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First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum for oily skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

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 humectant benefits without exacerbating oiliness, while squalane offers emollient support.
  • The inclusion of oat and panthenol contributes to soothing effects, though the formula does not directly target concerns about oily shine.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

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

★4.2Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

Users with sensitive and dry skin frequently praise this serum for its hydrating and plumping effects, with many noting it reduces flakiness without clogging pores. A significant number of reviewers mention a sticky residue that takes time to dry, and some long-time users express dissatisfaction with recent formula changes.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “instantly boosts moisture”
    • “decreased flakiness significantly”
    • “skin feels soft and hydrated”
    • “plumps fine lines”
  • Lightweight & layerable Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs right into skin”
    • “layers well under makeup”
    • “doesn't leave a residue”
    • “light enough for oily skin”
  • Safe for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “didn't break me out”
    • “calms irritated skin”
    • “soothing for redness”
  • Sticky/tacky finish Often Mentioned
    • “leaves skin sticky”
    • “feels like a lint roller”
    • “never fully sets in”
    • “tacky texture”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “makeup goes on smoother”
    • “soft as a baby's butt”
    • “eliminated dry patches”
    • “skin looks healthy”
  • Formula change complaints Sometimes Noted
    • “new formula is inferior”
    • “bring back old formula”
    • “watered down consistency”
    • “caused reaction unlike original”
  • Poor value/size Sometimes Noted
    • “bottle is too small”
    • “finished in a month”
    • “pricey for the amount”
    • “not worth $40”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out immediately”
    • “caused blemishes”
    • “tiny bumps appeared”
    • “clogged my pores”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, firstaidbeauty.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does First Aid Beauty Hydrating Serum work for oily skin?

This serum offers moderate hydration for your oily skin using glycerin and sodium hyaluronate without making it feel greasy, while oat and panthenol help calm it. However, it does not target oily shine, so an oily skin type needs a product that controls oil and manages pores using ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide lightweight hydration without making your skin oily, while squalane softens it. Additionally, oat and panthenol help calm your skin. Oily skin of this type needs ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide to control oil and minimize pores, and allantoin to soothe.

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

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

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

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

This serum goes in the evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. It offers moderate hydration and soothing effects for oily skin, though an oily skin routine needs ingredients that directly target excess shine.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your oily skin a boost of moisture and soothing ingredients, followed by your retinol treatment. This product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients to keep oily skin balanced and clear without feeling heavy.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum fits well in an evening routine, where it is used once a day after cleansing. Oily skin works best with products of this type that also help control shine and reduce excess oil.

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

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as it features a safe formula with soothing ingredients like oat and panthenol, though reviewer feedback notes a low risk of breakouts. Oily skin often needs lightweight hydration and ingredients that balance oil without heavy textures.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

You can use this serum around the eyes and on your body, as its safe formula is gentle on thin and sensitive areas. However, because oily skin needs products that also control shine, an ideal product for this skin type should include ingredients that balance oil production while providing lightweight hydration.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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, 2017
  • 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 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
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • A 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, 2018
  • Topically 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, 2002
  • 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, 2015
  • Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022
  • Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.

    Marine Drugs, 2023

Why other moisturizers fit oily skin better

Ingredients

Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water-Soluble Collagen, Oat, Panthenol, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Pca, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Edta

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: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.