Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer for sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Blueberry Fruit Extract
Licorice Root Extract
Ceramide Np
Hydrolyzed Pumpkin SeedcakeAverage
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other moisturizers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Offers moderate suitability for your normal skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide excellent hydration and plumping effects, while licorice root extract and niacinamide offer supportive benefits for redness and irritation.
- The formula is generally safe for your sensitive skin, lacking harsh ingredients and including soothing components like niacinamide and licorice root extract.
- While it provides good moisturizing and soothing for your skin concerns, the emollient content is not sufficient for optimal nourishment of normal skin.
How to apply
- Use this soothing AM and PM routine every day to keep your normal skin calm. Always remember to apply SPF in the morning after your moisturizer.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner in the morning, and after your serum in the evening. This step locks in hydration and protects your skin.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer evenly across your face. Avoid rubbing to keep your sensitive skin happy and calm.
- You can apply this gentle formula on dry or slightly damp skin for the best comfort. It works wonderfully on clean skin to soothe redness and irritation.
- Do a patch test before your very first use to check your skin's reaction. Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes .
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
How well does Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer work for sensitive skin?
This moisturizer works well enough for sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like niacinamide and licorice root extract that help calm redness and irritation without harshness. However, it lacks sufficient nourishing oils and barrier-supporting components like fermented centella and cica ceramides to provide optimal care for this skin type.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cream is a good fit for sensitive skin because it contains niacinamide and licorice root extract, which help calm redness and irritation without harsh ingredients. To work even better for this skin type, a product of this type needs fermented Centella Asiatica, Cica Ceramide, and nourishing oils to strengthen the skin barrier and provide balanced moisture.
What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.
What does Blueberry Fruit Extract do for sensitive skin?
Blueberry fruit extract helps calm sensitive skin by protecting it against sun-induced stress and irritation. It also helps prevent collagen breakdown to keep your skin smooth and healthy.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. It helps soothe sensitive skin and keeps it hydrated, though sensitive skin of this type needs richer, more nourishing ingredients for optimal care.
Can I use this cream with salicylic acid, and in what order?
You can use this cream after salicylic acid to help calm any irritation and keep your skin hydrated. This product works for your sensitive skin, though a product of this type needs richer, nourishing ingredients and deep-moisturizing oils for optimal care.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2016
How often should I use this cream?
This cream works well when used as part of your evening routine. Daily application helps keep your skin hydrated and calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin because it is oil-free and lacks harsh ingredients. Sensitive skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators and soothing plant extracts like niacinamide and licorice root extract to keep skin calm without heavy oils.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream works on the thin skin around the eyes and on the body, though it provides only moderate suitability and lacks enough softening oils for optimal nourishment.
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
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, 2017Licochalcone 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, 2015Emulsions 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, 2008Topical 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.
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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