The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA for oily skin

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Sodium Hyaluronate
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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
- Offers moderate hydration for your oily skin with Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate, which provide plumping and minimize fine lines due to peptides like Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, but does not directly address oily shine.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, as it contains soothing ingredients and lacks harsh components that could cause irritation.
- This product is generally safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is frequently praised for its immediate hydrating and plumping effects, with many users noting a visible reduction in fine lines and improved skin texture with consistent use. Some users experience a tacky finish, and a smaller number report breakouts or no visible anti-aging results.
Highlights
Plumps and hydrates Mostly Mentioned
- “skin felt more bouncy”
- “plumps the skin instantly”
- “well-hydrated and supple”
Great value Often Mentioned
- “very affordable”
- “steal at this price”
- “great value for money”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “soften smile lines”
- “reduction in vertical lines”
- “skin density improved”
Gentle formulation Sometimes Noted
- “no sensitivity”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “soothing and non-irritating”
Silky texture Sometimes Noted
- “glides smoothly”
- “silky texture”
- “absorbs quickly”
No visible results Sometimes Noted
- “did nothing for me”
- “no spectacular effect”
- “didn't see improvement”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “tacky feeling”
- “sticky residue”
- “takes time to sink in”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “breaking out on cheeks”
- “caused closed comedones”
- “broke me out”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “chemical scent”
- “paint smell”
- “weird smell”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, influenster.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary Matrixyl work for oily skin?
The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA is an average fit for oily skin because it offers moderate hydration with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate along with smoothing peptides, but it does not directly control oily shine. Oily skin works best with treatments containing ingredients like niacinamide, zinc PCA, and antioxidants to manage excess oil and enlarged pores while keeping the skin comfortable.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide moderate hydration, while peptides like palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 help minimize fine lines for your oily skin. Because it does not directly control shine, an oily skin type needs a treatment with ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, or zinc PCA to manage excess oil and enlarged pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
What does Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 do for oily skin?
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles on oily skin without clogging pores. Because it focuses on building firmness and reducing signs of aging, this type of product also needs oil-controlling ingredients to keep greasy skin balanced and clear.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2023
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and safe around sun exposure. To properly care for oily skin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydration along with ingredients that control excess oil and shine.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying the vitamin C first and following with this treatment. This product is generally safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh components and the presence of soothing ingredients. Oily skin also needs oil-balancing and shine-controlling ingredients.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. Oily skin needs a product of this type to balance hydration with oil control ingredients.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin, as it contains soothing ingredients and lacks harsh components that typically trigger irritation. However, oily skin needs a product that also controls excess shine and regulates oil production to truly thrive.
Is this serum 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, 2017A 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, 2015Chronomodulated 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, 2026Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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, 2019Palmitoyl 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, 2024Niacinamide 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, Butylene Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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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.