Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil for oily acne-prone skin
Retinol
Ceramides
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil
Tocopherol
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers 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 treatment for your oily skin, as Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Retinol hydrate and smooth texture, though the benefits are not directly targeted at your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- Tocopherol provides emollient action, offering some suitability for oily skin, but the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with a low risk of irritation from retinol.
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 800+ reviewsUsers describe this oil as a gentle, hydrating retinol that smooths texture and boosts radiance without irritation, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin types targeting fine lines and dullness. Some users with oily skin found the marula oil base too heavy, and a moderate number of reviews mentioned an unpleasant smell.
Highlights
Hydrating and moisturizing Mostly Mentioned
- “doused skin with moisture”
- “super hydrating”
- “leaves face soft”
- “good for dry winter skin”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “no flaking or redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “zero irritation”
- “gentle retinol”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “woke up glowing”
- “smoother complexion”
- “restored bounce”
Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “perfect gateway retinol”
- “great introduction”
- “easy to tolerate”
- “best for newbies”
Greasy texture Sometimes Noted
- “sits on top of skin”
- “too oily”
- “thick and sticky”
- “doesn't absorb well”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “smells rancid”
- “stale cooking oil scent”
- “smells like food”
- “weird earthy odor”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “made me break out”
- “cystic acne flared”
- “clogged pores”
- “bad reaction”
High price Rarely Noted
- “too expensive”
- “pricey for the size”
- “not worth the money”
- “better cheaper alternatives”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, drunkelephant.com, kohls.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does A-Gloei Maretinol Oil work for oily acne-prone skin?
This oil works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as it hydrates and smooths texture, though it lacks direct benefits for blemishes and sufficient oil control. It is generally safe with a low risk of irritation, but this skin type needs products that effectively target acne and breakouts with oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide, along with lightweight hydrating agents that do not clog pores.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinol and Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil make this treatment a fit by hydrating and smoothing skin texture, while tocopherol offers some suitability with its softening action. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for blemishes and oil control, an oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include oil-regulating ingredients like niacinamide, lightweight hydrators such as hyaluronic acid, and soothing extracts that manage breakouts without clogging pores.
What does Retinol do for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps oily acne-prone skin by clearing up breakouts and smoothing the skin, though it may occasionally cause some mild scaling or stinging. This ingredient works by addressing the root causes of acne, making it a reliable choice for keeping pores clear and skin smooth.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2018
What do Ceramides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ceramides help restore the protective barrier of oily, acne-prone skin, which often lacks these vital lipids and suffers from moisture loss and irritation. Using products with ceramides supports skin hydration, calms redness, and improves overall texture while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it can also be used in the morning or twice a day if needed. It offers moderate moisturizing and smoothing benefits, but oily acne-prone skin needs ingredients focused on optimal oil control and blemish reduction.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night. Using them at different times of day helps prevent potential irritation while still giving your skin both antioxidant protection and smoothing benefits.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment works best in the evening, used as part of your nighttime routine to keep things simple and safe around sun exposure. It is generally safe for your skin with a low risk of irritation, though oily acne-prone skin needs a product that specifically helps with oil control and breakouts.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, though it carries a low risk of causing some breakouts because the formula lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control. Retinol and plant oils hydrate and smooth texture, but an oily acne-prone skin needs a lighter texture with strong oil-controlling and blemish-targeting ingredients to really thrive.
Can I use this treatment around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this treatment on your body or around the eyes, but apply it carefully since oily skin has specific needs in those areas. This skin type needs lightweight, oil-controlling ingredients and targeted blemish-fighting benefits that will not clog pores or feel too heavy.
What the research says
Topical application of Sclerocarya birrea nut oil is non-irritant, exhibits significant moisturising and hydrating effects on lipid-dry skin, and shows occlusive properties on normal skin in healthy caucasian adult female volunteers.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical 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 acne-prone skin better
A Tris/Arg-formulated cleanser significantly decreased noninflammatory and inflammatory acne and pore size with keratotic plugs compared to an AEC/AC cleanser in male Thai subjects with mild to moderate acne over 4 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020A 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, 2024Co-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, 2023
Ingredients
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Np
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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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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