Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil for oily skin
Retinol
Ceramides
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil
Tocopherol
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily skin; other moisturizers 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 and treatment for your oily skin, as Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Retinol hydrate and smooth texture, though it lacks targeted ingredients for significant oil control.
- Tocopherol and Ceramide NP provide some emollient action and barrier support, which is beneficial for oily skin but may not offer sufficient seboregulation.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with a low risk of irritation from retinol.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 800+ reviewsUsers describe this oil as a gentle, hydrating retinol that smooths texture and boosts radiance without irritation, making it suitable for sensitive or dry skin types targeting fine lines and dullness. Some users with oily skin found the marula oil base too heavy, and a moderate number of reviews mentioned an unpleasant smell.
Highlights
Hydrating and moisturizing Mostly Mentioned
- “doused skin with moisture”
- “super hydrating”
- “leaves face soft”
- “good for dry winter skin”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “no flaking or redness”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “zero irritation”
- “gentle retinol”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “woke up glowing”
- “smoother complexion”
- “restored bounce”
Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “perfect gateway retinol”
- “great introduction”
- “easy to tolerate”
- “best for newbies”
Greasy texture Sometimes Noted
- “sits on top of skin”
- “too oily”
- “thick and sticky”
- “doesn't absorb well”
Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
- “smells rancid”
- “stale cooking oil scent”
- “smells like food”
- “weird earthy odor”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “made me break out”
- “cystic acne flared”
- “clogged pores”
- “bad reaction”
High price Rarely Noted
- “too expensive”
- “pricey for the size”
- “not worth the money”
- “better cheaper alternatives”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, drunkelephant.com, kohls.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, spacenk.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does A-Gloei Maretinol Oil work for oily skin?
This product offers moderate moisturizing and smooths texture for oily skin, but it lacks targeted ingredients for significant oil control. A product for oily skin needs lightweight textures with peptides, soothing extracts, and ingredients that manage shine without heavy oils.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for oily skin?
Retinol and Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil help hydrate and smooth your skin texture, while tocopherol and ceramides support your skin barrier. Oily skin works best with a product that includes peptides, lightweight hydrating agents, and ingredients that control excess oil without adding heavy oils.
What does Retinol do for oily skin?
Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.
What do Ceramides do for oily skin?
Ceramides help balance and strengthen oily skin by supporting the natural barrier and keeping moisture locked in without feeling heavy. They may also help calm irritation and reduce blemishes when used as part of a regular daily routine.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting treatments in the evening helps keep things simple and provides extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this retinol oil at night to avoid overwhelming your skin. Using them at different times of day helps keep your skin calm while smoothing its texture.
How often should I use this treatment?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a day. Oily skin works well with a product of this type when it also includes ingredients for oil control and balancing shine.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause major breakouts or purging for oily skin, though some users report occasional breakouts as a low risk. It helps smooth texture and support your skin barrier, but because it lacks targeted oil-control ingredients, an oily skin type needs products with lightweight or mattifying hydrators and ingredients that help balance excess oil.
Can I use this treatment around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this treatment around the eyes and on your body, as its retinol and plant oils are generally safe and well-tolerated on various skin areas. However, because the skin around the eyes is very thin, you should apply it carefully to avoid any potential discomfort. For the best results on oily skin, this area needs lightweight hydration and targeted oil-control ingredients.
What the research says
Topical application of Sclerocarya birrea nut oil is non-irritant, exhibits significant moisturising and hydrating effects on lipid-dry skin, and shows occlusive properties on normal skin in healthy caucasian adult female volunteers.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015A lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical 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 skin better
- Retinol in this moisturizer
Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019 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
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Np
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
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.