13 best moisturisers for oily skin
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Best moisturiser for oily skin overall
Best moisturiser for oily skin with SPF protection
Best refillable moisturiser for oily skin
If you're all too familiar with the visible pores, blemishes, and the slip and slide of your makeup that can occur with an oily skin type, we know what you're thinking. Oily skin = no need for a moisturiser. But you can hold that thought.
Jodie Kidd, supermodel-turned-founder and creative director of Skin & Tonic, says that one of the biggest skincare myths is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturising. “In fact, skipping moisturiser can make things worse, as your skin overcompensates by producing even more oil. The key is choosing a lightweight formula that hydrates without adding extra shine,” she says.
And Nicolas Travis, founder of Allies of Skin, believes that oily skin is not a permanent state. “If you balance your skin with the right products, you can reduce the production of excess sebum so that skin is balanced and happy,” he says.
And the key ingredients to look for in a best moisturiser for oily skin? “I love dioic acid and azelaic acid, as they both brighten and balance the skin,” reveals Nicolas. “BHAs are also great to help balance sebum production, and I also like bakuchiol, centella asiatica and 5% niacinamide for their balancing properties.”
Kristal Goodman, head of product innovation at THG Labs, adds not to be scared of adding oils to your skincare routine. “Natural oils such as squalane (derived from olive oil via fermentation) and jojoba oil balance the skin and reduce excess sebum production,” comments Kristal. So, oil balances out oil.
But we get it: figuring it all out on your own can be quite intimidating, especially considering the sheer amount of brands and options out there. Luckily, we've done all the hard work for you…
How we tested the best moisturisers for oily skin:
The GLAMOUR beauty team is trialling hundreds of moisturisers on the daily, from new innovative products as well as dermatologist-approved and science-backed formulations – including premium buys that are worth the investment to affordable must-haves, cult-favourites and couple of new releases too. When testing, we pay attention to the product's efficacy and consistency over a month's worth of time, while keeping in mind acne-prone and sensitive skin types as well as conditions such as eczema and rosacea.
Unsure whether you have oily skin? If your skin tends to fall on the tighter, more easily-irritated side, then chances are, your skin is likely more likely dry, sensitive or perhaps both rather than oily. Or, if you're somebody that has a few dry patches dotted around and an oily T-zone, consider yourself team combination skin.
Meet the experts
- Kristal Goodman, head of product innovation at THG Labs.
- Nicolas Travis, founder of Allies of Skin.
- Jodie Kidd, founder and creative director of Skin & Tonic.
For more makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Ahead, our edit of the best moisturisers for oily skin to shop now…
Kiehl’s Oil-Free Ultra Facial Cream
- Best for: Hydrating, cooling, mattifying.
- Key ingredients: Glacial glycoprotein, micronised amino acids, imperata cylindrica root extract.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 50ml, 125ml, 150ml refill.
Why we love it: An oil-free version of the most iconic Kiehl’s moisturiser? We're sold. It floods the skin with hydration while working to balance the complexion, preventing excess oil production. Its cooling gel texture allows it to absorb quickly, leaving skin free from shine for 24 hours, with a matte finish. Its star ingredient? Glacial glycoprotein, a naturally-occurring compound that can be found inside Antarctic glaciers, but Kiehl’s make it synthetically and sustainably in a lab. It has numerous beneficial properties for the skin, including protecting and defending it against environmental aggressors, and hydrating, smoothing and softening too. Visibly minimising the look of pores over time and promoting refreshed, healthier-looking skin, this alcohol-free moisturiser is simply made for oily skin types.
Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect Age-Defying Moisturiser SPF30
- Best for: Hydrating, protecting, smoothing.
- Key ingredients: Premium UV filters, moringa extract, carnosine.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 15ml and 50ml.
Why we love it: If you're after one of the best moisturisers with SPF that won't feel greasy or pore-clogging, you need to get your hands on this science-backed formula from Medik8. Offering lasting hydration and youth-boosting benefits, this moisturiser is also enriched with multi-weight hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin feeling plumped and well-nourished at all times. And that’s not all; moringa extract and carnosine work to lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles and even skin texture and tone. Never leaving a white cast, its light-as-air, non-sticky texture make it ideal for oily skin types.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Magic Water Cream
- Best for: Hydrating, smoothing, plumping.
- Key ingredients: Waterlocking Fusion Technology, a biopeptide complex, niacinamide.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: Yes.
- Size: 15ml, 30ml, 50ml.
