Medicube COLLAGEN GLOW BOOSTER SERUM for oily acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Extract Milk Protein
Niacinamide
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 moderate moisturizing for your oily skin due to the presence of glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate effectively, while niacinamide helps with seboregulation.
- While beneficial for general hydration and oil control, the formula lacks specific ingredients to target your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh or prohibited 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
★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users love this serum for its ability to provide an immediate, radiant glow and significant hydration, making it ideal for dry or mature skin. Some users with oily skin find the texture too rich, and many feel the small bottle size is not worth the price.
Highlights
Instant glassy glow Mostly Mentioned
- “Inner glow is insane”
- “Glow is out of this world”
- “Gives a healthy radiance”
- “Skin looks amazing.”
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “Unparalleled hydration”
- “Skin feels soft and supple”
- “Instant hydration”
- “Great for dry skin.”
Small volume, high price Often Mentioned
- “Quantity isn't generous (15ml)”
- “Runs out in 2-3 weeks”
- “Expensive for the size”
- “Wish it was bigger.”
Hygienic packaging Sometimes Noted
- “Love the twist-push button”
- “Airless container design”
- “Sanitary and easy to use”
- “Portable stick format.”
Plumping and firming Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels bouncy”
- “Improved elasticity”
- “Softens fine lines”
- “Youthful looking finish.”
Silky texture Sometimes Noted
- “Milky and comfy”
- “Absorbs beautifully”
- “Smooth application”
- “Not sticky but dewy.”
Too rich for oily Sometimes Noted
- “Too rich for combination skin”
- “Leaves skin feeling greasy”
- “Can look oily if overapplied”
- “Caused breakouts.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Refill is tricky”
- “Hard to tell when empty”
- “Separates if dropped”
- “Dispenser broke.”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Feels a bit tacky”
- “Hair sticks to face”
- “Takes time to absorb”
- “Sticky residue.”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Has a strong smell”
- “Scent is too much”
- “Fragrance added is unnecessary”
- “Floral scent is potent.”
Sources: lovi.care, stylekorean.com, lookfantastic.com, medicube.us, iherb.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the medicube Collagen Glow Booster Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum works moderately well for your oily skin, offering good hydration and oil control, but it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and breakouts. To truly fit oily and breakout-prone skin, a product of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and lightweight hydrators that balance oil without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Antioxidants, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid hydrate your oily skin effectively, while niacinamide helps control oil production. However, because it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and breakouts, a treatment of this type needs ingredients that manage blemishes and balance oil without clogging pores.
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
What does Milk Protein Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Milk Protein Extract may not be the best fit for oily, acne-prone skin because dairy proteins can sometimes stimulate hormones and oil production that worsen breakouts. This skin type needs lightweight, oil-free hydrators and gentle, non-clogging ingredients that help control excess oil without triggering inflammation.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and gives extra safety around sun exposure. For oily skin that gets breakouts, this type of product also needs ingredients that clear pores and calm blemishes.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol to help keep your oily skin hydrated while reducing irritation. Apply the serum after cleansing and before your retinol to help your skin tolerate the treatment better.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this serum in your evening routine, applying it safely to your oily skin without irritation. While it provides moderate hydration and oil control, oily acne-prone skin also needs specific active ingredients that target breakouts and blemishes.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on your oily acne-prone skin, as it is safe and free from harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and blemishes, this skin type needs a product that includes targeted blemish-fighting ingredients alongside oil control and lightweight hydration.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this serum around the eyes and on the body because it has a gentle safety profile with no harsh ingredients. However, because the skin around the eyes is very thin, any new product may occasionally cause mild sensitivity.
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, 2017Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021The 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, 2012Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A Tris/Arg-formulated cleanser significantly decreased noninflammatory and inflammatory acne and pore size with keratotic plugs compared to an AEC/AC cleanser in male Thai subjects with mild to moderate acne over 4 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Gluconolactone 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, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Extract Milk Protein, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Allantoin, Adenosine, 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.
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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.