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For those with skin that gets shiny by midday or constantly blotting excess oil, the idea of applying even the best moisturizer for the oily skin may seem counterintuitive, and understandably so. But the right formula is critical not only for supporting the skin barrier—an impairment of which can affect anyone, whatever their skin type—but also balancing oil levels on the skin, leaving it only with the moisture it needs and no more.
Although genetics largely dictate whether you’re predisposed to oily skin, factors like hormones, seasonal changes, and skin-care habits can influence oil production, too. And those who withhold oils and lipids in order to tamp down shine may inadvertently be doing more harm than good—and encourage the skin to produce more oil to account for the deficit. “The key is to find a balance of the skin’s oils production—and this is where proper moisturizing helps,” says Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, NY.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $38
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer, $78
- Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream, $20
- Best for Combination Skin: Dieux Air Angel Hydrating Gel Cream, $44
- Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lifte Fluide, $170
- Best Drugstore: La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer, $36
- Best for Sun Damage: SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3, $130
In this article:
- What causes oily skin?
- Does oily skin need moisturizer?
- What do dermatologists recommend for oily skin?
- Do people with oily skin need to use non-comedogenic skincare?
- Is serum or moisturizer better for oily skin?
- What to look for in a moisturizer for oily skin
- How often should you be moisturizing if you have oily skin?
- Can moisturizer cause acne in oily skin?
- Meet the experts
With that in mind, the best moisturizer for oily skin is one that delivers only as much hydration and moisture—which provide water and oil, respectively—as the skin needs without feeling heavy. Scroll ahead for those that fit the bill.
Best Overall: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
- Why We Love It: Belif was among the first K-beauty brands to arrive stateside, landing with a splash with its Aqua Bomb moisturizer. The product underwent a reformulation earlier this year, and now offers hyaluronic acid and niacinamide alongside its original Napiers formula (an herbal complex that refreshes and soothes skin in equal measure). This new combination allows it to quickly hydrate skin without a heavy or greasy feel.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, oat kernel extract
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: All skin types
- Fragrance-Free: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Absorbs quickly | Scent might not be for everyone |
| Imparts long-lasting hydration |
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Reformulated earlier this year, this weightless lotion works to resolve breakouts, soothe inflamed skin, and adequately hydrate in a single step. And it pulls that off with aplomb, thanks to a blend of botanical extracts, including lemon-myrtle extract which balances sebum levels, chlorella-based prebiotics to support the microbiome, and oat ceramides to supply moisture without clogging pores.
- Key Ingredients: Lemon-myrtle extract, chlorella extract, oat ceramides
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: Acne-prone or oily skin
- Fragrance-Free: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Quickly reduces redness | Contains essential oils |
| Lasting mattifying effect |
Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream
- Why We Love It: Barrier creams and lightweight moisturizer seem inherently at odds, as the former tend to be brimming with nourishing lipids. But this lightweight gel-cream defies expectations with its cushion-y feel and quick-absorbing texture. Not only that, but it also “contains all the ingredients to really moisturize the skin and strengthen the skin barrier like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, as well as silica and starch to keep oil at bay,” says Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, IL.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 3 fl. oz.
- Best For: Congested or combination skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lasting mattifying effect | Can have a tacky feel |
Best for Combination Skin: Dieux Air Angel Hydrating Gel Cream
- Why We Love It: While some lightweight formulas may not offer all the necessary hydration, that s not the case with this weightless, fragrance-free moisturizer. It s quick to penetrate skin, where it delivers 10% glycerin (to hydrate) and 1% amino acids (to firm and plump). What sets it apart, however, is its barrier-repair complex, a blend of peptides, ceramides, and other emollients that helps achieve and maintain long-term skin health.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, peptides
- Size: 2.53 fl. oz.
- Best For: Dehydrated skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a pleasant, cushion-y feel | Not nourishing enough for dry patches |
| Supports the skin barrier |
Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lifte Fluide
- Why We Love It: As its name implies, the intention of Chanel’s Le Lift line is to address signs of aging, leaving skin firm, supple, and more taut. But this formula offers an additional advantage for those with oily skin: it uses roucou seed extract to reduce shine and refine pores, leaving skin matte. It s also free of silicone, in the event you don t prefer its super-slick texture.
- Key Ingredients: Alfalfa concentrate, roucou extract
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: Those with signs of aging
- Fragrance-Free: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a lasting mattifying effect | Fragrance might not be for all |
| Imparts firming benefits |
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: Doing much of the work in this lightweight moisturizer are salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid, a derivative of the former that gently resurfaces skin to clear it of excess sebum and dead skin cells. In spite of that, “it’s very hydrating and soothing while having a mattifying effect,” says Dr. Ibrahim. A blend of perlite and silica, which absorb excess oil and lend a soft-focus finish to skin.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, lipo-hydroxy acid, thermal spring water
- Size: 1.35 fl. oz.
