Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 for oily acne-prone skin
Dimethicone
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Caution
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for oily acne-prone skin; the serums alongside fit it 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 moderate pore treatment for your oily skin due to Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract and Fomes Officinalis Extract, which help decongest pores and regulate sebum. Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract and Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract provide additional cleansing benefits, supporting your goal of managing oiliness.
- While the formula offers general hydration and soothing effects, its primary benefits are not directly targeted at your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
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
★4.2Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with oily and combination skin frequently report that this serum effectively regulates sebum and improves overall skin texture, creating a smoother base for makeup. While many users noticed a visible tightening of pores and a "glass skin" effect, results regarding actual pore size reduction are mixed, with some finding it highly effective and others seeing no significant change.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin texture feels smoother”
- “leaves skin soft and smooth”
- “makeup sits better”
- “improved skin clarity”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight finish”
- “not greasy”
- “sinks right in”
Oil & sebum control Often Mentioned
- “controls excess oil”
- “nose wasn't as oily”
- “regulates sebum production”
- “balanced skin moisture”
Sticky texture Often Mentioned
- “incredibly sticky”
- “tacky finish after application”
- “hair sticks to my face”
- “feels uncomfortable and sticky”
Pore tightening Sometimes Noted
- “pores looked noticeably tighter”
- “saw a reduction in pore size”
- “felt my pores tightening”
- “pores look cleaner and smaller”
Ineffective for some Sometimes Noted
- “didn't see a difference”
- “pores look the same”
- “no effect on blackheads”
- “didn't live up to claims”
Unpleasant fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is a bit off”
- “strong perfume smell”
- “smells like men's cologne”
- “fragrance is overpowering”
Price vs. quantity Rarely Noted
- “bottle is too small”
- “expensive for the amount”
- “finished it too quickly”
- “pricy for daily use”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, hwahae.co.kr, stylekorean.com, oliveyoung.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Medicube Zero Pore Serum for oily acne-prone skin?
Lovi advises caution because this serum focuses mainly on pores and oil rather than targeting acne and breakouts directly. An effective choice for this skin type needs safe, non-irritating ingredients that tackle blemishes clearly while keeping skin calm and non-greasy.
Ostomy/wound Management, 2005Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018
Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is a poor fit for oily acne-prone skin because it contains dimethicone and other heavy texture ingredients that can overwhelm skin prone to breakouts, as these silicones have shown limited performance in barrier and protection tests compared to lighter options. A treatment for this skin needs effective, non-irritating ingredients like niacinamide and soothing fermented extracts that clear blemishes and enhance clarity without adding heaviness.
What does Water do for oily acne-prone skin?
Water helps keep oily, acne-prone skin hydrated without making it greasy. Keeping skin hydrated is important because acne treatments can dry it out and irritate the skin barrier.
What does Dimethicone do for oily acne-prone skin?
Dimethicone helps protect oily, acne-prone skin from irritation, but it shows varying performance in keeping skin hydrated compared to other protectants. Because it can feel heavy, this type of skin often needs lighter ingredients like natural plant oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio to keep pores clear and the skin barrier strong.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Because it is a poor match for your oily acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients that directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
Can I use this serum with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this serum with niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before layering this treatment on top. This order helps keep your oily skin balanced while minimizing irritation. Oily acne-prone skin needs a treatment that directly targets breakouts and blemishes with proven acne-fighting ingredients alongside pore-clearing extracts.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is a poor match for your oily acne-prone skin, as it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts; oily acne-prone skin needs acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids to clear blemishes and prevent clogged pores. When used on this skin, apply it in the evening as a treatment step, starting once a week and only increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum may not cause purging since it does not contain exfoliating acids, but its heavy silicones can sometimes clog pores on blemish-prone skin. A product of this type needs lightweight, non-greasy hydrators and targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to properly care for oily skin.
Ostomy/wound Management, 2005Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Aqueous extracts of apple mint leaves inhibited heat shock-induced production of reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinases, interleukin-8, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in human dermal fibroblasts.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018White button mushroom extract treatment increased VEGF densities, EGF, PCNA, and collagen fibers, while decreasing apoptotic cells and limiting TGF-beta and CD4 reactions in ICR mice and chorioallantoic culture, indicating beneficial effects on skin regeneration and injury.
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isoceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-25, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Disodium Edta, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Bht, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower 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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
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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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