide help control oil and shrink enlarged pores. Exfoliating steps and masks with salicylic acid and glycolic acid clear out breakouts and blemishes.
The morning routine prepares the skin for the day: it cleans off the night, hydrates, and protects, with sunscreen as its last step. The evening routine removes sunscreen, makeup, and the day's oil, then treats the skin while it rests and is away from the sun. The weekly routine takes the place of the evening routine once a week to add deeper steps that manage breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Life, 2024Molecules, 2023
Products are rated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For a routine based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Morning
Step 1Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage oil and clear out pores for oily acne-prone skin. This step is used every morning and every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
$15.97
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
$49.00
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
$34.00
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
$11.88
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
$13.40
-
Etude
Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
$15.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
$28.08
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
$29.00
Step 2Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners and essences with niacinamide and glycerin help control oil and soothe blemishes, while hydrating steps with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan keep oily skin balanced. The hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
$25.60
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
$16.37
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
$15.60
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
$16.99
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
$15.50
-
SNP Prep
Peptaronic Toner
$14.99
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
$18.19
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
$29.00
Step 3Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid help provide lightweight hydration without clogging pores, while options with niacinamide and green tea extract help manage blemishes and control shine. These products are used every morning and every evening, and also once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Rescue Balm
$12.88
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
$18.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$15.88
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
$30.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
$15.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
$8.40
-
Torriden
DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$22.25
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
$19.00
Step 4SPF
In the Lovi routine for oily acne-prone skin the sunscreen step is used every morning. Sunscreens and protective steps with niacinamide and zinc oxide help calm inflammation and reduce oiliness, while moisturizing and protective steps with hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica extract help hydrate and soothe breakouts without clogging pores.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
$15.74
-
make p:rem
UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
$25.99
-
CeraVe
AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
$14.97
-
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
$46.00
-
Juice Beauty
SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
$34.00
-
innisfree
Daily Mild Sunscreen
$18.00
-
ISDIN
Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+
$46.00
-
make p:rem
UV Defense Me Daily Sun Fluid SPF 50+ PA++++
$29.99
Evening
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid and beeswax help remove oil-based debris and provide hydration for your oily skin. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
$21.70
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
$6.97
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
$50.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
$9.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
$15.99
-
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
$20.00
-
iUNIK
Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
$13.99
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
$17.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage oil and clear out pores for oily acne-prone skin. This step is used every morning and every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
$15.97
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
$49.00
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
$34.00
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
$11.88
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
$13.40
-
Etude
Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
$15.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
$28.08
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
$29.00
Step 3Cleansing Toner
Cleansing toners with salicylic and glycolic acid help combat breakouts and control shine on oily skin. This step is used every evening.
-
Rodial
Vitamin C Brightening Tonic
$31.00
-
Caudalie
Vinopure Purifying Toner
$30.00
-
Pixi
Glow Tonic
$28.42
-
Isntree
Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner
$15.90
-
COSRX
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
$14.97
-
ma:nyo
Galactomy Clearskin Toner
$17.90
-
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad
$18.90
-
Glow Recipe
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
$35.11
Step 4Serum or Treatment
Serums and ampoules with niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, and peach extract help control oil and manage breakouts. These treatments are used in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Mighty Patch
$20.12
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
$39.00
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
$16.75
-
Clean & Clear
Persa-Gel 10
$5.43
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
$25.08
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
$16.00
-
Dr. Ceuracle
Tea Tree Purifine 95 Essence
$21.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
REAL VITA C SERUM
$25.08
Step 5Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid help provide lightweight hydration without clogging pores, while options with niacinamide and green tea extract help manage blemishes and control shine. These products are used every morning and every evening, and also once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Rescue Balm
$12.88
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
$18.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$15.88
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
$30.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
$15.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
$8.40
-
Torriden
DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$22.25
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
$19.00
Once a week
Step 1Pre-Cleanser
Makeup removers with hyaluronic acid and beeswax help remove oil-based debris and provide hydration for your oily skin. This step is used every evening and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
MISSHA
Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
$21.70
-
Cetaphil
Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
$6.97
-
Shu Uemura
Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
$50.00
-
B.LAB
Cica Barrier Cleansing Oil Balm
$9.98
-
Pyunkang Yul
Deep Clear Cleansing Balm
$15.99
-
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
$20.00
-
iUNIK
Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
$13.99
-
Anua
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
$17.00
Step 2Cleanser
Cleansers with niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage oil and clear out pores for oily acne-prone skin. This step is used every morning and every evening and once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
$15.97
-
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
$49.00
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser
$34.00
-
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
$11.88
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser
$13.40
-
Etude
Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
$15.99
-
Fresh
Soy Face Cleanser
$28.08
-
Clinique
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
$29.00
Step 3Enzyme Powder
This routine step is used once a week in place of the evening routine. Exfoliating steps with salicylic acid and papain help manage oiliness and breakouts, while rice bran extract and licorice root extract help reveal brighter skin.
