9 of the best moisturisers for people with oily skin
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 6 minutes
Finding a moisturiser for shine-prone skin can be tricky, but a new generation of formulas offers long-lasting hydration that doesn’t feel heavy or sticky
Like a fish on a bicycle or oil and vinegar, some things just don’t seem to mesh. Which is why adding a daily moisturiser to oily skin can seem counterintuitive for many. Our skin is already greasy enough, thanks!
But finding the right moisturiser for oily skin can help promote overall skin health, especially when the recent slew of innovative new formulas are less likely to clog pores and can help control shine and keep skin in balance. Here, a skin expert clears up common moisturiser myths and gives us her top tips on how to pick the best moisturiser for your needs.
What is oily skin?
Repeat after us: oily skin is not caused by a lack of washing your face. "Sebum is an oily substance that’s secreted by the sebaceous glands located in the hair follicles of the skin," explains Dr Catharine Denning, advanced aesthetic doctor. "It’s composed of fats, waxes and squalene, giving it an oily, waxy texture that, if overproduced, can leave skin feeling oily and looking shiny and greasy.
"In some people, these glands can be more active. There are many reasons for excess oil, including stress, humidity, genetics and fluctuating hormones."
However, Dr Denning highlights that sebum is by no means a bad thing. It’s important for healthy skin as it stops it from drying out. But when produced in excess, it may lead to skin feeling clogged. "If this isn’t cleaned off the skin regularly, it can solidify in the hair follicles blocking them, potentially leading to congestion and even breakouts," Dr Denning explains.
Should I moisturise if I have oily skin?
Spoiler alert: moisturiser is always a good idea. "No matter what your skin type, the skin needs to maintain its barrier function, of which hydration is a key part," says Dr Denning.
Does moisturiser make your skin oily?
It completely depends on the ingredients of the moisturiser. "If the moisturiser itself contains oils, then it can contribute to an oily feel to the skin. Occlusive ingredients, such as petrolatum and waxes, can also encourage the trapping of oil in the hair follicles and may lead to breakouts", says Dr Denning.
Instead, "opt for moisturisers that are high in ceramides", Dr Denning recommends. "And use non-comedogenic ingredients (these are less likely to clog pores) to hydrate, such as humectant hydrators, hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA (the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid that is part of skin’s natural moisturising factor) and glycerine." These can help provide the type of lightweight, refreshing hydration oily skin has been searching for.
That being said, it can still be a good idea to switch-up your skincare to suit the seasons. "Hydration is a balancing act in most skin, and your skin’s requirements will change depending on many factors including weather, hormones and central heating levels, among other factors," says Dr Denning. "Most people may not want to use the same moisturiser all year round."
How can you tell if it’s time to make a swap? "It’s possible to tell if your skin’s adequately hydrated if it isn’t flaking, itchy and tight," says Dr Denning. "But too heavy a moisturiser over oily skin can lead to a residue where it hasn't been absorbed properly, which may feel oily or look shiny as a result.
"If your skin’s adequately hydrated, moisturiser should feel unnoticeable, especially under make-up."
What moisturiser is best for oily skin?
"Try lightweight, oil- and comedogenic-ingredient free products to help reduce the risk of breakouts, while still hydrating the skin," explains Dr Denning.
An ingredient that’s great alongside ceramides and humectants like sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and glycerine? Niacinamide. "Niacinamide is great, especially for sensitive, oily skin as it helps calm and soothe, maintains the skin barrier function and can also help minimise the appearance of pores and regulate sebum production," says Dr Denning.
"If congestion is an issue, moisturisers with ingredients like salicylic acid, azelaic acid and lactic acid may help unclog pores and/or resurface skin."
And while SPF should be worn everyday, no matter what, it’s even more of a necessity if any of these acids are worn during the day, as some can increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Simply add a broad-spectrum sunscreen as the last step in your skincare regime to help protect skin from harmful UV rays.
Check out our guide to the best sunscreens for oily skin for some add-to-cart inspo.
Are there any circumstances when a moisturiser should be avoided?
