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COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

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, as Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin provide humectant action to plump and hydrate without exacerbating oiliness.
  • While beneficial for general skin health, the formula lacks specific ingredients to directly target your concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risk of irritation due to its gentle formulation and the inclusion of soothing agents like Panthenol.

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

★4.6Overall rating based on 5.2k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this essence is widely praised by users with dehydrated and oily skin for providing deep hydration without clogging pores, often resulting in a plump and dewy complexion. While highly effective for soothing sensitive skin and smoothing fine lines, some users with extremely dry skin find it requires layering with a heavier moisturizer to be fully effective.

Highlights

  • Deep lightweight hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “locks in moisture”
    • “skin-quenching”
    • “long-lasting hydration”
  • Fast absorption Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “non-greasy”
    • “no residue”
  • Plumps and smooths Often Mentioned
    • “chok chok glow”
    • “softens texture”
    • “bouncy skin”
  • Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
    • “fragrance-free”
    • “non-irritating”
    • “safe for sensitive skin”
  • Value for money Sometimes Noted
    • “lasts forever”
    • “little goes a long way”
    • “affordable price”
  • Not enough moisture Sometimes Noted
    • “needs more layers”
    • “too light for winter”
    • “not moisturizing enough”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “closed comedones”
    • “small bumps”
    • “whiteheads”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “pump gets stuck”
    • “cap cracks”
    • “hard to dispense end”
  • Sticky finish Rarely Noted
    • “tacky residue”
    • “sticky texture”
    • “takes time to dry”

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

Questions and answers

How well does COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Power Essence work for oily acne-prone skin?

This essence offers moderate hydration for oily skin, as Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin plump and hydrate without adding oiliness, though it lacks specific ingredients to target breakouts. It is safe and unlikely to cause irritation thanks to soothing Panthenol. A product of this type for this skin needs powerful hydrating and repairing ingredients that clear acne and blemishes without heavy oils or clogged pores.

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

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

Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin make this essence a good fit for your oily skin by providing lightweight hydration that plumps without adding excess oil, while Panthenol soothes safely without irritation. For a better fit on acne-prone skin, this type of product also needs ingredients that directly target breakouts and blemishes.

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

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 Panthenol do for oily acne-prone skin?

Panthenol helps regulate sebum, improves skin hydration, and reduces redness and irritation in oily acne-prone skin. It is well tolerated and may support barrier recovery without causing adverse reactions.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This essence goes in the evening routine as a treatment step after cleansing and before moisturizing, and it can also be used weekly. It offers moderate hydration for oily skin without adding oiliness, but because this type of skin needs a product that directly targets blemishes and breakouts, this formula works best alongside acne-fighting ingredients.

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

You can use this essence with retinol by applying it before your retinol to keep your skin calm and hydrated. A product for this skin used alongside retinol also needs specific blemish-fighting ingredients to directly target breakouts.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this essence?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine, as this routine gives oily acne-prone skin extra safety around sun exposure. This product is safe for your skin with no risk of irritation, but an oily acne-prone skin needs a product that also includes specific ingredients to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.

Can this essence clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This essence is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it hydrates gently without adding heavy oils. However, since it lacks specific ingredients to target acne and blemishes, oily acne-prone skin needs a product that also includes ingredients to clear pores and fight blemishes.

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

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

You can use this essence around the eyes and on your body, as its gentle ingredients hydrate safely without irritation. The eyelids and body skin have different thicknesses, but the soothing formula is well-tolerated across various skin regions.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Is this essence 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Topical application of a sea buckthorn fruit extract formulation significantly reduced skin sebum secretion in 10 healthy human volunteers compared to the control base over an 8-week period.

    Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences, 2010

  • Topical emulsions containing Hippophae rhamnoides and Cassia fistula plant extracts significantly reduced skin sebum contents compared to placebo in patients with grade I and grade II acne vulgaris.

    Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2014

  • Topical application of a 5% Hippophae rhamnoides oil-in-water emulsion significantly improved skin hydration (p=0.0003) and transepidermal water loss (p=0.0087) compared to a placebo base formulation in 13 healthy male subjects over 84 days.

    Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014

Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ethyl Hexanediol

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Saudi Arabia.

How does it fit your skin?

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