If you are looking for the best face moisturizer for oily skin due to a greasy or acne-prone complexion, you are not alone. You want a lotion that will adequately hydrate and protect your skin without leaving your face like an oily slick at the end of the day. You have come to the right place as we listed seven of the top moisturizers to help you fight oily skin.
Oily or dry, nearly three in four women agree that their confidence hinges on how their skin looks. More than half of women acknowledged that their skin insecurities prompted them to cover up their bodies (55%). The top skin care concerns that women struggle with are combination skin (31%), dry skin (29%), and wrinkles (28%). That’s why 68 percent try to take preventative care of their skin before it experiences any noticeable trauma such as sunburns or stretch marks. The average woman tries four different body lotions before finally liking one — likely from trial and error (36%). Respondents prefer products that help with moisturizing (65%), hydrating (53%), and have anti-aging properties (45%).
When looking in the mirror, the average woman only likes what she sees 39 percent of the time. When it comes to what they’re most self-conscious about, their skin (46%) and their teeth (45%) come out on top, followed closely by their hair (44%). Fortunately, finding the right products for you can enhance your confidence and put some of these insecurities to rest.
Ready to up your skincare game? As always, we at StudyFinds have researched multiple expert sources to bring you today’s list of the best face moisturizers for oily skin. Don’t agree with our ranking? No worries, we would love to hear from you in the comments below!
The List: Best Face Moisturizers For Oily Skin, According To Experts
1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer
This moisturizer has a blended consistency of gel and cream and is slightly thicker than the others on the list, but testers said it still feels lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. “The gel cream has a nice texture and consistency, spreads easily, and creates almost a cooling effect once applied. This moisturizer is a favorite of both of the expert dermatologists we interviewed,” adds People.
“This beloved formula targets three primary goals that those with oily skin value: shine reduction, acne prevention, and pore minimizing. The star ingredient in this ultra-lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), a micro-exfoliating agent that lifts away dead cells for a smoother complexion. It also contains hydrating glycerin and both perlite and silica, which are powders with absorptive properties that soak up oil and cut shine. Users say it layers well under makeup, reduces the appearance of pores, and transforms skin from greasy to matte,” says Forbes.
“La Roche-Posay’s mattifying moisturizer is great for anyone with super oily skin. It’s made with dimethicone — a.k.a. a silicone-based ingredient that leaves a smooth, matte finish on your face. That makes it a good option for underneath makeup, so you can hydrate your skin without looking greasy or shiny. One thing to note: a few reviewers commented on the small size of the bottle and that it doesn’t last very long,” shares Good Housekeeping.
2. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin, this lotion has the benefits without the feel of a heavier cream. “It’s extremely lightweight and absorbs into the skin almost instantly. Reviewers love how light it feels on their skin. It may not be ideal for all skin types, as a few users with sensitive skin noted irritation after using,” boasts Good Housekeeping.
“If your oily skin needs an oil and fragrance-free moisturizer, consider trying this PM Lotion from CeraVe. It is safe for individuals with a variety of skin types and conditions, including oily and acne-prone skin, as it is hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and free of pore-clogging chemicals. Niacinamide was used in combination with hyaluronic acid to minimize pores, hyaluronic acid to increase hydration, and ceramides to enhance the health of the skin’s barrier,” says Naked Actives.
“It helps to repair the skin barrier overnight but is also noncomedogenic, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic,” adds Who What Wear.
3. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Hydro Boost’s leading ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which is popular with oily skin types because it absorbs quickly and hydrates from within. “While the packaging says ‘for dry skin,’ this formula works particularly well because it’s a gel with a high water content and non-pore clogging capabilities (translation: it moisturizes without causing breakouts). Users love that it hydrates without being heavy and that it also works well on those who are acne-prone or have combination skin,” says Forbes.
“Another dermatologist we spoke to, Dustin Portela, DO, urges those with oily skin to trade in the thick creams for gel moisturizers, like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gel-Cream. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which provides long-lasting moisture without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. The lightweight texture and non-comedogenic formula make it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin,” offers Health.
“This lightweight water gel cream is a great moisturizer that can be used daily, combining the benefits of a gel as it absorbs easily and a cream as it maintains long-lasting hydration. It contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and lock in moisture, keeping the skin feeling moisturized,” shares Who What Wear.
4. Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer
Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer has made a name for itself in the skincare industry because of its hydrating and plumping effect. The skin’s formula uses no phthalates, formaldehyde, or oxybenzone ingredients. It works to target both oil production and the overall texture and appearance of the skin, making it great for those who struggle with multiple skin complications,” says Very Well.
