The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA for oily acne-prone skin

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums 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
- This product offers excellent plumping and fine line reduction for your oily skin, as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 support collagen synthesis. Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate provide essential hydration, which is beneficial for oily skin, but the formula lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While the formula is highly suitable for oily skin and provides good hydration, it does not offer specific benefits for managing acne or blemishes.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for its immediate hydrating and plumping effects, with many users noting a visible reduction in fine lines and improved skin texture with consistent use. Some users experience a tacky finish, and a smaller number report breakouts or no visible anti-aging results.
Highlights
Plumps and hydrates Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt more bouncy”
- “plumps the skin instantly”
- “well-hydrated and supple”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “very affordable”
- “steal at this price”
- “great value for money”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “soften smile lines”
- “reduction in vertical lines”
- “skin density improved”
Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
- “no sensitivity”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “soothing and non-irritating”
Silky texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides smoothly”
- “silky texture”
- “absorbs quickly”
No visible results Sometimes Noted
- “did nothing for me”
- “no spectacular effect”
- “didn't see improvement”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “tacky feeling”
- “sticky residue”
- “takes time to sink in”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “breaking out on cheeks”
- “caused closed comedones”
- “broke me out”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “chemical scent”
- “paint smell”
- “weird smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, influenster.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Matrixyl 10% + HA work for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment is an average fit for your oily acne-prone skin because, while it provides good hydration and smoothing benefits without causing irritation, it lacks ingredients that target breakouts and blemishes. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or Vitamin C to effectively control excess oil and manage acne while keeping the skin balanced.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin by providing essential hydration without heavy oils, while peptides help smooth fine lines. Because this product lacks targeted ingredients to address breakouts, treatments for this skin type need ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or Vitamin C to manage blemishes and control excess oil.
What does Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 do for oily acne-prone skin?
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 helps smooth fine lines and improves the look of aging skin, but it is not specifically formulated to treat acne. For oily, acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs added ingredients that clear pores and calm redness.
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
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, applied as part of your nightly steps. It helps keep oily skin hydrated and smooth, though oily acne-prone skin also needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help manage blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying the vitamin C first on clean, dry skin, followed by this treatment. This pairing is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation for oily skin, while delivering good hydration and smoothing benefits.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment works well in the evening for your oily skin, as it helps smooth fine lines with peptides while keeping your skin calm and hydrated. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly manage breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but it may cause breakouts for some people since it lacks targeted ingredients for blemishes. Oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight formulas with blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to effectively manage breakouts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026A 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 multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Topical 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, 2019Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better
A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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