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Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil for dry sensitive skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil

Average

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 moderate moisturizing and treatment for your dry skin, as Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Tocopherol hydrate and smooth texture, while Ceramide NP aids in barrier repair.
  • Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil provides additional nourishment, supporting your dry or flaky skin concerns with general skincare benefits.
  • The formula is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using this moisturizer 3 times a week and move to daily use if your dry skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toner in the morning, or after your serum in the evening. Always pair it with SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing it harshly to protect your sensitive skin.
  • Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help with hydration absorption. This also works well for dry and flaky skin types.
  • Do a patch test before your first use. Avoid the eye area to prevent any irritation.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 800+ reviews

Users 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 dry sensitive skin?

This product works for your dry sensitive skin by offering moderate hydration and smoothing rough texture. Because other products fit your skin better, a treatment of this type needs highly effective soothing ingredients, deep hydration, and strong skin barrier support without any risk of irritation.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for dry sensitive skin?

Sclerocarya birrea seed oil and tocopherol help hydrate and smooth texture, while ceramide NP aids in barrier repair and soybean oil provides extra nourishment for dry sensitive skin. To truly thrive, this skin type needs products loaded with soothing, highly effective ingredients that deliver deep hydration and strong barrier support without any risk of irritation.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

What does Retinol do for dry sensitive skin?

Retinol is often too strong for dry sensitive skin because it may cause scaling and stinging, so a product of this type needs gentle soothing ingredients and extra moisture to keep the skin calm and smooth.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Toxicology Letters, 2003

What do Ceramides do for dry sensitive skin?

Ceramides help strengthen dry, sensitive skin by locking in moisture and repairing the outer barrier, which makes skin feel softer and less irritated. This type of care helps prevent dryness and keeps skin calm and comfortable.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after your soothing toner and before your moisturizer. It works for dry sensitive skin by helping hydrate and smooth texture while being safe without harsh ingredients. A product of this type for dry sensitive skin needs nourishing oils like marula and soybean oil, soothing hydrators like tocopherol, and barrier-repairing ceramides.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

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 treatment at night, as mixing active ingredients directly on dry sensitive skin may lead to irritation.

Cutis, 2006Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

How often should I use this treatment?

Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting a few times a week and building up as your skin feels comfortable. This helps your dry and sensitive skin adjust to the retinol while nourishing oils and ceramides keep your face soft and calm.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?

This treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry sensitive skin, as only a small number of reviewers mention breakouts. To work best for this skin type, a product needs gentle moisturizing ingredients that hydrate dry areas without feeling heavy.

Can I use this treatment around the eyes or on my body?

You can use this treatment around your eyes and on your body, as its safe formula is unlikely to irritate your skin. A product for dry sensitive skin needs nourishing oils like marula and soybean oil, soothing ceramides, and antioxidants to hydrate and smooth texture while repairing the skin barrier.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022

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, 2015

  • A 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, 2022

  • Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.

    International Journal of Dermatology, 2008

  • Topical 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, 2017

  • 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

  • Silicone 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, 2018

  • Topical 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, 2025

  • Dermatological 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, 2021

  • Topical 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

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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