Obagi Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream for oily acne-prone skin
Ceramide Np
Niacinamide
Squalane
Phytosphingosine
Allantoin
High
- AverageOily 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
- Offers excellent moisturizing and barrier-enhancing effects for your oily skin, as ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide work to improve barrier resilience and regulate oil production.
- It provides moderate benefits for acne, blemishes, and breakouts by supporting the skin barrier and helping to manage oiliness.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Bisabolol and Allantoin.
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
★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsThis moisturizer is highly rated for its ability to soothe and repair compromised skin barriers, especially after treatments like chemical peels or retinoid use. Users frequently report significant improvements in hydration and a reduction in redness and irritation, making it a good choice for dry or post-procedure skin. Some users find it too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin, and the price point is considered moderate to high by many.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Often Mentioned
- “soaks right in”
- “stays pretty hydrated all day”
- “comforting to winter dried out skin”
- “restores hydration for instant relief”
Soothes irritated skin Often Mentioned
- “really calms my skin”
- “so much less inflamed and irritated”
- “relieved the dry, itchy feeling”
Great post-procedure Sometimes Noted
- “helped my skin when I do a peel”
- “use this after peels and microneedling”
- “soothing effect on post-procedure skin”
- “first non-ointment moisturizer after peels”
Lightweight, non-greasy Sometimes Noted
- “lightweight, non-greasy”
- “Very light and smooth!”
- “glides on so smoothly”
- “without looking oily”
Expensive price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “five to six times the price”
- “drugstore creams sell for a fifth”
Dispenser issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump dispenses more than most faces need”
- “dispenses more than most”
- “pump dispenses more”
Heavy for oily skin Rarely Noted
- “heavy on oily or acne-prone skin”
- “poorly suited to acne-prone”
- “congestion-prone users often prefer a lighter”
- “rich base is poorly suited”
Sources: lovi.care, dermapproved.com, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, skincareessentials.com, dermstreet.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Obagi Rebalance Cream a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Obagi Rebalance Cream is a great fit because its ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide strengthen your skin barrier and help control oil. It also features soothing ingredients like allantoin and bisabolol to calm your skin without causing irritation, while phytosphingosine helps manage breakouts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Ceramide Np, niacinamide, squalane, and phytosphingosine make this cream a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin by strengthening your skin barrier and helping to manage oiliness. These ingredients support smooth, calm skin without clogging pores or causing irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ceramides help keep oily acne-prone skin calm and smooth by strengthening the skin barrier and locking in moisture. Since acne-prone skin often has lower levels of these natural lipids, adding ceramides helps reduce irritation, redness, and moisture loss. A product for this skin type needs barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides and gentle hydrators to prevent dryness and balance oil.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
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
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes as the third step in your morning routine after a cleanser and a hydrating toner, and as the last step in your evening routine after your makeup remover, cleanser, cleansing toner, and treatment. It helps keep oily skin balanced and hydrated without irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the moisturizer first to help calm your skin and lower the risk of dryness or irritation. Using a barrier-supporting moisturizer alongside active treatments is safe and helps improve how well your skin handles the routine.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin, offering deep moisture and helping to keep your skin barrier strong without clogging pores. Applying it daily helps keep your skin soft and balanced.
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 on oily acne-prone skin, as it relies on soothing and barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide and phytosphingosine that help manage oiliness without irritation. It does not contain harsh ingredients, and the inclusion of allantoin and bisabolol helps keep skin calm.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body, as its gentle ingredients are safe for delicate areas and the skin on your body. The cream helps keep skin soft and smooth while strengthening the skin barrier without causing irritation.
Is this cream 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
Application of squalene/phosphotungstate calcium nanowires (Sql/PWC) oleogel on UVB-irradiated skin decreased epidermal thickness, increased dermal thickness, and promoted the expression of elastin, collagen, and skin barrier markers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Phytosphingosine demonstrates anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity with excellent clinical results in acne vulgaris.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Topical application of an emulsion containing a complete mixture of ceramides III, IIIB, VI, phytosphingosine, cholesterol, and linoleic acid significantly accelerated barrier recovery after SLS damage and improved skin hydration after acetone treatment in human volunteers compared to an emulsion containing only two types of ceramides.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2002Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008Topical 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, 2005Squalane 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, 2025Phytosphingosine increased filaggrin metabolism and skin hydration in human skin by stimulating filaggrin biosynthesis and degradation leading to natural moisturizing factor formation.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Phytosphingosine inhibits melanin synthesis in cultured melan-a cells and a reconstructed human skin model by modulating MITF through suppression of gene expression and induction of protein degradation.
Journal of Dermatological Science, 2017Phytosphingosine activated PPAR transcriptional activity, increased cornified envelope production and differentiation markers, inhibited DNA synthesis in normal human epidermal keratinocytes, and blocked TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation in hairless mice compared with controls.
Molecular Medicine, 2006Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Squalane, Glycol Palmitate, Coconut Alkanes, Niacinamide, Hexyldecanol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Maltodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Phytosphingosine, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid, Tetraselmis Suecica Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Punica Granatum Pericarp Extract, Bisabolol, Arginine, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Cholesterol, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour Oat Kernel Flour, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Stearic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid
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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