12 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin, According to Dermatologists
If your skin's M.O. is to produce excess oil, you can't exactly reach for the same creams and lotions as everyone else. Rather, the best moisturizer for oily skin is key for keeping skin balanced and avoiding amped-up oil production—not to mention the breakouts and shine that that can cause. And before you ask: Yes, people with oily skin do need to use moisturizer.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream, $76
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat, $28
- Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream, $240
- Best with SPF: Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45, $49
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly, $33
- Best for Combination Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Light, $100
- Best for Mature Skin: Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer, $50
- Best for Large Pores: Tatcha The Water Cream Moisturizer, $72
Even if you have an oily complexion, your skin can still become dehydrated, so it still needs moisture on the reg. "Those with oily skin can still have dehydrated skin, which means it can have high sebum levels, but low water content," New York City-based dermatologist Claire Chang, MD shared on the hydration episode of Allure's The Science of Beauty podcast. So if richer, heavier face moisturizers meant for dry skin seem to lead to excess oil or even clog pores, switching to the best moisturizer for oily skin—which will usually be gel-based instead of creamy—can help. These tend to deliver hydration in a lighter, more refreshing manner.
Below, you'll find our top picks for lightweight daily moisturizers that'll leave oily, breakout-prone skin hydrated, glowing, and feeling fresh—not to mention looking clear and smooth—no matter the season. And even if your skin isn't oily year-round, these are perfect picks for sweatier summer months, too.
Best Overall: Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream
Why It's Worth It: For a cloud-like gel-cream that packs a moisturizing punch, look no further than the Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream, which uses an innovative system to deliver hyaluronic acid exactly where it's most needed within your skin. The 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner offers immediate hydration that helps plump skin and smooth fine lines — all without feeling overly heavy on skin.
Editor Tip: We're fans of the dispenser, which delivers a perfectly measured dose with a single push.
Key Ingredients: Spirulina extract, calendula extract, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-Free: No
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat
Why It's Worth It: Sensitive skin types, La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Mat is practically made for you. Sure, its main focus is minimizing oiliness and excess sebum production, but Dr. Nazarian says this matte-finish, non-comedogenic moisturizer is also a gentle, oil-free formulation that won't irritate delicate skin. As zinc pidolate, perlite, and silica absorb excess oil, lipohydroxy acid (a derivative of exfoliating salicylic acid also known as LHA) unclogs pores and soothing, antioxidant-rich thermal water seals in moisture.
Editor Tip: A little goes a very long way, so start with pea-size amounts for your cheeks and forehead, and only apply more if needed.
Key Ingredients: Lipohydroxy acid, salicylic acid, glycerin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream
Why It's Worth It: Having oily skin doesn't mean you have to use only extra-light gels in your skin-care routine. This Clarifying Face Cream by celebrity-loved Dr. Barbara Sturm packs breakout-fighting features into a moisturizing formula that's rich enough to handle dryness. Specifically, its zinc keeps sebum under control so you won't look greasy or spotty, and some of the most interestingly named botanicals we've seen in an ingredient list—balloon vine and viper's bugloss, anyone?—ensure an ideal moisture balance.
Editor Tip: It also contains purslane, a calming ingredient that helps dial down redness.
Key Ingredients: Zinc, bistorta root, sunflower seed oil | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best with SPF: Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA ++++
Why It's Worth It: Offering the best of both worlds, Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45 brings together sun protection with all-day oil control—a big deal, since sunscreen can often leave skin looking shiny. This hydrating moisturizer has microspheres that trap oil and impart a smooth and matte finish, while botanical extracts balance oil production over time.
Editor Tip: The PA++++ is a rating system popularized in South Korea that measures protection against UVA rays, which are responsible for signs of aging; PA++++ is the highest on that scale.
Key Ingredients: Avocado extracts, tapioca starch, African yellow wood bark extract | Fragrance-Free: No
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid
Why It's Worth It: New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD calls Caudalie's Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid one of the best facial moisturizers for those with excess oil and acne-prone skin. "This mattifying formula is great for super-shiny people as it does a great job of absorbing extra oil and keeping skin matte," Dr. Nazarian says. It's also worth noting that this mattifying moisturizer contains grape-derived polyphenols, an antioxidant and key ingredient for minimizing sebum oxidation—and therefore blackheads.
Editor Tip: While this will do the trick for smaller bumps, consider reaching for the brand's spot treatment for a more targeted approach to inflamed or stubborn zits.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, tapioca starch, grape fruit water | Fragrance-Free: No
Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
Why It's Worth It: Clinique's award-winning Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is one of the most famous skin-care products—like, ever—and its clear, Hydrating Jelly counterpart is bound to become just as iconic thanks to a formula that's ideal for skin that can't handle the heaviness of creamier products. Its "Clean Shield Technology" (which is a blend of sunflower seed cake, barley extract, and cucumber fruit extract) promises to lock in moisture for 24 hours while filtering out pollution and other ickiness, so skin feels both hydrated and clean.