Why we love it: Like many, I've been obsessed with the original Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream since the dawn of time. However, the brand's fragrance-free and water-based iteration might actually be my favourite. Featuring an incredibly hydrating formula and lightweight consistency, it’s crafted with Waterlocking Fusion Technology to seal moisture into the skin and prevent water loss. Providing up to 100 hours of hydration, it also stars a biopeptide complex to even skin tone and texture, while niacinamide brightens and balances. In short, this refillable moisturiser will deliver all the glow, minus the greasy feel.
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturiser
- Best for: Nourishing, hydrating, strengthening.
- Key ingredients: Blue hyaluronic acid, fatty acids, a Pepta-Panthenol Complex.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: Yes.
- Size: 50ml, 50ml refill.
Why we love it: This water-based cream features a flurry of hydrating ingredients that are guaranteed to keep your skin well-nourished for longer. Think: Blue hyaluronic acid, Laneige’s proprietary ingredient that fuses double-fermented hyaluronic acid with fucoidan to deliver intense hydration to the skin. A Pepta-Panthenol Complex (of peptides and panthenol) work to firm, plump and strengthen the skin barrier, while cholesterol and fatty acids reduce the appearance of redness and reveal smooth, soft and supple skin. We love that it's highly nourishing, yet still lightweight, making it a dream to apply… it's one of the best Korean moisturisers out there in our book.
- Best for: Mattifying, balancing, hydrating.
- Key ingredients: Zinc PCA, salicylic acid, vitamin C and E.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 40ml.
Why we love it: Balancing oil levels without stripping your skin, this oil-free formula helps to reduce the appearance of pores, blemishes and fine lines. Delivering long-lasting hydration for up to eight hours, it uses antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E to shield the skin from environmental aggressors, and LHA (beta-lipohydroxy acid) to gently refine skin texture. Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial zinc keeps excess sebum at bay, in addition to sebulyse, an ingredient that mattifies, reduces shine and lessens the look of enlarged pores. 100% hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, it also features the brand's Thermal Spring Water to soothe, refresh and soften (it's so gentle that it's suitable for babies). No wonder this is beloved by dermatologists.
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- Best for: Soothing, cooling, hydrating.
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide, fatty acids, green tea.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 50ml, 50ml refill.
Why we love it: Think of it as the perfect moisturising cocktail for oily skin, formulated to give your face that much-needed hydration boost without clogging your pores. This product is infused with a unique blend of skin-loving ingredients, including niacinamide and green tea – perfect for that cooling feel to wake up your skin and to retain moisture throughout the whole day. An ideal option for one of the best moisturisers for mature skin? We think so. Oh, and did we mention that this lightweight gel also great for reducing inflammation and prevent breakouts? Sign. Us. Up.
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Summer Fridays Cloud Dew Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturiser
- Best for: Hydrating, protecting, strengthening.
- Key ingredients: Ceramides, amino acids, pineapple enzymes.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 15ml, 50ml.
Why we love it: Having oily skin doesn’t mean you need to compromise on a fresh, dewy glow – and Summer Fridays is here to prove that point. A powerhouse of a hydrator, this moisturiser has a gel-like feel to it that won’t ever feel heavy. It’s oil-free and infused with a complex of ceramides, minerals and amino acids to protect and rebuild the skin barrier while pineapple enzymes promise a luminous, smooth finish.
“I adore this for the glow it gives. As a gal with an oily skin type, I'm always slightly wary of appearing shiny, but this just gives a really healthy-looking radiance, no can-see-it-from-space shine. It also lasts forever, so a little really does go a long way, and the texture is as light as air!” Emma Hobday, Freelance Commerce Writer.
Save when you shop for the best moisturiser for oily skin with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
- Best for: Clarifying, smoothing, balancing.
- Key ingredients: Japanese wild rose, green tea, 23 carat gold.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 10ml, 50ml, 75ml.
Why we love it: We love a good stat or two, and this moisturising marvel had 100% of testers reporting a reduction in oil levels, alongside 97% showing improvement in blocked and enlarged pores, after just one week. It’s formulated with 23 carat gold to control excess shine, Japanese wild rose to smooth, and Hadesai-3, the brand’s proprietary blend of rice, algae and green tea to boost your skin’s luminosity, hydration and softness. Non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested, it also stars Japanese leopard lily for its clarifying properties, which works to encourage skin cell turnover for increased luminosity.
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- Best for: Plumping, hydrating, soothing.
- Key ingredients: Peptides, spermidine, barrier polysaccharides.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 50ml.
