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Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.

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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin as niacinamide helps control oil production and glycerin provides excellent moisturization, enhancing barrier resilience.
  • Panthenol further supports hydration and barrier function, making it a beneficial choice for managing oily shine.
  • The formula is safe for your 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 every day to keep your face fresh.
  • Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and toning, but right before your SPF in the morning.
  • Gently press a small amount into your skin and let it absorb fully.
  • Apply on clean, slightly dry skin to help control that oily shine.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a quick patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 2.5k+ reviews

Based 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 a great fit for oily skin?

Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great fit because niacinamide helps control oil production while glycerin provides deep moisture and strengthens your skin barrier. Panthenol supports this hydration to help manage oily shine safely without any harsh ingredients.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps control oil production while glycerin provides much-needed moisture without adding grease. Panthenol also supports hydration and helps manage oily shine safely.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

What does Glycerin do for oily skin?

Glycerin helps keep oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy and supports the skin barrier. Because this product is a weak fit for your skin, an ideal product of this type needs lightweight hydrators and ingredients that balance oil while protecting the skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019

Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This moisturizer goes in the third step of your morning routine and the final step of your evening routine, helping to manage oily shine without causing irritation. It is unlikely to irritate your skin because the formula avoids harsh ingredients.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

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

You can use this moisturizer with retinol by applying the moisturizer first to help keep your skin calm and hydrated while lowering the risk of irritation. Using a barrier-supporting moisturizer alongside treatments like retinol is generally safe and helps your skin adjust comfortably.

Cutis, 2006American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this moisturizer?

You can use this moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and evening, to keep your oily skin hydrated and balanced. Daily application helps improve skin moisture and barrier function without irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. Reviewers rarely report breakouts, and the formula contains no harsh ingredients that typically trigger irritation.

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

Yes, you can use this moisturizer on your body and around your eyes. Its safe formula and gentle ingredients provide reliable hydration and barrier support for delicate areas without causing irritation.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Is this moisturizer 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 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2002
  • A 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, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • 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
  • Wearing 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, 2024
  • Treatment 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, 2007
  • Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.

    Clinics in Dermatology, 2012
  • Moisturizer 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, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic 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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How does it fit your skin?

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