Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer for oily acne-prone skin

Niacinamide
Glycerin
Multivitamin Complex
Dimethicone
Panthenol
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best moisturizers for oily acne-prone skin.
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
- The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by niacinamide for seboregulation and glycerin for humectant action, which also offer moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts by regulating oil production and reducing inflammation.
- The high concentrations of glycerin and panthenol ensure excellent moisturizing, enhancing barrier resilience and hydration for your skin.
- 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 panthenol.
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
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is widely praised for its lightweight, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly, making it a staple for users with combination or oily skin. While many find it gentle and effective for daily hydration, a notable minority with very sensitive skin experience stinging or burning upon application, and some find it insufficient for dry skin types.
Highlights
Absorbs quickly Often Mentioned
- “sinks in seconds”
- “rapid absorbency”
- “dries fast”
- “makeup ready instantly”
Lightweight, non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “feels like nothing”
- “no oily residue”
- “super lightweight”
- “doesn't clog pores”
Fragrance-free, gentle Sometimes Noted
- “no scent”
- “great for sensitivity”
- “doesn't irritate nose”
- “simple formula”
Good value Sometimes Noted
- “affordable price”
- “lasts a long time”
- “great budget option”
- “cheap but effective”
Softens and smooths Sometimes Noted
- “leaves skin soft”
- “smooth texture”
- “improves dry patches”
- “skin feels prepped”
Stinging or burning Sometimes Noted
- “burns on application”
- “stings sensitive skin”
- “caused flushing”
- “face felt hot”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “developed whiteheads”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused rash”
- “acne flared up”
Greasy finish Rarely Noted
- “left a film”
- “made me sweat”
- “too shiny for day”
- “greasy t-zone”
Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
- “not enough for dry skin”
- “skin felt tight”
- “needed more layers”
- “too thin”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump broken”
- “tube not sealed”
- “hard to dispense”
- “leaked in shipping”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, walmart.com, target.com, hometesterclub.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great fit because niacinamide helps balance your skin's oil while glycerin keeps it hydrated without feeling heavy. It is very unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts thanks to soothing ingredients like panthenol that keep your skin calm and strong.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and glycerin make this moisturizer a great fit for oily and acne-prone skin by regulating oil production and keeping the skin hydrated without clogging pores. Niacinamide and panthenol also help calm redness and soothe irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
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 Glycerin do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep oily acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It draws moisture into the skin while supporting the skin barrier so it stays soft and balanced.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes as the last step before sunscreen in your morning routine and as the final step in your evening routine. Using it daily helps keep oily skin balanced and hydrated without clogging pores or causing irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with retinol to help keep your skin calm and hydrated. Apply it either before or after your retinol treatment to help reduce any dryness or irritation.
How often should I use this moisturizer?
You can use this moisturizer twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Regular daily application helps keep your oily skin balanced and hydrated while supporting your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your oily skin because it has an excellent safety profile and balances oil production. Reviewers rarely complain about breakouts, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients while using soothing components.
Can I use this moisturizer around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizer on the thin skin around your eyes and on your body because its gentle formula helps hydrate and protect delicate areas without causing irritation. The high amounts of glycerin and panthenol provide deep moisture and support barrier strength, making it safe and effective for widespread application.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol and cetearyl 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, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A 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, 2005The 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, 2012Wearing 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, 2007Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Ether, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citric Acid
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
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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