Finding the best moisturisers for oily skin has been a long-standing battle, particularly if you suffer from breakouts. It can be difficult what type of moisturiser you should use or whether you even should moisturise oily skin.
In short, the answer is yes, you should use moisturiser, even if you’ve got oily skin as it will reduce the appearance of pores and dehydrated skin — you can still have dehydrated skin, even if it’s oily. You just need the right ingredients.
The good news is that there are moisturisers available for every skin type, concern, routine, and texture, including oily complexions. So, if you’re ready to fall in love with moisturiser again, keep reading for the best moisturisers for oily skin.
1) By BEAUTY BAY Squalane + Ginseng Gel Moisturiser
At the top of our list is one of our own brand’s faves, the By BEAUTY BAY Squalane + Ginseng Gel Moisturiser. This formula is designed with oily skin in mind, hence the lightweight gel texture and hard-working ingredients. Olive squalane helps to replenish dehydrated skin without a greasy texture, while ginseng protects your skin from everyday aggressors, such as screen-emitted light. What’s even better is that the formula sits seamlessly under makeup, so you won’t have to worry about an oily build-up as the day goes on.
2) Dermalogica Active Moist 2.0
Dermalogica have some of the best formulas you’ve ever tried and as their ethos is rooted in science, you can be sure that they’ll deliver results. The Active Moist 2.0 is their hero moisturiser for oily skin and it’s been loved by skincare obsessives for years. The ultra-lightweight formula sinks into pores without feeling heavy, greasy, or leaving any residue. The formula uses balancing prebiotics to reduce oil production, as well as lemon, cucumber, and burdock to soften and smooth the skin.
3) Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Part of the challenge with oily skin is that it’s often dehydrated, which means that the skin over-produces oil to compensate and that’s why you might feel you’re giving greasy instead of glowy. Thankfully, the Clinique Moisture Surge 100-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator for formulated to combat this problem. The gel cream locks moisture into the skin using biotechnology, so once it’s there, it won’t escape and be replaced with oil. You can expect to find aloe bio-ferment and hyaluronic acid inside, so you’ll be left with glowy, plump skin without any oiliness.
4) Sand & Sky Oil Control Clearing Moisturiser
The Sand & Sky Oil Control Clearing Moisturiser does exactly what it says on the bottle. The lightweight, pH-balanced formula has been specifically developed with oily and breakout-prone skin in mind, so if that sounds like your skin, add this to your haul. Infused with salicylic acid to battle breakouts, Australian old man weed to calm, and niacinamide to reduce the appearance of pores and oil, this is the perfect balance between clearing and hydrating.
5) Origins Clear Improvement Oil-Free Moisturizer With Bamboo Charcoal
If you see ‘oil-free’ on a bottle, then it might be a dream come true. The Origins Clear Improvement Oil-Free Moisturizer With Bamboo Charcoal is the powerhouse you need to keep your oily skin at bay during the day. Developed for oily and acne-prone skin types, this moisturiser makes sure your skin is getting the hydration it needs, without clogging pores or feeling heavy. The salicylic acid helps to clear pores and the bamboo charcoal removes dirt and absorbs excess oil, making it an ideal match for reducing oily shine.
6) Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Moisturiser
Teatree has long been an ingredient that’s a match made for oily skin, which is why you’ll find it in this Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Moisturiser. The weightless formula harnesses the power of Dr. Jart+’s innovative Teatreement Solution that restores moisture levels while balancing pH. That way, your pores won’t get clogged. The addition of the green calming complex soothes any irritation, leaving you with fresh, hydrated, and smooth skin.
7) COSRX AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer
Having oily and breakout-prone skin might make you question whether you should moisturise oily skin or if it will just make things worse. The answer is that acne and oily skin types need moisture to heal and protect the skin barrier, so without it, you’re doing more harm than good. Luckily for you, the COSRX AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer is one of the best moisturisers for oily skin. It’s gentle, lightweight, and non-greasy, and uses aloe vera, niacinanide, and zinc to treat common skin complaints.
8) Bubble Skincare Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturizer
We love everything Bubble Skincare creates, but we’re particularly a fan of the Level Up Balancing Gel Moisturizer — a no-fuss yet hard-working option for oily skin. The revitalising gel formula features zinc to improve texture and boost your glow, blue light protection to prevent your skin from looking washed out, and yarrow extract that provides moisture without the weight. We believe everyone should have this in their skincare stash.
9) The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
When it comes to skincare formulas that you can always rely on, The Ordinary never lets us down. The Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is a weightless, gel-textured formula that gives all-day hydration that won’t turn into an oil slick before lunchtime. Enriched with beta glucan from reishi mushrooms to lock in hydration, this moisturiser prevents moisture loss by strengthening your skin barrier. There are no nasties in here, so you can be sure it’s only doing good for your oily skin.
10) Starface Moisture On Mars Hydrating Face Cream
Is there anything cuter than the Starface Moisture On Mars Hydrating Face Cream? We think not, and it’s just as good on the skin. Harnessing the power of all the hydrating ingredients that don’t feel heavy or clog pores, this is the moisturiser you need for out-of-this-world results. Aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate, magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamin E all work together to hydrate, ease irritation, and leave your skin looking its best.
