Trader Joe's Nourish Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum for oily skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Propanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 moisturizing for your oily skin due to the presence of sodium hyaluronate, which provides hydration without adding excess oil, though it does not directly address your main goal of controlling oily shine.
- Propanediol and ethylhexylglycerin further support hydration and skin barrier function, which is beneficial for maintaining overall skin health.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like propanediol.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsUsers with dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin generally praise this serum for its lightweight, non-greasy hydration and affordability, often noting a visible "glow" and "plumpness" after use. Some users find it insufficient on its own, requiring a heavy moisturizer on top to prevent dryness, and a minority experience stickiness or breakouts.
Highlights
Affordable price Mostly Mentioned
- “Least expensive product”
- “Great value”
- “Budget-friendly option”
Hydrating & plumping Often Mentioned
- “Skin felt instantly smoother”
- “New glow and bounce”
- “Thirst quencher”
- “Lock in moisture”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly”
- “Non-greasy”
- “Watery consistency”
- “Glides on easily”
Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
- “No reactions”
- “Good for sensitive skin”
- “Non-irritating”
Simple ingredients Sometimes Noted
- “Short ingredient list”
- “Fragrance-free”
- “No mystery fillers”
- “Clean formula”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “Need moisturizer ASAP”
- “Dried out hands”
- “Not heavy enough”
- “Skin felt tight”
Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Cystic acne on cheeks”
- “Breaks me out”
- “Caused spots”
- “Acne flare-up”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Irritated skin around eyes”
- “Stinging sensation”
- “Burned my eyes”
- “Sensitivity near eyes”
Runny consistency Rarely Noted
- “Too watery”
- “Runny texture”
- “Hard to control”
- “Spills easily”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “Face felt sticky”
- “Tacky finish”
- “Left a film”
- “Slightly tacky”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, reddit.com, becomebetty.com, mantoujoe.blogspot.com, loveandwaterdesign.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin by providing hydration without adding excess oil, though it does not directly control oily shine. To better fit oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide to regulate oil and minimize pores, along with soothing components like Allantoin.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Molecules, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and propanediol make this serum a good fit for oily skin by providing hydration without adding excess oil. Propanediol also helps support skin health and barrier function.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Molecules, 2021
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.
What does Propanediol do for oily skin?
Propanediol helps decrease skin oiliness and calm breakouts when used as part of your routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports a clear, balanced complexion.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before your moisturizer. It helps hydrate oily skin without adding excess oil, though an oily skin type also needs ingredients that directly control shine.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Molecules, 2021
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your skin light hydration without extra oil. Oily skin works best with products that also actively control shine and balance oil production.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It provides moderate hydration for your oily skin without adding excess oil, but a product of this type for your skin needs ingredients that directly control oily shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it contains no harsh ingredients and has a low complaint rate for breakouts. Propanediol also supports a healthy skin barrier, making it safe for daily use.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Molecules, 2021
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can safely use this serum around your eyes or on your body because its gentle formula provides hydration without harsh ingredients. This type of product needs ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing agents to keep thin areas moisturized and protected.
What the research says
Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.
Molecules, 2021Topical 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, 2019
Why other moisturizers fit oily skin better
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, 2024Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013A 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
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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