Kose Sekkisei Emulsion for acne-prone skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Squalane
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Wheat Germ Oil
Tocopheryl AcetateAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017
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 suitability for combination skin, as glycerin and squalane provide excellent hydration and barrier support, while Gentiana Lutea Extract and Wheat Germ Oil offer some emollient action.
- While the formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients for your combination skin, it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers generally praise this emulsion for its lightweight yet deeply hydrating formula that effectively brightens dull complexions and fades dark spots over time. While it is celebrated for creating a "snow-like" translucency and smoothing skin texture, those with oily or sensitive skin occasionally report issues with stickiness and the strong alcohol content.
Highlights
Lightweight hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Lightweight yet deeply hydrating”
- “Absorbs quickly without grease”
- “My dry skin drinks it up”
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “Skin complexion brightened up a lot”
- “Noticeably more radiant”
- “Whitening effect is visible”
Smooths skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling smooth and supple”
- “Soft smoothness I haven't experienced before”
- “Improves skin's texture”
Strong alcohol scent Often Mentioned
- “Smelled... with a light hint of alcohol”
- “Contains fragrance and alcohol”
- “Scent is too strong for me”
Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
- “Helps minimize appearance of dark spots”
- “Prevents freckles and aging spots”
- “Dark spots are removed and lessened”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive for my budget”
- “Pricey for the size”
- “Bit expensive but worth it”
Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a sticky and oily feeling”
- “Face looking a bit wet and oily”
- “Deep dry feeling after a few days”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “It broke me out each time”
- “Caused acne for oily skin”
- “ bumps appeared the next day”
Sources: lovi.care, kose-usa.com, influenster.com, cozycot.com, medium.com, dailysnippetsoflife.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does KOSÉ Sekkisei Emulsion work for acne-prone skin?
This emulsion works moderately well for acne-prone skin, providing hydration and barrier support while carrying a low risk of irritation, but it lacks targeted ingredients like salicylic acid for breakouts. Moisturizing treatments that fit this skin better need specialized ingredients to actively clear blemishes and target acne.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and squalane help provide hydration and keep your skin soft, while Gentiana Lutea Extract and Wheat Germ Oil offer soothing benefits. However, a product for acne-prone skin also needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively manage breakouts.
What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for acne-prone skin?
Ascorbyl Glucoside helps acne-prone skin by providing antioxidant protection and supporting overall skin clarity. Vitamin C derivatives like this are known to improve inflammatory skin disorders and help keep skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2012International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021
What does Squalane do for acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep acne-prone skin soft and smooth, but peroxidated forms can trigger inflammation in skin cells. For a better fit on acne-prone skin, products need non-clogging, soothing ingredients that balance oil without causing irritation.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes near the end of your morning and evening routines. While it safely hydrates your skin, acne-prone skin needs specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively clear breakouts.
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 with the moisturizer. This routine helps keep your skin soft and is unlikely to cause irritation. Acne-prone skin requires a product containing specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target breakouts.
How often should I use it?
This moisturizer works for your acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better, and you can safely use it daily in your morning and evening routines. It helps keep your skin hydrated and supported, but a product for this skin needs specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause irritation, but some reviewers report that it may cause breakouts. Because it lacks specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to target acne, acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients that gently clear pores and fight blemishes.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This product is safe to use around the eyes and on the body. While it hydrates and supports the skin barrier, acne-prone skin needs specialized ingredients like salicylic acid to effectively target breakouts.
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (ethanol).
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, 2017Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-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, 2025Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Herbal moisturizers containing wheat germ oil, Aloe vera extract, and turmeric extract showed the greatest increase in skin hydration up to 168.125% in healthy human volunteers compared to other formulations.
Pharmacognosy Research, 2010A topical preparation containing urea, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, and sodium pyruvate led to clinical improvement after a month in diverse hyperkeratotic skin conditions except pityriasis lichenoides.
Medicina Cutanea Ibero-latino-americana, 1986Topical application of wheat germ oil formulations induced dose-dependent wound healing in rats, with ointment formulations demonstrating significantly better activity than creams and the 20% WGO ointment achieving a 90% reduction in wound size diameter within three weeks compared to the control group.
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other moisturizers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-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, 2023A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Ethanol, 1,3-Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, Dl-Α-Tocopherol Acetate, Glycerin Fatty Acid Ester, Dipentaerythritol Fatty Acid Ester, Cetostearyl Alcohol, 2-Ethylhexyl Paramethoxycinnamate, Polyacrylic Acid Amide, Polyethylene Glycol 400, Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Ether, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate, Sorbitan Monostearate, Light Liquid Isoparaffin, Squalane, Sodium Hydroxide, Absolute Ethanol, Paraoxybenzoic Acid Ester, Methyl Polysiloxane, Citric Acid, Button Extract, Sempukuka Extract, Disodium Edetate, Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate, Polymethacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Solution, Merosria Extract, L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside, Senpuka Extract, Hammamelis Extract, Hydrogenated Soybean Phospholipid
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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