🇫🇷France

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

EltaMD PM Restore Moisturizer

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

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 benefits for your oily skin, as niacinamide and linoleic acid help regulate sebum and balance oil production, but lacks targeted ingredients for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The formulation provides excellent moisturizing with sodium hyaluronate and linoleic acid, enhancing barrier resilience, which is supportive but not directly addressing your primary concerns.
  • 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

★4.4Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is highly regarded for its lightweight, non-greasy texture that effectively hydrates and repairs the skin barrier overnight. Some users noted issues with packaging visibility and a few found it insufficient for very dry skin, with occasional comments about formula changes or the price point.

Highlights

  • Lightweight, non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs quickly”
    • “not oily”
    • “feels weightless”
  • Effective hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Skin feels soft”
    • “supple in morning”
    • “deeply moisturizing”
  • Soothing for sensitive Often Mentioned
    • “Calms redness”
    • “non-irritating”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
  • Fragrance-free formula Sometimes Noted
    • “No noticeable smell”
    • “no irritation”
    • “clean scent”
  • Packaging visibility Sometimes Noted
    • “Cannot see remaining product”
    • “runs out unexpectedly”
  • Formula changes Rarely Noted
    • “Not the same as old”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “texture changed”
  • Insufficient hydration Rarely Noted
    • “Not hydrating enough”
    • “need something heavier”
    • “felt dry”
  • Price point Rarely Noted
    • “Expensive for size”
    • “value varies”
    • “pricey”

Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, bluemercury.com, lovelyskin.com, trustpilot.com, whatsinmyjar.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the EltaMD PM Restore moisturizer work for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as niacinamide and linoleic acid help balance oil production and support skin barrier strength, though it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts. To fit this skin type best, a product of this kind needs powerful hydrating and repairing ingredients that address acne and blemishes while providing a lightweight, non-clogging texture without heavy oils.

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide and linoleic acid make this cream a good fit for oily skin by helping regulate oil production and keeping the skin balanced. To truly work for oily acne-prone skin, a moisturizing treatment needs powerful hydrating and repairing ingredients that directly target acne and blemishes while avoiding heavy oils.

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

What does Hydrolyzed Rice Protein do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein helps oily, acne-prone skin by providing antioxidant protection and maintaining a balanced, smooth feel. This ingredient is safe to use and is unlikely to cause irritation while supporting overall skin health.

Heliyon, 2024

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing treatment goes near the end of your routine, right before sunscreen in the morning and as the final step in the evening. While it hydrates well and helps balance oil, oily acne-prone skin of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients to fully address breakouts.

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cream with retinol, and applying it before or after your retinol may help keep your skin comfortable and reduce dryness. This type of routine is generally safe and well-tolerated, though oily acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-clearing ingredients and oil-controlling elements to properly manage breakouts.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Daily application helps keep your skin soft and well-hydrated, though oily acne-prone skin also needs targeted ingredients for blemishes and breakouts.

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 skin, as it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for blemishes, oily acne-prone skin needs a product with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to help clear breakouts.

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 since it is generally safe for the skin. However, oily acne-prone skin needs a product of this type to include targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-control agents for the best results.

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical 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, 2021

  • Topical 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, 2008

  • Topical 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, 2005

  • Rice protein hydrolysate and its characteristic peptides Leu-Leu-Lys, Leu-Pro-Lys, and pyroGlu-Lys reduced melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and ROS production in UVB-induced human epidermal melanocyte PIG1 cells by regulating the JNK/Β-Trcp/NFΗB-p65/MITF signaling pathway and lowering TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression.

    Food & Function, 2020

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

  • Topical 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, 1998

  • A lotion containing triethyl citrate and ethyl linoleate reduced Leeds grading, total, inflammatory, and noninflammatory lesion counts, and sebum production compared with a placebo in patients with mild to moderate acne.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2007

  • Liposomal 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

Ingredients

Water, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C10-30 Cholesterol Lanosterol Esters, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Linoleic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Disodium Edta, Thioctic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Bisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play