Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil for oily skin
Retinol
Salicylic Acid
Jojoba Seed Oil
Rosa Canina Oil Fruit
Argania Spinosa Kernel OilSuperior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for oily skin.
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin and acne-prone concerns is provided by salicylic acid and retinyl propionate, which effectively cleanse pores and regulate desquamation. Rosa Canina Oil Fruit and Jojoba Seed Oil further support your skin by offering soothing benefits and preventing irritation.
- Phenylethyl resorcinol and hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone work synergistically to address oily shine and promote a more even complexion.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of beneficial oils.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users frequently praise this product as a "game-changer" for adult acne, noting its unique ability to treat breakouts and signs of aging simultaneously without causing the dryness typical of other retinols. While many report waking up to clearer, glowing, and "glass-like" skin, a subset of users experienced purging or found it insufficient for severe, cystic acne.
Highlights
Clears acne Mostly Mentioned
- “cleared my skin”
- “brings gunk to surface”
- “pimples go away quickly”
- “keeps skin clear”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “beautiful glow”
- “fresh dewy complexion”
- “glass skin appearance”
- “smooth calm skin”
Lightweight absorption Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight”
- “not greasy”
- “silky texture”
Non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't dry skin out”
- “no irritation”
- “feels hydrated”
- “soothing formula”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “super expensive”
- “expensive”
- “worth it but pricey”
- “price is high”
Purging and irritation Sometimes Noted
- “caused a lot of acne”
- “closed comedones”
- “too harsh”
- “bad reaction”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “earthy scent”
- “intense smell”
- “strong scent”
- “smell is pretty intense”
Not for severe acne Rarely Noted
- “not strong enough”
- “didn't work for cystic acne”
- “better for occasional breakouts”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, sephora.qa, influenster.com, dermalogica.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil one of the best fits for oily skin?
Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil is an exceptional fit for oily skin because salicylic acid and retinyl propionate cleanse pores and regulate skin shedding, while jojoba seed oil and rosehip oil soothe the skin and help prevent irritation. Phenylethyl resorcinol and hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone work together to address oily shine and promote a more even complexion. The product is safe for your skin, as it avoids harsh ingredients and includes beneficial oils that keep irritation unlikely.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this oil a good fit for oily skin?
Salicylic acid and retinyl propionate make this oil a great fit for oily skin because they help clear out pores and balance skin shedding. Jojoba seed oil and rose hip oil further support your skin by calming it and keeping irritation away.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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 does Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Salicylic acid helps oily skin by reducing excess oil and keeping pores clear. It may also improve overall skin hydration while managing breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
Where does this oil go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting once a week so your skin can adjust. Salicylic acid and retinyl propionate help clear pores and control oily shine, while soothing oils keep the skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use it with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with niacinamide, applying the niacinamide first and letting it absorb before adding this oil. This helps keep your oily skin balanced while minimizing any potential irritation from active ingredients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010
How often should I use it?
Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your oily skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This product is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing oils.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can this oil clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
Yes, this oil may cause purging because it contains retinol and salicylic acid, which clear out pores and speed up skin renewal. However, it is unlikely to clog pores or cause lasting irritation on oily skin, as it also includes soothing jojoba oil and has a very safe formula.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Twice 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, 2024Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical 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, 2017Topical 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, 2019Silicone 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, 2018Cryotherapy 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, 2010A 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, 2020Treatment 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 jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical treatments containing rosehip extract may reduce the size and erythema of postsurgical scars through macrophage polarization and inflammatory cytokine inhibition, though current clinical evidence remains insufficient to recommend its routine use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Sunflower and rosehip oil nanoemulsions prepared with a mix of phospholipids and synthetic emulsifiers permeated intact skin to the dermis and showed a more prominent healing effect in a human organotypic skin explant culture wound model compared to nanoemulsions prepared only with phospholipids.
Pharmaceutics, 2023A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.
Pharmaceutics, 2023A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025Topical application of an argan oil NLC-based hydrogel formulation increased skin hydration in healthy volunteers over a one-month period through a synergistic effect of NLC occlusion and argan oil hydration.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014Incorporating allantoin into argan oil enriched liposomes improved its accumulation in the dermis (~8.7μg/cm(2)) and permeation through the skin (~33μg/cm(2)) compared to conventional liposomes, water dispersion, and a commercial gel.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016
Ingredients
Coconut Alkanes, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit, Jojoba Seed Oil, C13-15 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Retinyl Propionate, Butyl Avocadate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Tanacetum Annuum Oil Flower, Sclareolide, Triolein, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Tocopherol, Bht, Propyl Gallate
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.