Dr. Althea Barrier Cream for oily skin
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract
Avocado Fruit Extract
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Low
- LowOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for oily skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin, with Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract hydrating and enhancing barrier resilience, though these emollients are more suited for dry skin types.
- The formula provides general skincare benefits that are mostly supportive rather than directly addressing oily shine.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine every day to keep your face fresh.
- Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
- Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
- Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 300+ reviewsThis cream is highly regarded for its ability to repair damaged skin barriers and calm irritation, making it a favorite for dry and sensitive skin types. Users frequently praise its deep, long-lasting hydration and its unique ointment-gel texture that absorbs well without greasiness. Some users with oily skin find it too rich, and a few have noted issues with the packaging and price point.
Highlights
Repairs skin barrier Mostly Mentioned
- “strengthened my skin barrier”
- “healed my skin barrier”
- “restored protective barrier”
- “great for over-exfoliated skin”
- “calms redness immediately”
Pleasant texture Often Mentioned
- “rich but non-greasy”
- “absorbs beautifully”
- “velvety soft finish”
- “lightweight yet powerful”
- “no sticky residue”
Soothes irritation Often Mentioned
- “instantly calms irritated skin”
- “soothing effect within minutes”
- “calms redness from actives”
- “relieves tightness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
Gentle formula Sometimes Noted
- “didn't break me out”
- “minimal irritants”
- “fragrance-free option”
- “gentle on sensitive skin”
- “safe for acne-prone skin”
Provides hydration Sometimes Noted
- “consistently hydrated mornings”
- “plumper, smoother skin”
- “hydration boost”
- “locks in moisture all day”
- “cushiony and hydrating”
Too heavy for oily Sometimes Noted
- “too nourishing for combo skin”
- “heavy in hot weather”
- “caused closed comedones”
- “felt a bit heavy”
- “better for night use”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “caused whiteheads”
- “not fungal acne safe”
- “clogged pores”
- “caused tiny bumps”
Difficult packaging Rarely Noted
- “hard to squeeze”
- “tube cracks”
- “ointment-style tube is annoying”
- “product comes out too fast”
- “packaging dents easily”
Expensive price point Rarely Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “expensive for the size”
- “wait for a sale”
- “good but costly”
- “pricey but quality ingredients”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “clinical scent”
- “mild floral scent”
- “smells like ointment”
- “wish it was unscented”
- “scent is negligible”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, yesstyle.com, skinsort.com, ulta.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream a weak match for oily skin?
This cream is a weak match because it relies on rich oils that are better suited for dry skin and does little to target oily shine. Oily skin needs a lightweight moisturizer with peptides and hydrating agents that balance hydration without heavy oils, clogging pores, or causing breakouts.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for oily skin?
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil and avocado fruit extract make this cream a weak match for oily skin because these richer oils are designed to help dry skin rather than manage oily shine. A moisturizer for oily skin needs to feature lightweight hydrating agents and peptides alongside an absence of heavy oils to maintain a balanced texture without clogging pores.
What does Peony Flower Extract do for oily skin?
Peony flower extract helps calm oily skin and manage acne by soothing the skin and reducing inflammation. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep your face feeling smooth and balanced.
What does Avocado Fruit Extract do for oily skin?
Avocado Fruit Extract helps balance oily skin by reducing excess shine and keeping pores clear. This type of ingredient is often included in sebum control products to leave your face looking fresh and matte.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This moisturizer goes near the end of your morning and evening skincare routines, just before your sunscreen in the morning. Because it relies on rich oils that are better suited for dry skin, oily skin types need a lightweight, oil-free gel moisturizer that hydrates without adding extra shine.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, applying it after your retinol treatment to help soothe potential dryness and keep your skin soft. This type of routine helps protect your skin barrier, though oily skin generally needs lightweight hydrators and oil-balancing ingredients rather than heavy oils.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This cream provides moderate moisture with oils that are better suited for dry skin rather than controlling oily shine, so oily skin needs a lightweight, oil-controlling hydrator instead.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is a weak match for oily skin because heavy oils like argan oil are better suited for dry skin and may feel too heavy or trigger breakouts. Oily skin needs lightweight, oil-free moisturizers with balancing ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid that hydrate without clogging pores.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cream around the eyes or on your body, as its rich oils help soften and hydrate those areas. However, because the skin on the body and around the eyes differs greatly in thickness, a product of this type needs light, fast-absorbing hydrators and soothing plant extracts to keep those areas comfortable without feeling heavy.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014Co-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, 2023Partially purified paeoniflorin protected human keratinocytes and mouse skin from UV-induced DNA damage and reduced facial wrinkles in human volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2006Paeonia suffruticosa callus extract downregulated inflammatory factors, alleviated DNA damage, and increased total collagen content in in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin significantly decreases melanin content by 23% to 30% in reconstructed pigmented human epidermis compared to vehicle control.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2016Paeonia suffruticosa and its main compound paeonol ameliorated UVB-induced skin photoaging by regulating the DLD/Nrf2/ARE and MAPK/AP-1 pathways in keratinocytes and hairless mice, preventing procollagen type I degradation and reducing matrix metalloproteinase-1 production.
Phytotherapy Research, 2018A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016
Why other moisturizers fit oily skin better
A 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, 2024
Ingredients
Paeonia Albiflora Flower Extract, Avocado Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract Avocado Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract
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.