It might seem counterintuitive to apply more moisture on top of an already oily face. But skipping out on moisturizer because you have oily skin can do more harm than good. Your skin might be struggling with excessive oil production because it is thirsty. Hydration responds to that dehydration, which, in turn, manages oil control.
"People with oily skin also need to moisturize after cleansing to help ensure the integrity of the skin barrier, and restore natural oils removed in the cleansing process," explains double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. Thus, you'll want to look for moisturizers that have a lightweight gel texture, label themselves as 'matte' or 'oil-free,' along with oil-controlling ingredients, such as salicylic acid and niacinamide, to hydrate without boosting oiliness.
Below, you’ll find some of the best moisturizers for oily skin that our experts and editors say reduce shine and minimize pores.
Why is using moisturizer for oily skin important?
Moisturizer is an essential step in an oily skin routine to balance oil production. "When your skin is dehydrated, it panics and produces even more oil to compensate," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth. "Keeping your skin properly hydrated helps signal to your oil glands to relax, which can lead to more balanced, less shiny skin over time."
Dr. Sandra Oska, a board-certified dermatologist, emphasizes that "oily skin and dehydrated skin can co-exist" and the best way to tackle both is by choosing a moisturizer that "addresses the dehydration without further congesting the skin."
Key ingredients to look for in a moisturizer for oily skin
The right ingredients and features in a moisturizer for oily skin include ingredients that equally hydrate and support the skin barrier without clogging pores. That includes:
Hyaluronic acid: "Humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, draw water into the skin without making the skin feel greasy," shares Oska.
Niacinamide: This ingredient can "calm inflammation and regulate oil production," explains Ruth. In turn, niacinamide can address other issues like redness, texture and hyperpigmentation that oily skin types might experience.
Ceramides: Ceramides protect the top of the skin barrier, helping it stay strong and resilient against outside factors. "It is less about adding oil and more about adding water and balance," says Ruth.
Salicylic acid: "Salicylic acid is an acne-fighting ingredient that may be useful for those with acne-prone skin looking for a product that offers moisture and protection against new breakouts," explains Camp.
Texture: All of our experts suggested that lightweight and/or gel moisturizers are the best formulas to shop for over heavy creams. These textures can feel lighter on the skin and non-greasy.
Mattifying properties: Along with the ingredients listed, silica, and bentonite and kaolin clay can boost "a matte effect to reduce shine" and "absorb excess oil on the skin surface," shares Camp.
Oska says the ingredients to avoid are just as important as the above, and recommends ditching products with "heavy silicones and occlusive oils, like coconut or mineral oil," for those prone to congestion and oiliness.
Best moisturizers for oily skin, according to dermatologists and editors
Best mattifying moisturizer:
Quick take: Controls shine with a 0.5% salicylic acid formulation to naturally 'mattify' the skin.
For consistent shine-control (that also doesn't enhance dryness), Camp recommends this pick from CeraVe. "Formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, this lightweight, mattifying moisturizer helps to clear and prevent breakouts," he explains. "Additional ingredients like bisabolol, kojic acid and licorice help address blemishes left over from older pimples."
Best nighttime moisturizer:
Quick take: Designed for nighttime use, but can also be applied for daily, non-irritating hydration.
When it comes to the best CeraVe products, the PM Moisturizer reigns at the top for some of our experts and editors, especially if you have oily skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Papri Sarkar says it is a highly rated pick because it is non-drying and non-irritating after using active ingredients or an acne regimen.
“It contains ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate without adding heaviness," she adds. Ruth also notes that this makes the cream an ideal product to “support the skin barrier," especially in irritated, oily skin.
Senior social media editor Kate McCarthy adds that she has been using CeraVe products for years, and just recently added the moisturizer to her routine. "It’s super lightweight and not too heavy, which is perfect for my skin that tends to get oily,” she says. Deputy editorial director Alexandra Deabler also uses the moisturizer and says it feels "light" and moisturizes well.
Best moisturizer with SPF:
Quick take: A face moisturizer with SPF that offers long-lasting hydration.
Looking for a moisturizer with SPF? This moisturizer from La Roche-Posay has optimal broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection at 30 SPF. Plus, “the product combines niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide and prebiotic thermal water to adequately hydrate the skin and restore its natural barrier, while providing the SPF protection you need,” Dr. Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist, previously recommended to us.
Best moisturizer for acne-prone skin:
Quick take: Use to relieve active blemishes and post-blemish skin.
Regardless of age, anyone can be prone to acne. Dr. Althea's 345 Relief Cream acts like an ointment to address blemishes, both during and after. To assist, the brand says the product uses three blemish-relief ingredients, four nourishing ingredients and five soothing ingredients to calm irritated and inflamed skin.
Best drugstore moisturizer (and multi-derm loved):
Quick take: A multi-dermatologist loved moisturizer for its fast-absorbing hydration.
When we asked our experts what moisturizers they recommend for oily skin, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel was a common answer because it "is smooth and dries to a matte finish,” explains Sarkar. And is packed with oily-skin friendly hydration from hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Oska says she "consistently recommends the product," especially for patients especially for patients "who are skeptical that their skin needs a moisturizer." She adds that it "blends into the skin right away," so it shouldn't leave a heavy, greasy feel.
