Kose Sekkisei Emulsion for oily skin
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Squalane
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Wheat Germ Oil
Tocopheryl AcetateAverage
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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 due to the presence of ethanol and gentiana lutea extract which can help with seboregulation, but lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal results in controlling oily shine.
- The product provides excellent moisturizing with glycerin and squalane, enhancing barrier resilience, though it does not offer specialized ingredients to directly target your oily skin concerns.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers generally praise this emulsion for its lightweight yet deeply hydrating formula that effectively brightens dull complexions and fades dark spots over time. While it is celebrated for creating a "snow-like" translucency and smoothing skin texture, those with oily or sensitive skin occasionally report issues with stickiness and the strong alcohol content.
Highlights
Lightweight hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Lightweight yet deeply hydrating”
- “Absorbs quickly without grease”
- “My dry skin drinks it up”
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “Skin complexion brightened up a lot”
- “Noticeably more radiant”
- “Whitening effect is visible”
Smooths skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling smooth and supple”
- “Soft smoothness I haven't experienced before”
- “Improves skin's texture”
Strong alcohol scent Often Mentioned
- “Smelled... with a light hint of alcohol”
- “Contains fragrance and alcohol”
- “Scent is too strong for me”
Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
- “Helps minimize appearance of dark spots”
- “Prevents freckles and aging spots”
- “Dark spots are removed and lessened”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive for my budget”
- “Pricey for the size”
- “Bit expensive but worth it”
Sticky residue Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a sticky and oily feeling”
- “Face looking a bit wet and oily”
- “Deep dry feeling after a few days”
Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
- “It broke me out each time”
- “Caused acne for oily skin”
- “ bumps appeared the next day”
Sources: lovi.care, kose-usa.com, influenster.com, cozycot.com, medium.com, dailysnippetsoflife.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Sekkisei Emulsion work for oily skin?
This product works moderately well for oily skin, offering good moisture and safe ingredients, but it lacks specific oil-controlling components. A moisturizing treatment for this skin type needs peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and ingredients that target shine without heavy oils or clogged pores.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily skin?
This moisturizer works for oily skin thanks to ethanol and gentiana lutea extract, which help manage oil, alongside glycerin and squalane for soft moisture without harsh irritation. To fit oily skin even better, a moisturizer of this type needs peptides, light hydrating agents, and soothing extracts that control shine and keep the skin feeling fresh without heavy oils.
What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for oily skin?
Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten skin and fade dark spots, making it a good fit for oily skin when you want a more even complexion. It is unlikely to feel heavy or greasy, but oily skin also benefits from lightweight hydrators and gentle exfoliants to keep pores clear.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016
What does Squalane do for oily skin?
Squalane helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy, though oxidized forms may sometimes trigger irritation. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that balance moisture without adding excess grease.
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer goes as the last step in your morning routine and near the end of your evening routine after your treatment. It helps keep your skin soft and balanced, though oily skin often needs extra ingredients like niacinamide or oil-absorbing minerals to properly control shine.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying your retinol first and following it with this product to help keep your skin comfortable and hydrated. This type of skin needs a moisturizer that balances oil while strengthening the skin barrier with ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your skin soft and hydrated, though oily skin needs lightweight, oil-controlling ingredients and targeted actives for the best shine control.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for oily skin, as it has a good safety profile with no harsh ingredients, though reviewers occasionally mention breakouts. To best care for oily skin, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients to actively control shine and balance oil.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizer is safe to use around the eyes and on the body, though the skin around the eyes is much thinner than body skin. It helps keep these areas soft and smooth with a safe, gentle formula, though oily skin on the body may need extra ingredients that directly target shine.
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (ethanol).
What the research says
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, 2017Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Gentiana lutea extract increases lipid synthesis and triglyceride levels in human primary keratinocytes in vitro via p38 MAPK and PPARgamma signaling, and significantly increases skin lipid content in a proof-of-concept trial of 33 volunteers compared to placebo.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017Topical application of Gentiana lutea extract reduced average roughness, relief of the upper eyelid skin, and redness of dark circles in 22 subjects after 14 days compared to placebo.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Herbal moisturizers containing wheat germ oil, Aloe vera extract, and turmeric extract showed the greatest increase in skin hydration up to 168.125% in healthy human volunteers compared to other formulations.
Pharmacognosy Research, 2010A topical preparation containing urea, sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, and sodium pyruvate led to clinical improvement after a month in diverse hyperkeratotic skin conditions except pityriasis lichenoides.
Medicina Cutanea Ibero-latino-americana, 1986Topical application of wheat germ oil formulations induced dose-dependent wound healing in rats, with ointment formulations demonstrating significantly better activity than creams and the 20% WGO ointment achieving a 90% reduction in wound size diameter within three weeks compared to the control group.
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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
Ingredients
Water, Ethanol, 1,3-Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Gentiana Lutea Extract, Wheat Germ Oil, Dl-Α-Tocopherol Acetate, Glycerin Fatty Acid Ester, Dipentaerythritol Fatty Acid Ester, Cetostearyl Alcohol, 2-Ethylhexyl Paramethoxycinnamate, Polyacrylic Acid Amide, Polyethylene Glycol 400, Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Ether, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate, Sorbitan Monostearate, Light Liquid Isoparaffin, Squalane, Sodium Hydroxide, Absolute Ethanol, Paraoxybenzoic Acid Ester, Methyl Polysiloxane, Citric Acid, Button Extract, Sempukuka Extract, Disodium Edetate, Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate, Polymethacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine Solution, Merosria Extract, L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside, Senpuka Extract, Hammamelis Extract, Hydrogenated Soybean Phospholipid
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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