Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum for acne-prone skin
Aha
Bha
Pha
NiacinamideAverage
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.
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 exfoliation for your combination skin, with gluconolactone and salicylic acid working to refine texture and decongest pores, while Centella Asiatica Extract provides soothing support for your acne and blemishes.
- Sodium Hyaluronate and other hydrating ingredients offer general skincare benefits that complement your skin's needs.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and combination skin frequently praise this serum for refining rough texture and minimizing enlarged pores, often describing a blurring effect that serves as a good makeup base. While the 'one day' claim is often viewed as marketing hyperbole, consistent use reportedly yields smoother skin and reduced sebum production, though the product's sticky finish is a polarizing feature.
Highlights
Smoothes texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt smoother”
- “peel-off egg skin”
- “makeup sits better”
- “texture is refined”
Sticky finish Mostly Mentioned
- “pretty sticky”
- “leaves a sticky finish”
- “stickiness is intense”
- “hair sticks to face”
Tightens pores Often Mentioned
- “pores looked smaller”
- “reduced appearance of open pores”
- “pores visibly minimized”
- “pore tightening effect is visible”
Controls oil Sometimes Noted
- “reduction of sebum”
- “less oily T-zone”
- “makeup lasted longer”
- “oil balance is under control”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “refills moisture”
- “leaves a dewy finish”
- “hydrating without stripping”
- “skin feels plump”
Causes irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stings”
- “caused breakouts”
- “tingling on sensitive skin”
- “too strong for me”
Price vs quantity Rarely Noted
- “bottle can't be opened”
- “expensive for size”
- “small amount”
- “finished too quickly”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is like a bond”
- “scent is strong”
- “chemical smell”
- “smells like glue”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, influenster.com, yesstyle.com, medicube.us, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum work for acne-prone skin?
Medicube Zero Pore One Day Serum works moderately well for acne-prone skin, using salicylic acid and gluconolactone to clear pores while Centella Asiatica calms blemishes. Because other products fit this skin better, an exfoliant treatment for acne-prone skin needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and soothing plant extracts to control breakouts and maintain balance without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum works well for acne-prone skin because it contains gluconolactone and salicylic acid to help clear out pores, along with Centella Asiatica Extract to calm breakouts. To be an even better fit for this skin, an exfoliant treatment like this needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control oiliness while providing balanced hydration without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
What does Alpha Hydroxy Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Alpha hydroxy acid helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead surface cells and fighting bacteria to reduce breakouts and inflammation. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used regularly, leaving your skin looking much clearer and smoother.
What does Bha do for acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear acne-prone skin by clearing out pores to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory breakouts. It also helps calm redness and lower oil production, and is unlikely to cause harsh side effects when used regularly.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine. For acne-prone skin, this product type works best when it includes gentle exfoliating acids like salicylic acid combined with calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica to help clear pores while keeping skin comfortable.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, but to help prevent dryness and irritation, it is best to apply them on different nights or use retinol after the serum has fully absorbed. This product needs soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica Extract and gentle hydrators like sodium hyaluronate to help keep acne-prone skin comfortable while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
How often should I use it?
Start using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. Acne-prone skin needs products that combine acids like AHA, BHA, and PHA to clear pores with calming ingredients like Centella Asiatica to keep the skin calm and smooth.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum may cause mild irritation, as reviewers frequently mention a sticky finish and moderate discomfort, though it helps clear pores and soothe blemishes with acids and Centella asiatica. Acne-prone skin often does best with a lightweight, non-sticky formula packed with gentle soothing ingredients and pore-clearing acids that avoid heavy residue.
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Gluconolactone 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, 1992Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.
Drug Delivery, 2017A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2005
Ingredients
Water, Gluconolactone, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Polyglycerin-3, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Lecithin, Allantoin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Indigofera Tinctoria Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract, Gardenia Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Trisodium Phosphate, Of Myosotis Sylvatica Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Lactobacillus Lysate Ferment, Dandelion Leaf Extract
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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