Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer for dry skin
Niacinamide
Blueberry Fruit Extract
Licorice Root Extract
Ceramide Np
Hydrolyzed Pumpkin SeedcakeAverage
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for dry skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 hydration for your dry skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant benefits to plump and moisturize. Ethyl macadamiate and triethylhexanoin offer some emollience, but additional occlusive ingredients would enhance overall hydration for dry skin.
- The formula includes soothing licorice root extract and barrier-supporting ceramides, which are beneficial for maintaining skin health.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring a blend of soothing agents like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★3.9Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis lightweight gel-cream moisturizer is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively hydrating without causing breakouts or a greasy feel. However, users with combination or dry skin report it's not moisturizing enough, especially in colder weather, and some notice an initial scent.
Highlights
Lightweight, non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind.”
- “Lightweight gel cream and a little goes a long way.”
- “Dries down to a matte finish... no shine to it.”
- “Feels super clean on the skin.”
Acne-prone skin safe Often Mentioned
- “The only moisturizer that doesn't clog my pores.”
- “Hydrates but doesn't cause acne.”
- “My skin has been so much better since using this... no breakouts.”
- “Saved my skin and there's none like it.”
Insufficient hydration Often Mentioned
- “Not hydrating enough for winter.”
- “Left my skin feeling tight and dry.”
- “I have to layer it with another cream.”
- “Fails at its basic function as a moisturizer... skin incredibly dry.”
Reduces redness, soothes Sometimes Noted
- “Has reduced redness on my face.”
- “Soothes acne without leaving skin feeling greasy.”
- “Calms visible redness.”
- “Skin feels wonderfully hydrated and soft.”
Poor price-value Sometimes Noted
- “Pricey for only 2 oz.”
- “Bottle is small and runs out fast.”
- “Not the most economical option.”
- “Expensive for the amount you get.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a slight smell initially.”
- “Smells a bit like plastic or chemicals.”
- “The smell was off-putting.”
- “Stings my skin and smells weird.”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, sephora.com, amazon.com, cultbeauty.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer work for dry skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for dry skin, offering moderate hydration along with soothing ingredients like licorice root extract and ceramides. It is unlikely to irritate dry skin, though a product of this type needs additional sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and enhance overall hydration.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for dry skin?
This moisturizer works for dry skin because it contains glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to plump and moisturize, along with soothing licorice root extract and barrier-supporting ceramides. To fit dry skin even better, this type of product needs additional heavy-duty sealing ingredients to lock in moisture.
What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?
Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Blueberry Fruit Extract do for dry skin?
Blueberry fruit extract helps dry skin feel softer and smoother by boosting moisture and protecting against daily damage. It supports the skin barrier so it holds onto hydration better and looks healthier.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2009
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This moisturizer goes as the last step before your sunscreen in the morning, and after your treatment step in the evening. Daily use of a moisturizer like this helps improve skin hydration and dryness. To work best for dry skin, this type of product needs extra sealing ingredients to lock in moisture.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this moisturizer with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with salicylic acid by applying the salicylic acid first, letting it absorb, and then following with the moisturizer. This helps keep your dry skin comfortable while managing dryness, though dry skin generally needs richer sealing ingredients to lock in lasting moisture.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day, in both your morning and evening routines, to help keep your dry skin comfortable. Regular daily use helps maintain moisture levels and supports your skin barrier, though dry skin often benefits from extra sealing ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, as its formula contains no harsh ingredients and is safe for your skin type. Because your skin is dry, this product needs extra rich, sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can safely use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body, as it contains no harsh ingredients and features soothing agents like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Because dry skin needs rich, sealing ingredients to lock in moisture, a product of this type works best here when it also includes heavier sealing ingredients.
Is this moisturizer 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
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, 2017Topical 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, 2005Applying a topical product containing blueberry extract and Pro-xylane following micro-focused ultrasound significantly improved global aesthetic improvement, skin elasticity, and fine lines compared to standard moisturizer in 50 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical usage of blueberries may prevent skin damage from environmental stressors by inducing an active skin response against noxious effects.
Antioxidants, 2023Pretreatment with blueberry extracts prevented ozone-induced ROS production, NLRP1-ASC scaffold formation, and CASP1 and IL-18 transcripts across 2D, 3D, and human skin explant models.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical treatment with pumpkin seed oil-loaded niosomes decreased fallen hairs by 44.42% and increased the anagen to telogen ratio by 1.4-fold after 8 weeks compared to initial conditions.
Pharmaceuticals, 2022Topical application of prickly pear, pumpkin, and linseed oils significantly reduced clinical signs of acute inflammation, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in carrageenan-treated rats compared to the normal saline-treated group.
BioMed Research International, 2020
Why other moisturizers fit dry skin better
Topical application of Lactobacillus plantarum-GMNL6 enhanced collagen synthesis and SPTSSA gene expression while reducing melanin synthesis, Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, and Cutibacterium acnes proliferation, leading to clinical improvements in skin moisture, color, spots, wrinkles, UV spots, and porphyrins in human volunteers.
International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Topical oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions containing glyceryl glucoside, natural moisturizing factors, and ceramide significantly improved skin hydration and barrier function while reducing visible dryness and tactile roughness in subjects with very dry skin compared to untreated sites and vehicles.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Blueberry Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium Pca, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.