🇳🇱Netherlands

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum for oily skin

COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum

Average

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

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

  • Offers moderate hydration for your oily skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide excellent humectant action without feeling heavy, though it lacks specific ingredients to target oily shine.
  • The inclusion of dimethicone and caprylic capric triglyceride offers emollient benefits, contributing to overall skin comfort and smoothness.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with no reported irritation risks due to its gentle formulation and absence of harsh ingredients.

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

★4.7Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for its ability to deeply hydrate and plump the skin, providing an immediate dewy effect. Many users value its hydrating properties and fast absorption, with moderate mentions of it strengthening the skin barrier and improving texture. A significant number of reviewers find the bottle size to be too small, leading to it running out quickly, and some note a sticky finish. There are also moderate comments regarding the price and low mentions of packaging issues.

Highlights

  • Small bottle size Mostly Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product”
    • “ran out fast compared to other serums”
    • “bottle only lasts about a month”
    • “wish the size was bigger”
  • Deep hydration Often Mentioned
    • “skin felt firm and plump”
    • “leaves my skin feeling super hydrated”
    • “hydration hits your skin instantly”
    • “makes my skin feel plump and smooth”
  • Fast absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs fast into the skin”
    • “extremely lightweight serum that isn't greasy”
    • “dries down really silky smooth”
    • “penetrates the skin quickly”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “smooths out and plumps”
    • “dry patches... stayed smooth”
    • “makeup applies more smoothly”
    • “leaves a smooth and hydrated finish”
  • Strengthens skin barrier Sometimes Noted
    • “effective at supporting my skin barrier”
    • “soothing effect on my skin barrier”
    • “ceramides help strengthen compromised skin”
    • “protects against dryness and dehydration”
  • Price per value Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for me”
    • “price point is pretty steep”
    • “costs so much money relative to the original”
    • “would probably only grab this during a sale”
  • Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “feels slightly sticky”
    • “slightly tacky feel”
    • “formula does lean a bit sticky”
    • “sticky residue that bothers me”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “packaging is terrible”
    • “cannot get the last drops”
    • “wish the cap were a bit more sturdy”
    • “too heavy bottle”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, cosrx.com, lookfantastic.ie, walmart.com, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Hyaluronic Acid 3 work for oily skin?

This product works for your oily skin by offering moderate moisture without feeling heavy, though other products fit it better. Oily skin needs a product that provides lightweight hydration, regulates oil production, minimizes shine, and includes ingredients like niacinamide and allantoin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Life, 2023

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

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a good fit for oily skin by providing light moisture without feeling heavy, while dimethicone and caprylic capric triglyceride help keep the skin smooth and comfortable. To better suit oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide to control shine and minimize pores, along with soothing ingredients such as Allantoin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Life, 2023

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 do Ceramides do for oily skin?

Ceramides help keep oily skin balanced by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture without feeling heavy. They are unlikely to clog pores and may help calm irritation, making them a good fit if your skin is both oily and prone to breakouts.

International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin typically needs products with oil-controlling or shine-reducing ingredients that this treatment lacks.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to keep your skin comfortable and smooth, followed by retinol. Oily skin also needs specific ingredients that target excess shine and oil production.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is very gentle on your oily skin and is unlikely to cause any irritation.

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

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it has a gentle formula without harsh ingredients, though oily skin often needs extra ingredients to help control shine.

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

You can use this serum around the eyes, where skin is very thin, as its gentle ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation. However, a product for this skin type also needs ingredients to control oily shine.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no fragrance and contains 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 application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.

    Life, 2023
  • Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2003
  • 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
  • Topical dry mouth products containing olive oil, betaine, and xylitol significantly increased unstimulated whole salivary flow rates, reduced xerostomia complaints, and improved quality of life in adults with polypharmacy-induced xerostomia compared to their normal routine care, with no clinically significant adverse events.

    Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2007
  • A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.

    Molecules, 2024
  • Mixed surfactant systems of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dimethyl dodecyl amido betaine significantly reduce acute skin irritation potential in human volunteers compared with the individual surfactants, demonstrating that irritation potential cannot be predicted by simple summation.

    Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1998

Why other moisturizers fit oily 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
  • Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013
  • A 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, 2017

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Pca, Sodium Lactate, Pca, Glyceryl Acrylate Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pvm Ma Copolymer, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Proline, Ceramide Np, Cholesterol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Phytosphingosine, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid

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?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 10 Oct 2026

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

How does it fit your skin?

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