Malin + Goetz Recovery Treatment Oil for oily skin
Squalane
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil
Tocopherol
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
- Moderate suitability for oily skin is offered due to squalane and grape seed oil providing emollient action, though these may not be sufficient for optimal oil control.
- The product offers moderate moisturizing due to squalane and avocado oil, which hydrate and enhance barrier resilience, but these benefits are largely supportive and irrelevant for managing oily shine.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing tocopherol and various seed and fruit oils.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers with dry, normal, and sensitive skin report that this botanical oil provides deep, long-lasting hydration and visibly softens fine lines without leaving a greasy residue. While it effectively calms inflammation and restores the moisture barrier, some individuals with very sensitive or acne-prone skin found the essential oil blend slightly heavy or irritating.
Highlights
Absorbs quickly Mostly Mentioned
- “I was extremely surprised at how easily absorbed it was despite it being an oil.”
- “The light, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft.”
- “The lightweight formula absorbs quickly, providing immediate relief.”
- “The oil is super lightweight and absorbs instantly.”
Long-lasting hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Very rich and skin felt very well hydrated after use.”
- “Amazing lasts all day.”
- “Perfect for locking in moisture.”
- “Provides excellent hydration and nourishment for the skin.”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “Nothing beats the improvement in the feel & texture I have seen.”
- “Many customers noted improvements in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
- “Absorbs beautifully, skin feels amazing. Fine lines appear reduced.”
- “Since incorporating this oil, his skin feels smoother and more resilient.”
Soothes and calms Sometimes Noted
- “This treatment oil is soothing and rich without clogging my skin.”
- “It has an immediate softening effect and my skin feels calmer and relaxed.”
- “Providing immediate relief to post shave irritation.”
- “Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin.”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “It's definitely pricey, but I think you get a good value based on how little product you need.”
- “Comparable to single-active alternatives at much lower prices.”
- “Anyone shopping strictly on cost-per-benefit, though, can find equally nourishing plant-oil blends for considerably less.”
- “It just happens to cost what a good oil's branding costs.”
Strong scent Sometimes Noted
- “The smell is a little strong.”
- “It does have some essential oils in it which some people aren't a fan of.”
- “The heavy essential oil load is both its defining charm and its limiting factor.”
- “Not for fragrance-reactive skin.”
Heavy for oily skin Rarely Noted
- “While a few found the oil a bit heavy or not hydrating enough.”
- “I prefer one with less oils and a more targeted active ingredient.”
- “It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.”
- “If you do have very oily or breakout prone skin, do check the ingredients since it is loaded with quite a few oils.”
Sources: lovi.care, malinandgoetz.com, spacenk.com, bloomingdales.com, dermapproved.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Malin + Goetz Recovery Treatment Oil work for oily skin?
This product works for oily skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks enough oil control for this skin type. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep skin soft. A moisturizing treatment for oily skin needs peptides and lightweight hydrating agents without heavy oils.
Which ingredients make this treatment oil a good fit for oily skin?
Squalane and grape seed oil make this treatment oil work for oily skin by providing a soft feel, though an oily skin type needs lightweight hydrating agents and peptides to manage shine and maintain a clear, non-greasy look.
What does Squalane do for oily skin?
Squalane helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy, though oxidized forms may sometimes trigger irritation. To work well for oily skin, this type of product needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that balance moisture without adding excess grease.
What does Argan Oil do for oily skin?
Argan oil may be too heavy for oily skin, as it can feel too rich and potentially clog pores. Oily skin needs lightweight ingredients that help control excess oil and keep the face balanced without adding extra shine.
Where does this treatment oil go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Oily skin works better with products that include oil-absorbing ingredients to help manage shine.
Can I use this treatment oil with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment oil with retinol, applying it after your retinol to help calm and smooth your skin while you sleep. This type of routine needs lightweight hydrators and oil-control ingredients to keep oily skin balanced without feeling heavy.
How often should I use this treatment oil?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin, but this skin type needs oil-controlling and balancing ingredients for the best fit.
Can this treatment oil clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This treatment oil is unlikely to irritate oily skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing tocopherol and plant oils, though it may feel heavy or not provide enough shine control for your skin type. Oily skin works best with lightweight, oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or lightweight hyaluronic acid formulas to keep pores clear and skin balanced.
Can I use this treatment oil around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizing treatment oil is safe to use around the eyes and on the body, as it has a good safety profile with no irritation risks for oily skin. However, because skin is very thin around the eyes and varies in thickness across the body, oily skin of this type needs lightweight ingredients that help control shine while keeping skin soft.
Is this treatment oil fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citral, citronellol, geraniol, limonene, and linalool).
What the research says
Topical cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil improved wrinkle grading, reduced nasolabial fold area and volume, and increased skin elasticity in twenty healthy volunteers over 12 weeks without allergic reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical application of a vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate significantly increased epidermal thickness, type III collagen production, and glycosaminoglycans production in human skin explants compared to free vitamin C and vitamin C-palmitate.
Scientific Reports, 2020A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Squalane 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 combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016Cutaneous application of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid triglycerides reduced the high rate of transepidermal water loss in essential fatty acid-deficient rats, whereas other fatty acid triglycerides had no effect.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1976Topical treatment with SSFAO 50% or avocado oil increased wound contraction, reepithelialization, collagen density, and tensile strength while showing anti-inflammatory activity compared to petroleum jelly in rats.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013Topical 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, 2025Dermatological 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, 2021Topical 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
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
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Geranium Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Stem Extract Flower Leaf Lavender Stem Extract Flower Leaf, Spearmint Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Rose Extract, Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool
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?
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