For many people, adding a lightweight moisturizer to their skincare routine signals the start of summer. Just like cold drinks and shady spots, these refreshing formulas become especially welcome during hot, humid days. Others—particularly those with oily skin—rely on breathable moisturizers year-round. While face moisturizers are often associated with rich creams, these lightweight options fill an important need by providing just enough hydration without clogging pores, leaving a greasy shine, or feeling heavy on skin.
Vogue’s Top Lightweight Moisturizers
– Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer ($24)
– Best for Oily Skin: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream ($185)
– Best for Dry Skin: Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream ($54)
– Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator ($84)
– Best for Combination Skin: SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture ($78)
– Best for Mature Skin: Dr. Loretta Barrier Repair Gel Cream ($65)
– Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Oil-Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream ($20)
– Best for Humidity: Tatcha Water Cream ($72)
– Best Korean: Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro Soothing Cream ($32)
– Best for Active Breakouts: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream ($27)
These moisturizers stand out because of their water-based formulas, which absorb quickly without leaving a greasy residue. Yet they still provide enough hydration to keep skin plump and support the skin barrier. Below, dermatologists share their top picks for lightweight moisturizers, whether you need a day cream, night cream, or one that works for both.
### In This Article:
– What makes a moisturizer “lightweight”?
– What ingredients should you look for?
– Who should use a lightweight moisturizer?
– How is it different from a regular moisturizer?
– Are lightweight moisturizers good for oily skin?
– Meet the Experts
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### Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer
Price: $24
Why We Love It: Dr. Kseniya Kobets, a board-certified dermatologist, recommends this oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic formula. It contains glycerin, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid for hydration without clogging pores. The matte finish makes it great under makeup or for controlling shine.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, perlite
Size: 2.5 oz.
Best For: Oily and acne-prone skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Pros:
✔ Long-lasting mattifying effect
✔ Strengthens skin barrier
Cons:
✖ None noted
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### Best for Oily Skin: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream
Price: $185
Why We Love It: This lightweight version of the cult-favorite cream tackles wrinkles and dryness while controlling shine and minimizing pores. Dr. David Kim praises its quick absorption and gentle hydration that never feels heavy or sticky.
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
Pros:
✔ Reduces pore appearance
✔ Absorbs quickly
Cons:
✖ May not be hydrating enough for combination skin
✖ Can pill with other productsHere’s the rewritten text in fluent, natural English while preserving the original meaning:
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### Gel Cream
$54 AMAZON | $54 SEPHORA
Why We Love It: Most water-based moisturizers don’t nourish the skin barrier, which relies on lipids (fats). This one, however, is designed to strengthen it. Dr. Kim notes that it contains zinc PCA to control oil and niacinamide to brighten skin. The lightweight gel-cream texture deeply hydrates overnight without feeling heavy or sticky.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, zinc PCA
Size: 1.7 oz.
Best For: Dry or combination skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Love It
✔ Layers well under makeup
✔ Supports the skin barrier
Leave It
✖ Some users reported irritation
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### Best for Sensitive Skin: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
$84 NORDSTROM | $30 AMAZON
Why We Love It: This lightweight gel-cream doesn’t just hydrate—it locks in moisture for hours (up to 100, according to Clinique). It combines fermented aloe vera (for better absorption) and hyaluronic acid, plus vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection. The fragrance-free, oil-free formula works for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Aloe bio-ferment, hyaluronic acid, aloe water
Size: 1.0 oz., 1.7 oz., 2.5 oz., 4.2 oz.
Best For: All skin types, including very dry skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Cooling sensation
✔ Suits all skin types
Leave It
✖ Jar packaging isn’t hygienic
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### Best for Combination Skin: SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture
$78 SKINCEUTICALS | $78 DERMSTORE
Why We Love It: Made for oily skin that still gets dehydrated, this moisturizer uses hyaluronic acid for instant hydration and algae extract to minimize pores. It leaves skin dewy, not greasy, and works well under makeup.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, algae extract, vitamin E
Size: 60 ml
Best For: Dehydrated or dry skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Dewy finish (not overly matte)
✔ Doesn’t pill under makeup
Leave It
✖ Thicker texture than other options
✖ Jar packaging isn’t hygienic
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### Best for Mature Skin: Dr. Loretta Barrier Repair Gel Cream
$65 DERMSTORE | $65 SHOPBOP
Why We Love It: Unlike heavy anti-aging creams, this gel formula uses peptides to boost collagen, antioxidants to protect skin, and ceramides to strengthen the barrier. It softens fine lines without feeling greasy.
Key Ingredients: Peptides, ergothioneine, ceramides
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Oily and mature skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Absorbs quickly
✔ Doesn’t pill under makeup
Leave It
✖ Nothing major to note
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### Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Oil-Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream
$16–$20 AMAZON | $20 ULTA
Why We Love It: Dermatologist-approved, this gel-cream mattifies with silica while hydrating with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Its time-release formula keeps skin balanced and shine-free.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, silica
Size: 3 fl. oz.
