If your skin gets shiny by midday or you’re constantly blotting away excess oil, the idea of using moisturizer might seem unnecessary—but the right formula is actually essential. A good moisturizer helps maintain your skin’s barrier (which everyone needs, regardless of skin type) and balances oil production, giving your skin just the right amount of hydration without overdoing it.
While genetics play a big role in oily skin, factors like hormones, seasonal changes, and skincare habits also affect oil production. Skipping moisturizer to avoid shine can backfire—your skin may actually produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration.
“The key is balancing your skin’s oil production, and that’s where proper moisturizing comes in,” says Dr. Margarita Lolis, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York.
### Our Top Picks:
– Best Overall: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb ($38)
– Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tata Harper Clarifying Lotion ($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 Lift Fluide ($170)
– Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer ($36)
– Best for Sun Damage: SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 ($130)
### What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Oily Skin:
The best moisturizer for oily skin provides hydration (water) and moisture (oil) without feeling heavy. Below are our top recommendations.
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### Best Overall: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
Price: $38
Why We Love It: One of the first K-beauty brands to gain popularity in the U.S., Belif’s Aqua Bomb moisturizer was recently reformulated to include hyaluronic acid and niacinamide alongside its original herbal blend. The result? Fast hydration without greasiness.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, oat kernel extract
Size: 1.7 oz
Best For: All skin types
Pros: Absorbs quickly, long-lasting hydration
Cons: Scent may not appeal to everyone
### Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Tata Harper Clarifying Lotion
Price: $78
Why We Love It: This lightweight lotion tackles breakouts, soothes irritation, and hydrates all at once, thanks to lemon-myrtle extract (balances oil), chlorella prebiotics (supports skin health), and oat ceramides (locks in moisture).
Key Ingredients: Lemon-myrtle extract, chlorella extract, oat ceramides
Size: 1.7 oz
Best For: Oily or acne-prone skin
Pros: Reduces redness, mattifying effect
Cons: Contains essential oils
### Best for Sensitive Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream
Price: $20
Why We Love It: This gel-cream feels cushiony yet absorbs quickly, making it ideal for oily skin. It also contains… (text continues)Here’s the rewritten text in fluent, natural English while preserving the original meaning:
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Key Ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid deeply moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier, while silica and starch help control oil, says Dr. Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago.
Best for Combination Skin: Dieux Air Angel Hydrating Gel Cream
Price: $44
Why We Love It: This lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer delivers deep hydration with 10% glycerin and 1% amino acids to firm and plump the skin. Its standout feature is a barrier-repair blend of peptides and ceramides for long-term skin health.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, ceramides, peptides
Size: 2.53 fl. oz.
Best For: Dehydrated skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Pros: Pleasant, cushiony feel, supports skin barrier
Cons: May not be nourishing enough for dry patches
Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Le Lift Fluide
Price: $170
Why We Love It: Designed to firm and tighten aging skin, this formula also controls shine with roucou seed extract and refines pores. Silicone-free for those who prefer a less slick texture.
Key Ingredients: Alfalfa concentrate, roucou extract
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Signs of aging
Fragrance-Free: No
Non-Comedogenic: No
Pros: Long-lasting mattifying effect, firming benefits
Cons: Fragrance may not suit everyone
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Moisturizer
Price: $36
Why We Love It: Salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid gently exfoliate to remove excess oil and dead skin cells, while perlite and silica absorb shine for a soft-focus finish. Hydrating yet mattifying.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, lipo-hydroxy acid, thermal spring water
Size: 1.35 fl. oz.
Best For: Oily skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Pros: Reduces shine, doubles as a makeup primer
Cons: None noted
Best for Sun Damage: SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
Price: $130
Why We Love It: Niacinamide (vitamin B3) controls oil, reduces inflammation, and evens skin tone. This cream combines 5% niacinamide with peptides and 15% glycerin for hydration, improving radiance and premature aging signs.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, peptides, glycerin
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Mature skin
Fragrance-Free: No
Non-Comedogenic: No
Pros: Fades dark spots, nourishing for combination skin
Cons: Pump can be finicky
Best Mattifying: Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream
Price: $76–$98
Why We Love It: Known for barrier repair, Kiehl’s also offers this gel moisturizer for shine-prone skin. It targets collagen loss with ProxylaneGX and adenosine to boost elasticity.
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Key Ingredient: Capryloyl glycine helps control oil, leaving 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: Lasting mattifying effect
Leave It: Slightly tacky consistency
Targets: Fine lines and wrinkles
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### Best for Large Pores: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream
Price: $65 (Nordstrom, Revolve)
Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s original Magic Cream was a backstage favorite for its ability to smooth and soften skin. This lighter version is perfect for those who find the original too rich. Dr. Ibrahim praises its smooth, luxurious texture. It plumps skin, refines pores, and soothes with niacinamide—all without silicones or fragrance.
Key Ingredients: Beta glucan, niacinamide, peptides
Size: 1.7 fl. oz., 2.2 fl. oz.
Best For: Large pores
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It: Bouncy texture that absorbs quickly
Leave It: Can leave skin slightly dewy
Targets: Large pores
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### Best Brightening: Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer
Price: $60 ($48 on Amazon, $60 at Credo Beauty)
Why We Love It: Unlike retinol creams, which can be drying, this moisturizer combines bakuchiol (a gentle retinol alternative) with hydrating ingredients. Dr. Lolis notes that it exfoliates and regulates oil without irritation. The lightweight texture makes it great for oily skin.
Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid, squalane
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Best For: Combination and mature skin
Fragrance-Free: No
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It: Targets fine lines and wrinkles
Leave It: Takes a few minutes to absorb
Bonus: Slight plumping effect
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### Best Soothing: Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel
Price: $14 ($12 on Amazon, $16 at Stylevana)
Why We Love It: This Japanese gel moisturizer contains hatomugi (coix seed), a calming herb that reduces redness and acne. Its watery texture hydrates without heaviness, making it a summer favorite in Japan.
Key Ingredients: Coix seed, vitamin E, glycerin
Size: 180 ml
Best For: Inflamed or stressed skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It: Light, serum-like texture
Leave It: May not be moisturizing enough for winter
Bonus: Absorbs instantly
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### Best for Glass Skin: Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream
Price: $24 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Achieving “glass skin” (smooth, luminous skin) can be tricky for oily skin, but this K-beauty cream balances dewiness without greasiness. It contains rice bran water and niacinamide to even tone and control oil.
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: Leaves a radiant glow
Leave It: May feel heavy for some
Bonus: Evens skin tone over time
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### Best Plumping: Hanacure Nano Emulsion
Price: $118 (Violet Grey, Neiman Marcus, Amazon)
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### At-Home Beauty Treatment
This facial treatment lifts and firms skin in just 30 minutes. The moisturizer is just as effective, using nanotechnology to help key ingredients—like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and squalane—absorb faster for instant hydration and bounce.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane
Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Best For: Most skin types
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: No
Love It
✔ Delivers immediate results
✔ A little goes a long way
Leave It
✖ Can take time to find the right amount
### Best Splurge: Augustinus Bader The Light Cream
Price: $190
Why We Love It:
Augustinus Bader became famous for its original creams, which use a patented ingredient developed from burn research to promote cell renewal. The Light Cream is a lighter version for oily skin—it mattifies, locks in moisture, and soothes 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
✔ Reduces the look of pores
✔ Absorbs quickly
Leave It
✖ May not be hydrating enough for combination skin
✖ Can pill (form small flakes)
### Best Firming: Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream
Price: $60
Why We Love It:
Instead of heavy oils, this cream uses squalane, ceramides, and Hydrosella for deep hydration. Peptides work over time to firm skin, while hyaluronic acid plumps instantly.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane
Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Best For: Mature skin
Fragrance-Free: Yes
Non-Comedogenic: Yes
Love It
✔ Silicone-free
✔ Targets signs of aging
Leave It
✖ May not suit sensitive skin
### What Causes Oily Skin?
Oily skin happens when sebaceous glands produce too much sebum—your skin’s natural moisturizer. Hormones, especially androgens, play a big role. Genetics, puberty, hormonal changes (like PCOS), diet, and climate can also increase oiliness. Research shows sebum production rises in summer. Stress triggers cortisol, which can also boost oil.
### Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizer?
Yes! Oily skin doesn’t always mean hydrated skin. In fact, dehydration can make skin produce even more oil to compensate. This is especially important if you use acne treatments (like salicylic acid), which can dry out skin. Dry climates can also stimulate oil production, so moisturizing helps balance it.
### What Do Dermatologists Recommend for Oily Skin?
Dermatologists suggest lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers that don’t leave a greasy feel.
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Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!“The moisturizer should feel like a film sitting on top of the skin,” says Dr. Ibrahim. “But your skin shouldn’t feel dry and tight after just 15 minutes—it should stay comfortable.” He also suggests avoiding skincare products with heavy plant butters, waxes, or wax esters, as these can add unwanted shine and make skin feel greasier than usual.
### Do people with oily skin need non-comedogenic skincare?
It’s not mandatory, but it doesn’t hurt—especially if you’re acne-prone. “Non-comedogenic means the product won’t clog pores,” explains Dr. Ibrahim. “While helpful, many lightweight moisturizers work well for oily skin even if they don’t carry the label.”
### Is serum or moisturizer better for oily skin?
It depends. In humid climates or during summer, a water-based gel or hydrating serum may provide enough moisture, especially since sunscreens often contain emollients, says Dr. Ibrahim. However, if dryness is also a concern, a lightweight moisturizer is better. “Serums hydrate but often lack the emollients that lock in moisture and protect the skin,” notes Dr. Lolis.
### What to look for in a moisturizer for oily skin?
1. “Non-comedogenic” on the label—this means it won’t clog pores.
2. Gel or lightweight textures—these usually have more humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and fewer heavy occlusives.
3. Key ingredients: Niacinamide helps regulate oil, while salicylic acid unclogs pores.
4. Avoid butters and waxes—they can feel too heavy and sit on the skin.
### How often should you moisturize oily skin?
Daily. Apply moisturizer after serum to seal in hydration. Adjust seasonally—a serum may suffice in summer, while a moisturizer works better year-round.
### Can moisturizer cause acne in oily skin?
Yes, if it contains pore-clogging ingredients. “Always choose non-comedogenic formulas,” advises Dr. Lolis.
### Meet the Experts
– Margarita Lolis, MD: Board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group (New York, NY).
– Omer Ibrahim, MD: Board-certified dermatologist in Chicago, IL.