Editor Tip: The moisturizing gel was inspired by people who "hate" moisturizer, which is why it's super lightweight, absorbs instantly, and has zero scent.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed cake, barley extract, cucumber fruit extract | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Combination Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Light
Why It's Worth It: New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD says the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Light is an absolute must for those in need of oil control. "This lightweight formula contains humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, as well as emollients like sunflower seed oil to support the skin barrier," she says. Dr. King also notes that this featherweight formula is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin E, that retain moisture while supporting the health of your skin barrier.
Editor Tip: It does have sun protection, but only SPF 20—so you'll still need to follow up with a separate sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for proper coverage.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, peptides, sunflower seed oil | Fragrance-Free: No
Best for Mature Skin: Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
Why It's Worth It: This lightweight cream is all about keeping pores from getting congested while providing ample hydration. Shani Darden's Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer does that by infusing skin with plumping hyaluronic acid and nourishing algae extract, all the while omitting the kinds of ingredients that threaten to trigger excess oiliness.
Editor Tip: To help the moisturizer better penetrate, exfoliate skin first with the brand's 2023 Best of Beauty Award-winning Triple Acid Signature Peel.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, red algae | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best for Large Pores: Tatcha The Water Cream
Why It's Worth It: Tatcha's refreshing water-based cream is way more than just a pretty package. "I love the transformation when you apply this hydrating, oil-free water cream," says New York City-based, board-certified plastic surgeon Melissa Doft, MD. The Water Cream "has ingredients that help decrease the appearance of pores, smooth skin texture, and make your skin glow," she adds. Those ingredients include Japanese botanicals like vitamin C-rich wild rose and leopard lily, which never leave skin feeling slick or greasy.
Editor Tip: We have it on good word that applying it can be a luxurious experience. "The tactile experience of massaging the cooling gel over my face adds to the relaxing feel that skin care gives me," our tester said.
Key Ingredients: Heartleaf herb, wild rose, green tea extract | Fragrance-Free: No
We love it so much that it's even been featured in Allure Beauty Box. Subscribe to the box here to get 6+ editor favorites (a $100+ value) every month — for just $25.
Best for Dull Skin: Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb
Why It's Worth It: Belif's True Cream Aqua Bomb is a lightweight moisturizer with a cushiony, gel-like base—making it a must-have for those concerned about excess oil production. Aqua Bomb, as its name would suggest, is a burst of refreshing moisture that's infused with a conditioning mix of ceramides and glycerin, as well as niacinamide to even out skin tone. "The gel-like formula absorbs in seconds, leaving skin feeling instantly refreshed," said our tester. "You'll even notice that it has a cooling sensation, a characteristic that is much appreciated on hot summer days in New York City."
Editor Tip: While K-pop stars can't say much due to their endorsement deals, we've heard that this is still their go-to moisturizer to get the glass-skin look.
Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, oat kernel extract, lady's mantle | Fragrance-Free: No
Best Silicone-Free: Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer
Why It's Worth It: Tata Harper may have left pore-cloggers out of its lightweight Water-Lock Moisturizer, but it didn't skimp on some of the most effective and luxurious components. It contains peptides to firm skin and reduces the look of fine lines while hyaluronic acid hydrates without forming a greasy film on your skin, thanks to this formula's lack of oil-inducing silicones. It also addresses dullness so skin can get glowing ASAP.
Editor Tip: Once you hit empty, you can restock with a refill pod for $62 (saving you $6 in the process).
Key Ingredients: Orange peptides, shea butter, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-Free: No
Best for Humidity: Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion
Why It's Worth It: Nothing beats Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion in the dead of summer. "When it gets super hot—above 90 degrees—and the humidity reaches steam room-like levels, I switch over to an oil-free option," said our tester. "I like this one because it keeps my skin looking and feeling soft and helps my makeup go on smoothly." While you'll find the usual suspects like hyaluronic acid and aloe, it also contains a Japanese-sourced marine algae for added hydration.
Editor Tip: Try it alongside the brand's Hyaluronic Marine Hydrating Modeling Mask. "The result was Gigi [Hadid] skin-level good," said Allure associate beauty director Sarah Kinonen. "I felt completely confident without a stitch of makeup for the rest of the night—even with a fresh breakout chilling on my chin."
Key Ingredients: Japanese marine algae, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Gentle Exfoliator: Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer
Why It's Worth It: Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer is basically a fresh skin-care juice in a jar. Pollution is no match for this grease-free formula's antioxidant-rich moringa extracts, which are aided by the gentle exfoliating powers of papaya enzymes. And there's no need for silicone to make your skin feel smooth and hydrated—that's what the four types of hydrating hyaluronic acid are for.
Editor Tip: Since it does have exfoliating properties, make sure to follow it with sunscreen in the A.M.
Key Ingredients: Moringa extract, papaya extract, niacinamide | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Want more oily skin recs? We've got you:
- 15 Best Primers for Oily Skin to Minimize Mid-Day Sheen
- The 12 Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin to Provide Grease-Free Sun Protection
- The Best Foundations for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin Types
Now, watch Anitta take you through her 10-minute sweat-proof beauty routine:
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