SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier for oily acne-prone skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Proxylane
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Purple Rice Extract
Adenosine
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers 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 benefits for your oily skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide excellent hydration and plumping effects, while capryloyl salicylic acid offers mild exfoliation and pore-refining. This product is generally safe for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients, ensuring no irritation.
- While it provides good moisturizing, it lacks targeted ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to effectively address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 4.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with dry, mature, or dehydrated skin frequently praise this serum for its ability to visibly plump facial contours and smooth fine lines, particularly around the eyes and mouth. While many report immediate hydration and improved skin texture, a minority of users with sensitive or acne-prone skin experienced irritation or breakouts.
Highlights
Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels super hydrated”
- “dry patches vanished”
- “keeps skin dewy all day”
- “moisture lasts 24 hours”
Visible plumping Often Mentioned
- “cheeks look fuller”
- “smooths out crow's feet”
- “lips look plumper”
- “fills in fine lines”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “way too expensive”
- “not worth the money”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “found cheaper alternatives”
Fast absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs instantly”
- “soaks right in”
- “not greasy at all”
- “layers well under cream”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels like silk”
- “texture is much smoother”
- “makeup applies better”
- “softens rough areas”
Sticky texture Sometimes Noted
- “feels tacky”
- “sticky finish”
- “hair sticks to face”
- “takes forever to dry”
Poor packaging Rarely Noted
- “dropper doesn't work well”
- “hard to get product out”
- “messy bottle”
- “pipette struggles with thickness”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused redness”
- “stung my face”
- “broke me out”
- “burning sensation”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, bluemercury.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier work for oily acne-prone skin?
This product works moderately well for your oily skin by providing good hydration, but it lacks targeted ingredients to effectively address acne and breakouts. To better fit oily acne-prone skin, a product needs ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid to regulate oil production and clear pores without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a good fit by providing hydration and plumping effects, while capryloyl salicylic acid offers mild exfoliation and pore-refining. Because it lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid, an ideal product for this skin type needs effective ingredients that target blemishes, regulate oil production, and provide lightweight hydration without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
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
What does Proxylane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Proxylane does not directly treat oily or acne-prone skin, as it is primarily used to firm skin and smooth out fine lines. Oily skin types looking for anti-aging benefits need lightweight ingredients that boost firmness without clogging pores or adding heavy layers of moisture.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatology and Therapy, 2026
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, as treatments with active ingredients are typically placed in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. This product works well for your skin, though an oily acne-prone skin needs a product with targeted ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to effectively address 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 and soften your skin, followed by your retinol. This product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to properly manage breakouts for oily acne-prone skin.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and smooth while being very unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This product is unlikely to cause skin irritation because it lacks harsh ingredients, but it does not treat breakouts effectively since it lacks targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid. For an ideal fit on oily acne-prone skin, a product needs specialized ingredients that clear pores and control oil.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizing treatment is generally safe to use around the eyes or on the body, as its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation. However, because it is formulated for facial hydration and lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients, an effective routine for oily acne-prone skin needs ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help clear breakouts.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (limonene) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
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, 2017Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Topical 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, 2019Application of a hydroxypropyl tetrahydropyrantriol and niacinamide formula following nonablative fractional laser treatment demonstrated comparable healing benefits to clinical control and significant improvements in fine lines, crow's feet wrinkles, skin roughness, and overall healthy appearance over 56 days in White and Northeast Asian panels.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025RayGel reduced skin reaction severity with a lower average score of 93.7 compared to 123.3 for the placebo group in patients undergoing whole breast external-beam irradiation.
American Journal of Surgery, 2005Topical adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
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, 2020A 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, 2017A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Propylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polysilicone-11, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Octyldodecanol, Bis-Peg Ppg-16 16 Peg Ppg-16 16 Dimethicone, Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Oryza Sativa Rice Extract, Disodium Edta, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Citrus Nobilis Mandarin Orange Peel Oil, Limonene, T-Butyl Alcohol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
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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