Tatcha The Dewy Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Squalane
Sodium Hyaluronate
Saccharomyces Rice Ferment Filtrate
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin, as humectants like Glycerin and Propanediol provide hydration and plumping, though it lacks strong seboregulation for your primary concern of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While Squalane and other ingredients offer general skincare benefits supportive for oily skin, they do not directly target your specific issues.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with minimal risks of irritation from alcohol and fragrance.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum for its ability to deliver instant, long-lasting hydration and a "glass skin" glow, making it a favorite for those with dry or dull complexions. While many report visibly plumper and softer skin, some users with sensitive or acne-prone skin experienced breakouts or found the signature fragrance too strong.
Highlights
Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “skin drank it right up”
- “keeps my skin feeling plump and hydrated”
- “big drink of water for your skin”
Dewy glow Often Mentioned
- “instant all-over healthy glow”
- “glass skin finish”
- “radiates with fresh luminosity”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “price is also very expensive”
- “lasts so little and costs so much”
- “definitely an investment”
Elegant texture Sometimes Noted
- “light viscous texture”
- “absorbs nice sets to a nice finish”
- “doesn't feel heavy or greasy”
Plumping effect Sometimes Noted
- “visibly smoothing and plumping”
- “plump out lines on the face”
- “gives my skin a healthy bounce”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is stronger”
- “heavy fragrance”
- “migraine inducing for some”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “bottle is a lightweight plastic”
- “pump stops working”
- “packaging feels cheap”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused breakouts”
- “not friendly for most acne prone skin”
- “too rich for my oily t-zone”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, tatcha.com, kohls.com, spacenk.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Tatcha The Dewy Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
This product works moderately well for your oily skin by providing hydration, but it lacks ingredients that actively control oil and breakouts. For a better fit, an oily skin type needs lightweight formulas with oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide and soothing elements like allantoin to manage blemishes without causing excess oiliness.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and propanediol make this serum a fit by providing hydration and plumping for your skin. To better fit oily acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that regulate oil, calm blemishes, and maintain a lightweight feel without causing breakouts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.
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 serum goes in your evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients to balance oil and target breakouts.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to hydrate your skin, followed by your retinol product. This product provides helpful hydration, but oily acne-prone skin also needs strong oil control and ingredients that directly target breakouts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine, applied after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. It provides moderate hydration for your oily skin, though an oily acne-prone skin type needs oil-balancing and blemish-clearing ingredients to effectively target breakouts.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is generally safe for your oily skin, though reviewer complaints and its lack of strong oil-controlling ingredients mean it may occasionally cause breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight hydration combined with ingredients that actively help clear pores and balance oil.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this serum around the eyes, though it is primarily designed for facial care. Oily skin on the body and delicate eye areas benefit most from lightweight, hydrating formulas containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin without heavy oils or fragrances.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum, citral, limonene, and linalool) and drying alcohol (alcohol).
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, 2024A 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, 2017Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate can be used safely in cosmetic formulations at concentrations up to 5%, and Benzyl Alcohol is safe up to 10% in hair dyes, despite causing nonimmunologic contact reactions.
International Journal of Toxicology, 2001Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical 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, 2019Daily application of a cream containing niosomes loaded with purple glutinous rice extract in 20 human volunteers for 28 days resulted in a significant decrease in melanin index and skin roughness by -14.05% and -9.95%, and increases in skin hydration and elastic recovery by +48.73% and +35.98% compared to initial values.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The iontophoretic delivery of hyaluronic acid nanogel-loaded Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate significantly reduced advanced glycation end products and mitigated skin stiffening in an ex vivo skin tissue glycation model.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2025Red rice extract suppressed UVB-induced inflammation and skin aging in human skin fibroblasts by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, leading to decreased NF-kappa B and AP-1 activation, reduced ECM degradation, and increased ECM synthesis compared to UVB-irradiated controls.
Natural Product Communications, 2016Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.
Marine Drugs, 2023Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A Tris/Arg-formulated cleanser significantly decreased noninflammatory and inflammatory acne and pore size with keratotic plugs compared to an AEC/AC cleanser in male Thai subjects with mild to moderate acne over 4 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Epigallocatechin-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
Saccharomyces Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Water, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Stearyl Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Betaphycus Gelatinum Extract, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate Tetradecanedioate, Cellulose Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
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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