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Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 for acne-prone skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few sunscreens fit it even 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

  • This product offers excellent UV protection for your combination skin, with avobenzone, octisalate, and octocrylene providing a robust defense against sun damage. Zinc gluconate and glycyrrhetinic acid also contribute to managing oil production and soothing inflammation, which is beneficial for your acne and blemishes.
  • Glycerin ensures adequate hydration without clogging pores, complementing the seboregulating properties of zinc gluconate for your combination skin.
  • The formulation is safe for your acne-prone skin, as it lacks harsh or prohibited ingredients and carries no risk of irritation.

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

★4.2Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is highly regarded by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its hydrating properties and SPF protection without pore clogging. A notable number of users report significant eye irritation and find the oil-absorbing claim to be ineffective, leading to a greasy finish for some.

Highlights

  • Effective oil control Often Mentioned
    • “leaves my face feeling matte initially”
    • “controls excess oil throughout the day”
    • “helps reduce shine and keeps skin matte for hours”
  • Good sun protection Often Mentioned
    • “provides excellent sun protection”
    • “love that it has sunscreen in it”
    • “SPF 30 is a nice bonus”
  • Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs super fast”
    • “feels so lightweight and non-greasy”
    • “blends like a dream”
  • Eye stinging Often Mentioned
    • “burns your eyes like crazy”
    • “stinging my eyes”
    • “eyes will burn like crazy”
  • Acne-safe formula Sometimes Noted
    • “won't clog pores”
    • “doesn't cause breakouts”
    • “great for acne-prone skin”
  • Greasy finish Sometimes Noted
    • “makes me look like I just applied oil”
    • “does not provide a matte finish”
    • “plasters oil all over your face”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “strong scent of sunblock”
    • “sunscreen smell”
    • “smell might bother some people”
  • White cast Rarely Noted
    • “leaves my pale face looking ashy”
    • “white cast”
    • “looks a little bit ashy”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, walmart.com, target.com, ulta.com, iherb.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 a great fit for acne-prone skin?

This moisturizer is a great fit because it provides strong sun protection and uses zinc gluconate and glycyrrhetinic acid to manage oil and soothe blemishes. Glycerin keeps your skin hydrated without clogging pores, and the formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Zinc gluconate and glycyrrhetinic acid make this cream a great fit for your acne-prone skin because they help manage oil production and soothe inflammation. Glycerin also helps by keeping your skin soft and hydrated without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Avobenzone do for acne-prone skin?

Avobenzone protects acne-prone skin from UV rays that can worsen dark spots and inflammation, though it does not directly treat breakouts. To properly care for acne-prone skin, sunscreens should also feel light, clog-free, and non-greasy.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2009

What does Octisalate do for acne-prone skin?

Octisalate helps protect acne-prone skin from the sun as a chemical filter that is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts. This ingredient provides dependable UV protection while maintaining a gentle profile on sensitive or blemish-prone skin.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing spf goes in the morning routine after a cleanser, hydrating toner, and moisturizer, or acts as the final moisturizing and sun protection step. It helps defend against sun damage while managing oil production and soothing inflammation without clogging pores.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

Yes, you can use this cream with retinol by applying the retinol first and following it with this moisturizer. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside retinols helps keep skin comfortable and reduces potential irritation.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016

How often should I use this cream?

Apply this moisturizing spf in the morning as part of your daily routine. Its formula provides reliable sun protection and helps manage oil and soothe blemishes without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin because glycerin keeps your skin soft and hydrated without blocking pores, and the formula is safe and free of harsh ingredients. It does not cause purging since it lacks active ingredients that speed up skin cell turnover.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
  • A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
  • The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
  • Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate showed no to minimal risks of dermal irritation, sensitization, photo-allergy, and photo-irritation in human subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025
  • Encapsulation 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, 2011
  • Microencapsulation of the BMDBM/HP-beta-CD complex in lipid microparticles significantly decreased the percutaneous penetration of the UV filter into the stratum corneum of human volunteers compared to the non-encapsulated sunscreen agent.

    Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 2011
  • Following human skin application of an O/W emulsion containing 2% BMDBM loaded in lipospheres, 15% of the sunscreen accumulated in the uppermost layers of the stratum corneum without remarkably modifying skin permeation compared to unencapsulated sunscreen.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2008
  • Simulated real-life dermal sunscreen exposure in twenty human volunteers leads to the systemic bioavailability and urinary excretion of the UV filter 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and its metabolite, reaching concentration peaks at 7 to 8 hours with 70-80% of overall excretion within 24 hours.

    Archives of Toxicology, 2019
  • Controlled single dermal exposure to an EHS-containing sunscreen in three volunteers resulted in delayed systemic resorption with elimination half-lives between 6.6 and 9.7 hours, where the parent compound EHS occurred as the dominant urinary parameter.

    Archives of Toxicology, 2024
  • Dermal exposure to EHS-containing sunscreen leads to the urinary excretion of EHS as the main biomarker alongside major metabolites 5OH-EHS, 5cx-EPS, 4OH-EHS, and 5oxo-EHS, measured using an extended enzymatic hydrolysis and on-line SPE LC-MS/MS method.

    Talanta, 2024
  • Incorporating rosmarinic acid into sunscreens enhanced the in vivo SPF of octocrylene by over 157% and reduced lipid peroxidation in the human stratum corneum.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • Early application of sunscreen after ablative fractional skin resurfacing significantly increased the sensitization rate of the UV-filter, octocrylene, and the sunscreen compared to intact skin.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2015
  • Dermal sunscreen exposure in 20 healthy volunteers led to plasma concentrations of avobenzone, octocrylene, and its metabolite CDAA reaching up to 11 μg/L, 25 μg/L, and 1352 μg/L, respectively.

    Environment International, 2019
  • 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, 2017
  • The 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, 2020
  • Ten 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, 2001
  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018

Ingredients

Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Water, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Aluminum Octenylsuccinate Starch, Sucrose Tristearate, Dimethiconol, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 61, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Panthenol, Triethanolamine, Allantoin, Carbomer, Potassium Sorbate, Zinc Gluconate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine Ceramide

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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