Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Glycerin
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Polyglutamic Acid
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 hydration for your oily skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide excellent moisturizing benefits without exacerbating oiliness. Oat Kernel Extract and Jasmine Flower Extract further soothe the skin, making it generally suitable for your oily skin type.
- While it effectively hydrates and plumps the skin, the formula lacks specific ingredients to target acne, blemishes, and breakouts, which are your main concerns.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.
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
★4.8Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers with dehydrated and dry skin report this serum provides immediate, deep hydration, leaving skin plump and dewy with a lightweight texture suitable for layering. Some users with sensitive skin experienced breakouts, and others found the finish slightly tacky or the hydration insufficient for harsh winter dryness.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “skin feels quenched immediately”
- “bye bye dry patches”
- “hydration lasts all day”
- “healed my dry neck”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “not greasy at all”
- “feels like water”
- “lightweight and refreshing”
Layers well Sometimes Noted
- “great under makeup”
- “pairs well with moisturizer”
- “no pilling with other products”
- “smooth base for foundation”
Plumps and glows Sometimes Noted
- “skin looks bouncy”
- “gives a dewy glow”
- “fine lines diminished”
- “radiant and nourished”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “too expensive for size”
- “pricey for a hyaluronic serum”
- “not worth the money”
- “bottle runs out fast”
Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
- “leaves a tacky finish”
- “feels sticky to touch”
- “slightly oily consistency”
- “takes time to dry down”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “woke up with pimples”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused cystic acne”
- “irritated my sensitive skin”
Insufficient for winter Rarely Noted
- “not enough for winter”
- “skin still felt dry”
- “needed more moisture”
- “good for summer only”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.ae, lovelyskin.com, ulta.com, dermalogica.com, beautifiedyou.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
This product works well for providing moderate hydration to oily skin without adding extra oiliness, though it lacks ingredients that target breakouts. An ideal product for this skin type needs ingredients like Niacinamide and ceramides to manage blemishes, balance oil, and maintain a lightweight texture without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide moderate moisture without making your oily skin greasy, while oat kernel extract and jasmine flower extract help calm the skin. To work best for acne-prone skin, this type of product also needs ingredients like niacinamide or ceramides to target breakouts and balance oil.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
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 Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though some serums may also be used in the morning. It helps hydrate oily skin safely, but oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type that also includes ingredients to clear blemishes and breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Pharmaceutics, 2021
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol, applying the serum before your retinol treatment to keep your skin calm and comfortable. This type of skin needs a moisturizing treatment that also includes ingredients to clear pores and target breakouts.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works well as an evening treatment step in your routine, where it helps hydrate oily skin without feeling heavy. To address acne and breakouts, this skin type needs a product containing targeted active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily acne-prone skin, as it features a safe formula with soothing ingredients that do not irritate. However, because it lacks targeted acne-fighting ingredients, an effective routine for this skin also needs blemish-clearing components like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizing treatment is safe to use around the eyes and on the body, though the skin around the eyes is much thinner than body skin. While it provides gentle hydration, this skin type needs targeted ingredients like specific blemish-fighting actives to effectively manage acne.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene and linalool).
What the research says
Colloidal oat extracts diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and colloidal oat lotion improved skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity in healthy female subjects compared to baseline.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015A 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, 2017Topically applied Avena sativa and Avena Rhealba oatmeal extracts significantly reduced skin irritation parameters including a* parameter increase and blood flow increase compared to vehicle in 12 healthy individuals subjected to the sodium lauryl sulfate irritation model.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002A multiple W/O/W emulsion containing Rosmarinus officinalis L., Avena sativa L., and Linum usitatissimum L. extracts showed no irritant, phototoxic, inflammatory, or allergenic potential in human skin models and patch tests, establishing its safety as a cosmetic base.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Topical 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, 2019The 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, 2020Ten 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, 2001Niacinamide/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, 2012A repair cream containing Rhealba oat plantlets extract, l-ALA-l-GLU dipeptide, and hyaluronic acid provided immediate relief and was judged by doctors as good or very good in 96.8% of cases for wound healing in 2,363 patients following dermatological acts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2018Colloidal oat increased the growth rate, metabolism, and lactic acid production of Staphylococcus epidermidis compared to Staphylococcus aureus in vitro, matching clinical increases in lactic acid on dry skin after 6 weeks of lotion use.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021A dermocosmetic product containing oat plantlet sap and Garcinia mangostana extract reduced retentional and inflammatory acne lesions by 21% and 35% respectively after 2 months in 54 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024A Dunaliella salina extract significantly reduced skin glycation scores, histamine sensitivity, wrinkle counts, and spots compared to placebo under intense solar exposure.
Marine Drugs, 2022Phytoene- and phytofluene-rich tomato and Dunaliella salina extracts show no significant cytotoxic, genotoxic, irritant, or sensitizing potential, supporting their safe human topical use.
Journal of Toxicology, 2018Curcumin-loaded polyglutamic acid and gum arabic electrospun nanofibers accelerated wound healing, increased TGF-beta1 and VEGF expression, reduced inflammatory factors, and enhanced re-epithelialization and tissue regeneration in a mouse model with acute full-thickness skin defects.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024Polyglutamic acid and polylysine composite hydrogels promote wound repair and hemostasis through high water absorption, bioadhesion, calcium ion-mediated coagulation factor activation, and inherent antibacterial properties in a deep skin defect model.
Macromolecular Bioscience, 2021
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992A 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, 2017Co-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
Ingredients
Water, Peg-8, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Ppg-24-Glycereth-24, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Bergamot Oil Fruit, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Jasminum Sambac Flower Extract Jasmine Flower Extract, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Gigartina Stellata Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract Kelp Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Cupressus Sempervirens Oil, Cistus Ladaniferus Stem Extract Leaf, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Rosamarinus Officinalis Stem Extract Flower Leaf Rosemary Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Tagetes Minuta Oil Flower, Rosa Damascena Flower, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Pca, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Polyglutamic Acid, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lysine Hcl, Betaine, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Lactate, Pca, Glucose, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Silanetriol, Pantolactone, Glutamic Acid, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Amylopectin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene, Linalool
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
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