St. Ives Renewing Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer for combination skin
Collagen
Elastin
GlycerinLow
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for combination skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 moisturizing for your combination skin due to glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, but the presence of mineral oil and dimethicone poses a risk of clogging pores and worsening oily shine.
- While it provides general hydration, the formula lacks specialized ingredients for effective oil control on your oily areas.
How to apply
- Use this moisturizer in your AM and PM routine every day to control shine. Always pair with SPF in the morning.
- Apply this moisturizer after your cleanser and toner, right before your morning SPF.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin and avoid harsh rubbing. Let it ⏳absorb for a minute.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help it lock in moisture better. This keeps your combination skin balanced.
- Avoid the eye area when applying the moisturizer. Do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 22.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this moisturizer is widely praised as a budget-friendly "holy grail" for softening skin and smoothing fine lines without feeling heavy or greasy. While it is marketed for renewing skin with collagen and elastin, users with very dry or sensitive skin sometimes find the hydration insufficient or the fragrance irritating, though it remains a favorite for those seeking a lightweight, daily glow.
Highlights
Great value Mostly Mentioned
- “huge tub lasts forever”
- “unbeatable price for the amount”
- “great bang for your buck”
- “economical daily moisturizer”
Soft and smooth Mostly Mentioned
- “makes my skin feel so soft”
- “leaves skin silky smooth”
- “texture feels plumper”
- “softens rough patches”
Lightweight feel Often Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “no greasy film”
- “lightweight under foundation”
- “doesn't clog pores”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells fresh and clean”
- “light pleasant scent”
- “love the classic smell”
- “scent isn't overpowering”
Jar packaging Sometimes Noted
- “wish it had a pump”
- “hate dipping fingers in”
- “unsanitary jar packaging”
- “prefer a squeeze tube”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small bumps”
- “broke me out in T-zone”
- “clogged my pores”
- “woke up with whiteheads”
Fragrance irritation Rarely Noted
- “scent is too strong”
- “fragrance irritated my eyes”
- “caused redness due to perfume”
- “wish it was fragrance-free”
Not for dry skin Rarely Noted
- “not moisturizing enough for winter”
- “skin felt dry an hour later”
- “need to reapply often”
- “too light for dry patches”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, youtube.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is St. Ives Collagen & Elastin Moisturizer a weak match for combination skin?
This moisturizer is a weak match because mineral oil and dimethicone may clog pores and worsen oily shine on your combination skin. It offers moderate hydration through glycerin and hydrolyzed collagen, but lacks the oil control needed for your oily areas. A moisturizing treatment for combination skin needs effective hydrating and brightening ingredients that reduce oily shine without clogging pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for combination skin?
This cream is a weak match for combination skin mainly because mineral oil and dimethicone may clog pores and worsen oily shine. To work well for this skin, a moisturizing treatment needs ingredients that control oil and brighten while keeping skin soft without adding excess shine.
What does Collagen do for combination skin?
Collagen helps keep combination skin smooth and hydrated by improving moisture and supporting elasticity. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may help reduce the appearance of fine lines while keeping the skin barrier balanced.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2024
What does Hydrolyzed Elastin do for combination skin?
Hydrolyzed Elastin helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by supporting the skin's natural stretch and firmness. It improves how well the skin holds onto moisture, which benefits both dry and oily areas without feeling heavy.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2014Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This cream goes in the morning and evening routine as the final moisturizing step after your cleanser and toner. Because it contains heavy ingredients like mineral oil and dimethicone that may clog pores on combination skin, this skin type needs lighter hydrators and oil-controlling ingredients.
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol, but because it is a weak match for combination skin, it may clog pores and worsen oily shine. To make it work, this skin type needs oil-controlling ingredients and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that hydrate dry areas without heavy oils like mineral oil.
How often should I use this cream?
This cream is a weak match for your combination skin because heavy ingredients like mineral oil and dimethicone may clog pores and worsen oily shine, while lacking oil-control agents. Combination skin needs lightweight, balancing formulas with oil-controlling and hydrating ingredients to manage dry and oily areas effectively.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
Yes, this cream may clog pores and cause breakouts on combination skin because it contains mineral oil and dimethicone, which pose a risk of worsening oily shine. A product for this skin needs oil-control ingredients to keep pores clear.
Can I use this cream around the eyes or on my body?
This cream is generally safe for use on the body, but the thin skin around the eyes may be more sensitive to heavier ingredients. A moisturizer of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-free ingredients to care for delicate areas without feeling heavy.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, coumarin, and geraniol). Cetyl 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, 2017Both oral and topical collagen supplements help delay the skin aging process by improving moisture, elasticity, and hydration, with no differences arising between the two types of collagen.
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 2022Topical application of TAC/Collagen postbiotics gel improved skin moisture score and inflammation index, and reduced porphyrins and brown spots in 20 volunteers with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical collagen tripeptide application improved skin wrinkles, elasticity, and density while reducing advanced glycated end products in 22 Asian women over 4 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022Marine collagen extracted from Greenland halibut skin showed a non-cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells and provided a slight skin hydration effect when incorporated into cosmetic hydrogel formulations at dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5% in 23 healthy volunteers.
Marine Drugs, 2023Topical application of a 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream significantly enhanced elastin biosynthesis and induced elastic fibre regeneration in photoaged facial skin of 21 female patients after 6 weeks of treatment compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2009A betaine-based deep eutectic solvent successfully enhanced the transdermal delivery of elastin peptide, which improved skin barrier repair, reduced melanin secretion and deposition, and stimulated the secretion of procollagen I and elastin.
Biomaterials Advances, 2024Bioactive recombinant humanized elastin (RHE) gel effectively restores skin elasticity, reverses UV-induced damage and oxidative stress, and promotes extracellular matrix remodeling in zebrafish and aged mice models compared to commercial vitamin E and recombinant humanized collagen gels.
Materials Today. Bio, 2025The 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, 2012
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum Mineral Oil, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Parfum, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Coumarin, Geraniol, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract Sunflower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Yellow 5 Ci 19140, Red 4 Ci 14700, Red 33 Ci 17200, Blue 1 Ci 42090
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
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