🇸🇬Singapore

Medik8 Liquid Peptides for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Medik8 Liquid Peptides

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 plumping for your combination skin due to Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, which improve volume and elasticity without irritating sensitive areas.
  • Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid provide essential hydration, supporting acne-prone skin by maintaining moisture balance, though they do not directly address active breakouts.
  • The formula is safe for your combination skin, containing no harsh ingredients and 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

★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

Users consistently praise this serum as a "Botox in a bottle" alternative that delivers immediate hydration and visible plumping, particularly for fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes. It is widely celebrated for its ability to smooth skin texture and restore bounce to dry or mature skin without causing irritation, making it a staple for those targeting early to advanced signs of aging.

Highlights

  • Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture”
    • “Eliminates dry patches”
    • “Leaves skin dewy”
    • “'Glass skin' finish”
  • Elegant, lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “Absorbs fast”
    • “Non-greasy”
    • “Silky feel”
    • “Layers perfectly under makeup/SPF”
  • Visibly plumps and smooths Often Mentioned
    • “Reduces fine lines”
    • “Softens expression lines”
    • “'Botox-like' effect”
    • “Improves skin bounce”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “Expensive per bottle”
    • “Investment skincare”
    • “Pricey for the size”
    • “Waiting for sales”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “Suitable for sensitive skin”
    • “No stinging”
    • “Works with retinol”
    • “Calms redness”
  • Packaging fragility Sometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily”
    • “Dropper issues”
    • “Difficult to get last drops”
    • “Travel concerns”
  • Results require patience Rarely Noted
    • “Subtle initial changes”
    • “Takes weeks for deep wrinkles”
    • “Not a 'miracle' for everyone”
  • Slight tackiness Rarely Noted
    • “Can feel sticky if over-applied”
    • “Needs time to dry”
    • “'Glue-like' texture for some”

Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, cultbeauty.com, spacenk.com, medik8.com, amazon.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Medik8 Liquid Peptides work for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 Liquid Peptides works for acne-prone skin by offering moderate plumping and hydration through glycerin and hyaluronic acid, though it does not directly target active breakouts. To truly fit this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to effectively manage blemishes and control oiliness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid make this serum a good fit for your acne-prone skin by providing essential hydration and keeping moisture balanced. To work even better for acne-prone skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, or propolis to help target breakouts and control oiliness.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Argireline do for acne-prone skin?

Argireline is not typically targeted for acne-prone skin, as it is primarily used to smooth fine lines and reduce wrinkles by relaxing facial movements. While it helps keep skin smooth, acne-prone skin generally needs ingredients that clear pores, calm redness, and balance oil production.

What does Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 do for acne-prone skin?

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 may help support collagen and improve skin firmness, though it is not a direct treatment for acne. Acne-prone skin requires ingredients that calm redness, clear pores, and balance oil production.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. It helps maintain moisture balance and offers moderate plumping without irritating sensitive areas, though acne-prone skin works best with products that also directly target active breakouts.

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

You can use this treatment with retinol by applying the treatment after your cleanser and before your moisturizer. This product is unlikely to cause irritation, but acne-prone skin works best with targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to directly clear breakouts.

How often should I use it?

You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. A product of this type needs soothing and clarifying ingredients that target active blemishes to work well for acne-prone skin.

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 Liquid Peptides is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because it contains no harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help maintain moisture balance, though products for this skin also need ingredients that directly target active breakouts.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Annals of Dermatology, 2019

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

  • Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013

  • Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.

    Annals of Dermatology, 2019

  • 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

  • Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017

  • Daily topical acetyl hexapeptide-8 showed a trend toward a longer time until return to baseline Jankovic Blepharospasm Rating Scale scores compared to placebo (3.7 months vs. 3.0 months) in 24 patients with blepharospasm receiving botulinum toxin therapy.

    European Journal of Neurology, 2013

  • Argireline applied twice daily for 4 weeks achieved a total anti-wrinkle efficiency of 48.9% and notably reduced wrinkle depth compared to placebo in Chinese subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2013

  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015

  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play