Skincare

12 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin – Super Lightweight & Nourishing

A girl trying out one of the best moisturizers for oily skin for face

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If you are looking for the best moisturizers for oily skin, you should definitely check out the ones we gathered down below…


    • It is a common misconception that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer, when in fact it can be very dehydrated;
    • A face cream for oily skin needs to be lightweight, non-comedogenic, and it needs to address other issues your skin deals with, such as acne, blackheads or shine;
    • Look for lotions and creams that contain hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, aloe vera, AHAs, glycerin, etc.

Oily skin can be tricky to moisturize. It needs regular moisturizing or it might get dehydrated and the oil glands might start producing even more sebum. But any heavy, sticky cream could potentially clog your pores and cause breakouts.

But don’t worry, you are not alone. Many girls have that same challenge in front of them, trying to find a face cream that would provide their oily skin with all the hydration it needs but that won’t add on the oiliness.

Here’s what dermatologists’ advice combined with decades of experience of many girls with oily skin has taught us so far:

  1. Not only is moisturizer necessary for oily skin – it can even reduce the amount of sebum your skin produces.
  2. While oily skin can be very dehydrated and needs regular hydration, your moisturizer needs to be lightweight and non-comedogenic, otherwise you risk acne breakout.
  3. Moisturizers are a great way to provide your skin with several other things it needs, such as vitamins, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, skin brighteners and anti-pollution agents.
  4. A nice quality oily-skin-friendly moisturizer can help you deal with several other issues that often go hand in hand with oily, acne prone skin, such as enlarged pores or post-acne discolorations.

Without further ado, these 12 face lotions and creams are amongst the best moisturizers for oily skin, able to thoroughly hydrate and soothe the skin, and you won’t even feel them on your face…

12 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin

*All prices mentioned are from October 2022.

1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin

 

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Price: $32.99/1.35 fl. Oz.

If you need a moisturizer that will not only help restore the skin’s barrier but also help with oiliness, look no further. This moisturizer lightly hydrates the skin while providing the mattifying effect at the same time.

Since it contains micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, Effaclar Mat Moisturizer helps refine enlarged pores and smooths the skin. It goes well under sunscreen and it is an excellent base for makeup.

2. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid

 

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Price: $23.99/1.7 fl. Oz.

You can see this super hydrating moisturizer often recommended by experts for all kinds of skin problems, including dry skin or rosacea. But its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula is why they also often recommend it for oily and acne prone skin.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is one of the best moisturizers for oily skin because it provides lots of hydration but it is oil-free. The two main humectants in it, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, thoroughly hydrate the skin and keep it soft, smooth and supple all day long.

3. Boscia Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer

 

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Price: $38.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

If your skin is oily and sensitive or reactive, you will love this moisturizer. It contains Japanese green tea, known for its antioxidant effect, that work to soothe inflammations, reduce environmental stress and repair existing damage.

You can also find burdock root in this moisturizer. Its role is to absorb excess sebum, mattify and prepare the skin for makeup. It also has antibacterial properties, so it can help reduce breakouts.

4. Tatcha The Water Cream

 

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Price: $69.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

This silky soft formula that has superb hydrating and nourishing properties already got a lot of fans. Not only does it provide everything an oily skin needs to be happy and healthy right now, but it also prevents premature aging signs.

What’s so unique about Tatcha’s The Water Cream is the water-burst system that breaks upon application and brings hydration and nutrients deeper into the skin. This cream also contains Japanese Wild Rose which helps minimize the pores, as well as Japanese Leopard Lily that clarifies the skin.

5. Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer


Price: $54.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

As we already stated, the best moisturizers for oily skin need to be super lightweight and provide lots of moisture, and the Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream has mastered both of these requirements. As its name says, the formula is cloud-like fluffy and packed with humectants.

This cream contains 30% hyaluronic acid complex with three molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, to make sure all layers of the skin are thoroughly hydrated. Its other oily skin-friendly components include Pentavitin®, hydrolyzed silk, glycerin, ceramides, dimethicone, yeast extract, etc.

6. Belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb

 

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Price: $38.00/1.69 fl. Oz.

Don’t let the incredibly lightweight gel texture full you – The True Cream knows what it’s doing when it comes to skin hydration. This moisturizer is perfect for summer, as it is refreshing, soothing and practically weightless.

If you need an oily skin friendly moisturizer that can help you treat dull skin, visible pores and lack of suppleness and plumpness, try out Belif’s The Ture Cream. It contains several components to soothe, nourish and protect the skin, including Lady’s Mantle, glycerin, oat kernel extract, ceramides, panthenol, squalane, etc.

7. Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya

 

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Price: $42.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

A nutrient bomb for your skin, and so lightweight! It contains hyaluronic acid which is in charge for keeping your skin plump and supple, plus a blend of phytonutrients that can help reduce the greasy shine.

The papaya extract this moisturizer contains acts as a mild exfoliant, so it freshens the skin’s surface and helps the product sink into the skin. Some other ingredients that make this moisturizer perfect for oily skin are moringa, niacinamide, willow herb, cucumber extracts, etc.

8. Tula Skincare Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer

 

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Price: $52.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

If your skin is prone to acne breakouts, be sure to try out this amazing moisturizer. Not only is it moisturizing and not only it will not worsen your breakouts, but it may actually help reduce and prevent future acne.

Tula’s Breakout Star contains 2% salicylic acid which unclogs the pores and prevents the formation of acne. Plus, the combination of niacinamide and azelaic acid can lighten acne marks and dark spots, as well as brighten your whole complexion.

9. Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream

 

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Price: $39.00/1.69 fl. Oz.

This moisturizer is a great solution for people whose skin is oily, normal-to-oily, combination or dull. It is lightweight and water-based (Alaskan glacier water, to be specific, which is full of minerals).

This gel cream can also somewhat help with collagen production, because of the peptides it contains. And if your skin is sensitive and prone to redness, Iceland moss extract can take care of that by soothing the inflammation.

10. L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Normal/Oily Skin


Price: $17.99/3.04 fl. Oz.

It doesn’t go lighter than this – this practically liquid formula spreads well and gets absorbed almost instantly. It provides long lasting hydration while subtly mattifying the skin.

This moisturizer combines humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid with aloe water, which brings additional nutrients and antioxidants. Several reviewers noticed this product helped clear out their complexion.

11. M-61 Hydraboost Collagen+Peptide Water Cream

 

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Price: $76.00/1.7 fl. Oz.

As our skin is under a constant attack from UV rays, pollutants and other environmental stressors. That is why it’s never a bad idea to add to your skincare products that can help protect and replenish your skin and delay the formation of aging signs.

This moisturizer does just that. It protects the skin against free radicals, preserves its firmness and elasticity and stimulates cell renewal. What also makes it one of the best moisturizers for oily skin is the fact that it is lightweight and could help balance oil production.

12. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer

 

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Price: $39.00/2 fl. Oz.

Another great option for oily skin or as a summertime moisturizer would be this beautiful watermelon-based gel cream. Watermelon has found its place in skincare since watermelon products provide the skin with lots of hydration and many vitamins and antioxidants, and this moisturizer is no exception.

Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer has a lightweight, silky texture and cooling and refreshing abilities. It is soothing, replenishing and balancing, and it leaves the skin plump, smooth, supple and glowing.

(1) Comment

  1. 27pinkx says:

    Thank you for sharing best moisturizers for oily skin.
    its very useful information.

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