Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Rejuvenating Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin

Acyl-Glutathione
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Lactic Acid
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Vitamin F Blend
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
- European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 exfoliation and antioxidant benefits for your oily skin with lactic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which help balance sebum production and provide overall skin improvement.
- Glycerin and macadamia ternifolia seed oil offer excellent hydration and elasticity, though the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation 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
★4.5Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsThis moisturizer is highly praised for its rich, velvety texture that absorbs quickly to provide intense hydration, making it a favorite for dry and mature skin types. Users frequently report a visible improvement in skin softness, radiance, and a firmer, more supple appearance, though some note that it may not fully erase deep-set wrinkles.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “Keeps skin hydrated all day.”
- “Great for dry patches.”
- “Feels very moisturizing.”
Fast absorbing Often Mentioned
- “Absorbs fast, not greasy.”
- “No residue feel afterwards.”
- “Absorbs quickly without stickiness.”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “Light, velvety texture.”
- “Not too heavy, not too light.”
- “Creamy, not greasy.”
Expensive price Often Mentioned
- “On the steep side.”
- “More expensive side.”
- “Price is quite high.”
Improves radiance Sometimes Noted
- “Produces a radiant glow.”
- “Skin looks healthier.”
- “Imparts a beautiful radiance.”
Limited wrinkle results Sometimes Noted
- “Haven't noticed much difference.”
- “Not as good as advertised.”
- “Deep lines remain.”
Strong fragrance Rarely Noted
- “Fragrance too strong.”
- “Concerned about fragrance.”
- “Experienced minor irritation.”
Sources: lovi.care, perriconemd.com, mecca.com.au, macys.com, nordstrom.com, ipsy.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Perricone MD Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Rejuvenating Moisturizer work for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, providing balanced hydration and antioxidants without causing irritation, but it lacks ingredients that directly target breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight hydration and specialized blemish-fighting ingredients that clear pores and soothe active breakouts.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Lactic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate help balance your oil and smooth your skin. To truly fit oily acne-prone skin well, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients that directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
What does Acyl-Glutathione do for oily acne-prone skin?
Acyl-glutathione helps protect the skin against sun-induced redness and may improve overall tone. This type of product for oily, acne-prone skin needs ingredients that reduce breakouts and soothe irritation while balancing oil.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2019
What does Vitamin C do for oily acne-prone skin?
Vitamin C helps calm red and irritated skin and may improve the look of post-acne marks when used as part of your routine. For oily and acne-prone skin, this type of product also needs soothing ingredients and lightweight hydrators that keep pores clear without feeling heavy.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the morning and evening routine after your toner and before your sunscreen. A product of this type needs specialized ingredients that directly target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts to work best for oily acne-prone skin.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this cream with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help buffer potential dryness. This type of routine for your oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight hydration, oil-balancing ingredients, and targeted blemish-fighting components like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to properly care for breakouts.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular application helps keep your skin soft while providing gentle exfoliation and moisture, though oily and acne-prone skin also needs specialized blemish-targeting ingredients to stay clear.
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 cause irritation on your oily skin, but it lacks specialized ingredients to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components to truly thrive.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizer is safe to use on your body and around the eyes, though the skin on your body is much thicker than the very thin skin in the eye area. Its ingredients help hydrate and improve skin texture safely across these areas.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (citronellol, limonene, and linalool). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical formulations containing ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, coenzyme Q10, green tea polyphenols, and resveratrol reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuated inflammatory signs compared to untreated skin and vehicle in 25 Japanese volunteers exposed to sodium dodecyl sulfate.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2017A 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, 2017Glutathione amino acid precursors effectively increase cellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress, ATP depletion, and DNA damage in human keratinocytes, clinical subjects, and ex vivo skin compared to controls.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024Topical oxidized glutathione significantly decreases the skin melanin index and improves moisture content, smoothness, wrinkle formation, and elasticity compared to placebo in healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2014Topical glutathione improves hyperpigmentation, reduces ultraviolet-induced erythema and wrinkles, decreases transepidermal water loss, and enhances antioxidant capacity.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2025Topical 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, 2022Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical application of linoleic acid achieved an almost 25% reduction in the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones over a 1-month treatment period in patients with mild acne compared to no change at placebo-treated sites.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998Topical conjugated linolenic acid significantly reduced edema on post-procedure Day 3 and itching on Days 1 and 3, and improved wrinkling at Day 14 compared to 1% dimethicone ointment in 34 subjects undergoing fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing of the face.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2017Liposomal formulation of linoleic acid significantly enhances its skin whitening effect compared to non-liposomal forms in UV-stimulated guinea pig and human skin.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2004
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A 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, 2024A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Palmitoyl Glycine, S-Palmitoylglutathione, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Peg-100 Stearate, Ribose, Lactic Acid, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, 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
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