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The 16 Best Oil-Free Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Fact: Oily skin still needs hydration.
By In skincare, as in life, we seek balance. Although those with oily skin may want to reduce the amount of oil on their skin, they still need to use a solid moisturizer. In fact, oily skin not only needs hydration, it may be a reaction to dehydration. That oil slick can also have unwanted side effects such as acne, shiny skin, and clogged pores.
Best Oil-Free Moisturizers
Again, you don't want to make the mistake of thinking you don’t need moisturizer at all; luckily, there are a number of incredible moisturizers that keep skin nourished and hydrated, that don't focus on added oils. To find out what moisturizer is best for your skin, we rounded up the 15 best oil-free moisturizers, with picks from celebrity esthetician Sarah Akram as well as celebrity skin expert Sharlena Hassani.
Naturium Marine Hyaluronic Water Cream
Pros
- Feels lightweight
Cons
According to celebrity esthetician Sarah Akram, oily skin typically correlates to water loss. She recommends oil-free moisturizers if you have "full fledged" acne, especially when the weather warms up. This water cream is formulated to add hydration back into your skin, and it won't lead to breakouts.
Customer Review:
"I love this Water Cream! It goes on easily and dries right away. It doesn't leave any sticky residue, and a little bit goes a long way. This will definitely be part of my daily routine." —JBerry
| Size | 1.7 oz/ 50 g |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Glycerin |
| Best Skin Type | Sensitive, dry, acne-prone |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Artisan of Skin Hydra Boost Oil Free Moisturizer
Artisan of Skin Hydra Boost Oil Free Moisturizer
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
One product that celebrity skin expert Sharlena Hassani always finds herself recommending is this oil-free moisturizer from Artisan of Skin. "It’s lightweight, oil-free and fragrance-free and uses ceramides to hydrate and replenish the skin," she says. "It is also packed with antioxidants and has niacinamide which helps to improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and just overall dullness."
Customer Review:
"This stuff is amazing. Not too light and not too heavy! My face feels so soft after applying." —NicoleS
| Size | 1.8 oz/ 5g |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Niacinamide, glycerin |
| Best Skin Type | Normal, oily, acne-prone |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Pros
- Great for enlarged pores
Cons
For days when the oil just won't quit, reach for this pore-tightening and shine-fighting formula. It's also suitable for sensitive skin, which, yes, can also apply to oily skin.
Customer Review:
"If you have oily skin this moisturizer is a must try. Other moisturizers leave me very shiny by midday but this has helped reduce the shine and minimize acne." —AllieM
| Size | 1.35 oz |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Glycerin |
| Best Skin Type | Sensitive |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Boscia Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
Cons
Japanese green tea is the star of the show here, soothing redness, balancing oil production, and adding antibacterial properties that may help fight acne. It’ll leave skin non-greasy, and perfectly prepped for makeup application.
Customer Review:
"I love this! Gives me a nice dewy look! I have oily combo skin and use it day and night. Highly recommend!" —Madisun
| Size | 1.7 fl.oz/ 50g |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Japanese green tea |
| Best Skin Type | Sensitive, combination |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide
Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide
Pros
- Silky texture
- Absorbs into skin
Cons
If you also have acne-prone skin you know that the condition often goes hand-in-hand with hyperpigmentation. Sometimes you're left dealing with these spots long after your breakouts subside. This oil-free moisturizer also brightens to reduce the look of those pesky dark spots.
Customer Review:
"After using this product for two weeks, my skin is glowing . My skin feels hydrated and I will surely be happy to buy this again" —Amiile
| Size | 1.6 oz/ 50 mL |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Patented Vine Sap-Derived Viniferine, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid |
| Best Skin Type | Normal, dry |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer
Pros
- Very moisturizing
Cons
Another great choice for acne-prone complexions, this moisturizer has niacinamide to even skin tone and refine the look of pores, ceramides to support the skin barrier, and licorice root extract to soothe redness.
Customer Review:
"This moisturizer feels amazing, it's not heavy but still gives the right amount of hydration to the skin. It leaves the skin feeling smooth and gives a glow to the skin without looking too shiny or oily." —Brooke
| Size | 2 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Niacinamide |
| Best Skin Type | Normal, combination, oily |
| Dosage | Twice Daily |
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Facial Moisturizer
Pros
- Great price
Cons
Combination skin can get away with wearing Neutrogena's acne-friendly moisturizer all year round, but if you're super oily, make this your winter go-to. It's got salicylic acid to keep blackheads in line and a lightweight formula to tone down the shine factor.
Customer Review:
"Very good moisturizer for my combination skin. Soothes dry areas and reduces oil production." —FitandFine
| Size | 4 fl. oz/ 118 mL |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Salicylic Acid |
| Best Skin Type | Acne-prone, oily, combination |
| Dosage | Once daily |
Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Gel Cream
Olay Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Gel Cream
Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
Olay is known for creating high-performance moisturizers, and their new gel one is no different. The fragrance-free formula effortlessly melts into skin and improves hydration with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides.
Customer Review:
"Was so surprised by this. A little bit goes a long way and leaves my skin feeling great." —Cherrie49
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
| Best Skin Type | Dry, combination |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
OLEHENRIKSEN C-Rush Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer
OLEHENRIKSEN C-Rush Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer
Pros
- Very hydrating
Cons
If you have oily skin and are also looking for a way to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, the vitamin C and rose of winter extract in this gel moisturizer will help you out.
