No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream for oily acne-prone skin

Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other sunscreens fit it 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
- Offers moderate moisturizing and UV protection for your oily skin, with glycerin and UV filters like avobenzone and octisalate providing hydration and sun defense without compromising oiliness.
- Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate helps manage oiliness, while ingredients like tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol offer soothing benefits, contributing to overall skin comfort.
- The product is safe for your skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes soothing components that minimize irritation risk.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizing sunscreen every morning. Reapply throughout the day if you are outside.
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine after your moisturizer.
- Gently smooth a nickel-sized amount over your face and neck, avoiding harsh rubbing to keep oily areas calm.
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen on clean, dry skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
- Avoid getting the product into your eyes and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cream is highly regarded for its rich hydration and ability to smooth skin texture, making it a favorite for those with dry or mature skin. Many users report visible improvements in fine lines and appreciate the added SPF protection. Some users with sensitive or oily skin experienced irritation or found the formula too heavy and heavily fragranced.
Highlights
Deep hydration Often Mentioned
- “Keeps skin moisturized all day”
- “Eliminates dry patches”
- “Feels nourishing”
Smoother skin Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin feeling soft”
- “Velvety finish”
- “Improves roughness”
Anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
- “Fine lines appear reduced”
- “Skin looks plumper”
- “Firmer feel”
Good makeup base Sometimes Noted
- “Absorbs well”
- “Non-greasy under foundation”
- “Acts like a primer”
Sun protection Sometimes Noted
- “SPF inclusion is convenient”
- “Prevents sunburn”
- “Good daily defense”
Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
- “Scent is overpowering”
- “Smells like perfume”
- “Lingers too long”
Packaging concerns Rarely Noted
- “Jar is unhygienic”
- “Prefer a pump”
- “Heavy glass container”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “Caused breakouts”
- “Burning sensation”
- “Redness or rash”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “Can pill/roll off”
- “Feels heavy/greasy”
- “Takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, ulta.com, walgreens.com, target.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream work for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream works decently for your oily acne-prone skin by offering moderate moisture and sun defense without feeling too greasy. It is safe and soothing, though other products fit this skin type better. Oily acne-prone skin needs a product specifically designed to hydrate without clogging pores, featuring lightweight ingredients that support the skin barrier while keeping excess oil in check.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin, avobenzone, and octisalate provide light hydration and sun defense that suits oily skin, while aluminum starch octenylsuccinate helps manage shine. To work best for this skin type, a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators, oil-controlling ingredients, and pore-clearing agents that provide a non-greasy feel without clogging pores.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Avobenzone do for oily acne-prone skin?
Avobenzone helps protect your skin from sun damage, but it does not treat oily or acne-prone skin on its own. Sunscreens for this skin type need ingredients that feel light, absorb excess oil, and won't clog your pores.
What does Butyrospermum Parkii Butter do for oily acne-prone skin?
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter helps protect the skin barrier, but because it is quite heavy, it may feel too rich for oily acne-prone skin. Skin of this type usually needs lighter, balancing ingredients like natural plant oils with a higher linoleic acid to oleic acid ratio that help keep pores clear and smooth.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer with SPF fits in your morning routine after your hydrating toner. Oily acne-prone skin needs a lightweight, oil-balancing moisturizer and sunscreen with oil-absorbing ingredients and hydrating components that keep skin comfortable without adding extra shine.
Can I use this cream with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside niacinamide by applying niacinamide first and letting it absorb before putting on this day cream. This pairing is unlikely to cause irritation and helps keep your oily skin feeling calm and hydrated.
How often should I use it?
You can use this day cream every morning as part of your regular routine for hydration and sun defense. It provides moderate moisture and helps manage oiliness, though oily acne-prone skin often works best with a lightweight, oil-free hydrator and a separate dedicated sunscreen.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes components that help manage oiliness. However, because it is a rich moisturizing sunscreen, oily acne-prone skin often needs a lightweight, oil-free formula with ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to better control shine and keep pores completely clear.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
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, 2017Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate showed no to minimal risks of dermal irritation, sensitization, photo-allergy, and photo-irritation in human subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 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, 2025Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011Microencapsulation of the BMDBM/HP-beta-CD complex in lipid microparticles significantly decreased the percutaneous penetration of the UV filter into the stratum corneum of human volunteers compared to the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent.
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2011Following human skin application of an O/W emulsion containing 2% BMDBM loaded in lipospheres, 15% of the sunscreen accumulated in the uppermost layers of the stratum corneum without remarkably modifying skin permeation compared to unencapsulated sunscreen.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 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, 2019Topical 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, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical 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, 2022A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
Ingredients
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Tribehenin, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Aluminum Octenylsuccinate Starch, Cetearyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethylparaben, Dipropylene Glycol, Retinyl Palmitate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Tetrasodium Edta, Sorbitan Laurate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Medicago Sativa Extract, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene
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
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