🇮🇪Ireland

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum for oily skin

The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best moisturizers for oily skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin as glycerin and propanediol provide excellent humectant action, maintaining skin hydration without adding excess oil.
  • The presence of sodium hyaluronate offers significant hydration and plumping benefits, addressing your primary goal of managing oily shine.
  • This formula is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
  • Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 6.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this serum as a lightweight, non-sticky hydration booster that works well across all skin types, particularly for dehydrated or sensitive skin. The majority report visibly plumper and smoother skin, though a small subset of users experienced dryness when not sealing it correctly with a moisturizer or found the packaging difficult to keep clean.

Highlights

  • Affordable price Mostly Mentioned
    • “unbeatable value”
    • “budget friendly”
    • “great price for quality”
    • “cheap but effective”
  • Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly”
    • “watery gel consistency”
    • “no tacky residue”
    • “better than The Ordinary”
  • Instant hydration Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels juicy”
    • “plumps fine lines”
    • “immediate relief for tightness”
    • “glass skin effect”
  • Layers well Often Mentioned
    • “no pilling under makeup”
    • “plays well with other serums”
    • “great base for foundation”
    • “mixes with vitamin C”
  • Gentle on skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no irritation”
    • “fragrance-free”
    • “soothed my redness”
    • “safe for acne-prone skin”
  • Messy packaging Sometimes Noted
    • “crusty cap”
    • “product dries in nozzle”
    • “leaks easily”
    • “hard to dispense”
  • Small bottle Sometimes Noted
    • “runs out quickly”
    • “finished in 3 weeks”
    • “wish it was bigger”
    • “tiny amount”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “gave me whiteheads”
    • “clogged pores”
    • “caused congestion”
    • “small bumps appeared”
  • Drying if misused Rarely Noted
    • “felt tight after”
    • “dried my face out”
    • “needs damp skin”
    • “must use moisturizer”
  • No results Rarely Noted
    • “did nothing”
    • “just like water”
    • “no difference noticed”
    • “average performance”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, boots.com, influenster.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The INKEY List Hyaluronic Acid Serum a great fit for oily skin?

This serum is a great fit for oily skin because glycerin and propanediol maintain skin hydration without adding excess oil. Sodium hyaluronate also offers significant hydration and plumping benefits to help manage oily shine safely.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and propanediol make this serum a great fit for your oily skin because they maintain hydration without adding excess oil. Sodium hyaluronate also offers significant hydration and plumping benefits to help manage oily shine while keeping your skin calm.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. Treatments are placed in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.

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 lightweight formula maintains hydration without adding excess oil, and using a hydrating product helps reduce the dryness and irritation that often come with retinol.

Cutis, 2006International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

How often should I use this serum?

This serum is a great fit for your oily skin and is best used in the evening as part of your routine. Ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help keep your skin hydrated without adding excess oil or causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on oily skin. Its formula maintains hydration without adding excess oil and avoids harsh ingredients that could irritate your skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Yes, you can safely use this moisturizing treatment around the eyes and on your body because its gentle formula provides hydration without adding excess oil. Ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help keep these delicate areas smooth and well-hydrated.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying 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, 2024
  • 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 mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.

    Molecules, 2021
  • 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
  • Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

Ingredients

Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phenoxyethanol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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Prices checked 10 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Ireland.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.