Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 for acne-prone skin
Dimethicone
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums 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 pore-minimizing and skin-smoothing effects for your combination skin, as fomes officinalis extract and cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract help regulate sebum and refine texture.
- While providing general hydration and pore-minimizing benefits, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients, posing no risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsUsers with oily and combination skin frequently report that this serum effectively regulates sebum and improves overall skin texture, creating a smoother base for makeup. While many users noticed a visible tightening of pores and a "glass skin" effect, results regarding actual pore size reduction are mixed, with some finding it highly effective and others seeing no significant change.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin texture feels smoother”
- “leaves skin soft and smooth”
- “makeup sits better”
- “improved skin clarity”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight finish”
- “not greasy”
- “sinks right in”
Oil & sebum control Often Mentioned
- “controls excess oil”
- “nose wasn't as oily”
- “regulates sebum production”
- “balanced skin moisture”
Sticky texture Often Mentioned
- “incredibly sticky”
- “tacky finish after application”
- “hair sticks to my face”
- “feels uncomfortable and sticky”
Pore tightening Sometimes Noted
- “pores looked noticeably tighter”
- “saw a reduction in pore size”
- “felt my pores tightening”
- “pores look cleaner and smaller”
Ineffective for some Sometimes Noted
- “didn't see a difference”
- “pores look the same”
- “no effect on blackheads”
- “didn't live up to claims”
Unpleasant fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “scent is a bit off”
- “strong perfume smell”
- “smells like men's cologne”
- “fragrance is overpowering”
Price vs. quantity Rarely Noted
- “bottle is too small”
- “expensive for the amount”
- “finished it too quickly”
- “pricy for daily use”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, hwahae.co.kr, stylekorean.com, oliveyoung.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Medicube Zero Pore Serum work for acne-prone skin?
Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 works moderately well for acne-prone skin by helping regulate oil and smooth texture, though other products fit it better. A treatment for this skin needs soothing and hydrating ingredients like Centella Asiatica and Sodium Hyaluronate to effectively target breakouts and calm irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Mentha rotundifolia leaf extract, citrus aurantifolia peel extract, and fomes officinalis extract help regulate oil and refine texture on your acne-prone skin. To work best for this skin type, a treatment needs soothing and hydrating ingredients that effectively calm breakouts, like centella asiatica and sodium hyaluronate.
What does Water do for acne-prone skin?
Water-based hydration helps keep acne-prone skin balanced by providing essential moisture without adding excess oil. Proper hydration also helps reduce dryness and flakiness that can sometimes result from harsh acne treatments.
What does Dimethicone do for acne-prone skin?
Dimethicone forms a light, breathable layer on the skin that helps hold in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It is generally safe for acne-prone skin, though it does not treat acne itself.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, as serums and ampoules with actives are placed in the PM for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Because this is an average fit for your acne-prone skin, a treatment for this skin needs blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing agents to properly target breakouts.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment alongside niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before layering this serum on top. This product is unlikely to irritate your skin, though an acne-prone skin type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents for best results.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment works well in the evening for your acne-prone skin, following your cleanser and toner. Acne-prone skin needs a product with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and soothing agents to effectively clear breakouts.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target blemishes and breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing agents to stay clear and smooth.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Aqueous extracts of apple mint leaves inhibited heat shock-induced production of reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinases, interleukin-8, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in human dermal fibroblasts.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018White button mushroom extract treatment increased VEGF densities, EGF, PCNA, and collagen fibers, while decreasing apoptotic cells and limiting TGF-beta and CD4 reactions in ICR mice and chorioallantoic culture, indicating beneficial effects on skin regeneration and injury.
Microscopy Research and Technique, 2012
Why other serums 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, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Tromethamine, Chlorphenesin, Polyacrylate-13, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isoceteth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-25, Carbomer, Polyisobutene, Disodium Edta, Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Bht, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower 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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.