Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer for oily skin
Niacinamide
Blueberry Fruit Extract
Licorice Root Extract
Ceramide Np
Hydrolyzed Pumpkin SeedcakeHigh
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
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
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by niacinamide for seboregulation and licorice root extract for anti-inflammatory action, which also helps control oil and reduce shine.
- Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate offer excellent moisturizing benefits, hydrating and plumping your skin effectively.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
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
★3.9Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis lightweight gel-cream moisturizer is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, effectively hydrating without causing breakouts or a greasy feel. However, users with combination or dry skin report it's not moisturizing enough, especially in colder weather, and some notice an initial scent.
Highlights
Lightweight, non-greasy Mostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind.”
- “Lightweight gel cream and a little goes a long way.”
- “Dries down to a matte finish... no shine to it.”
- “Feels super clean on the skin.”
Acne-prone skin safe Often Mentioned
- “The only moisturizer that doesn't clog my pores.”
- “Hydrates but doesn't cause acne.”
- “My skin has been so much better since using this... no breakouts.”
- “Saved my skin and there's none like it.”
Insufficient hydration Often Mentioned
- “Not hydrating enough for winter.”
- “Left my skin feeling tight and dry.”
- “I have to layer it with another cream.”
- “Fails at its basic function as a moisturizer... skin incredibly dry.”
Reduces redness, soothes Sometimes Noted
- “Has reduced redness on my face.”
- “Soothes acne without leaving skin feeling greasy.”
- “Calms visible redness.”
- “Skin feels wonderfully hydrated and soft.”
Poor price-value Sometimes Noted
- “Pricey for only 2 oz.”
- “Bottle is small and runs out fast.”
- “Not the most economical option.”
- “Expensive for the amount you get.”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a slight smell initially.”
- “Smells a bit like plastic or chemicals.”
- “The smell was off-putting.”
- “Stings my skin and smells weird.”
Sources: lovi.care, paulaschoice.com, sephora.com, amazon.com, cultbeauty.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer a great fit for oily skin?
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer is a great fit for your oily skin because it uses niacinamide and licorice root extract to control oil and reduce shine while calming the skin. It also includes glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate without heavy oils, and it is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and licorice root extract make this cream a great fit for oily skin because they help control oil and reduce shine. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate also hydrate and plump your skin effectively, while soothing components keep irritation unlikely.
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 Blueberry Fruit Extract do for oily skin?
Blueberry Fruit Extract helps protect oily skin from everyday damage and irritation caused by pollution and sun. It is rich in antioxidants that may calm the skin, reduce redness, and keep the skin smooth and healthy.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cream goes as the final step of your morning routine and evening routine. It is a great fit for oily skin because it contains niacinamide and licorice root extract to help control oil and reduce shine while keeping your skin hydrated.
Can I use this cream with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this moisturizer with salicylic acid by applying your salicylic acid treatment first and following with the cream. This helps keep your oily skin hydrated while soothing potential irritation.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016
How often should I use this cream?
This moisturizer is a great fit for your oily skin and is well-suited for daily use as part of your morning and evening routine. It is very unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing ingredients, and it helps control oil and reduce shine while keeping your skin hydrated.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cream is a great fit for oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts because it features soothing components and lacks harsh ingredients. Niacinamide and licorice root extract help control oil and reduce shine, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate keep your skin hydrated without feeling heavy.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this moisturizing treatment around your eyes and on your body because its lightweight formula is gentle and safe for delicate skin. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate help hydrate and plump the skin effectively while keeping irritation very unlikely.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015A 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, 2017Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Topical 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, 2005Applying a topical product containing blueberry extract and Pro-xylane following micro-focused ultrasound significantly improved global aesthetic improvement, skin elasticity, and fine lines compared to standard moisturizer in 50 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical usage of blueberries may prevent skin damage from environmental stressors by inducing an active skin response against noxious effects.
Antioxidants, 2023Pretreatment with blueberry extracts prevented ozone-induced ROS production, NLRP1-ASC scaffold formation, and CASP1 and IL-18 transcripts across 2D, 3D, and human skin explant models.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.
Molecules, 2023Topical treatment with pumpkin seed oil-loaded niosomes decreased fallen hairs by 44.42% and increased the anagen to telogen ratio by 1.4-fold after 8 weeks compared to initial conditions.
Pharmaceuticals, 2022Topical application of prickly pear, pumpkin, and linseed oils significantly reduced clinical signs of acute inflammation, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in carrageenan-treated rats compared to the normal saline-treated group.
BioMed Research International, 2020
Ingredients
Water, Ethyl Macadamiate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Blueberry Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract Prunus Avium Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Tripeptide-29, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Panthenol, Sodium Pca, Adenosine, Lecithin, Arginine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Gluconate, Citric Acid, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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.