- Best For: Oily skin types
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces and prevents shine | Nothing to note |
| Doubles as a makeup primer |
Best for Sun Damage: SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
- Why We Love It: Although it s not a particularly new ingredient, niacinamide (the eponymous vitamin “B3”) has earned buzz as the rare active that can do it all—control oil production, quell inflammation, and even out skin tone all at once. That s why this lightweight cream pairs a generous 5% of the ingredient with peptides and 15% glycerin, which provides weightless hydration to skin. Together, they help address signs of premature aging and leave skin brighter and more radiant.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, glycerin
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: Mature skin types
- Fragrance-Free: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Nourishing enough for combination skin | The pump can be finicky |
| Works to fade dark spots and discoloration |
Best Mattifying: Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream
- Why We Love It: Though Kiehl s may be known (and beloved) for its line of barrier-repair creams, the brand also offers a unique gel moisturizer intended for a more shine-prone audience. It sets out to address collagen loss with a patented ingredient, ProxylaneGX, and adenosine, an amino acid that boosts elasticity. But it s the addition of capryloyl glycine, an ingredient that helps control oil, that leaves skin with a fresh, matte finish.
- Key Ingredients: ProxylaneGX, adenosine, capryloyl glycine
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz., 2.5 fl. oz.
- Best For: Very oily skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lasting mattifying effect | Has a slightly tacky consistency |
| Targets fine lines and wrinkles |
Best for Large Pores: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream
- Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s aptly named Magic Cream preceded her eponymous makeup and skin-care line; shared backstage with her A-list clientele, the formula was a go-to for its ability to smooth and soften skin and, not surprisingly, became one of the brand s inaugural products. “For those who like the original Magic Cream but find it too rich for their skin, this is a great alternative,” says Dr. Ibrahim. “The texture of this moisturizer is really smooth and luxurious.” It plumps skin, refines pores, and soothes with niacinamide in a matter of moments—without silicones or fragrance, no less.
- Key Ingredients: Beta glucan, niacinamide, peptides
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz., 2.2 fl. oz.
- Best For: Those with large pores
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Bouncy, cushion texture sinks in quickly | Can leave skin looking a little dewy |
| Targets large pores |
Best Brightening: Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
- Why We Love It: As powerful as they may be for stimulating collagen production and brightening skin tone, retinol creams aren’t true moisturizers, as retinol is inherently drying. However, “this moisturizer is unique in that it combines bakuchiol with natural humectants, which draws moisture into the skin,” says Dr. Lolis. Bakuchiol is a plant-based retinol alternative that comes without its irritating side effects; still, it “gently exfoliates and regulates oil production,” she says. The bouncy, weightless texture also makes it suitable for oily skin types, Dr. Lolis adds.
- Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, squalane
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: Combination skin, mature skin
- Fragrance-Free: No
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Bakuchiol targets fine lines and wrinkles | Takes a few minutes to fully absorb |
| Has a slight plumping effect |
Best Soothing: Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel
- Why We Love It: This Japanese beauty brand celebrates an ingredient called hatomugi, or coix seed; it s a medicinal herb that helps quell the inflammation behind redness and acne. That s indeed the case with this watery gel moisturizer, which drenches skin in hydration without leaving a heavy feel—making it popular in Japan during hot, humid summers.
- Key Ingredients: Coix seed, vitamin E, glycerin
- Size: 180 ml
- Best For: Inflamed or stressed skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Has a light, serum-like texture | May not be moisturizing enough for winter |
| Absorbs upon application |
Best for Glass Skin: Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
- Why We Love It: Glass skin—that is, skin so smooth and luminous that it looks like glass—can be hard to achieve for those with oily skin, as some formulas leave skin overly matte and flat. That s where this formula from K-beauty powerhouse is different. Nearly 30% of the formula is made of vitamin-rich rice bran water, while 2% niacinamide helps balance oil production. It does have a creamier texture than other moisturizers, but that s what enables it to leave skin with a dewy (yet not greasy) glow.
- Key Ingredients: Rice bran extract, ginseng extract, niacinamide
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Best For: All skin types
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Leaves skin glowing | May feel a bit heavy for some |
| Works to even out skin tone over time |
Best Plumping: Hanacure Nano Emulsion
- Why We Love It: You may recall Hanacure for its facial, an at-home beauty treatment that lifts and firms skin in just 30 minutes. Its moisturizer is no less efficient: it uses nanotechnology to encourage its ingredients—hyaluronic acid, peptides, and squalane among them—to penetrate more quickly, delivering immediate bounce and hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
- Best For: Most skin types
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Delivers immediate results | Can take time to determine the right dosage |
| A little goes a long way |
Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream
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- Why We Love It: Augustinus Bader made a name for itself with its simply titled The Cream and The Rich Cream, both of which paired the brand s signature ingredient—a proprietary innovation born of burn research that encourages cellular renewal—in nourishing formulations. The technology is now available to those prone to oil in the form of The Light Cream, which mattifies the skin, prevents water loss, and dials down irritation.
- Key Ingredients: Lemon myrtle extract, baobab extract, rice bran oil
- Size: 1 fl. oz.
