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Medik8 Liquid Peptides for oily skin

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

Medik8 Liquid Peptides

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other serums 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

  • This product offers moderate hydration for your oily skin due to glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which help to retain moisture without exacerbating oiliness. While these ingredients provide general skincare benefits, they are not specifically targeted to address oily shine.
  • The presence of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 offers excellent plumping and firming effects, contributing to overall skin health.
  • The formula is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.

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

★4.6Overall 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 oily skin?

Medik8 Liquid Peptides works moderately well for oily skin, providing light moisture from glycerin and hyaluronic acid without adding extra oil. Its peptides help plump and firm the skin safely, though they do not actively control shine. Oily skin works best with treatments containing ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and ferulic acid to manage excess oil and pores while keeping the skin balanced.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid make this serum a fit for your oily skin by providing moderate moisture without adding extra oil. Oily skin works best with a treatment that includes ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, or zinc PCA to control shine and address excess oil.

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

What does Argireline do for oily skin?

Argireline is generally safe for oily skin, but it is primarily used for anti-aging and smoothing wrinkles rather than controlling oil. To properly care for oily skin while targeting signs of aging, this type of product needs a lightweight, oil-free formula that hydrates without feeling heavy.

What does Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 do for oily skin?

Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 helps improve skin firmness and supports collagen production to keep skin looking smooth and youthful. When used correctly in your routine, it may help reduce the look of fine lines and enhance overall elasticity without feeling heavy.

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

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

Medik8 Liquid Peptides goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. This product safely provides moderate moisture and firming benefits for oily skin, though oily skin is better suited by treatments specifically targeting shine.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following with your retinol product. This product is unlikely to irritate oily skin, but to better fit this skin type, a product should specifically target oily shine while providing balanced moisture.

How often should I use it?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. A product of this type for oily skin needs ingredients that help control shine and manage excess oil while providing moisture.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it contains no harsh or heavy ingredients that typically cause irritation. It provides moderate hydration to keep your skin smooth without adding extra oil. Oily skin often benefits most from lightweight treatments that balance moisture and target shine directly.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2017

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.

    BioMed Research International, 2022

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?

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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