Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula for acne-prone skin
Theobroma Cacao Butter
Vitamin E
Dimethicone
Octinoxate
Oxybenzone
Caution
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A poor match for acne-prone skin; the sunscreens 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 the presence of Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter and Glycerin, which hydrate and soften.
- The inclusion of Petrolatum and Mineral Oil, while providing general skincare benefits, may clog pores and is not ideal for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
How to apply
- Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM every morning as the final step of your daily routine.
- Layer the moisturizing sunscreen after your moisturizer has fully absorbed, right before heading out into the sun .
- Smooth a nickel-sized amount of the moisturizing sunscreen evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing.
- Apply the moisturizing sunscreen onto clean, dry skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
- Perform a patch test before first use and avoid direct contact with the eyes.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsUsers consistently report positive outcomes such as improved skin texture, faded stretch marks, and a soft, radiant complexion, though a few find the rich formula slightly heavy.
Highlights
Deeply moisturizes skin Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin visibly smooth and moisturized”
- “provides deep, long-lasting hydration”
- “keeps skin moisturized during winters”
- “transforms even the roughest, driest areas”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “reduces and fades stretch marks over time”
- “fading of stretch marks and spots”
- “arms and legs are smooth and young looking”
- “helps calm rough, flaky skin”
Pleasant cocoa scent Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin visibly smooth and moisturized”
- “provides deep, long-lasting hydration”
- “keeps skin moisturized during winters”
- “transforms even the roughest, driest areas”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs well into skin without residue”
- “does not feel oily the rest of the day”
- “melts nicely into skin”
- “absorbs quickly, creating a protective barrier”
Faulty pump dispenser Rarely Noted
- “pump breaks or detaches”
- “affecting lotion dispensing”
- “prone to clogging”
- “issues with the product's packaging”
Greasy or sticky Rarely Noted
- “feels a bit greasy, which is annoying”
- “was also sticky and didn't soak in”
- “heavier than a regular lotion”
- “demasiado grasosa”
Overpowering scent Rarely Noted
- “smell is much too strong”
- “walk around smelling like a Hershey chocolate bar”
- “didn't care for the smell”
- “cocoa butter scent is noticeable... not subtle”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, target.com, amazon.com, palmers.com, gopicky.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why does Lovi advise caution with Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing SPF for acne-prone skin?
Lovi advises caution because the petrolatum and mineral oil in this product may clog pores and worsen acne-prone skin. A product for this skin needs high-quality ingredients that hydrate without adding excess oil, like niacinamide and ceramide-3, while offering safe sun protection and barrier support without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
Petrolatum and mineral oil in this cream may clog pores and are not ideal for breakouts on acne-prone skin. A product of this type needs to hydrate without adding excess oil, using ingredients that support the skin barrier without making acne worse.
What does cocoa butter do for acne-prone skin?
Cocoa butter is generally too heavy for acne-prone skin and may clog pores, which is likely to cause breakouts. Skin of this type needs lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that keep skin soft and smooth without trapping oil.
What does vitamin E do for acne-prone skin?
Vitamin E helps soothe acne-prone skin by reducing redness and skin dryness while supporting moisture levels. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may work well alongside acne treatments to keep skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2014
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a poor match for your acne-prone skin because heavy ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil may clog your pores and trigger breakouts. Moisturizers for this skin need lightweight, oil-free ingredients that hydrate without clogging pores.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You should exercise caution when using this product alongside retinol on acne-prone skin, as heavy ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil may clog pores and trigger breakouts. When combining treatments, apply your retinol first and follow it with a lightweight, non-clogging moisturizer that contains ceramides or hyaluronic acid to keep skin soft and clear without causing congestion.
How often should I use it?
This product may clog pores on acne-prone skin because it contains petrolatum and mineral oil, so you should use it cautiously or avoid it on breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs lightweight, oil-free moisturizers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin that soften skin without blocking pores.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream may clog pores and trigger breakouts on acne-prone skin because it contains heavy ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil. A moisturizer for this skin type needs lighter hydrators and ingredients that keep pores clear without feeling greasy.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum and benzyl alcohol). Cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and myristyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, 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, 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, 2024Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024A dimethicone skin protectant lotion significantly decreased visual scoring and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control and SLS-only treated sites in 12 healthy humans exposed to sodium lauryl sulfate.
Skin Research and Technology, 2000Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Replacing 20% of the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate with urucum oil in solid lipid nanoparticles maintained the skin protection factor without inducing toxic responses or significant skin penetration in human volunteers.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018Liposomal encapsulation of octyl methoxycinnamate increases its safety, skin affinity, and in vivo solar photoprotection factor while slowing its release and enhancing retention in the stratum corneum compared to a conventional formulation.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011Daily whole-body topical application of sunscreens benzophenone-3, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor results in systemic absorption in healthy human volunteers but does not alter endogenous reproductive hormone levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2004Topical application of sunscreen agents in human volunteers resulted in significant skin penetration of all agents and systemic absorption of oxybenzone and its metabolites.
Journal of Chromatography. B, Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 2004Benzophenone-3 loaded starch microsponges provided improved photoprotection, higher sun protection factor, and reduced cutaneous penetration compared to raw benzophenone-3 cream.
Materials Science & Engineering. C, Materials for Biological Applications, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Paraffinum Liquidum Mineral Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Palm Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Tocopherol Vitamin E, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Peg-8 Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butylene Glycol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cellulose, Sodium Acetate, Parfum, Dimethyl Stearamine, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Ci 15510, Benzyl Alcohol
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
How does it fit your skin?
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