The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA for acne-prone skin
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 hydration and firming benefits suitable for combination skin, with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate providing humectant action without excess oil.
- While the peptides like Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 target anti-aging concerns, they do not directly address your primary goal of managing acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your acne-prone skin, as it contains soothing ingredients and lacks harsh or irritating components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for its immediate hydrating and plumping effects, with many users noting a visible reduction in fine lines and improved skin texture with consistent use. Some users experience a tacky finish, and a smaller number report breakouts or no visible anti-aging results.
Highlights
Plumps and hydrates Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt more bouncy”
- “plumps the skin instantly”
- “well-hydrated and supple”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “very affordable”
- “steal at this price”
- “great value for money”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “soften smile lines”
- “reduction in vertical lines”
- “skin density improved”
Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
- “no sensitivity”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “soothing and non-irritating”
Silky texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides smoothly”
- “silky texture”
- “absorbs quickly”
No visible results Sometimes Noted
- “did nothing for me”
- “no spectacular effect”
- “didn't see improvement”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “tacky feeling”
- “sticky residue”
- “takes time to sink in”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “breaking out on cheeks”
- “caused closed comedones”
- “broke me out”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “chemical scent”
- “paint smell”
- “weird smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, influenster.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Matrixyl work for acne-prone skin?
This treatment works reasonably well for acne-prone skin by providing hydration without adding extra oil, but it does not directly target breakouts. An acne-prone skin type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, and propolis that manage blemishes while keeping the skin balanced.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum fits your skin because it includes glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which provide light moisture without adding extra oil, along with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation. However, it does not directly target breakouts, so acne-prone skin needs a product with ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, or propolis to help manage blemishes and control oiliness.
What does Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 do for acne-prone skin?
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 is not targeted for acne-prone skin, as its main focus is smoothing wrinkles and boosting collagen in aging skin. To properly care for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs soothing, blemish-clearing ingredients like niacinamide or acne-fighting agents.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing. It is safe for acne-prone skin, though acne-prone skin ultimately needs products that actively target blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying the vitamin C first on dry skin, waiting a few minutes for it to absorb, and then following with this serum. This order helps each product work effectively while keeping your skin calm and comfortable.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. While it is safe for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs targeted ingredients that directly clear breakouts and blemishes.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on acne-prone skin, as it contains gentle ingredients without harsh components. However, because it focuses on firming rather than managing acne, this skin type needs products with ingredients that specifically clear blemishes and control excess oil.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying 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, 2017Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026A 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, 2015Palmitoyl 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, 2026Topical 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, 2019
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.