🇬🇧United Kingdom

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream for oily skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other eye cares 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 hydration for your oily skin, with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate providing humectant action without being overly occlusive, though it does not specifically target oily shine reduction.
  • The formulation is generally safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like glycerin and shea butter.
  • It provides general skincare benefits like hydration, which is supportive for oily skin, and is well-suited for your skin type due to its non-occlusive humectant properties.

People Say

★3.7Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this eye cream is frequently described as lightweight and fast-absorbing, making it a good option for layering under makeup and reducing morning puffiness. Many users found it gentle and non-irritating. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the applicator is difficult to use, and the cream is not effective for addressing dark circles or wrinkles, with some users finding it not moisturizing enough.

Highlights

  • Lightweight & fast-absorbing Mostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in swiftly”
    • “never feels greasy”
    • “absorbs fairly quickly”
  • Poor applicator design Mostly Mentioned
    • “hard to open”
    • “messy ball tip”
    • “plastic tip not cooling”
  • Great under makeup Often Mentioned
    • “concealer sits well”
    • “no pilling”
    • “smooths the way for makeup”
  • Ineffective for dark circles Often Mentioned
    • “dark circles looked worse”
    • “didn't brighten”
    • “no difference in intensity”
  • Gentle & non-irritating Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't sting”
    • “fragrance-free”
    • “good for sensitive eyes”
  • Reduces morning puffiness Sometimes Noted
    • “eyes looked less puffy”
    • “helped the puffiness just a bit”
    • “good morning depuffer”
  • Lack of anti-aging results Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't help wrinkles”
    • “no long-term changes”
    • “better for young skin”
  • Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
    • “not for dry skin”
    • “need richer cream”
    • “just basic moisture”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.in, lookfantastic.com, macys.com, amazon.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Clinique Pep-Start work for oily skin?

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream works reasonably well for oily skin by offering moderate moisture without feeling overly heavy, though other products fit this skin type better. Oily skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients that provide moisture without clogging pores or adding excess shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate make this cream a good fit for oily skin by providing light moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. Glycerin and shea butter also help soothe the skin safely without clogging pores.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Caffeine do for oily skin?

Topical caffeine helps keep oily skin looking fresh by preventing excessive fat accumulation and boosting microcirculation. It is generally well tolerated and provides antioxidant protection against sun damage.

Frontiers in Physiology, 2019Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

What does Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 do for oily skin?

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 is a synthetic peptide that helps keep skin firm and smooth by supporting collagen levels, though it does not directly control oil or treat breakouts.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026

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

This eye cream goes after your hydrating toner and before your moisturizer in your morning and evening routines. An eye product of this type needs light hydrators like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to provide moisture without feeling heavy on oily skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

You can use this cream with retinol by applying the retinol first and following with the cream to help keep your skin soft and calm. Using a gentle moisturizer alongside retinol may help reduce irritation and dryness while supporting your skin barrier.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this eye cream daily as part of your morning and evening routine, as it provides moderate hydration without clogging your pores. Because it has an average fit for oily skin, this skin type generally needs products that offer light, non-greasy moisture and ingredients that hydrate without heavy oils.

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

This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and uses non-heavy hydrators like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate. Oily skin works best with products of this type that also include shine-reducing ingredients to help control excess oil throughout the day.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2017
  • A topical cosmetic slimming product containing tetrahydroxypropyl ethylenediamine, caffeine, carnitine, forskolin and retinol significantly reduced body circumferences and improved skin aspect compared with placebo in 78 women over 12 weeks.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
  • Topical sunscreen formulations containing caffeine combined with UV filters increased in vivo anti-UVB protection by approximately 25% and showed higher SPF values compared to caffeine-free sunscreen, while being well tolerated by the skin of healthy subjects.

    Frontiers in Physiology, 2019
  • Caffeine gel combined with choline geranate showed high skin permeation capacity and superior clinical results in cellulite treatment compared to caffeine gel without ionic liquid.

    AAPS PharmSciTech, 2021
  • A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
  • Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026
  • A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.

    Lasers in Medical Science, 2025
  • A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025
  • 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
  • Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.

    Annals of Dermatology, 2019
  • Argireline treatment twice daily for 4 weeks produced a significant anti-wrinkle effect with 48.9% total efficacy and decreased skin roughness in Chinese subjects compared with 0% efficacy and no decrease in roughness in the placebo group.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2013
  • Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017

Why other eye cares fit oily skin better

  • Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.

    Drug Research, 2017
  • 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, 2024
  • Sodium ascorbyl phosphate provides effective antimicrobial action, prevents sebum oxidation, and demonstrates superior clinical efficacy compared to a standard acne treatment in patients with acne vulgaris.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Squalane, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyethylene, Glycereth-26, Polybutene, Sucrose, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Algae Extract, Molasses Extract, Saccharum Officinarum, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Whey Protein, Lactis Protein, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Yeast Extract, Glycine Soja Protein Soybean Protein, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Peg-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simethicone, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dextran, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide Ci 77891

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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