“We named Tatcha The Water Cream Moisturizer our best overall because it targets oil control without neglecting to hydrate oily skin. This moisturizer impressed us during our tests with its delightful floral scent and quick absorption, delivering lightweight and deep moisturization. Our faces felt calm, smooth, and non-greasy,” says Health.
“This moisturizer passed our tests seamlessly. It sunk into the skin instantly, but in a way where you can still feel the hydration without that sticky or greasy feeling. After applying, our skin didn’t feel oily at all; in fact, it felt nicely hydrated and even a little bit dewy. There was even a slight plumping effect on the fine lines across our tester’s forehead (huge plus),” shares People.
5. PCA Skin Clearskin Moisturizer
This bears repeating, if you have oily skin then you want a lighter consistency in a moisturizer for oily skin. “Heavy creams may contain pore-clogging chemicals that are more suited to dry skin types and may make oily skin greasy than before. The niacinamide, vitamin A, and other antioxidants in this moisturizer from PCA Skin brighten, hydrate, and purify the skin while keeping the price higher than other moisturizers,” explains Naked Actives.
“When you want to calm your skin and hit pause on its oil production, this hardworking moisturizer from dermatologist-favorite brand PCA Skin will help you achieve your dream of being grease-free and glowy. Niacinamide reduces sebum production and works to retain moisture and even skin tone; borage seed oil hydrates and reduces redness and discoloration from breakouts; and marigold flower oil, lemongrass, and cucumber fruit extract purify and calms, reducing redness. Reviewers rave about this formula’s texture and say it’s a game-changer for treating acne-prone skin,” states Forbes.
“With ingredients such as vitamin A for evening skin tone and clearing the complexion and niacinamide for brightening dark spots caused by acne, we found that this formula is particularly great for those who experience more blemish-prone skin. Additionally, the face moisturizer also features a blend of marigold flower oil, lemongrass extract, and cucumber fruit extract to up the ante on purifying and calming the complexion. At $57 a pop, this skin cream is relatively pricey — especially considering you only get around 1.7 oz. of product — so it could be a little more of a splurge for some. However, we find this can be definitely worth it considering how hard it is to find a moisturizer for acne-prone and oily skin,” adds People.
6. Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Cream
Finding a moisturizer that helps reduce oil without clogging pores shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag. Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream is not only hydrating, but it’s also affordable. The price tag doesn’t impact the overall value and effectiveness of the product, though. When testing the moisturizer, we found it was lightweight and absorbed easily into the skin without leaving behind a greasy cast,” says Very Well.
“Applying it was a breeze, and the light floral fragrance added to the experience. The cream absorbed effectively, leaving no heavy feeling. Instead, our skin felt both hydrated and refreshed, without any greasiness or oiliness. In fact, it created an excellent base for our foundation and makeup. The soothing effect was a welcome bonus. Considering the product’s size and ingredients, it’s a fantastic deal. Its affordability and value make it a smart choice, and the mess-free packaging is a big plus,” states Health.
“This compact moisturizer contains a gorgeous blend of niacinamide, amino acids, and squalane, which hydrates and smooths…These ingredients create a lightweight formula that absorbs into your skin rather than just sitting atop it. Our tester said it ‘feels sheer’ and ‘refreshing’ when applied,” adds People.
7. Shani Darden’s Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
Oily skin doesn’t require heavy moisturizers because the skin barrier already contains some moisture, so a lightweight formula is important. “When testing Shani Darden’s Weightless Oil Free Moisturizer, we instantly noticed the formula’s lightweight texture and ability to absorb almost instantaneously into our skin. It left our skin feeling both nourished and rejuvenated without any white cast or leftover product residue,” says Very Well.
“There’s a light floral fragrance, which might bother some and delight others depending on sensitivity to smells. Once applied, though, this creamy moisturizer passed our appearance tests. After applying, our skin didn’t feel greasy or oily but was instead left feeling super hydrated. We also found it created a great base for makeup,” states People.
“This lightweight cream is all about keeping pores from getting congested while providing ample hydration. Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer does that by infusing skin with plumping hyaluronic acid and softening algae extract, all the while omitting the kinds of ingredients that threaten to trigger excess oiliness,” explains Allure.
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- Best Face Wash for Oily Skin
- Best Face Wash For Dry Skin
- Best Face Moisturizers
- Best Tinted Moisturizers
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.