- Best For: Mature or oily skin
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: No
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces the look of pores | May not be hydrating enough for combination skin |
| Sinks in quickly | Prone to pilling |
Best Firming: Shani Darden Skin Care Hydration Peptide Cream
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- Why We Love It: Rather than relying on heavy oils, this formula delivers just the right amount of moisture with a blend of squalane and ceramides, which are naturally found in the skin barrier, and Hydrosella, an ingredient that provides long-lasting hydration. The latter has an immediate plumping effect, but the titular peptides work long-term to firm skin and leave it taut.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
- Best For: Mature skin types
- Fragrance-Free: Yes
- Non-Comedogenic: Yes
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Made without silicone | May not suit sensitive skin types |
| Targets signs of aging |
What causes oily skin?
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands churn out more sebum—the waxy substance that serves as your skin’s innate moisturizer—than your skin needs. These glands are largely regulated by hormones. “High levels of androgen production stimulate more sebum production,” says Dr. Ibrahim. While genetics are a baseline factor, “people tend to have more oily skin during puberty, shifts in hormones, or if they have conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome that affect their hormone balance,” he says.
Genetics can also set you up for oily skin, as can your diet and the climate, says Dr. Lolis; research shows an uptick in sebum production in the summer months. Stress can also be a factor, says Dr. Lolis. It triggers the release of cortisol, which in turn leads to an increase in oil production.
Does oily skin need moisturizer?
Generally, those with oily skin need moisturizer. Although you may produce more than enough oil, “oily skin does not mean your skin is hydrated,” says Dr. Lolis. (Hydration typically refers to water content, not oil.) “In fact, lack of hydration can lead to an overproduction of sebum as the skin tries to compensate for dryness.”
That can be especially critical to keep in mind if you’re treating acne, since many acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, can be drying on skin—which is how they work. “Skin that is too dry will produce more oil to compensate,” says Dr. Ibrahim. “Those that live in dry climates can also benefit from applying moisturizer, as dry air stimulates the sebaceous gland, too.”
What do dermatologists recommend for oily skin?
Dermatologists recommend using facial moisturizers that are hydrating, yet lightweight. A given formula “should absorb relatively quickly and it shouldn’t feel like there is a film sitting on top of the skin," says Dr. Ibrahim. "However, the skin shouldn’t feel dry and tight after just 15 minutes. It should feel comfortable." He also recommends avoiding skin-care products with heavy plant butters as well as waxes and wax esters, which could inadvertently add more shine and leave skin feeling greasier than usual.
Do people with oily skin need to use noncomedogenic skincare?
It’s not a must, but it doesn’t hurt to look for, especially if you have acne-prone skin. “Non-comedogenic skincare is the term designed for ingredients and products that are non-pore-clogging,” says Dr. Ibrahim. “It can be helpful to look for products that say ‘non-comedogenic’ on the label, but there are plenty of lightweight, suitable moisturizing creams that do not use the term.”
Is serum or moisturizer better for oily skin?
It depends on your skin. If you live in a humid climate, an ultra-light water gel or hydrating serum may offer enough nourishing ingredients for your skin. That may be the case in the summer, too, says Dr. Ibrahim, who notes that broad-spectrum sunscreens often contain emollient ingredients that offer moisture in addition to sun protection.
However, for most people where dryness is also a skin concern, a true moisturizing lotion may be better. “Although a hydrating serum can provide moisture, it typically lacks the emollient ingredients that lock in moisture and provide a protective barrier,” says Dr. Lolis.
What to look for in a moisturizer for oily skin
First, look for the word “non-comedogenic” on the packaging. That means that it won’t clog the pores, which could trigger acne. Next, look for gel-like or lightweight textures, says Dr. Ibrahim. “These moisturizers tend to have a higher ratio of humectants and emollients over occlusives,” he explains. If you don’t want to do a deep dive into an ingredient list, the texture can often be a quick tip-off as to whether it’s suitable for oily skin.
However, a peek at the ingredient list can still be helpful. Dr. Lolis recommends looking for lightweight hydrators, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin; as humectants, these draw water into the skin. She also points to niacinamide, which can help regulate oil production, whereas salicylic acid can help unclog pores and fight bacteria.
On the other hand, steer clear of butters and waxes. “Those with oily skin may find that a moisturizer that’s higher in occlusives to be too rich, as if it just sits on top of the skin,” says Dr. Ibrahim. He also advises against formulas that contain waxes or wax esters, as they can also feel too heavy for oily skin.
How often should you be moisturizing if you have oily skin?
Moisturizing should be a daily habit. Apply it directly after your serum to help seal in active ingredients and lock in moisture. Again, the only shift in your routine should come with the seasons: a hydrating serum in the summer may suffice, whereas a standard moisturizer is preferable the rest of the year.
Can moisturizer cause acne in oily skin?
Depending on the formulation, it’s entirely possible for moisturizer to cause acne, especially if it contains comedogenic ingredients—meaning they clog pores. To avoid that, “always look for moisturizers that are non-comedogenic,” says Dr. Lolis.
Meet the experts
- Margarita Lolis, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, NY.
- Omer Ibrahim, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, IL.