🇩🇪Germany

La Roche-Posay MELA B3 for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 oily skin, this formula leverages niacinamide for effective oil regulation and capryloyl salicylic acid for mild exfoliation and pore clearing, addressing your concerns about oiliness and breakouts.
  • The inclusion of hyaluronic acid provides excellent moisturization, enhancing skin tone and hydration without compromising your skin's balance.
  • 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

  • Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
  • Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
  • Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 16.4k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this serum is widely praised for its ability to fade post-acne marks and sunspots while brightening the overall complexion, often showing results within 2-4 weeks. A notable minority of users report no visible improvement on stubborn hyperpigmentation, and some find the strong floral fragrance and potential for dryness unsuitable for sensitive or mature skin.

Highlights

  • Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs very quickly”
    • “non-sticky gel feel”
    • “light and non-greasy”
    • “layers well under makeup”
  • Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “skin looks radiant”
    • “complexion is glowing”
    • “evened out skin tone”
    • “face looks brighter”
  • Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
    • “acne scars are lighter”
    • “sun spots finally fading”
    • “pigmentation is less visible”
    • “cleared up dark marks”
  • Strong fragrance Often Mentioned
    • “smell is too strong”
    • “scent lingers too long”
    • “perfume smell gave headache”
    • “wish it was unscented”
  • Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't irritate sensitive skin”
    • “gentle enough for daily use”
    • “no stinging or redness”
    • “soothing on my face”
  • No visible results Sometimes Noted
    • “saw no difference”
    • “spots didn't fade”
    • “waste of money”
    • “did nothing for melasma”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out”
    • “caused tiny bumps”
    • “triggered cystic acne”
    • “clogged my pores”
  • Drying effect Rarely Noted
    • “dried out my skin”
    • “felt tight after use”
    • “need extra moisturizer”
    • “caused dry patches”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, ulta.com, dermstore.com, walmart.com, lovelyskin.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes La Roche-Posay Mela B3 a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 is a great fit because it uses niacinamide to regulate oil and capryloyl salicylic acid to clear pores gently. Hyaluronic acid also adds lightweight moisture, and the formula has a very safe profile that is unlikely to irritate your skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

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

Niacinamide and capryloyl salicylic acid make this cream a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin by helping to control oil and clear pores. Hyaluronic acid also adds lightweight hydration, while the formula's safe ingredients are unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Melasyl do for oily acne-prone skin?

Melasyl helps catch and block melanin precursors before dark spots form, which keeps skin tone even without clogging pores. This ingredient is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while working to fade post-blemish marks.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Using niacinamide and capryloyl salicylic acid in this step helps regulate oil and clear pores safely without irritating your skin.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

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

You can use this moisturizing treatment with retinol by applying the treatment first and following with your retinol, or by using this cream in the morning and retinol in the evening. This approach is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula balances oil and provides deep moisture safely.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your daily routine. It helps balance oil and clear pores safely without irritating oily skin.

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

LA ROCHE-POSAY MELA B3 is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses capryloyl salicylic acid for mild exfoliation and pore clearing, helping to prevent breakouts. Its safe formula is unlikely to irritate your skin or cause new blemishes.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

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

You can use this moisturizing treatment on your body and around the eyes, though it is primarily made for the face. Its gentle ingredients and safe formula are unlikely to cause irritation on delicate areas.

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).

What the research says

  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • A novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid showed similar tolerance and efficacy compared with clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in subjects with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
  • Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.

    The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.

    Life, 2023
  • A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
  • A formulation containing vitamin C, biopeptides, hyaluronic acid, and mineralizing water accelerated cell turnover to 17.1 days versus 19.2 days for untreated skin, and reduced crow's-feet, forehead, and nasolabial folds by 9%, 11%, and 5% respectively after 28 days in female subjects.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021
  • 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
  • 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, 2017
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Parfum

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?

Scan your face, then any product.

Buy online

Prices checked 10 Oct – 6 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Germany.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.