Medicube ZERO PORE PAD MILD for oily skin
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
Betaine Salicylate
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other toners 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 exfoliation for your oily skin due to betaine salicylate and willow bark extract, which help cleanse pores and regulate oil production, though the primary goal of reducing oily shine is only partially addressed.
- Hyaluronic acid and allantoin provide general hydration and soothing benefits, which are supportive but not directly targeted at managing excess shine.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation from harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
- Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
- Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
- Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsUsers with sensitive skin frequently praise this toner pad for its gentle exfoliation and hydration, leading to smoother texture and controlled sebum for a radiant finish. While generally well-received, some users note it is less effective for deep blackhead removal compared to other versions.
Highlights
Gentle on Sensitive Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation and no dryness”
- “doesn't sting and is mild”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Hydrating Finish Often Mentioned
- “leaves my skin feeling moisturized”
- “don't need to apply much emulsion”
- “intense hydration”
Smoother Skin Texture Often Mentioned
- “makeup goes on so much smoother”
- “removes roughness on forehead”
- “glass-like finish”
Hygienic Packaging Sometimes Noted
- “included tweezers are a nice touch”
- “lid seals it shut”
- “sanitary design”
Mild/Slow Efficacy Sometimes Noted
- “falls a bit short on deep pore treatment”
- “slower results than the original”
- “didn't show much effect on blackheads”
Low Quantity/Value Rarely Noted
- “runs out so quickly”
- “wish they came in packs of 100”
- “expensive for daily use”
Poor Pad Adherence Rarely Noted
- “pads keep falling off”
- “too thick to stick as a mask”
- “don't adhere well to the skin”
Sticky Residue Rarely Noted
- “leaves a little sticky feeling”
- “stickiness on my face”
- “takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, medicube.us, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild work for oily skin?
Medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild works moderately well for oily skin by helping to cleanse pores and balance oil with betaine salicylate and willow bark extract, though it only partially addresses oily shine. To best manage oily skin, an exfoliating toner needs strong oil-reducing and brightening ingredients that target excess shine and dullness while keeping the skin calm and smooth.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Betylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Betaine Salicylate make this exfoliant a fit by providing moderate exfoliation that helps cleanse pores and regulate oil production for oily skin. To fit this skin even better, an exfoliating toner needs high-quality exfoliating and soothing ingredients that specifically target oily shine, enhance radiance, and balance oil production safely without irritation.
What does Butylene Glycol do for oily skin?
Butylene glycol helps deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin and is unlikely to clog pores, making it useful for keeping oily skin balanced and smooth. It helps other ingredients penetrate effectively while maintaining a lightweight feel.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2022European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2008
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
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliating toner goes in the evening routine after cleansing, and routines should start this step once a week before carefully using it more often if well tolerated. Oily skin works best with products that directly target excess shine and regulate oil production.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying them on alternating nights to prevent irritation. Because both ingredients are strong, separating them helps keep your skin calm and comfortable.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week to see how your oily skin tolerates it, and if it feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. It is unlikely to irritate your skin, but a product of this type needs stronger oil-clearing and shine-reducing ingredients to fully manage excess oil.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliating toner is safe for your oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation, breakouts or purging. To better manage oily shine and deeply cleanse pores, this skin type needs products with stronger oil-regulating ingredients and targeted acne-fighting actives.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.
Drug Delivery, 2017A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020A 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, 2017The 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, 2020Ten 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
Why other toners fit oily skin better
Gluconolactone chemical peels lower skin pH and transepidermal water loss while demonstrating seboregulatory properties in 16 female subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta
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.