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Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum Concentrate for oily skin

Average

  • AverageOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for oily skin; other moisturizers 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 suitability for your oily skin, as glycerin and propanediol provide essential hydration without exacerbating oiliness, though they do not directly address concerns with oily shine.
  • Gluconolactone and citric acid offer mild exfoliation to smooth texture, while tocopherol and glycerin ensure a safe profile with no irritation risk for your skin.
  • The formula is safe for your oily skin, containing beneficial hydrating ingredients and lacking harsh or prohibited substances.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
  • Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for delivering intense, lightweight hydration that effectively plumps the skin and smooths fine lines, making it a favorite for those with dehydrated, dull, or dry skin. It also frequently serves as an excellent primer, creating a smooth, radiant base for makeup. A small number of users reported clogged pores or a silicone-like feel, while a few others experienced no visible results or found the product to be pricey.

Highlights

  • Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “Feels like a drink of water”
    • “Fixed my dehydrated skin”
    • “Gorgeously hydrating”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Sinks in instantly”
    • “No sticky residue”
    • “Gel-like texture absorbs quickly”
  • Visible plumping Often Mentioned
    • “Skin looks noticeably more plump”
    • “Lines around my eye melted away”
    • “Skin appears bouncy”
  • Makeup primer Sometimes Noted
    • “Foundation blends in perfectly”
    • “Ideal primer”
    • “Zero patchiness”
  • Clogged pores Rarely Noted
    • “Caused tiny white bumps”
    • “Clog my pores”
    • “Gave me more pimples”
  • High price Rarely Noted
    • “Quite pricey”
    • “Expensive”
    • “Would not waste my money”
  • No results Rarely Noted
    • “Saw absolutely no difference”
    • “Used the entire bottle and no change”
    • “Don't see a major difference”
  • Silicone feel Rarely Noted
    • “Feels like a silicone-based primer”
    • “Dimethicone is high on the list”

Sources: lovi.care, kiehls.com, kiehls.com.sg, kiehls.ca, macys.com, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Serum work for oily skin?

This serum works moderately well for oily skin, as its hydrating ingredients provide essential moisture without making you extra oily, though it does not directly target oily shine. To work best for oily skin, a product of this type needs high concentrations of hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, Niacinamide to help control oil production and shrink the look of pores, and soothing Allantoin without any heavy oils.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Skin Research and Technology, 2023

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?

Glycerin and propanediol help provide essential hydration without adding excess oil, while gluconolactone and citric acid gently smooth skin texture. Oily skin also needs ingredients like hyaluronic acid for optimal moisture, niacinamide to help control oil and minimize pores, and soothing allantoin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

What does Epidermal Hydration Filler do for oily skin?

Epidermal Hydration Filler helps keep oily skin hydrated while lowering extra oil production and sebum in the skin. This product type needs ingredients like hyaluronic acid to balance oil without feeling heavy.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin also benefits from ingredients that control shine and balance oil production.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to keep your skin hydrated and smooth while retinol works. This product provides moderate suitability for your oily skin, though an oily skin routine also needs ingredients that directly target excess shine and oiliness.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this serum?

This serum is used in the evening as part of your routine. It provides essential hydration without causing irritation, though an oily skin routine also needs ingredients that directly control excess oil and shine.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as reviewers rarely report clogged pores and the formula contains gentle hydrating ingredients. However, because it offers an average fit that does not directly control oily shine, oily skin often needs oil-balancing ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to better manage breakouts and excess oil.

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

You can use this serum on your body and around your eyes, as it is safe for the skin there. However, a product for this skin needs ingredients that specifically target thinness and address delicate areas effectively.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • 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
  • 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, 1992
  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023
  • 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 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
  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • Gluconolactone and tartaric acid significantly lower transepidermal water loss and erythema after sodium lauryl sulphate challenge compared to vehicle, untreated control, and glycolic acid in healthy subjects.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
  • A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provided antiaging benefits comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen while demonstrating enhanced mildness and better tolerance in subjects.

    Cutis, 2004
  • 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, 2024
  • A 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, 2000
  • Treatment 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, 2007
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2026
  • Adenosine 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 moisturizers fit oily skin better

  • A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • A peel-off facial mask containing myoinositol and trehalose-loaded liposomes improved adult female acne by decreasing lesion counts, sebum production, GAGS scores, and local androgen levels while increasing beclin-1 levels.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
  • Epigallocatechin-3-gallate significantly improved acne in patients compared to the control side during an 8-week clinical trial.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, P-Anisic Acid, Disodium Edta, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Adenosine, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol

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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Prices checked 3 Nov 2026

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

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