The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane for oily acne-prone skin
Squalane
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily acne-prone skin; other moisturizers fit it 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
- Offers moderate hydration for your oily skin due to the emollient action of squalane, which provides moisture without feeling heavy. This ingredient is beneficial for general skin health but does not target your specific concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While squalane is generally well-tolerated by oily skin, it lacks ingredients like salicylic acid that are crucial for addressing acne and oiliness.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and includes squalane, known for its soothing properties.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.3k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently praise this product as a lightweight, non-comedogenic oil that effectively hydrates dry and sensitive skin without clogging pores. While the vast majority find it versatile for both face and hair, a small minority of users with specific skin sensitivities experienced breakouts or found the texture too greasy for daytime use.
Highlights
Excellent value Often Mentioned
- “unbeatable price point”
- “bottle lasts forever”
- “cheap but effective”
- “better than expensive oils”
Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
- “sinks in immediately”
- “doesn't feel heavy”
- “perfect non-greasy moisture”
- “leaves a healthy glow”
Soothes sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “stopped retinol irritation”
- “no stinging or redness”
Versatile multi-use Sometimes Noted
- “tames hair frizz”
- “mixes well with moisturizer”
- “great cuticle oil”
- “use on dry elbows”
Greasy residue Sometimes Noted
- “sat on top of skin”
- “too oily for day”
- “made me look shiny”
- “didn't absorb well”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused tiny whiteheads”
- “skin texture got bumpy”
Insufficient moisture Rarely Noted
- “still had dry patches”
- “felt too thin”
- “needed a cream on top”
- “disappeared too fast”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “dropper cap broke”
- “bottle leaks easily”
- “hard to close tightly”
- “messy to travel with”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, target.com, makeupalley.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane work for oily acne-prone skin?
The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin because it provides light moisture without feeling heavy, though it does not target breakouts. A moisturizer for this skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid, soothing extracts, and lightweight hydrators that clear blemishes and control oil without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this moisturizer a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane makes this moisturizer a fit for your oily skin by providing moderate moisture without feeling heavy, though it does not target acne and breakouts. A good fit for this skin needs lightweight ingredients that hydrate without adding excess oil, along with ingredients that clear blemishes and support skin health.
What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.
Where does this moisturizer go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer goes after your hydrating toner in the morning and after your treatment step in the evening, providing light moisture without feeling heavy on oily skin. Because it lacks ingredients like salicylic acid that target blemishes, a product of this type needs acne-fighting ingredients to properly care for acne-prone skin.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use it with retinol by applying your retinol treatment first and then this moisturizer. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside retinoids helps keep your skin comfortable and supports your skin barrier during treatment.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizer daily, both morning and night, to keep your oily skin hydrated without feeling heavy. Squalane is generally well-tolerated and safe, though a product for this skin also needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid to help address acne and breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this moisturizer clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This moisturizer is generally well-tolerated by oily skin, but some reviewers do report that it may cause breakouts. Because it does not contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, oily acne-prone skin typically needs a product that includes targeted blemish-clearing ingredients to keep pores clear.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
Yes, you can use this moisturizer around the eyes and on your body because squalane is well-tolerated and safe for all skin areas. Squalane helps protect the skin and supports healing, making it suitable for delicate skin.
What the research says
Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Why other moisturizers fit oily acne-prone skin better
A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Squalane
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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