Clinique Even Better Clinical Brightening Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin
Cl302 Brightening Complex
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Acetyl Glucosamine
Sodium Hyaluronate
Salicylic Acid
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
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 benefits for your oily skin, as salicylic acid and caffeine help manage oiliness and breakouts, while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide essential hydration. Ascorbyl glucoside and dimethoxytolyl propylresorcinol contribute to brightening, though their concentrations may not be optimal for significant tone correction.
- The formula includes soothing ingredients like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, which are beneficial for managing inflammation associated with acne and blemishes on your oily skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no harsh ingredients and a good balance of soothing agents.
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
★3.9Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis moisturizer is frequently praised for its ability to brighten dull skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and provide a lightweight, non-greasy hydration boost. While many users with various skin types report a more radiant and even complexion, some individuals experience issues with pilling, flaking, or insufficient moisture for very dry skin.
Highlights
Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
- “Skin is much more even and brighter”
- “Dark spots are completely gone”
- “Revealing a clearer, more radiant skin tone”
Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
- “Feels very moisturising but not heavy”
- “Non-greasy formula absorbs quickly”
- “Deeply hydrates, leaving skin feeling comfortable”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “Refines skin's texture so it feels smoother”
- “Leaves it soft under it”
- “Skin appears smoother”
Reduces redness Sometimes Noted
- “Made my redness almost none existent”
- “Calms and soothes skin to visibly reduce redness”
Insufficient moisture Sometimes Noted
- “Soft but not moisturized”
- “Doesn't feel very moisturizing”
- “A little bit too heavy for oily skin”
Product pilling/flaking Sometimes Noted
- “There's always piling”
- “Doesn't do anything but clogging and flakes”
- “Thin layer of skin that peels off”
Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Did break out a couple times”
- “Careful about how much I use given it's consistency”
Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, clinique.ca, macys.com, walmart.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Even Better Clinical Brightening Moisturizer work for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as salicylic acid and caffeine help manage oiliness and breakouts while soothing extracts calm inflammation. To work best for this skin type, a product of this type needs lightweight hydration that does not clog pores, along with effective ingredients that address blemishes and improve texture without adding excess oil.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid and caffeine help manage oiliness and breakouts, while soothing ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and green tea extract help calm inflammation. This skin type needs lightweight hydrating and repairing ingredients that do not clog pores or add excess oil.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Cl302 Brightening Complex do for oily acne-prone skin?
Cl302 Brightening Complex helps improve the look of dark spots and uneven tone on oily acne-prone skin while remaining gentle enough for daily use. Products for this type of skin need ingredients that calm irritation and balance oil without clogging pores.
What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for oily acne-prone skin?
Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten dark spots and keeps skin looking clear by fighting breakouts and reducing oil buildup. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and is well-suited for keeping an even, smooth complexion.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Periodontology, 2009
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the morning routine after a hydrating toner and before SPF, and in the evening routine as the final step after your treatment. Oily acne-prone skin typically benefits from lighter, oil-controlling moisturizers packed with salicylic acid, niacinamide, and soothing plant extracts to keep breakouts calm without feeling heavy.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020BioMed Research International, 2020
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol to help keep your oily skin calm and hydrated while managing breakouts. Apply your retinol treatment first, let it absorb, and then follow with this moisturizer to help soothe any dryness.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily to help manage breakouts and keep your oily skin hydrated. Daily application helps improve overall skin texture and moisture while remaining gentle on your skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is generally safe for your skin with a low likelihood of causing breakouts, though a product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients like salicylic acid to keep pores clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizer is generally safe to use on your body, but it is formulated for facial skin and may feel too heavy or rich for the very thin skin around your eyes.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.
Acta Biomaterialia, 2022Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical 2% N-acetyl glucosamine reduced facial hyperpigmentation in an 8-week split-face clinical test, with an even greater effect observed when combined with 4% niacinamide.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007N-acetyl-glucosamine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers successfully delivered the hydrophilic agent through the skin and reduced melanin distribution in healthy volunteers.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2016Topical cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine, and gamma-amino butyric acid improved skin hydration by 24.28% to 33.60%, elasticity by 11.98%, and skin lightening by 5.26% over 2 months in 20 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2019Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
Ingredients
Water, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-8, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Tribehenin, Cetyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sucrose, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Algae Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extrait Dorge Extract, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Molasses Saccharum Officinarum Extrait De Mélasse Extract, Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysilicone-11, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Disodium Edta, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
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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