EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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
- High suitability for your oily skin is provided by niacinamide and willow bark extract, which help regulate oil production and gently exfoliate pores. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin offer excellent moisturization, keeping your skin plump and hydrated.
- The inclusion of Piptadenia Colubrina Peel Extract and caffeine further supports skin health and radiance.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and allantoin.
How to apply
- Use this AM and PM routine every day to help clear your skin. Always remember to finish with SPF in the morning.
- Apply the moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your SPF during the day.
- Gently press a small amount into your skin and avoid rubbing to keep pores clear.
- Apply on clean, slightly damp skin to help the product absorb better and control oil.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a simple patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.6k+ reviewsMany report improved skin texture and reduced redness due to the niacinamide content. However, those with very dry skin often find it insufficiently moisturizing on its own, requiring an additional layer or a heavier product.
Highlights
Lightweight & non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “matte finish”
- “feels weightless”
Sensitive skin safe Often Mentioned
- “no breakouts”
- “non-irritating”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “smoother skin”
- “evens tone”
- “reduces redness”
Makeup compatible Sometimes Noted
- “layers beautifully”
- “no pilling”
- “great base”
Insufficient moisture Sometimes Noted
- “not for dry skin”
- “needs layering”
- “too light”
Price vs. quantity Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “small bottle”
- “pricey”
Lack of SPF Rarely Noted
- “no sunscreen included”
- “wish it had SPF”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump malfunction”
- “product waste”
- “hard to dispense”
Sources: lovi.care, lovely.com, walmart.com, eltamd.com, dermstore.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes EltaMD AM Therapy a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because niacinamide and willow bark extract help regulate oil and gently clear pores, while sodium hyaluronate and glycerin keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It has an excellent safety profile with soothing ingredients like allantoin, meaning it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and willow bark extract make this moisturizer a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because they help regulate oil production and gently exfoliate pores. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin also support this fit by providing lightweight moisture to keep your skin smooth and hydrated without feeling heavy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner and before your sunscreen in your morning routine, and as the final step in your evening routine. Using a lightweight, oil-balancing moisturizer helps keep your oily acne-prone skin hydrated without clogging pores or causing irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Can I use this moisturizer with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol to help keep your skin calm and hydrated while minimizing irritation. Apply the moisturizer either before or after your retinol treatment, as barrier-enhancing creams are well tolerated and support skin recovery during active acne or retinoid routines.
How often should I use this cream?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Daily application helps keep your oily, acne-prone skin hydrated and balanced without clogging pores.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily acne-prone skin, as it contains niacinamide and willow bark extract which help manage oil and gently clear pores. It does not contain harsh ingredients that cause irritation, and soothing components like allantoin help keep skin calm.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This moisturizing treatment is well suited for the delicate skin around the eyes and body because its gentle formula provides light hydration without heavy oils. Ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin help maintain moisture while keeping the skin soft, and the absence of harsh components makes it unlikely to cause irritation.
Is this moisturizer fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A 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, 2017Piptadenia colubrina extract increased the expression of aquaporin-3 and envelope proteins filaggrin and involucrin in human keratinocytes and skin explants, and improved skin capacitance in human volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Topical caffeine acts as an active cosmetic compound by preventing excessive fat accumulation through phosphodiesterase inhibition, protecting cells against UV radiation with antioxidant properties, increasing skin microcirculation, and stimulating hair growth via 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013A 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, 2020Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019The 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, 2012Topical 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, 2016An 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, 2018Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Niacinamide, Lauryl Peg-9 Polymethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Willow Bark Extract, Piptadenia Colubrina Peel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide
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
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