Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 for oily skin
Dimethicone
Mentha Rotundifolia Leaf Extract
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Fomes Officinalis Extract Mushroom Extract
Low
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for oily skin; the serums alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 effects for your oily skin due to fomes officinalis extract and cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract, which help decongest pores and regulate sebum. While these ingredients are beneficial for oily skin, the serum's primary benefits are general skincare, not specifically targeting oily shine.
- The formula provides mild astringent effects and general hydration, which are supportive but not the most impactful for managing excess oil.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
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
Why is Medicube Zero Pore Serum a weak match for oily skin?
Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 is a weak match for oily skin because its primary benefits are general skincare rather than specifically targeting oily shine, even though it offers moderate pore-minimizing effects. A product of this type needs to be specifically designed to target blemishes, control excess oil, and manage uneven skin tone with effective oil-controlling ingredients, soothing agents, and lightweight hydrators.
Which ingredients make this serum a poor fit for oily skin?
This serum is a weak match for your oily skin because its heavy silicones and texture-improving ingredients focus on general care rather than managing excess shine. Oily skin needs targeted oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide and lightweight hydrators to keep pores clear and skin balanced.
What does Water do for oily skin?
Water helps keep oily skin hydrated without adding grease or clogging pores. Keeping oily skin properly hydrated may also help balance oil production and reduce unwanted shine.
What does Dimethicone do for oily skin?
Dimethicone helps protect skin and lock in moisture, though it may have limited performance compared to petrolatum. For oily skin, a product of this type needs a lightweight, oil-free formula that hydrates without clogging pores.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Oily skin needs targeted treatments with stronger oil-controlling and pore-clearing ingredients to effectively manage excess shine.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this serum with niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment. Oily skin requires a product focused on controlling excess shine and regulating oil with ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum is a weak match for your oily skin, so it needs ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid that deeply clear pores and control shine. To use it safely, apply it in the evening as part of your routine to avoid extra sensitivity during the day.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
Medicube Zero Pore Serum 2.0 may feel sticky on oily skin and is unlikely to cause purging since it lacks exfoliating acids. A product for this skin needs lightweight, oil-balancing ingredients and a non-sticky texture to help control excess shine without clogging pores.
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
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.