Why we love it: How chic would this look on your dressing table? Featuring the brand’s Great Skin Complex (a blend of peptides, spermidine, and barrier polysaccharides to firm and plump), plus hyaluronic acid and soothing oat extract, this weightless moisturiser is your golden ticket to a healthier, glowing complexion. It also stars biomimetic emulsifiers to give a blurred, soft-focus effect, which makes it fabulous at prepping your skin before makeup. Plus, it sinks in effortlessly, with no dreaded tackiness, greasiness or stickiness.
The INKEY List Omega Water Cream Moisturiser
- Best for: Hydrating, repairing, balancing.
- Key ingredients: The brand's Omega Ceramide Complex, niacinamide, glycerin.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 50ml.
Why we love it: Yup, oily skin still needs hydration too, friends. Why? Because if you don't hydrate it your skin will feel tight and dry, and will produce excess oil to compensate, leading to a complexion that's more oily and congested. This water-based moisturiser delivers waves of hydration without oiliness thanks to The INKEY List's Omega Ceramide Complex. A fusion of omegas 3, 6 and 9, they work in tandem to prevent water loss and optimise hydration levels for comfortable, hydrated and happy skin. It also stars 3% betaine to balance, 5% glycerin to moisturise, and 5% niacinamide to even skin tone and reduce redness.
ESPA 24-Hour Balancing Moisturiser
- Best for: Balancing, hydrating, clarifying.
- Key ingredients: White thyme, lavender, chamomile, Irish moss.
- Fragrance-free: No.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 55ml.
Why we love it: Super gentle but still packing a punch with balancing and hydrating ingredients, you won't be sorry for adding this vegan moisturiser to your regimen. White thyme helps to balance oil levels, while lavender and chamomile soothe and calm any signs of stress or irritation. Plus, nutrient-rich plant extracts and Irish moss moisturise and protect without blocking pores. It also works brilliantly as one of the best night creams, as you wake up with bouncy, dewy skin and a luminous glow.
“ESPA brings the spa to you, and I love this moisturiser for adding a touch of luxe to my routine. It's one of the few moisturisers on the richer side that I can use that doesn't break me out or make me shiny. It's super soothing, smells amazing, and sinks in super fast, because who has time for greasy residue these days? It just makes your skin feel lovely afterwards - soft, supple, and hydrated.” Emma Hobday, Freelance Commerce Writer.
Caudalie Vinopure Moisturising Mattifying Fluid
- Best for: Lessening the look of blemishes and imperfections.
- Key ingredients: Polyphenols, squalane, silica powders.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 40ml.
Why we love it: Perhaps the OG of the best moisturisers for oily skin is this beloved option by Caudalie. We mean, 93% of testers in a clinical study saw their spots and blackheads reduced for one thing, but there's also the 96% natural formula to love too, and the fact it's hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested. Mattifying shine (thanks to super-absorbing silica powders), this skincare solution is also infused with calming organic grape water, moisturising squalane, antioxidant-rich polyphenols, plus flax seed powder to control excess sebum levels. All that's left to do is to look in the mirror to see shine-free skin, with a soft, matte finish. Yum.
Farmacy Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturiser
- Best for: Hydrating, clarifying, soothing.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, moringa, papaya, willow herb.
- Fragrance-free: Yes.
- Comedogenic: No.
- Size: 50ml.
Why we love it: You should eat your greens… and use this moisturiser. This hard-working blend sees the likes of polyglutamic acid (which acts as a moisture-locking shield, making this one of the best moisturisers for dry skin, too), plus hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to control excess shine and absorb oil. Working to visibly clear blocked pores with the help of clarifying moringa and papaya, this powerhouse also uses antioxidant willow herb to soothe and protect. Housed in completely recyclable materials, this non-greasy moisturiser is perfect for congested complexions that are dry, oily, or a bit of both.
What type of moisturiser is best for oily skin?
Nicolas Travis, founder of Allies of Skin, advises to look for a moisturiser that feels lightweight, yet nourishing on your skin. “You’ll want something that hydrates without feeling occlusive,” he advises.
Kristal Goodman, head of product innovation at THG Labs, also recommends using lightweight hydrators with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and polyglutamic acid.
“I would recommend the ESPA 24 Hour Balancing Moisturiser as it’s a gentle oil-balancing formula that helps to hydrate and clarify the skin," she says. “Ideally, formulations should be non-comedogenic, meaning that they don't block the pores. And if you feel like you need a little more hydration, layer your moisturiser over an essence and water-based serum, which won’t leave your skin overly oily.”
