The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin
Peptides
Glycerin
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
Acetyl Hexapeptide-37
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
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 suitability for your oily skin due to glycerin's humectant action, but lacks sufficient ingredients for optimal oil control, which is one of your main goals.
- While the product provides excellent moisturizing and plumping effects with acetyl hexapeptide-37 and glycerin, it does not offer targeted ingredients to address your acne and blemishes.
- The formula is generally safe for your oily skin, with only a slight risk of irritation from sodium hydroxide.
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 1.8k+ reviewsThis moisturizer is widely appreciated by users with combination and sensitive skin for its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that layers exceptionally well under makeup without pilling. Users with very dry skin often report it provides insufficient hydration on its own. While the airless pump design is praised for hygiene, it is a frequent source of frustration due to mechanical failures and the inability to see how much product remains. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “sinks in instantly”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “lightweight texture”
- “glides on smoothly”
- “absorbs like a dream”
Hygienic airless pump Often Mentioned
- “love the dispenser”
- “sanitary packaging”
- “perfect dose pump”
- “keeps product fresh”
- “convenient press-top”
Pump malfunctions Often Mentioned
- “pump stopped working”
- “dispenser broke”
- “product won't come out”
- “lid falls off”
- “faulty mechanism”
Gentle & fragrance-free Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “soothing formula”
- “no strong scent”
- “didn't sting”
Makeup compatible Sometimes Noted
- “great under foundation”
- “doesn't pill”
- “acts like primer”
- “smooth base”
- “makeup sits beautifully”
Softens & plumps Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels plump”
- “smooths fine lines”
- “leaves face soft”
- “improves skin texture”
- “healthy glow”
Insufficient hydration Sometimes Noted
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “skin felt tight”
- “need extra oil”
- “dry patches remained”
- “too light for winter”
Quantity uncertainty Sometimes Noted
- “can't see level”
- “ran out unexpectedly”
- “opaque bottle”
- “finished too fast”
- “hard to gauge amount”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “clogged my pores”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “reaction on chin”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells like plastic”
- “chemical odor”
- “weird smell”
- “funky scent”
- “smells like glue”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, boots.com, ulta.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The INKEY List Peptide Moisturizer work for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily acne-prone skin, providing hydration through glycerin without feeling overly heavy. However, it lacks targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-control agents, so this skin type needs a product that also manages excess oil and helps clear breakouts.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin and acetyl hexapeptide-37 make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin by providing hydration and plumping effects. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients for acne and blemishes and sufficient oil control, a product of this type needs lightweight textures, brightening agents, soothing extracts, and ingredients that support the skin barrier without clogging pores.
What do Peptides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Peptides help calm oily, acne-prone skin by targeting acne-causing bacteria and reducing redness and swelling. Advanced delivery methods like nanomicelles may also improve how deeply these helpful ingredients sink into the skin.
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
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This cream goes in your morning routine after your hydrating toner and before your sunscreen, and in your evening routine as your final step after your treatment. It provides good moisture with glycerin and peptides, but an oily acne-prone skin type needs targeted ingredients for oil control and blemishes.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
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 keep your skin comfortable and smooth. Using a moisturizer alongside your routine is unlikely to interfere with your treatment and helps reduce dryness.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and smooth while being generally safe for oily skin.
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 purging, but it does not offer targeted ingredients to help control oil or manage breakouts. Oily acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer with oil-absorbing ingredients and blemish-fighting actives to keep skin clear and balanced.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment on your body and around the eyes, as its formula is generally safe and hydrating for these areas. However, because it contains sodium hydroxide, it has a slight risk of causing mild irritation if your skin is sensitive there.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1990
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl 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, 2017Application of sodium hydroxide on human skin caused dose- and time-dependent increases in skin surface water loss without causing visible reactions or discomfort, and correlated with transepidermal water loss after sodium lauryl sulfate patch application.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1990Concurrent application of an anionic detergent and mild acidic irritants considerably disrupts skin barrier function in healthy volunteers, while low-concentration sodium hydroxide acts as a potent irritant whose effect is not enhanced by sodium lauryl sulphate.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2004The 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, 2012A 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, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical 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
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
- Sodium hydroxide in this moisturizer
Application of sodium hydroxide on human skin caused dose- and time-dependent increases in skin surface water loss without causing visible reactions or discomfort, and correlated with transepidermal water loss after sodium lauryl sulfate patch application.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1990 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
Water, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Maltodextrin, Pentapeptide-48
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
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
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
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