Best moisturizer for sensitive skin:
Quick take: Only uses nine ingredients to soothe and hydrate.
“This is super lightweight yet still feels like a cream without the heavy feel that some of my patients with oily skin hate,” explains Sarkar. “Oatmeal extract soothes irritated skin, while squalene helps to replenish the oil balance. It’s fragrance-free, so sensitive skin types may reach for it, too," as it only has just nine ingredients.
Best moisturizer to address pores:
Quick take: Pore-blurring and -balancing with a velvety finish.
“As somebody who has larger pores, this product’s name immediately caught my attention,” claims deputy managing editor Jess Bender. “While it delivers on its promise (kind of — I’m not entirely poreless, but it’s helped minimize their appearance over time), it’s also brought additional benefits like balancing out my skin tone and leaving my face with ample hydration during drier winter months so far.”
Best K-beauty moisturizer:
Quick take: Feels like 'water' on the skin to address hydration without the heaviness.
Fan of K-beauty? Take a peek at this dermatologist-loved moisturizer from K-Beauty brand Belif. “This light, gel-like cream feels like water when you apply it to the skin, but has staying power without heaviness,” explains Sarkar. “It has a combination of oat kernel and plant extracts that hydrate and condition, while ceramides and cholesterol boost oils without heaviness. Although this formula contains a small amount of shea butter, it still feels surprisingly light and doesn’t seem to clog pores.”
Most lightweight:
Quick take: Described as highly lightweight by our expert for 'weightless' hydration.
"Made with ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, green tea and algae extract, this ultra-light moisturizer is ideal for oily skin that needs hydration and antioxidant protection," suggests Camp. The brand recommends it as the last step in your nighttime routine to restore and refresh skin for the AM, but incorporate it into your skin care where it is best.
Best moisturizer under makeup:
Quick take: Apply underneath makeup to create a smooth and shine-free canvas.
This fast-absorbing moisturizer has incredibly lightweight hydration that feels non-greasy and leaves a shine-free, smooth finish on the skin. According to the brand, this makes it a great base for makeup.
“It’s hydrating, but doesn’t clog my pores," adds senior editor Julie Ricevuto. "I’ve noticed fewer blackheads than usual when I wear it. It feels weightless!”
Best moisturizer for combination skin:
Quick take: Delivers a dewy finish without clogging pores or leaving a heavy residue.
For those with combination to oily skin, our most recent Beauty Awards labeled Tatcha’s Dewy Milk Moisturizer as a winner. If you’re familiar with the brand’s Dewy Skin Cream, this launch is inspired by the original cream’s radiant glow. But since that moisturizer is heavier in texture for those prone to oiliness, this version has more lightweight and oil-balancing hydration. However, you can still expect loads of dewiness.
Best moisturizer for aging skin:
Quick take: Tackles common skin concerns, from aging to texture, while boosting hydration.
Production associate Audrey Eckman has been using Charlotte Tilbury‘s award-winning Water Cream since 2023 because of its lightweight formula and similar aging perks to the OG Magic Cream, including addressing fine lines and overall texture.
“I have used it twice daily for the last few months (both as a base for my makeup and overnight), and I have really seen my skin’s texture and hydration improve,” she said. “For the first time in my life, I’ve actually gotten complimented on my skin!”
Best gel texture:
Quick take: Offers triple the hydration with a lightweight gel feel.
Ruth raves that her patients are fans of the Tatcha The Water Cream because of its light gel texture. The formula is designed to deliver 3x hydration for up to 72 hours, per the brand, while improving pores and texture.
Frequently asked questions
Oily and acne-prone skin types have their overlaps, but they're not exactly alike. "Oily skin means your sebaceous glands (aka oil glands) are more active, while acne-prone skin involves clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation," explains Ruth. "You can be oily without breaking out, and you can have acne without being very oily. But when both overlap, that is when we tend to see more persistent breakouts."
Though, their similarities lie in their excess sebum production. "The excess sebum creates an environment where Cutibacterium acnes (the bacteria implicated in acne) can thrive, which is why oily skin is a risk factor for acne-prone skin," Oska shares.
All of our experts recommended gel, gel-cream or water-based formulas for an oily skin routine. Look out for descriptors like lightweight, oil-free and non-comedogenic to boost oil control.
“These deliver hydration without the occlusive, heavy feel of waxy or oil-based products,” shares Oska. You also don’t want to “overdo it with cleansing” to reduce oiliness. “I see patients who are washing their face three or four times a day thinking they’re controlling oil, but they’re actually stripping the skin and compromising the skin barrier,” the dermatologist shares.
And if you can tolerate it, Ruth “almost always” recommends “a prescription retinoid for patients,” but “if they can’t tolerate it, then I have them start with an over-the-counter product with retinol in it.”
How we chose the best moisturizers for oily skin
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. We based on picks for the best moisturizers for oily skin on expert-recommended and editor-tested products.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on bronzing drops. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Papri Sarkar is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston.
- Dr. Nicole Ruth is a board-certified dermatologist at Weiser Skin MD in New York City.
- Dr. Sandra Oska is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Institute & Skin Cancer Center.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
- Dr. Omer Ibrahim, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.
