FRANKLY Closer Serum for oily acne-prone skin
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Copper Tripeptide-1
Sodium Hyaluronate
Adenosine
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 plumping for your oily skin due to peptides like Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, which support volume and elasticity, while gluconolactone and glycerin provide hydration and mild exfoliation.
- While the formula offers general hydration benefits from ingredients such as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, it is not specifically targeted to address your concerns with acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- 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 PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised as a lightweight, affordable hydrating treatment that improves overall skin texture and creates a "glass skin" glow using peptides and collagen. While effective for plumping fine lines and soothing sensitive skin, users report mixed results regarding its primary claim of visibly reducing pore size, with many noting it works better for hydration than pore minimization.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels plumper and youthful”
- “provides deep hydration without feeling heavy”
- “gives an amazing glow”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels smoother”
- “texture has really improved”
- “softens my skin”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “light, watery consistency”
- “non-greasy finish”
Affordable price Sometimes Noted
- “unbeatable price”
- “good cost performance”
- “great deal for this serum”
Gentle & non-irritating Sometimes Noted
- “didn't cause any irritation”
- “soothing on my skin”
- “feels so gentle”
Ineffective for pores Sometimes Noted
- “no difference on my pores”
- “didn't shrink pores”
- “don't expect pore-minimizing results”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
Leaky packaging Rarely Noted
- “leaks quite a bit”
- “leaked in the box”
- “messy bottle”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “feels quite sticky”
- “tacky feel”
- “sits on top of skin”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, iherb.com, reddit.com, stylekorean.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does FRANKLY Closer Serum work for oily acne-prone skin?
FRANKLY Closer Serum is an average fit for oily acne-prone skin because while it provides moderate hydration and plumping without causing irritation, it is not specifically targeted to address breakouts. Treatments for this skin need ingredients like niacinamide and propolis or vitamin C to control excess oil and clear blemishes while keeping skin healthy.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum works for your oily acne-prone skin because of peptides like Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, which help support volume and elasticity, along with gluconolactone and glycerin for hydration and mild exfoliation. However, since it does not target breakouts, a treatment for this skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or Vitamin C to help control excess oil and clear blemishes safely.
What does Argireline do for oily acne-prone skin?
Argireline is unlikely to treat acne or oiliness directly, as it focuses on reducing fine lines and making skin smooth. Oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that clear pores and calm breakouts.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013
What does Copper Tripeptide-1 do for oily acne-prone skin?
Copper Tripeptide-1 helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing inflammation and protecting against damage, while also improving overall skin barrier health. This ingredient supports tissue repair and helps smooth out skin texture, making it a useful addition for managing breakouts.
Skin Research and Technology, 2026Journal of Biomaterials Science. Polymer Edition, 2008
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. To properly care for oily acne-prone skin, this type of product needs targeted ingredients that actively clear blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying the retinol first and following with this serum once it absorbs. This product is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but because it does not target blemishes, oily acne-prone skin needs a treatment with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to properly clear breakouts.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure, and it is safe to use daily since it lacks harsh ingredients. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product that targets blemishes and breakouts alongside hydration and gentle volume support.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very low risk of this issue and contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients. However, because it is not specifically targeted to address acne and blemishes, oily acne-prone skin needs a product with dedicated blemish-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide (pal-KTTKS) provided significant improvement versus placebo control in the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines in Caucasian female subjects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005A 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, 2017Topical 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, 2022Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017Topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin caused no significant reduction in erythema or objective improvement in wrinkles compared to controls, but significantly increased patient satisfaction regarding overall skin quality.
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2006A novel regimen combining a hydroxy acid-based scrub and copper tripeptide serum significantly reduced adherent scalp flaking by 61.24%, increased hair density by 12.48%, increased hair thickness by 25.36%, and improved scalp skin hydration by 76.24% in adults with mild to moderate dandruff over 15 days.
Cureus, 2024The combination of Thermus thermophilus and Bacillus subtilis mixed-culture ferment extract and copper tripeptide-1 GHK-Cu reduced inflammatory cytokines, protected skin explants from UV-induced damage, and improved wrinkles and skin barrier conditions compared to individual components or controls.
Skin Research and Technology, 2026Topical 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 adenosine treatment significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and thick hair rate compared to placebo in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss over 12 months.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical application of a disodium adenosine monophosphate-based formulation reduced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation while improving hydration, barrier function, skin lifting, and epidermal turnover in female participants.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026Adenosine and cordycepin stimulate the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through adenosine receptor and PKA activation, promoting cell proliferation, migration, and growth factor secretion in cultured dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021
Why other serums fit oily acne-prone skin better
A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 2-Hexanediol, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tripeptide-3, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-2, Adenosine, Gluconolactone, Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Carbomer, Cellulose Gum, Tromethamine, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Disodium 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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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