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Face Reality hydraBalance gel for oily skin

Face Reality hydraBalance gel

Average

  • HighOily 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

  • Highly suitable for oily skin, the Syringa Vulgaris Cells Stem and Totarol work to regulate sebum and provide antimicrobial action, addressing your oily shine concerns.
  • Hyaluronic Acid offers moderate hydration and plumping benefits, supporting overall skin health without exacerbating oiliness.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or 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

★4.4Overall rating based on 300+ reviews

This product is praised for its lightweight, water-based formula that hydrates acne-prone, oily, and combination skin without pore blockage. It is frequently reported to soothe irritation from acne treatments and layer well with other products, making it a popular choice for maintaining a balanced, non-greasy complexion.

Highlights

  • Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “Feels like a drink of water”
    • “Very light”
    • “Absorbs quickly”
  • Acne-safe formula Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't clog pores”
    • “Perfect for acne-prone”
    • “Non-comedogenic”
  • Soothes irritation Often Mentioned
    • “Calms irritation”
    • “Reduces redness”
    • “Helps with dryness”
  • Versatile layering Sometimes Noted
    • “Layers well under sunscreen”
    • “Great under moisturizer”
    • “Works with serums”
  • Not enough moisture Rarely Noted
    • “Need extra moisturizer”
    • “Not a replacement”
    • “Too light alone”
  • Slight stickiness Rarely Noted
    • “Note slight stickiness”
    • “Sticky during application”
    • “Tacky until dry”
  • Unclear usage Rarely Noted
    • “Can't figure out use”
    • “Confusing packaging”
    • “What is it for?”

Sources: lovi.care, facerealityskincare.com, artofskincare.com, lazskincare.com, skinlovecream.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Face Reality HydraBalance work for oily skin?

Face Reality HydraBalance works for oily skin, though other products fit it better by offering a lighter texture and better performance without heavy oils. To suit this skin well, a moisturizing treatment needs peptides, barrier-supporting ingredients, and a lightweight feel that hydrates without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Syringa Vulgaris Cells Stem and Totarol make this moisturizer a good fit because they help regulate shine and provide antimicrobial action. Hyaluronic Acid also supports the skin with moderate hydration without adding extra oil. Oily skin of this type needs a combination of peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and ingredients that support the skin barrier without heavy oils.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

What do Lilac Stem Cells do for oily skin?

Lilac stem cells help oily skin by reducing excess oil and calming inflamed blemishes. They also decrease the clogged pores that lead to breakouts, making your skin look clearer and more balanced.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

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

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

This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your regular moisturizer. To fit oily skin better, this type of product also needs ingredients that regulate oil and provide antimicrobial action like Syringa Vulgaris Cells Stem and Totarol.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

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

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the retinol first and following it with the moisturizer to help keep your skin calm and comfortable. This type of routine works best for oily skin when it includes lightweight hydration and ingredients that help regulate oil and protect against blemishes.

Cutis, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

How often should I use this moisturizer?

Face reality hydraBalance gel can be used as your evening treatment step or twice a day depending on your skin's needs. Because it is an average fit for oily skin, a moisturizing treatment for this skin type needs ingredients like Syringa Vulgaris Cells Stem and Totarol to help regulate oil and clear shine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

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

This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very safe profile with no harsh or heavy ingredients. However, because it only offers moderate hydration, oily skin often needs a product with stronger oil-controlling ingredients and lightweight hydrators to feel fully balanced.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Drug Delivery, 2017

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

This moisturizing treatment can be used around the eyes and on the body, though oily skin often needs a product with sebum-regulating plant stem cells and antimicrobial ingredients like totarol to properly manage shine and breakouts.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017

What the research says

  • Phenylpropanoids from Syringa vulgaris plant cell culture reduced lipid storage, pre-inflammatory mediator release, and P. acnes growth while increasing antimicrobial peptide synthesis in human skin models, and decreased sebum production, inflamed blemishes, and retentional lesions in volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.

    Drug Delivery, 2017
  • 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

Ingredients

Syringa Vulgaris Cells Stem, Hyaluronic Acid, Totarol, Phenyl-N-Butyl Nitrone Spin Trap

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?

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How does it fit your skin?

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