e.l.f. Cosmetics Oil Control Liquid Lotion
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Oil control lotion,Hydrates skin and balances oil, leaving a matte finish,Enriched with Vitamin B, Tea Tree Oil, and Willow Bark Extract,All e. l. f. skincare products are free from Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates,Gently smooth into the skin”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: squalane, isododecane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate + 1 moreStrong evidence
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Kaolin + 2 moreGood evidence
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Isododecane~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneButylene glycol~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSilica~3.1–3.8%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoatePropylene glycol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolGlycerin~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinAluminum starch octenylsuccinate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateNiacinamide~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideZinc gluconate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Typically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Zinc gluconateKaolin~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinSqualane~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilSalix nigra bark extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
More about Salix nigra bark extractAllantoin~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCapryloyl glycine~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycineDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateTromethamine~0.3–0.55%
Glyceryl stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCetyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumParfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.25%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Water, Isododecane, Butylene glycol, Silica, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Propylene glycol, Glycerin, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, Kaolin, Squalane, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Salix nigra bark extract, Allantoin, Capryloyl glycine, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Tromethamine, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cetyl alcohol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| e.l.f. CosmeticsOil Control Liquid LotionYOUR PRODUCT | preangeVit B5 Emulsion | Doctor Rogers RestoreRestore Face Lotion | BonjourGreen Tea Water Bomb Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 89% | 87% |
| Price | — | $21.15 | $72.00 | $15.50 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Adenosine | Sh-Octapeptide-4 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "e. L. F. - Oil Control Liquid Lotion" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. E. L. F. - Oil Control Liquid Lotion ticks this box. Glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Squalane, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, cetyl alcohol, isododecane and caprylyl glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "e. L. F. " is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 7.50£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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