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Clinique Even Better Clinical Brightening Moisturizer for oily skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Clinique Even Better Clinical Brightening Moisturizer

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other moisturizers fit it 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

  • Offers moderate exfoliation and hydration suitable for your oily skin, as salicylic acid and sodium hyaluronate work to gently clear pores and maintain moisture balance. Caffeine also helps to reduce the appearance of oiliness by constricting blood vessels.
  • The inclusion of glycerin and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract provides additional soothing benefits, which are supportive for oily skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.

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+ reviews

This moisturizer is frequently praised for its ability to brighten dull skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and provide a lightweight, non-greasy hydration boost. While many users with various skin types report a more radiant and even complexion, some individuals experience issues with pilling, flaking, or insufficient moisture for very dry skin.

Highlights

  • Brightens skin tone Often Mentioned
    • “Skin is much more even and brighter”
    • “Dark spots are completely gone”
    • “Revealing a clearer, more radiant skin tone”
  • Lightweight hydration Often Mentioned
    • “Feels very moisturising but not heavy”
    • “Non-greasy formula absorbs quickly”
    • “Deeply hydrates, leaving skin feeling comfortable”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Refines skin's texture so it feels smoother”
    • “Leaves it soft under it”
    • “Skin appears smoother”
  • Reduces redness Sometimes Noted
    • “Made my redness almost none existent”
    • “Calms and soothes skin to visibly reduce redness”
  • Insufficient moisture Sometimes Noted
    • “Soft but not moisturized”
    • “Doesn't feel very moisturizing”
    • “A little bit too heavy for oily skin”
  • Product pilling/flaking Sometimes Noted
    • “There's always piling”
    • “Doesn't do anything but clogging and flakes”
    • “Thin layer of skin that peels off”
  • Potential breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Did break out a couple times”
    • “Careful about how much I use given it's consistency”

Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, clinique.ca, macys.com, walmart.com, ulta.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Clinique Even Better Clinical Brightening Moisturizer work for oily skin?

This moisturizer works reasonably well for oily skin because it offers gentle exfoliation and lightweight moisture to help clear pores and balance shine. However, an ideal product for this skin type needs peptides, light hydrating agents, and no heavy oils to maintain a balanced texture without adding excess oil or breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

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

This cream is a fair fit for oily skin because salicylic acid and sodium hyaluronate help clear pores and maintain moisture, while caffeine and glycerin reduce shine and soothe. To work best for oily skin, this type of product needs peptides and lightweight hydrating agents that manage moisture without heavy oils or clogged pores.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Cl302 Brightening Complex do for oily skin?

Cl302 Brightening Complex helps fade dark spots and uneven areas on oily skin while improving overall skin tone. It works to brighten the complexion gently and is unlikely to feel heavy or greasy.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2011

What does Ascorbyl Glucoside do for oily skin?

Ascorbyl Glucoside helps brighten skin and fade dark spots, making it a good fit for oily skin when you want a more even complexion. It is unlikely to feel heavy or greasy, but oily skin also benefits from lightweight hydrators and gentle exfoliants to keep pores clear.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016

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

This cream works as a moisturizing treatment in your evening routine, helping to clear pores and balance moisture. Oily skin works best with lightweight, oil-free hydrators containing niacinamide or salicylic acid to control shine without feeling heavy.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020BioMed Research International, 2020

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

You can use this cream alongside retinol by applying the retinol first, letting it absorb, and then following with this moisturizer to help keep your skin comfortable. This type of routine for oily skin works best with lightweight, oil-balancing hydrators and gentle exfoliants like salicylic acid that clear pores without feeling heavy.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing treatment twice a day as part of your routine. Daily application helps keep your oily skin balanced and hydrated while gently clearing pores, and it is unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021

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

This cream is unlikely to cause breakouts on oily skin, as it features a gentle formula with soothing components and salicylic acid that helps clear pores. Oily skin often does better with lightweight, oil-free hydration and targeted clarifying ingredients that keep pores clear without heavy layers.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

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

This moisturizing treatment can be used around the eyes and on the body, as its formula offers safe and gentle care for various skin areas. However, because it is an average fit for oily skin, treating this skin type well typically requires lightweight hydration and pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid and sodium hyaluronate.

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.

What the research says

  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020

  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

  • A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

  • Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • Topical 2% N-acetyl glucosamine reduced facial hyperpigmentation in an 8-week split-face clinical test, with an even greater effect observed when combined with 4% niacinamide.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007

  • N-acetyl-glucosamine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers successfully delivered the hydrophilic agent through the skin and reduced melanin distribution in healthy volunteers.

    Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2016

  • Topical cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine, and gamma-amino butyric acid improved skin hydration by 24.28% to 33.60%, elasticity by 11.98%, and skin lightening by 5.26% over 2 months in 20 female participants.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2019

  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022

  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010

  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Di-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-8, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Tribehenin, Cetyl Alcohol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sucrose, Caffeine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Algae Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract Sunflower Seed Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extrait Dorge Extract, Yeast Faex Extrait De Levure Extract, Molasses Saccharum Officinarum Extrait De Mélasse Extract, Salicylic Acid, Cholesterol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Dimethoxytolyl Propylresorcinol, Sorbitan Oleate, Polysilicone-11, Di-C12-18 Alkyl Dimonium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 80, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Disodium Edta, Bht, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play