COSRX The Vitamin C 13 Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Super Vitamin E
Glutathione
NiacinamideHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even 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
- Offers high suitability for your oily skin, as Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide work to brighten and smooth your texture while targeting inflammation and oil production. Caffeine and Adenosine further enhance radiance and provide antioxidant protection, complementing your goals for acne and oiliness.
- The inclusion of Squalane and Tocopherol offers nourishment and supports skin barrier function, beneficial for maintaining overall skin health.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, with no identified risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsThis serum is a gentle and effective option for sensitive and acne-prone skin, frequently praised for its ability to brighten the complexion and fade dark spots without causing irritation. Users often note a hydrating and plumping effect, though a significant number find the strong, fishy scent and sticky finish to be considerable drawbacks. Some also mention the need for refrigeration due to the formula's instability and occasional packaging issues.
Highlights
Gentle formula Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation at all”
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “didn't feel any stinging”
Brightens skin Often Mentioned
- “faded my acne marks”
- “skin looks radiant”
- “dark spots seem to be fading”
Unpleasant scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like tuna”
- “scent is funky”
- “metallic smell”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “quality and affordable”
- “great price point”
- “delivering way better than expected”
Hydrating and plumping Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels hydrated and plump”
- “gives a gorgeous inner glow”
- “moisturizing feel”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “feels really sticky”
- “hair sticks to face”
- “tacky finish”
Storage requirements Sometimes Noted
- “needs to be kept in fridge”
- “oxidizes quickly”
- “turned yellow fast”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “leaked in the box”
- “hissed when opened”
- “dropper is too runny”
Sources: lovi.care, cosrx.com, sokoglam.com, iherb.com, lyko.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX Vitamin C 13 Serum a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a great fit because Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide help brighten and smooth your skin while targeting oil production and inflammation. It also includes Squalane and Tocopherol to support your skin barrier without irritation, making it safe and nourishing for oily and acne-prone skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Ascorbic acid and niacinamide make this serum a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because they help brighten and smooth your texture while targeting inflammation and oil production. Caffeine and adenosine further enhance radiance, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does Vitamin C do for oily acne-prone skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out texture, and improve uneven spots for oily acne-prone skin. It may also help fade marks left behind by blemishes.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
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 treatments are placed there for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is a great fit for your oily skin because it helps brighten and smooth your texture while targeting inflammation and oil production.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum in your morning routine and apply your retinol at night to help avoid any irritation. Using them at different times of day lets you safely enjoy the brightening and smoothing benefits of vitamin C alongside your retinol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is used in the evening as part of your routine. It is a safe and suitable fit for your oily acne-prone skin.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, as it has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation. It helps brighten smooth texture while managing oil production and targeting inflammation without causing purging.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Application of squalene/phosphotungstate calcium nanowires (Sql/PWC) oleogel on UVB-irradiated skin decreased epidermal thickness, increased dermal thickness, and promoted the expression of elastin, collagen, and skin barrier markers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Topical application of a vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate significantly increased epidermal thickness, type III collagen production, and glycosaminoglycans production in human skin explants compared to free vitamin C and vitamin C-palmitate.
Scientific Reports, 2020Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2019Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
Ingredients
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 3-0-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Panthenol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Sulfite, Disodium Edta, Glutathione, Adenosine, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Dextrin, Squalane, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Palm Oil, Arginine, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
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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