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COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream for acne-prone skin

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other moisturizers 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 moisturizing for your combination skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action to hydrate and plump. Panthenol and allantoin further soothe and support skin barrier function, making it generally suitable for acne-prone skin.
  • This formula is highly compatible with combination skin due to the humectant properties of glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which attract and retain moisture.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
  • Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
  • Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
  • Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 4.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this cream is widely praised as a "sip of water" for dehydrated and dry skin, offering deep moisture without feeling overly heavy. It creates a plump, glowing complexion for most users. However, those with acne-prone skin report mixed results, with some experiencing breakouts or closed comedones.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “Sip of water”
    • “plumps fine lines”
    • “eliminates flakiness”
    • “locks in moisture”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “not greasy”
    • “gel-cream hybrid”
    • “doesn't feel heavy”
  • Gentle & soothing Sometimes Noted
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “no irritation”
    • “calms redness”
    • “fragrance-free”
  • Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “cystic acne”
    • “closed comedones”
    • “clogged pores”
    • “bumps on forehead”
  • Good makeup base Rarely Noted
    • “smooth canvas”
    • “no pilling”
    • “works well under foundation”
  • Jar packaging Rarely Noted
    • “unhygienic tub”
    • “wish it had a pump”
    • “dip fingers in”
  • Not rich enough Rarely Noted
    • “need more for winter”
    • “too light for very dry skin”
    • “dried out quickly”
  • Sticky residue Rarely Noted
    • “tacky finish”
    • “feels sticky”
    • “takes time to dry”
    • “greasy film”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Cream work for acne-prone skin?

This cream is generally suitable for acne-prone skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide moisture while panthenol and allantoin calm the skin without causing irritation. However, acne-prone skin often requires formulas with specialized ingredients that specifically target blemishes, control oil, and support skin repair.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

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

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate hydrate your skin, while panthenol and allantoin soothe it and help calm irritation. To fit acne-prone skin even better, a moisturizer of this type needs ingredients that target blemishes and support skin repair without causing irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

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.

Biomedicines, 2025Drug Delivery, 2017

What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

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

This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment at night. It helps hydrate and soothe your skin without irritation, though acne-prone skin often does better with a lighter moisturizer that controls oil and includes blemishes-fighting ingredients.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying it after your retinol treatment to help soothe your skin and keep it calm. Using a moisturizer with acne treatments is unlikely to cause irritation and may help reduce dryness.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine to keep your skin hydrated. Regular daily application helps improve moisture levels and supports the skin barrier.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cream is generally suitable for your acne-prone skin, though some reviewers do report that it caused breakouts. To work best for this skin type, a moisturizer like this needs soothing ingredients like panthenol and allantoin to help calm the skin without causing irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

You can use this cream around the eyes and on your body, as its gentle ingredients are generally safe for delicate areas. It helps hydrate dry spots and calms irritation without harsh additives, though body skin often needs richer hydration.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • 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
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • 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
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

Ingredients

Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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