Medicube Red Serum for sensitive skin
Salicylic Acid
Centella Asiatica Extract
Oil Tree Leaf
Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract
Lavandula Angustifolia Lavender WaterHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 formulation is highly suitable for your normal skin, as Centella Asiatica Extract and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate provide anti-inflammatory action and barrier repair, which are beneficial for redness and irritation.
- The presence of salicylic acid and willow bark extract offers excellent exfoliation and pore decongestion for your acne-prone skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users with acne-prone and sensitive skin find this serum effective at calming redness and providing deep hydration without greasiness. Many users appreciate its ability to soothe inflammation and control sebum. However, opinions on its effectiveness in reducing active acne are divided, with some experiencing significant clearing and others seeing minimal improvement.
Highlights
Hydrating, lightweight Often Mentioned
- “lightweight, non greasy”
- “deep hydration”
- “absorbs well”
- “moisturizing effect”
Soothes redness Often Mentioned
- “reduced my redness”
- “calming effect”
- “calm down within minutes”
- “soothe irritated skin”
Small quantity Often Mentioned
- “price is quite expensive for 30mls”
- “quantity is disappointingly small”
- “runs out much faster”
- “pricey”
Strong medicinal scent Often Mentioned
- “smell is a bit strong”
- “medicinal smell”
- “tea tree scent is overpowering”
- “smells like clay”
Controls acne Sometimes Noted
- “helped with my acne”
- “reduced small bumps”
- “controls sebum production”
- “prevent new ones”
Non-sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “not sticky”
- “absorbs quickly”
- “leaves skin soft”
- “no tackiness”
Faulty dispenser Sometimes Noted
- “shoots out suddenly”
- “splatters everywhere”
- “dispense... too forcefully”
- “hard to control”
Mixed acne results Rarely Noted
- “didn't make a difference”
- “just okay”
- “not sure if it's actually helping”
- “no dramatic improvements”
Sources: lovi.care, medicube.us, oliveyoung.com, gopicky.com, yesstyle.com, stylekorean.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Medicube Red Serum a great fit for sensitive skin?
Medicube Red Serum is a great fit for sensitive skin because it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components. Centella asiatica extract and dipotassium glycyrrhizate provide anti-inflammatory action and barrier repair, which are beneficial for calming redness and irritation.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Centella asiatica extract and dipotassium glycyrrhizate make this serum a great fit because they calm redness and repair the skin barrier. The formula has an excellent safety profile for sensitive skin due to its soothing components and the absence of harsh ingredients.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Salicylic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid may cause irritation on sensitive skin, so it requires careful use and good sun protection to keep skin comfortable. A product for this skin type needs gentle, soothing ingredients and a mild formula that respects the skin barrier.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999International Journal of Toxicology, 2003
What does Centella Asiatica Extract do for sensitive skin?
Centella asiatica extract helps calm sensitive skin and keeps it comfortable by easing irritation and supporting moisture retention. Using this ingredient helps soothe redness and supports a healthy skin barrier with a very low likelihood of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on sensitive skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying it in your evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer, keeping in mind it is unlikely to cause irritation. Because it contains salicylic acid alongside soothing ingredients like centella asiatica extract, it helps clear pores while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this serum in your evening routine once a week to start, and if your skin feels comfortable, you may carefully use it more often. It is unlikely to cause irritation because it contains soothing ingredients and lacks harsh components.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This product is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin, because it includes soothing components and lacks harsh ingredients that trigger irritation. The salicylic acid and willow bark extract help gently clear pores, though any new exfoliating product may occasionally cause mild initial purging.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Co-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, 2023A 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, 2020Cryotherapy 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 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical herbal treatments including lemon balm, olive leaf extract, propolis, and sage-rhubarb cream reduce pain, swelling, lesion size, and healing time in patients with herpes labialis compared with placebo or acyclovir.
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 2025Topical oleuropein formulations reduced erythema, transepidermal water loss, and blood flow by approximately 22%, 35%, and 30% in healthy volunteers with UVB-induced erythema.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008An oil-in-serum formulation containing olive extract standardized in hydroxytyrosol improved skin barrier function and significantly reduced hyperpigmentation in participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after 45 days of application.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2026Combining azelaic acid and matrine in dissolving microneedles at a 1:1 molar ratio achieved higher skin permeability, synergistic antibacterial rates above 95%, and no skin irritation compared to commercially available azelaic acid gel.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021Co-amorphous salt of ursodeoxycholic acid and matrine incorporated into dissolving microneedles enhanced aqueous solubility, skin permeation, growth-inhibitory effects against Cutibacterium acnes, and anti-inflammatory activity compared to single-component groups and topical gel in a murine acne model.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2026Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025Tea tree oil effectively treated acne while lavender and rosemary oils demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties in derma cosmetic applications based on an evaluation of various essential oils.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2025A blend of Lavandula angustifolia flower extract and dipeptide-4 reduced oxidative and glycation markers, enhanced ATP, SOD, autophagy, and melatonin production, and improved tissue morphology in human skin models and fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Ingredients
C12-14 Pareth-12, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Dipropylene Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia Lavender Water, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Sorbitol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Polygala Tenuifolia Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Extract, Xylitol, Water, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Leaf Extract Flower Matricaria Leaf Extract Flower, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Salicylic Acid, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Rice Extract, Ci 42090, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laureth-7, Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg Ppg-17 6 Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Triethanolamine, Ethanolamine, Platycodon Grandiflorum Root Extract, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Dandelion Root Extract Rhizome, Usnea Barbata Extract, Ovalicin, Grapefruit Leaf Extract, Colloidal Sulfur
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
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