The INKEY List Omega Water Cream for oily skin
Omega Fatty Acids
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Betaine
Coco-Caprylate Caprate
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers 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 suitability for oily skin, as glycerin and niacinamide provide essential hydration and support barrier function, though it lacks potent ingredients to fully address oily shine.
- The formula offers general skincare benefits, such as hydration, which are supportive for oily skin but do not directly target the primary concern of oily shine.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 3.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, water-based gel moisturizer is highly praised by users with oily and combination skin for its hydrating properties without causing greasiness or pore clogging. Users with dry skin frequently report it is not moisturizing enough, and a moderate number of users experienced breakouts. It is also noted as being a good base for makeup and is affordable.
Highlights
Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
- “feels like applying straight up water to the skin”
- “absorbs quickly while keeping skin moisturized”
- “super lightweight but gives an insane glow”
- “melts from cream to water on the skin”
Ideal for oily/combo Often Mentioned
- “great for oily skin but anyone can use it”
- “lightweight cream amazing for oil control”
- “doesn't make my skin look oilier”
- “perfect moisturizer that balances out my combination skin”
Non-greasy, fast absorption Often Mentioned
- “hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy”
- “sinks in, leaving the skin hydrated”
- “absorbs decently... sets to a radiant finish”
- “no oily finish”
Insufficient for dry Often Mentioned
- “have dry skin but this doesn't feel hydrating at all”
- “felt like my skin needs more moisture”
- “not moisturizing enough for colder months”
- “splashing water on my face... would've had the same result”
Affordable price Sometimes Noted
- “great and affordable moisturizer for everyday use”
- “especially for the price it's a really nice product”
- “high-quality skincare products on a budget”
Good under makeup Sometimes Noted
- “applies wonderfully under sunscreen and makeup”
- “great primer and moisturiser”
- “makeup applies flawless under this stuff”
- “layers great with sunscreen”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “did cause major breakouts”
- “woke up with irritated skin and break outs”
- “zero spots... [contradicted by] broke me out”
- “suspect the oleic acid was the main cause”
Leaves shiny film Rarely Noted
- “leaving a oily finish on my skin”
- “looks a little shiny because of some ingredients”
- “extremely glowy, possibly crossing the line”
Texture too thin Rarely Noted
- “it's too thin for me”
- “almost as if it does nothing”
- “felt like I was applying water... [negative context]”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.ph, boots.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The INKEY List Omega Water Cream work for oily skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily skin, providing light hydration without causing irritation, though it does not directly target oily shine. To best manage oily shine while keeping the skin hydrated, an oily skin type needs a lightweight product combining peptides and hydrating agents without heavy oils.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Glycerin and niacinamide make this cream a good fit for oily skin because they provide essential hydration and support barrier function with very little risk of irritation. However, because it lacks ingredients to fully address oily shine, a moisturizer for this skin needs peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and ingredients that control excess oil without heavy oils.
What do Omega Fatty Acids do for oily skin?
Omega fatty acids help calm oily and acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and balancing skin oils. Using these ingredients may also improve skin smoothness while helping to keep pores clear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer goes as the third step in your morning routine after a cleanser and a hydrating toner, and as the final step in your evening routine after a treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin, but to better handle oily shine, this skin needs a product with ingredients that actively balance oil.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside retinol, applying the retinol first and following with the moisturizer. This helps keep your oily skin comfortable and lowers the likelihood of dryness or irritation. An oily skin routine with retinol needs a lightweight moisturizer with niacinamide and glycerin to support hydration without adding heavy shine.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer daily in both your morning and evening routines. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and supports its natural barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients, though some reviewers have reported breakouts. Oily skin works best with lightweight hydrators paired with ingredients that directly control excess shine.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this cream around your eyes and on your body because it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. However, because the skin around the eyes and on parts of the body can be very thin, a moisturizer for this skin needs extra strengthening and targeted nourishing ingredients to fully protect it.
Is this cream 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 combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.
Molecules, 2024Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005The 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, 2012Topical dry mouth products containing olive oil, betaine, and xylitol significantly increased unstimulated whole salivary flow rates, reduced xerostomia complaints, and improved quality of life in adults with polypharmacy-induced xerostomia compared to their normal routine care, with no clinically significant adverse events.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2007Mixed surfactant systems of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dimethyl dodecyl amido betaine significantly reduce acute skin irritation potential in human volunteers compared with the individual surfactants, demonstrating that irritation potential cannot be predicted by simple summation.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 1998Polyhexanide/betaine may be nontoxic and effective in enhancing wound healing, whereas the majority of other topical cleaning agents are locally toxic and of limited or no proven efficacy.
Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 2013Liquid coco-caprylate/caprate combined with electrogenic Staphylococcus epidermidis significantly reduced UV-B-induced skin injuries in mice compared to poorly electrogenic isolates.
Scientific Reports, 2020
Why other moisturizers 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
Ingredients
Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Sodium Benzoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Oleic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Polyglycerin-3
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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