Oil-Free Moisturizer

The frustration of finding the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin is over. This non-greasy moisturizer provides water-light hydration, eliminates dry, flaky patches, and visibly corrects issues unique to acne-prone skin—without adding oil, clogging pores or making breakouts worse.

Naturally soothing antioxidants, sourced from pumpkin and blueberry calm redness, while ceramides strengthen skin’s surface. Niacinamide, a pore minimizer, improves tone and eliminates dryness.

At night, use as the last step in your skin care routine. For daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Key Ingredients: Licorice Root, Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake, Niacinamide, Ceramides

All Ingredients: Water (Solvent | Good), Ethyl Macadamiate (Plant Extracts, Emollient, Emulsifier | Good), Glycerin (Humectant, Texture Enhancer, Solvent | Best), Cetearyl Alcohol (Texture Enhancer, Emollient | Good), Propanediol (Solvent, Texture Enhancer | Good), Triethylhexanoin (Solvent, Occlusive/Opacifying Agent, Humectant | Good), Sodium Acrylates Copolymer (Polymer, Film-Forming Agent, Texture Enhancer | Good), Glyceryl Stearate (Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Good), PEG-100 Stearate (Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer | Good), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake (Plant Extracts, Occlusive/Opacifying Agent | Best), Vaccinum Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract (Antioxidant | Best), Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract (Plant Extracts, Antioxidant | Best), Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Fruit Extract (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Niacinamide (Antioxidant, Humectant | Best), Tripeptide-29 (Peptides | Best), Ceramide NP (Emollient | Best), Ceramide AP (Emollient | Best), Ceramide EOP (Emollient | Best), Sodium Hyaluronate (Humectant, Antioxidant | Best), Phytosphingosine (Emollient | Best), Cholesterol (Emollient | Best), Panthenol (Humectant, Solvent | Best), Sodium PCA (Humectant | Best), Adenosine (Plant Extracts | Best), Lecithin (Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Best), Arginine (Antioxidant, Humectant | Best), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (Texture Enhancer, Emulsifier | Good), Sodium Gluconate (Chelating Agent, Humectant | Good), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster/Stabilizer, Chelating Agent | Good), Isohexadecane (Texture Enhancer, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Good), Xanthan Gum (Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Carbomer (Texture Enhancer, Polymer, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer | Good), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative | Good), Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative, Humectant | Good)

Ingredient Spotlight:

• Licorice Root: This plant extract has potent antioxidant, soothing, and tone-evening properties. Has antioxidant and soothing properties; Helps fight dark spots; Also called Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract
• Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake: This byproduct of pumpkin production has skin conditioning and antioxidant properties. Used as a skin conditioning ingredient; Rich in phenols and flavonoids; High antioxidant activity
• Niacinamide: Helps visibly minimize pore size, improve dull/uneven tone, and reduce wrinkle depth. Also known to fortify skin's barrier strength and boost hydration. Improves the appearance of enlarged pores; Brightens dull, uneven tone; Boosts skin’s barrier strength
• Ceramides: Work to improve skin’s barrier strength, texture, suppleness, and hydration levels. May also help with signs of sensitivity. Major components of skin’s outer layers; Help improve barrier strength, hydration, and suppleness; Work best when combined with other replenishing ingredients

Dermatologic Therapy, February 2017, pages 1-7
Pharmaceutical Biology, September 2016, pages 5-8
Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, April 2016, pages 81-86
Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, May 2014, pages 36-44; and March 2014, pages 18-26
Mediators of Inflammation, August 2010, ePublication
DermatoEndocrinology, March-April 2009, pages 68-71

How is the CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer different from other oily skin moisturizers from Paula’s Choice?

CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer is uniquely formulated to address the specific aesthetic and texture preferences of acne-prone skin. It lives in our CLEAR anti-acne routine and is made without fragrance, oil or irritants that can cause or worsen breakouts. We have plenty of other hydratingmoisturizers that are suitable for oily skin, so, if acne’s not a core concern of yours, it’s worth exploring other textures and ingredients that will also help balance shine and minimize enlarged pores.

Does Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer contain acne-fighting ingredients?

No, CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer doesn’t contain acne-fighting ingredients, but its lightweight formula contains pore-refining niacinamide, soothing antioxidants and skin-strengthening ceramides all of which are suitable even for acne-prone skin when used alongside anti-acne products.

Is Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer good for extra-sensitive skin that breaks out?

Yes, CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer’s fragrance-free formula is suitable for extra-sensitive, breakout-prone skin, even skin prone to rosacea.

Should I use Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer in my daytime or nighttime routine?

You can use CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer in your daytime routine, at nighttime, or both, depending on personal preference. If you’re using it during the day, apply it as your second-to-last-step, always finishing with sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF 30+. If you’re using it at night, apply it as the final step in your routine.

What percentage of niacinamide does Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer contain?

CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer contains 0.5% niacinamide, which in combination with ceramides and antioxidants, helps visibly minimize enlarged pores, evens out skin tone and soothes flakiness.

Is Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer fragrance free?

Yes, CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer is 100% fragrance-free and doesn’t contain synthetic or natural fragrances.

Can I use Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer on top of acne medicine?

Yes, CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer was designed for those with acne-prone skin and many people find that it helps soothe the redness and dryness that often accompany acne medications.

Can Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer be used with retinol?

Yes, you can use CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer withretinol products. In fact, using both products as part of a comprehensiveanti-acne skin care routinecan be very beneficial for those with acne-prone skin.

What is an oil-free moisturizer?

There is no universal regulated standard for the term “oil free”, but typically, an oil-free moisturizer contains no oil or oil-like ingredients.

Is oil-free moisturizer good for acne?

Oil-free moisturizers are generally suitable for acne-prone skin because they’re typically lightweight and if well-formulated, aren't likely to clog pores. However, you don’t necessarily have to look for a product labeled “oil free” and many people with acne-prone skin successfully use moisturizers that contain lightweight emollients and non-fragrant plant extracts.