MERIT Great Skin Instant Glow Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide
Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract
TocopherolAverage
- 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 hydration for your oily skin, with niacinamide helping to regulate sebum and multiple forms of sodium hyaluronate providing humectant action.
- While the formula is safe and beneficial for oily skin, its primary moisturizing and plumping effects are not directly targeted at your main concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and has no risk of irritation.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsUsers with dry, dull, or combination skin highly praise this serum for its ability to deliver immediate, glass-like radiance and deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. It effectively plumps the skin and serves as an excellent makeup primer. A very large amount of data was used to generate this summary, and it should be definitely taken into account. Some users note that the extremely watery consistency and forceful pump dispenser can make application slightly messy.
Highlights
Instant healthy glow Mostly Mentioned
- “As soon as you apply it, your skin has a true lit-from-within effect.”
- “Leaves you with glass-like skin—no filter or ring light required.”
- “Gives that 'I just did skincare' look even when I didn't do much.”
- “My skin always seems to have an extra glow when I use it.”
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “Does a solid job at making skin feel comforted and less tight pretty quickly.”
- “Provides intense hydration.”
- “Left a glowing sheen and burst of long-lasting hydration all day.”
- “Instantly plumps and soothes.”
Great makeup primer Often Mentioned
- “Sets skin up perfectly in the morning for make-up application.”
- “Functions as a hydrating primer with the benefits of a serum.”
- “Layers beautifully under makeup.”
- “Velvety finish makes a great base for makeup.”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often Mentioned
- “Super lightweight, almost like a non-oily oil.”
- “Absorbs quickly into skin with zero residue.”
- “Sinks into the skin really elegantly, and instantly plumps and soothes.”
- “Lightweight formula absorbs quickly and doesn't pill.”
Messy pump dispenser Sometimes Noted
- “The pump dispenser sends the product flying out at times which is a little annoying and messy.”
- “The pump could definitely use improvement or be switched to a dropper.”
- “Sends the product flying out at times.”
Watery consistency Sometimes Noted
- “Surprised by how watery the consistency was and how it easily sloshed around my palms.”
- “Feels more like an essence than a serum.”
- “Super light, bi-phase formula that feels like water.”
- “Texture and the need to use a bit more product can be a dealbreaker.”
Not standalone moisturizer Rarely Noted
- “It's not a replacement for moisturizer.”
- “I wouldn't say this product is a necessity but it is a solid addition.”
- “Depending on your skin type, you may need more or less of the serum.”
Sources: lovi.care, kohls.com, marieclaire.co.uk, purewow.com, thedailybeast.com, lemon8-app.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Great Skin Instant Glow Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, providing balanced hydration and helping to regulate oil without clogging pores. While it is safe and soothing, it does not directly target your breakouts. Moisturizing treatments that fit this skin better need ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hyaluronic acid that specifically target blemishes and help clear acne without irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a good fit for oily skin by helping to balance oil production and providing hydration. To best fit oily acne-prone skin, a moisturizing treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hydrators that target blemishes and balance oil without clogging pores or causing irritation.
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine step after cleansing and toning, followed by your moisturizer. This timing keeps your routine simple and avoids extra safety concerns around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying it before your retinol to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable. This type of product needs calming and clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil to properly target breakouts and blemishes on oily acne-prone skin.
How often should I use this serum?
You can safely use this serum daily, as it lacks harsh ingredients and is well-suited for your oily skin. For the best routine, apply it in the evening after cleansing and toning to keep your skin hydrated.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin since it lacks harsh ingredients and carries no risk of irritation. However, because it is not directly targeted at treating acne or blemishes, this skin type needs products that include active breakout-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing support.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
This serum is safe to use around the eyes or on the body, as it lacks harsh ingredients and has no risk of irritation. A product of this type needs lightweight hydration and soothing ingredients to care for the thin skin around the eyes and larger areas of the body.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024Topical 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, 2022Topical 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, 2021A 1.0% w/w cocoa pod husk extract lotion improved skin hydration by 52.48%, reduced transepidermal water loss by 7.73%, and decreased the melanin index by 9.10% in 30 volunteers after 4 weeks of application compared to baseline.
Life, 2025Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Topical 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, 2005Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Application of cocoa pod extract gel reduced skin wrinkles by 6.38% at 3 weeks and 12.39% at 5 weeks, and increased skin hydration by 3.18% at 3 weeks in 12 panelists.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2016Cocoa polyphenols improved indicators of skin elasticity and tonus including glycosaminoglycans and collagens I, III, and IV in ex vivo human skin explants with an efficacy equivalent to a commercially available product.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008A phenolic-rich extract of cocoa beans inhibited the pathogenic properties of Porphyromonas gingivalis, protected keratinocyte barrier function, attenuated reactive oxygen species production, and prevented NF-κB activation in monocytes.
Frontiers in Oral Health, 2022Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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 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, 2024
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, 2020A 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, 2017A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Propanediol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Dextrin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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