The Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin, Tested by Cosmo Editors
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With that, here’s an exhaustive list of the best moisturizers for oily skin—and why they’re worth adding to your skincare lineup, pronto.
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Why we love it: There’s a reason this blue jar has been living on our vanities since the Hannah Montana era. This oil-free gel-cream is essentially a tall glass of water for your face: lightweight, bouncy, and absorbed within seconds. It also layers like a dream under SPF and foundation and won’t leave your T-zone looking like a glazed donut by noon. Fragrance-free and friendly for sensitive skin, it’s one of those rare drugstore moisturizers that works whether you’re building your first skincare routine or already double cleansing like a pro.
One Cosmo editor says: “I have never gone through so many tubs of a product as I have this moisturizer. I love the gel-cream formula on my combination skin legit all year ’round, but I especially lean on it in the winter. It hydrates my skin better than $$$$ creams I’ve used.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsHyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, amino acidsOil free?Yes
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Why we love it: If your skin is going through it from cold-weather dryness, consider this your rescue plan. The omega-rich formula helps replenish and repair a compromised barrier without clogging pores, which is a major win for anyone who’s breakout-prone but craving something more nourishing. The texture is plush and comforting, yet never suffocating or greasy. Normally, anything labeled “rich” would send me running, but this one somehow proved me wrong.
One Cosmo expert says: “This is the moisturizer I’ve been waiting my whole life for—no joke! It’s just the right consistency to quench dry skin, while leaving just enough moisture on the surface of the skin. It’s amazing for acne-prone skin, especially to balance the use of other actives in your routine.” —MADALAINA CONTI, LICENSED AESTHETICIAN
Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsOmega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, squalane, jojoba and argan oils Oil free?: YesOil free?Yes
Why we love it: As someone who’s acne-prone and constantly restocking my stash of Starface Hydro-Stars, I had high expectations. And this oil-free moisturizer absolutely delivered. Don’t let the playful packaging fool you–this cream means business. It helps keep breakouts in check while still giving the skin the hydration it needs, striking a balance between treatment and moisture. The formula features my big three (yes, like astrology): salicylic acid to unclog pores, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and niacinamide to calm and even things out.
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m picky about moisturizers for my oily, acne-prone skin. But it was true love when I started using this one. The gel-cream hybrid cools my face and quickly sinks in, hydrating and plumping up my skin while gently fighting acne with salicylic acid.” —BG
Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsSalicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamideOil free?Yes
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Why we love it: If you’re a die-hard for French skincare or you’re dealing with acne scars and blackheads, clear some shelf space. This gel texture melts in fast and dries down to a true matte finish, so you get hydration without the midday shine spiral. And yes, it has a light scent, but it’s subtle and fresh.
One Cosmo editor says: “This has been my go-to morning moisturizer for months now. It provides a smooth base for makeup, but actually helps it grip onto my skin and even decreases oil throughout the day.”—BG
Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsGrape seed polyphenols, silica powder and java tea extract, natural olive squalaneOil free?Yes
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Pros
Lightweight enough to use under makeup, but also rich enough for nighttimeComes in a refillable jar with included spatula for more hygienic useCons
The most expensive moisturizer on this list
Why we love it: It would honestly be a crime not to include this water-cream icon. If you have not experienced the cooling water-burst gel yet, consider this your sign. It breaks into a rush of weightless hydration on contact, delivering moisture without a hint of heaviness. It’s infused with Japanese superfoods to help plump, support the moisture barrier, and protect against everyday skin stressors. Oh, and it comes with a tiny spatula so you can scoop it out hygienically and feel a little luxe like the skincare pro you are.
One Cosmo editor says: “The water cream is such an O.G, for me. It sinks into my skin like a dream, and I fly through jars of this stuff. I def reach for it in the summer because it’s so lightweight, but it honestly holds up year-round. It’s one of those moisturizers that would never betray me!”—AL
Features at a GlanceKey ingredientsJapanese wild rose, hadasei 3Oil free?YesHow we tested moisturizers for oily skin:
Cosmo editors are constantly testing moisturizers to find the best formulas for every skin type (and to consider for our Beauty Awards). To compile this list, we…
Narrowed down dozens of lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic moisturizers based on ingredient lists, texture, and reviews—focusing specifically on options suited for oily and acne-prone skinPut each one to the test ourselves—two editors with oily, breakout-prone skin—to make sure they hydrate without clogging pores, feeling greasy, or triggering breakoutsVetted our top picks based on absorbency, finish, wear under makeup, packaging, and how well they balanced moisture with oil controlAnalyzed thousands of customer reviews to spot consistent pros and cons for shine control, hydration levels, and acne friendliness
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What causes oily skin?
Blame your parents. A combo of genetics, hormones, and even your age can contribute to oily skin. But the time of year can also play a factor, with research finding that skin gets more oily in hot, humid weather.
Does oily skin need moisturizer?
People who struggle with oily skin tend to have dehydrated skin, meaning their skin lacks water (versus oil), board-certified dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD previously told Cosmopolitan. And dehydrated skin is thought to produce extra oil to compensate for this lack of hydration.
Plus, it’s not like oil simply protects your skin barrier from all the aggressors out there, especially if you’re using retinoids for acne, exfoliants like salicylic acid, or just too many harsh products. A good moisturizer with barrier-friendly ingredients like ceramides and squalane can go a long way in keeping things comfortable and balanced.
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How to choose the best moisturizer for oily skin:Keep track of your actives.
You can look for active ingredients that have a mattifying effect, like salicylic acid. Bonus: These can also help fight acne, if you have trouble with breakouts. However, “you can still overdo it with harsh products, which can trigger inflammation and breakouts,” Atlanta, GA-based board-certified dermatologist Tiffany Clay, MD, previously told Cosmo.
Consider the texture.
Nothing feels worse than a rich, heavy cream on top of already oily skin—which is why a gel or gel-cream formulation is ideal when you’ve got a ton of grease. That said, some creams and lotions have a lightweight texture and do sink in quickly.
Meet the experts:Kavita Mariwalla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. Her areas of study include cosmetic injectables and laser technology.
Tiffany Clay, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Clay’s interests include treating skin of color, skin cancer prevention and awareness, and cosmetic injectables.
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Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Amanda Le is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan and has been writing about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and home for a host of publications.
Additional reporting for this story was completed by Deanna Pai who was the interim deputy beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, as well as Beth Gillette, Cosmo’s beauty editor.
Amanda Le is a contributing writer at Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment. In her free time, you can find her thrifting her next outfit, traveling to new cities, crushing a boxing class, or eating her way through NYC!
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