Customer Review:
"I am on my fourth bottle now and love it! It’s smooth and lightweight and doesn’t clog my pores at all. Highly recommend buying." —Rrrobin
| Size | 1.7 oz/ 50 mL |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Ascorbic acid, glycerin |
| Best Skin Type | All |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Osea Seabiotic Water Cream
Osea Seabiotic Water Cream
Pros
- Soft texture
Cons
Hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe, and more skin-loving ingredients help this bouncy face cream can keep skin hydrated for up to 72 hours. Still, it feels completely weightless on skin.
Customer Review:
"Best moisturizer I’ve used! My skin is hydrated and doesn’t irritate as easily since using it." —VanessaR
| Size | 1.6 oz/ 47.3 g |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Glycerin, squalene |
| Best Skin Type | All |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
Pros
- Doesn't melt off
Cons
Stock up on this non-greasy moisturizer for summer; it boasts a soothing mix of algae and aloe, and a natural-looking—but matte—finish.
Customer Review:
"Great, light moisturizer for every day. I like to use this in the morning prior to starting my makeup routine. I've been using my new moisturizer for 2 weeks and already see a difference. Highly recommend." —Virginia
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Zinc Oxide |
| Best Skin Type | Acne-prone, oily |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer
Pros
- Gluten and dairy-free
Cons
Shoppers who take the details seriously will like what they find with Kate Somerville's moisturizer. It's not just oil-free; it's also cruelty-free.
Customer Review:
"The best moisturizer I've ever used. I have sensitive, oily skin and this does not bother me at all. Plus, no fragrance, which is a bonus because I'm very sensitive to perfume/chemical smells." —AudreyD
| Size | 1.7 oz/ 50 mL |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Red marine algae |
| Best Skin Type | All |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer
EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer
Pros
- Great under foundation
Cons
This morning moisturizer is lightweight, non-comedogenic and doesn't pill under foundation. Need we say more?
Customer Review:
"This moisturizer is light and gentle. It has no fragrance and is very effective. I’ve used this for years, and I highly recommend it if you like a basic moisturizer." —Malorie
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Niacinamide, willow bark extract, glycerin, caffeine |
| Best Skin Type | All |
| Dosage | Once daily |
Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya
Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya
Pros
- Fragrance-free
Cons
Hassani explains that a huge skincare myth is that oily skin doesn’t need a moisturizer, as people are often concerned it will make them oiler. "Using the proper moisturizer for your skin is essential to balance the skins natural production (or regulate over-production) of oil," she says. This option is fragrance-free and helps refine the look of pores.
Customer Review:
"Amazing moisturizer!! I’ve tried many moisturizers that never worked and still left my face dry. This one doesn’t do this! It truly moisturizes and my face feels so nice afterward." —Jmml
| Size | 1.7 oz/ 50 mL |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid, niacinamide, polyglutamic Acid |
| Best Skin Type | Normal, Combination, and Oily |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream
Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Formulated by dermatologists of color for women of color, this face cream strengthens and protects skin’s moisture barrier, helps even out the skin tone, and leaves skin with a lit-from-within glow (it’s the niacinamide).
Customer Review:
"Product smells amazing and has been working wonders on my skin. It helps with evening out pigmentation and is great for all skin types. Use of this product goes far; as a little product goes a long way." —Sarahr369
| Size | 1.35 fl. oz |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredients | Niacinamide, squalane |
| Best Skin Type | All |
| Dosage | Twice daily |
When should I apply moisturizer for oily skin?
The best time to apply moisturizer in the morning is after cleansing and toning but before sunscreen and makeup. Allow a minute or two for the formula to sink into your skin before layering another product on top—this will help prevent any piling. At night, moisturizer is best applied as the last step in your routine, following cleanser, toner, serums, and any treatment steps you might use.
When shopping for a moisturizer for oily skin, look for gel or water-based formulas instead of creamy textures. These are often more lightweight and oil-free. It's also important to cater your search to your skin's unique needs, such as fragrance-free if you're sensitive, or non-comedogenic if you're acne-prone.
What causes oily skin?
It's often genetic, but sometimes, our routines can contribute. "Over-exfoliation is one of the most common practices that increases oil production," Sarah Akram, celebrity master esthetician and owner of Sarah Akram Skincare, says. "By constantly over exfoliating, you’re stripping the skin and because of this your skin will begin to overproduce oil, and once you start layering other heavy oils and moisturizers on top, this will most definitely contribute to your oil production." The important thing when this happens, she recommends, is to keep it simple, let your skin barrier heal, and slowly integrate products back into your routine
How do I know if my skin is dry or dehydrated?
One of the best ways to see if you need an oil-free moisturizer is to check whether you skin is dry or dehydrated—two concepts that are often mixed up, according to celebrity skin expert and founder of Artisan of Skin, Sharlena Hassani.
"When deciding between an oil-free moisturizer or moisturizer with oil it’s important to choose one based off your skin type and what you are treating on the skin," she says. "If you have dry skin, your skin is producing less oil or sebum, which is the natural oil produced by your body to lubricate the skin as well as act as a barrier of protection. Dehydrated skin, however, means there’s a lack of water, not oil." For the latter, you can supplement with an oil-free—yet still hydrating—moisturizer.
Meet the Experts
- Sharlena Hassani is a licensed esthetician and owner of Artisan of Skin Medical Spa in Beverly Hills, California.
- Sarah Akram is a licensed celebrity master esthetician and founder of Sarah Akram Skincare in Alexandria, Virginia.
Why trust Harper’s BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
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