Best For: Congested or combination skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Love It
✔ Long-lasting oil control
Leave It
✖ Can feel slightly tacky
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### Best for Fine Lines: RÉVIVE Hydrogel Moisturizer Hyaluronic Acid Water Cream
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Let me know if you’d like any refinements!Acid Water Cream
$195 | RÉVIVE SKINCARE
Why We Love It:
RÉVIVE focuses on prevention with this whipped cream, featuring four types of hyaluronic acid that target different skin layers. It also contains taurine, an algae-derived ingredient that boosts cell efficiency for plumper skin and delayed aging signs. Plus, the brand’s patented peptide helps reduce fine lines.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, taurine, niacinamide
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Mature skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Subtle plumping effect
✔ Absorbs quickly
Leave It
✖ Jar packaging isn’t hygienic
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Best for Shine: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel
$18 | BEAUTY OF JOSEON
Why We Love It:
This Korean gel moisturizer features red bean extract to control oil and improve elasticity. Enriched with peptides, it boosts collagen for firmer skin while leaving a matte finish—ideal for oily skin.
Key Ingredients: Red bean extract, peptides
Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Best For: Oily skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Long-lasting matte effect
✔ Refreshing jelly texture
Leave It
✖ Takes time to fully absorb
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Best for Redness: Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream
$68 | CHANEL
Why We Love It:
Chanel’s lightweight cream harnesses camellia flower water to balance moisture, while hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E plump and soothe skin—perfect for retinol users.
Key Ingredients: Camellia flower water, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Best For: Sensitive skin
Fragrance-Free: No
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Antioxidant protection
✔ Subtle plumping
Leave It
✖ Contains fragrance
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Best for Summer: Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
$24 | HADA LABO TOKYO
Why We Love It:
Designed for humid climates, this gel uses three hyaluronic acids to deeply hydrate, plus squalane and green tea extract to strengthen skin and fight free radicals.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, green tea
Size: 1.76 fl. oz.
Best For: Combination/oily skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Love It
✔ Antioxidant-rich
✔ Lightweight
Leave It
✖ Slightly sticky feel
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Best for Humidity: Tatcha Water Cream
$72 | TATCHA
Why We Love It:
This oil-free cream refines pores and hydrates without drying, thanks to gentle botanicals. Makeup artist Daniel Martin swears by it for humid weather.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, wild rose, heartleaf
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Oily skin
Fragrance-Free: No
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Minimizes pores
✔ Hydrating yet matte
Leave It
✖ Contains fragranceBest Korean: Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro Soothing Cream
Price: $32 at Sephora
Why We Love It:
Korean moisturizers are known for their hydrating and innovative formulas, and the Aestura Atobarrier365 Hydro Soothing Cream is no exception. Dr. Kim recommends it for its ceramide-rich formula, which helps maintain a healthy skin barrier. It also features cooling technology that reduces skin temperature by 10 degrees and soothes redness, making it ideal for warm weather.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, ceramides, allantoin
Size: 2.71 fl. oz.
Best For: Combination or oily skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Love It:
– Works well with retinoids
– Cools skin on application
Leave It:
– No major drawbacks noted
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Best for Active Breakouts: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream
Price: $27 on Amazon
Why We Love It:
Dr. Kim praises this cream for its calming ingredients—panthenol and centella asiatica—which help soothe irritated skin. It also works as a spot treatment, reducing redness and swelling from breakouts. The inclusion of niacinamide helps fade post-acne dark spots.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Acne-prone skin or those with acne scars
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It:
– Doubles as a spot treatment
Leave It:
– Requires long-term use for results
– Small tube size
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### Everything You Need to Know
What makes a moisturizer “lightweight”?
Lightweight moisturizers typically have a gel-like texture rather than a thick cream or lotion. Gels contain more water and may skip oils entirely, making them ideal for those who prefer a non-greasy feel.
What ingredients should you look for?
Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are common in lightweight moisturizers. These humectants draw moisture into the skin without clogging pores, making them great under makeup.
Who should use a lightweight moisturizer?
Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, as they hydrate without causing breakouts. They’re also a smart choice in hot, humid weather since they absorb quickly and don’t feel heavy. However, dry skin types may need something richer.However, he notes that people with very dry or mature skin might prefer a thicker, richer moisturizer. These typically contain more ceramides and fatty acids, which help strengthen the skin barrier to keep it soft and hydrated.
How is a lightweight moisturizer different from a regular one?
It comes down to the balance of ingredients. While the texture can be subjective, Dr. Kobets explains that the thickness of a moisturizer depends on the ratio of oils (or fats) to water. A lightweight moisturizer has more water than oil, while a richer formula contains more oil than water.
Are lightweight moisturizers good for oily skin?
Dr. Kim recommends lightweight moisturizers for those with oily or acne-prone skin. They provide just enough hydration without clogging pores, he says. Though it might seem surprising, moisturizing is still essential for oily skin—it helps maintain balanced moisture levels and prevents dehydration. So not only are lightweight moisturizers beneficial, they’re necessary.
Meet the Experts
– Dr. Kseniya Kobets, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
– Dr. David Kim, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.