🇫🇷France

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum for combination skin

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

High

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

One of the best moisturizers for combination skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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

  • Excellent suitability for your combination skin, as sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide optimal hydration without overwhelming oily zones, addressing your oily shine.
  • The humectant action of these ingredients ensures your skin remains plump and moisturized.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
  • Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a 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

What makes COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum a great fit for combination skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin give your combination skin great hydration without making oily zones heavy, helping keep your face plump while addressing oily shine. The formula has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients, meaning it is unlikely to cause irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin make this serum a great fit for your combination skin because they provide optimal hydration without overwhelming oily zones. These ingredients help keep your skin plump and moisturized while addressing oily shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

What do Ceramides do for combination skin?

Ceramides help balance combination skin by supporting the skin barrier in dry areas without feeling heavy on oily zones, keeping the skin smooth and comfortable. They play an essential role in maintaining the outer water barrier, and a moisturizer with ceramides and light hydrators works well for this skin type.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2003

Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This product is used in the evening as a treatment step after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. It is unlikely to irritate your skin and helps keep your combination skin plump and hydrated without overwhelming oily zones.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to keep your skin plump and hydrated, followed by your retinol. This routine helps prevent dryness and keeps your skin comfortable without overwhelming oily zones.

Cutis, 2006Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use it?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it daily to keep your skin plump and moisturized. The formula provides great hydration without overwhelming oily zones, making it safe and gentle for everyday use.

Health Science Reports, 2021Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your combination skin. The formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

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

This serum is gentle enough to use on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body, helping keep these areas soft and moisturized without feeling heavy. Because the skin around the eyes is especially delicate, formulas with soothing and hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin are very well tolerated there.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Polymers, 2023

Is it 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
  • 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
  • Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
  • 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
  • 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

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.

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Prices checked 5 Nov 2026

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