Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer for acne-prone skin
Glycerin
Cetearyl Alcohol
Low
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for acne-prone skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin due to glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, which hydrate and plump, but these ingredients are mostly supportive and irrelevant for your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While the formula is generally safe and free of harsh ingredients for your combination skin, it lacks sufficient components for effective oil control on your oily areas.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 4.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with aging and dry skin frequently praise this moisturizer for its lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly while providing noticeable hydration and a plumping effect. The inclusion of Bakuchiol and peptides is well-received for smoothing fine lines. A minority of users with acne-prone skin reported breakouts, and some found the scent unpleasant.
Highlights
Lightweight & Non-Greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “not heavy”
- “leaves no residue”
- “silky texture”
- “great for summer”
Hydrating & Plumping Often Mentioned
- “skin looks plumper”
- “noticeably softer”
- “glowy finish”
- “restored bounce”
- “smooths fine lines”
Gentle Alternative Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation”
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “gentle retinol alternative”
- “didn't burn”
- “calming feel”
Makeup Compatibility Sometimes Noted
- “works well under makeup”
- “no pilling”
- “smooth canvas”
- “primer-like finish”
- “doesn't slide off”
Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
- “not rich enough”
- “need to layer”
- “dry patches remained”
- “too light for winter”
- “disappeared too fast”
Packaging/Value Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “bottle feels empty”
- “hard to gauge amount”
- “expensive for size”
- “runs out quickly”
Scent issues Rarely Noted
- “smells like sunscreen”
- “weird chemical smell”
- “unpleasant odor”
- “strong scent”
- “smells off”
Skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “caused breakouts”
- “clogged pores”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “burning sensation”
- “skin turned red”
Sources: lovi.care, neutrogena.com, target.com, ult.com, walmart.com, hometesterclub.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is Neutrogena Collagen Bank Moisturizer a weak match for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is a weak match for your skin because its hydrating ingredients do not target acne, blemishes, and breakouts. While it is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation, it lacks the oil-controlling components needed for oily areas. A moisturizing treatment for acne-prone skin needs ingredients that help clear blemishes, soothe the skin, and control oil without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a weak match for your acne-prone skin because it lacks sufficient ingredients for oil control. Moisturizing treatments that fit this skin well need ingredients that help with breakouts and soothe the skin while keeping it balanced.
What does Water do for acne-prone skin?
Water-based hydration helps keep acne-prone skin balanced by providing essential moisture without adding excess oil. Proper hydration also helps reduce dryness and flakiness that can sometimes result from harsh acne treatments.
What does Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes as the final step of your morning routine and near the end of your evening routine. Because this is a weak match for acne-prone skin, a moisturizer for this skin needs oil-balancing ingredients to help manage breakouts.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol in your routine, applying it after your treatment to help keep your skin comfortable. This product is a weak match for acne-prone skin because it lacks oil control components, so acne-prone skin needs a moisturizer with ingredients like ceramides, licochalcone A, or l-carnitine to manage breakouts and oil.
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 soft and comfortable, though acne-prone skin needs targeted oil-control ingredients to manage breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin, but it lacks the oil-controlling components needed to manage breakouts effectively. A product for this skin needs ingredients that help balance oil and target blemishes while keeping the face hydrated.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cream on your body and around the eyes, as the skin on your body is thicker while the thin skin around your eyes tolerates its safe formula well. This type of product needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients to properly care for delicate areas without feeling heavy.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying 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, 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, 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, 2012
Why other moisturizers fit 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 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, 2024A 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, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Dipeptide-31 Amide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Hydroxypropyl Phosphate Starch, Steareth-10, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Petrolatum, Chlorphenesin
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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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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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
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?
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