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SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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

  • Highly suitable for your combination skin, this moisturizer effectively hydrates with sodium hyaluronate and panthenol, while tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tocopherol offer antioxidant and mild anti-inflammatory benefits to address your acne and blemishes.
  • The formula's humectant and antioxidant properties work synergistically to enhance barrier resilience and protect against oxidative stress, supporting overall skin health.
  • This product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or prohibited ingredients that would cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
  • Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
  • Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
  • Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.

People Say

★4.8Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

This moisturizer is highly regarded for its ultra-lightweight, oil-free formula, making it an excellent choice for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types as it hydrates without clogging pores. It also provides a smooth, matte finish ideal for makeup application and offers antioxidant benefits. However, users with dry skin or those in dry climates may find it insufficient for their hydration needs.

Highlights

  • Lightweight feel Mostly Mentioned
    • “vanishes into skin”
    • “completely evaporated”
    • “weightless feel”
    • “no residue”
  • Acne-safe formula Often Mentioned
    • “zero new breakouts”
    • “doesn't clog pores”
    • “clear skin”
    • “safe for acne-prone”
  • Good for oily skin Often Mentioned
    • “controls oil”
    • “matte finish”
    • “perfect for summer”
    • “balances combination skin”
  • Not enough hydration Often Mentioned
    • “not moisturizing enough”
    • “too light for winter”
    • “skin felt tight”
    • “need to layer”
  • Gentle and soothing Sometimes Noted
    • “good for sensitive skin”
    • “no irritation”
    • “calms redness”
    • “feels cooling”
  • Makeup base Sometimes Noted
    • “perfect smooth base”
    • “no pilling”
    • “sits well under foundation”
    • “primer-like finish”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “expensive for size”
    • “pricey”
    • “small bottle”
    • “costly daily use”
  • Rare reactions Rarely Noted
    • “caused breakout”
    • “skin reaction”
    • “rash”
    • “stinging”
  • Thin consistency Rarely Noted
    • “very runny”
    • “watery texture”
    • “too thin”
    • “pours out fast”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, influenster.com, walmart.ca, skinmedica.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer a great fit for acne-prone skin?

SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer is a great fit for acne-prone skin because it hydrates with sodium hyaluronate and panthenol while using tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tocopherol to calm blemishes. This formula helps protect against skin stress and supports your skin barrier without causing irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Sodium hyaluronate and panthenol make this moisturizer a great fit by keeping your acne-prone skin hydrated, while tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and tocopherol provide antioxidants and calm blemishes. Panthenol helps improve moisture and barrier health, and vitamin C and E antioxidants help protect against everyday skin stress.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps acne-prone skin by soothing irritation, calming redness, and keeping the skin balanced without clogging pores. When combined with targeted ingredients like zinc oxide, it may also help reduce breakouts.

Biomedicines, 2025Drug Delivery, 2017

What does Vitamin C do for acne-prone skin?

Vitamin C helps brighten dark spots left behind by breakouts and calms redness in acne-prone skin. Daily use may also help improve overall skin clarity and support an even skin tone.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019

Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer goes as the final step of your morning routine before sunscreen, and after your treatment in the evening. It helps keep your skin soft and hydrated while being gentle enough to avoid clogging pores.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020

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

Yes, you can use this moisturizer with retinol to help keep your skin calm and hydrated while using strong treatments. Apply your retinol first, wait for it to absorb, and then follow with the moisturizer to protect your skin barrier.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this moisturizer?

This moisturizer is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and can be used daily in both your morning and evening routines. Applying it regularly helps keep your skin hydrated and calm while supporting overall barrier health.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin. It contains soothing ingredients and antioxidants that help calm blemishes and support overall skin health without causing irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because its gentle formula hydrates and protects delicate areas safely. It helps keep skin soft and smooth while strengthening the skin barrier without causing irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 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

  • Topical 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, 2002
  • A 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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, 2019
  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003
  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009
  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • Wearing 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, 2024
  • Treatment 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
  • Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.

    Clinics in Dermatology, 2012
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

Ingredients

Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sorbitan Stearate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Aminomethyl Propanol, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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