-
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant
$69.00
-
FANCL
Facial Washing Powder
$22.00
-
Papa Recipe
Tea Tree Control Enzyme Powder Cleanser
$9.99
-
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Enzyme Cleanser
$80.00
-
Good Molecules
Pineapple Exfoliating Powder
$16.00
-
Dermalogica
Daily Superfoliant
$19.50
-
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant
$32.32
-
NEEDLY
Mild Enzyme Cleansing Powder
$16.99
Step 4Cleansing Mask
Mask steps with salicylic acid, tea tree leaf oil, green tea extract, and jojoba esters deep-draw oil and impurities to purify oily skin and help clear blemishes. This cleansing mask step is used once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
HERBIVORE Botanicals
Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
$58.00
-
Revision Skincare
Black Mask
$79.00
-
KORA Organics
Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
$22.00
-
Peach & Lily
Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask
$45.00
-
Goldfaden MD
Facial Detox Mask
$68.00
-
VT Cosmetics
Cica Purifying Mask
$22.00
-
Dr. Sebagh
Deep Exfoliating Mask
$84.99
-
Isntree
Real Mugwort Clay Mask
$17.90
Step 5Hydrating Toner
Hydrating toners and essences with niacinamide and glycerin help control oil and soothe blemishes, while hydrating steps with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan keep oily skin balanced. The hydrating toner step is used every morning and once a week, in place of the evening routine.
-
Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
$25.60
-
Dear, Klairs
Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
$16.37
-
Some By Mi
Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
$15.60
-
Pyunkang Yul
Calming Deep Moisture Toner
$16.99
-
numbuzin
No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner
$15.50
-
SNP Prep
Peptaronic Toner
$14.99
-
Pixi
Retinol Tonic
$18.19
-
Paula's Choice
Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
$29.00
Step 6Serum or Treatment
Serums and ampoules with niacinamide, benzoyl peroxide, and peach extract help control oil and manage breakouts. These treatments are used in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Mighty Patch
$20.12
-
Peach & Lily
Glass Skin Refining Serum
$39.00
-
Beauty of Joseon
Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
$16.75
-
Clean & Clear
Persa-Gel 10
$5.43
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
Real Vitamin C Serum
$25.08
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Capsule Ampoule
$16.00
-
Dr. Ceuracle
Tea Tree Purifine 95 Essence
$21.00
-
NEOGEN Dermalogy
REAL VITA C SERUM
$25.08
Step 7Moisturizer
Moisturizers with birch sap, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid help provide lightweight hydration without clogging pores, while options with niacinamide and green tea extract help manage blemishes and control shine. These products are used every morning and every evening, and also once a week in place of the evening routine.
-
Hero Cosmetics
Rescue Balm
$12.88
-
COSRX
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
$18.99
-
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
$15.88
-
innisfree
Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum
$30.00
-
Some By Mi
Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
$15.50
-
Elizavecca
Witch Piggy Hell Pore Control Hyaluronic Acid 97%
$8.40
-
Torriden
DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
$22.25
-
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
$19.00
Research behind this routine
Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes
Behind this routine
Lovi builds every routine from each product's 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. Sof铆a Perea P茅rez, 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
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