Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser for oily acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Panthenol Vitamin B5
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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 hydration for your oily skin, as glycerin and panthenol provide humectant benefits without heavy occlusive ingredients. While Bisabolol and Panthenol offer soothing properties, they do not directly target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, with Bisabolol and Panthenol providing soothing effects and Glycerin ensuring adequate hydration.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★4.3Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsUsers with oily, combination, and sensitive skin appreciate this moisturizer for its lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula that does not clog pores. Many find it suitable for sensitive skin and a good base for makeup. However, individuals with dry skin report insufficient hydration, and a small number of users experienced breakouts or stinging.
Highlights
Good for sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “no artificial perfume”
- “didn't irritate skin”
- “calm and nourish”
- “gentle on face”
- “no harsh chemicals”
Affordable value Often Mentioned
- “super affordable”
- “great inexpensive product”
- “worth the price”
- “good budget option”
- “lasts a long time”
Lightweight, non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “absorbs very quickly”
- “no greasy residue”
- “light and refreshing”
- “matte finish”
- “doesn't clog pores”
Not enough hydration Often Mentioned
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “skin feels tight”
- “need heavier cream”
- “insufficient hydration”
- “dry patches remain”
Works as makeup base Sometimes Noted
- “makeup lays well”
- “base under BB cream”
- “smooths evenly”
- “no flaking”
- “non-sticky base”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused major breakouts”
- “stinging sensation”
- “small rashes”
- “clogged my pores”
Ingredient concerns Rarely Noted
- “contains mineral oil”
- “smells like paraffin”
- “parabens listed”
- “formula changed”
- “chemical smell”
Texture issues Rarely Noted
- “feels like a film”
- “thicker than expected”
- “hard to squeeze”
- “waxy residue”
- “sits on skin”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, influenster.com, productreview.com.au, shespeaks.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser work for oily acne-prone skin?
Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser works adequately for oily skin by providing moderate hydration without heavy oils, though it does not directly target breakouts. A moisturizer for this skin type needs lightweight hydrating ingredients, blemish-targeting actives, and no pore-clogging oils.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and panthenol make this moisturizer a good fit for oily skin by providing light hydration without heavy oils, while bisabolol and panthenol help calm the skin. However, since it does not target breakouts, oily acne-prone skin needs a product with ingredients that actively clear blemishes and support skin barrier function without adding excess oil.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
What does Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Panthenol do for oily acne-prone skin?
Panthenol helps regulate sebum, improves skin hydration, and reduces redness and irritation in oily acne-prone skin. It is well tolerated and may support barrier recovery without causing adverse reactions.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is used in the morning after your toner and before your sunscreen, and in the evening as the last step after any treatments. It is generally safe for your skin and unlikely to cause irritation, though oily acne-prone skin tends to benefit more from a moisturizer that also actively targets breakouts.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream alongside your retinol treatment, applying the cream after your treatment has absorbed in the evening or as the final step in the morning. Using a moisturizer helps calm irritation and keeps your skin comfortable while you use active ingredients. To better manage acne and breakouts, skin of this type needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or retinoids combined with lightweight, soothing hydration.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizer daily in the morning and evening as part of your routine. This helps keep your oily skin hydrated without heavy ingredients, though this skin type also needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients.
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 cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients, though a few reviewers have experienced breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer with lightweight hydrating ingredients like glycerin and panthenol, alongside active ingredients that specifically target blemishes and breakouts.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer around your eyes and on your body because its gentle ingredients are safe for delicate areas and the thin skin found there. It keeps skin soft and hydrated without causing irritation, though the skin on your body may need a richer cream for extra dryness.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
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, 2021A 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, 2001Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Topical 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, 2025Topical 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, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Cutaneous application of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid triglycerides reduced the high rate of transepidermal water loss in essential fatty acid-deficient rats, whereas other fatty acid triglycerides had no effect.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1976
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
Co-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, 2023A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Carbonate, Potassium Hydroxide, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Urea
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
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