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Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion for oily acne-prone skin

Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion

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 excellent moisturizing for your oily skin due to glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which hydrate and plump without overwhelming. Honey and licorice root extract provide soothing benefits, though the formula lacks targeted ingredients for your acne and oiliness.
  • While the emulsion is highly suitable for oily skin and safe due to its gentle formulation, it does not directly address your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation and the presence of soothing 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

★4.6Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, users highly praise this emulsion for delivering deep hydration and a plump, dewy finish, often described as 'glass skin'. It is particularly effective for dry and combination skin, offering soothing benefits that reduce redness and strengthen the skin barrier. While many enjoy the luxurious herbal scent, a significant portion of users find it polarizing. The high price point is a frequent concern, and some users with oily skin find it too rich, especially in warmer weather.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated”
    • “relieves skin discomfort caused by dryness”
    • “skin drinks it up”
  • Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
    • “makes skin baby soft”
    • “gives a glass-skin effect”
    • “smooths uneven texture”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “light and breathable cream”
    • “non-greasy finish”
  • High price Often Mentioned
    • “not worth the sticker price”
    • “definitely a pretty penny”
    • “expensive for a lotion”
  • Herbal scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells luxurious and relaxing”
    • “love the herbal scent”
    • “feels like zen”
  • Soothing & calming Sometimes Noted
    • “calms visible signs of irritation”
    • “helped my sensitive skin”
    • “very relaxing and soothing”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like old lady perfume”
    • “herbal scent is too strong”
    • “smells medicinal”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “heavy glass bottle”
    • “hard to get the last bit out”
  • Too rich for oily Rarely Noted
    • “too rich for summer”
    • “made my T-zone shiny”
    • “felt a bit sticky”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.my, macys.com, influenster.com, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion work for oily acne-prone skin?

Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Emulsion works for your oily acne-prone skin by providing hydration with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, though other products fit this skin better because it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and oiliness. A moisturizing treatment for this skin needs lightweight ingredients that hydrate without adding excess oil, along with targeted components to address breakouts and clear pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this emulsion a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate hydrate and plump your oily skin without overwhelming it, while honey and licorice root extract help soothe it. However, a product for this skin type also needs targeted ingredients to clear acne and manage oiliness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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 Honey do for oily acne-prone skin?

Honey helps calm oily acne-prone skin and may fight breakout-causing bacteria. It acts as a gentle, safe option that is unlikely to cause irritation while keeping the skin balanced.

Current Microbiology, 2026International Journal of Dermatology, 2024

Where does this emulsion go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing treatment goes near the end of your morning and evening routines, right before your sunscreen during the day. It hydrates your oily skin well using ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, but oily acne-prone skin also needs targeted ingredients that clear blemishes and control oil.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this emulsion with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this moisturizing treatment with retinol by applying it after your retinol step to help keep your oily skin soft and calm. This product type needs ingredients that target acne and excess oil to work well for acne-prone skin.

How often should I use this emulsion?

This moisturizing treatment works well as a daily step in your routine, keeping your skin soft and calm without feeling heavy. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also brings active ingredients to clear blemishes and control excess oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this emulsion clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This emulsion is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, and it is safe for your oily skin with no irritation risks, though it does not target your breakouts. Oily and acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.

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

This moisturizing treatment is safe to use around the eyes because its gentle formula is unlikely to cause irritation. However, since the skin on your eyelids is much thinner than on other areas, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients to properly care for that delicate area without feeling heavy.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this emulsion fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, linalool, citronellol, citral, and geraniol) and drying alcohol (alcohol).

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, 2017
  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • 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
  • Honey-based dressings reduced mean healing duration, length of hospital stay, and VAS pain scores compared with povidone iodine-based dressings in 1236 participants.

    Journal of Wound Care, 2021
  • Topical honey application improved the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and healing time compared to acyclovir cream in 16 adult patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes lesions.

    Medical Science Monitor, 2004
  • Combining 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, 2015
  • Licochalcone 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, 2015
  • Bioactive 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, 2025

Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • A 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
  • Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.

    Molecules, 2023
  • A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Poly C6-14 Olefin, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, 2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Propanediol, Honey, Miel, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Disodium Edta, Alcohol, Limonene, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Crataegus Pinnatifida Fruit Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Linalool, Beta-Glucan, Natto Gum, Pueraria Thunbergiana Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Citronellol, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Myristic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Polygonatum Odoratum Extract Rhizome, Citral, Geraniol, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Tbhq, Tocopherol

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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