"Generally speaking, by choosing the right moisturiser, anyone should be able to use it at any time," says Dr Denning. "Always layer it last in your skincare routine, underneath your sunscreen."
Moisturiser has year-round value – even if you’re in a hot country or when on holiday. "Most lightweight, humectant-based moisturisers can be used in humid conditions," Dr Denning adds. "If the skin feels heavy, even with a very lightweight moisturiser, try using it only in the evening. But it's important, particularly in hot climates, to moisturise the skin as it will be losing water and lipids at a higher rate."
Here’s our pick of 9 of the best moisturisers for oily skin
From water-gel textures to matte finish formulas, here are nine of our team's favourite moisturisers for oily skin types that have also received glowing reviews online.
Shop more face creams for shine-prone skin in our full range.
Best all-rounder
Try: Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream
• Size: 50ml
• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Gel-cream texture
Consider this gel-textured cream the perfect balance of a treat and treatment. Combining the cooling feel of a gel with the lasting hydration of a cream, it’s infused with a cocooning blend of skin-loving ingredients, including green tea and niacinamide, with a tri-ceramide complex to support skin’s barrier function.
Best for a matte finish
Try: La Roche-Posay Effaclar MAT Moisturiser
• Size: 40ml
• Oil-free
If skin is more shiny than luminous, help is at hand. This oil-free formula boasts anti-shine properties, helping to reduce the appearance of pores and excess sebum while providing long-lasting hydration. That’s what we call a triple threat.
Best non-greasy moisturiser
Try: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
• Size: 125ml
• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Gel-cream moisturiser
An oil-free version of a cult classic, this non-greasy, lightweight gel cream is enriched with natural ingredients, imperata cylindrica root extract and antarcticine to help skin retain moisture and balance oil levels. It absorbs quickly, leaving skin looking silky-smooth with a matte finish and zero residue.
Best budget oil-free moisturiser
Try: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
• Size: 50ml
• Oil-free
• Water-gel texture
With a hard-working hyaluronic gel matrix, this refreshing water-gel moisturiser provides great value for money and noticeable hydration. Refreshingly lightweight and oil-free, it provides the results of moisturisers double its price.
Best for under make-up
Try: Boots Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser
• Size: 30ml
• Vegan-friendly
Like your skincare routine to be simple and effective? You’ll love this plant-derived hyaluronic acid moisturiser. Deeply hydrating, this moisturiser leaves skin appearing brighter, smoother and ready for anything you want to layer on top.
Best for lightweight hydration
Try: No7 HydraLuminous Water Surge Gel Oil Free
• Size: 50ml
• Oil-free
• Gel moisturiser
This lightweight moisture is great for quenching skin's thirst. Formulated to weightlessly hydrate, simply smooth onto your face and neck post-cleanse to leave skin looking fresh and glowy.
Best for multi-tasking
Try: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
• Size: 50ml
• Oil-free
• Fragrance-free
• Alcohol-free
• Gel-cream texture
Not only does this refreshing, oil-free gel-cream deeply hydrate, it helps skin look more plump and get its healthy glow on, thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe bio-ferment. Apply as a face moisturiser, five-minute mask, dewy highlighter by dotting onto temples or as a luxurious cuticle treatment when used on nails. We love a multi-tasker.
Best tinted moisturiser for oily skin
Try: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF20
• Size: 50ml
• Oil-free
• 20 shades
• Demi-matte finish
• Sheer coverage
• SPF20
Providing a veil of sheer, demi-matte colour, this luxe formula from Laura Mercier also contains clever oil-absorbing powders to help keep skin shine-free for longer. And with non-greasy hydrators to ensure skin doesn’t feel dry, it provides the perfect balance of coverage and comfort.
Best for improving the appearance of skin texture
Try: CeraVe Blemish Control Gel
• Size: 40ml
• Contains 2% salicylic acid
With three essential ceramides and a powerful, exfoliating blend of alpha and beta-hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid, this lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturiser can be applied all over the face or for targeted use. Because of its more active ingredients (which may increase skin’s sensitivity to the sun), it’s best applied at night, followed up with an SPF in the morning to protect skin from harmful UV rays.
