Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for combination skin
Glycerin
Cyclomethicone
Cetyl Ricinoleate
Stearyl Alcohol
Tocopherol Vitamin E
Average
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for combination skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 for your combination skin due to the presence of glycerin, which hydrates effectively, and silica for its mattifying properties that help balance oily areas.
- While it provides general hydration benefits, it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address concerns like oily shine.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, as it contains soothing tocopherol and avoids harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer is a long-time favorite for users with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin due to its gentle formula that hydrates without clogging pores or causing breakouts. It is praised for its non-greasy finish and compatibility with makeup. However, recent reviews are dominated by frustration over its discontinuation in many markets, with some users also noting it may be insufficient for very dry skin or winter months.
Highlights
Lightweight & Non-Greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “feels light on skin”
- “absorbs in seconds”
- “no oily film”
- “perfect under makeup”
Discontinued / Hard to Find Mostly Mentioned
- “why was this discontinued”
- “can't find anywhere”
- “looking for replacement”
- “price is now triple”
Non-Comedogenic Often Mentioned
- “doesn't clog pores”
- “kept acne at bay”
- “face stayed clear”
- “no new pimples”
Safe for Sensitive Skin Often Mentioned
- “doesn't burn my face”
- “only thing I can use”
- “no allergic reactions”
Fragrance-Free Sometimes Noted
- “truly unscented”
- “no chemical smell”
- “great for migraines”
- “neutral scent”
Insufficient Hydration Sometimes Noted
- “skin still felt tight”
- “not enough for winter”
- “too thin for dry patches”
- “need to apply twice”
Packaging Issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stops working”
- “can't get bottom bit”
- “straw is too short”
- “wasteful bottle”
Shiny Finish Rarely Noted
- “leaves a film”
- “shiny T-zone”
- “looks greasy at first”
- “makes me sweat”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, purplle.com, productreview.com.au, amazon.com, neutrogena.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture work for combination skin?
Neutrogena OilFree Moisture works moderately well for your combination skin because it hydrates with glycerin and helps balance oily areas with silica, though other products fit it better. A moisturizer for combination skin needs effective brightening and moisturizing ingredients that reduce oily shine without causing irritation, along with soothing agents and antioxidants to maintain skin health.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for combination skin?
This moisturizer works for your combination skin because it contains glycerin for hydration and silica to help balance oily areas. However, a moisturizer for this skin needs ingredients that actively reduce oily shine and brighten the skin while keeping it soft and smooth.
What does Glycerin do for combination skin?
Glycerin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by pulling moisture in and keeping it there. It improves hydration and supports your skin barrier, which is unlikely to cause irritation.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Cyclomethicone do for combination skin?
Cyclomethicone helps spread products evenly and leaves a smooth, dry feel without feeling heavy on combination skin. Because it evaporates quickly, it is unlikely to trap excess oil or clog pores in oily areas while still helping the skin feel soft.
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This moisturizer goes in the morning and evening routine after your cleanser and toner. Combination skin of this type needs a moisturizer that provides balanced hydration along with ingredients like niacinamide to help control oily shine.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help keep your skin calm and comfortable. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside strong treatments like retinol may help reduce dryness and irritation while supporting your skin barrier.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated while maintaining a balanced feel in your oily areas.
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for combination skin, as it has a safe formula with soothing vitamin E. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to control excess oil and shine, combination skin often needs a product with targeted mattifying ingredients.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizer is safe to use around the eyes or on the body because it contains soothing tocopherol and avoids harsh ingredients. A moisturizer for this skin needs dependable hydrators like glycerin and mattifying ingredients to balance oily areas.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
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, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical 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
Ingredients
Water, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Caprylate, Glycerin, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Lysine Carboxymethyl Cysteinate, Lysine Thiazolidine Carboxylate, Tocopherol, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, Benzalkonium Chloride
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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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.