Curology Gel Moisturizer for oily skin
Hyaluronic Acid
Glycerin
Squalane
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
DimethiconeAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
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 benefits for your oily skin, as glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide essential hydration without exacerbating oiliness, and squalane supports barrier resilience. While beneficial for overall skin health, these ingredients do not directly target the reduction of oily shine, which is your main goal.
- The inclusion of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice and Panthenol offers soothing properties, contributing to a comfortable experience for your skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no harsh ingredients and a formulation designed to be non-irritating for oily skin.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin praise this moisturizer for its ultra-lightweight, breathable formula that hydrates without clogging pores or causing breakouts. While it effectively calms redness and leaves a smooth, matte finish ideal for makeup application, those with drier skin types often find it insufficiently hydrating, requiring multiple layers or a heavier product.
Highlights
Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs instantly”
- “Feels like water”
- “No sticky residue”
- “Breathable feel”
Acne-safe & gentle Often Mentioned
- “Does not clog pores”
- “Calms redness”
- “No breakouts”
- “Suitable for sensitive skin”
Packaging issues Often Mentioned
- “Pump stops working”
- “Hard to get product out”
- “Cap falls off”
- “Flimsy container”
Makeup friendly Sometimes Noted
- “Works well under makeup”
- “Acts as a primer”
- “No pilling”
- “Smooth base”
Softens & smooths Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves skin soft”
- “Smooth texture”
- “Improves skin feel”
- “Refreshing”
Insufficient hydration Sometimes Noted
- “Not moisturizing enough for dry skin”
- “Needs layering”
- “Too thin for winter”
- “Feels watery”
Small quantity Rarely Noted
- “Bottle runs out quickly”
- “Small amount for price”
- “Not enough product”
Texture preference Rarely Noted
- “Too runny”
- “Feels like nothing”
- “Leaves film (rare)”
Sources: lovi.care, curology.com, target.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Curology Gel Moisturizer work for oily skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily skin, as hyaluronic acid and glycerin provide hydration without adding oiliness, while squalane and aloe help soothe and support the skin. However, it does not directly target the reduction of oily shine. An oily skin type needs a product that combines peptides and lightweight hydrating agents to control shine while maintaining a light feel, without heavy oils.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid make this moisturizer a good fit because they provide essential hydration without making your skin oily, while squalane and panthenol help keep your skin barrier strong and comfortable. An oily skin type needs a product with peptides and lightweight hydrating agents to control shine while keeping the skin balanced without heavy oils.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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.
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 it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
In a routine for oily skin, you use this moisturizer in the morning after your toner, and in the evening after your treatment. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying it after your retinol treatment to help keep your skin comfortable and hydrated. This type of routine needs a moisturizer that includes soothing ingredients and barrier support to keep oily skin calm.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and comfortable while maintaining a very safe profile for oily skin.
Health Science Reports, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a very safe, non-irritating formula without harsh ingredients. However, because it does not target oily shine, an oily skin type needs lightweight ingredients like niacinamide or salicylic acid to help control excess oil.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because it has a very safe, non-irritating formula. Since the skin around the eyes is very thin, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep it soft without feeling heavy.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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 dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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, 2019The 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, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Squalane 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, 2025A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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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
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