Look, we totally get it—if you happen to be dealing with the plight that is perpetually oily skin, moisturizing is likely the last thing you want to do. After all, your goal is to remove excess oil, not add more, right? Breaking news, though: If you skip moisturizer, your oil glands may go into overdrive, producing more oil. As Alanis so eloquently said, isn’t it ironic?
“Many of those with oily skin do not realize that they still need to moisturize to help with the overall health, texture, and appearance of their skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein. “Not to mention that many moisturizers contain sunscreen, antioxidants, and anti-pollutants for an extra-protective barrier. For oily skin, and especially those who are acne-prone, it’s important to look for moisturizers labeled as oil-free or non-comedogenic.”
The bottom line: You need to use a moisturizer regularly, no matter your skin type. The nuance lies in finding the right formula for you, particularly if you have an oily complexion.
Ahead, the best drugstore moisturizers for oily skin that fit the bill.
Best Overall: Cetaphil Pro Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer
Not only is this option super lightweight and non-comedogenic (aka it won’t clog pores), it also touts micropearl technology, which works to absorb excess oil on the surface of the skin and leave a matte finish. It has the added benefit of delivering your daily dose of necessary broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection, too. And, in true Cetaphil fashion, it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about irritation if you also have sensitive skin.
Omar Noor, MD, FAAD, of Rao Dermatology is also a fan. “An individual, man or woman, has to appreciate that not all products work at the same intensity level and therefore can be too rough or irritating to their skin,” he says. “This is why I like Cetaphil’s Pro Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer. It is a balance of effectiveness while still having an elegant vehicle to deliver that effectiveness.”
Best Mattifying: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer
Yes, this is an oil-free formula, but the benefits for oily skin don’t stop there. Unique sebulyse (say that three times fast) technology both mattifies your complexion and tightens pores. It also contains a form of zinc to further help neutralize shine. The end result? Skin that feels hydrated but looks matte. Try making this your morning moisturizer, since it helps create the perfect canvas for makeup.
It’s also got an expert’s seal of approval, specifically Dr. Adam Friedman, associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine. He loves this La Roche-Posay moisturizer for oily skin, as well as the former Cetaphil pick. “Both are designed specifically for oilier skin, with ingredients that can bind or break up sebum like diisopropyl sebacate, silicates, and starches to help reduce shine rather than contribute to it,” he says. “Both are produced by companies that have a long-standing history of supporting their marketing claims with scientific evidence, which is my general rule for recommended products: Go with the brands that can put their money where the science is.”
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Best Gel: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Gel moisturizers are an innately great pick for oily skin types; they contain a higher content of water rather than relying on richer oils and butters. This one also uses hyaluronic acid, which attracts water to and holds it in the skin, both hydrating and helping to plump up fine lines. Super lightweight, it absorbs quickly without leaving behind any greasy residue. Follow our lead and stash it in the fridge so that it feels extra cooling and delightful when applied.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Face Moisturizer
Oily skin and breakouts often (and unfortunately) go hand-in-hand. But that’s not an issue when you use this moisturizer. First and foremost, it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, both non-negotiables when you’re battling blemishes. Aside from that, though, it has the added benefit of containing a small amount of salicylic acid, an oil-dissolving ingredient that can both help treat existing pimples and keep future ones from forming.
Best Lightweight: L’Oréal Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Normal/Oily Skin
Granted, none of these picks are particularly heavy or rich, but if you’re on the hunt for a super featherweight formula, this one takes the cake. It’s water-based, made with aloe water and hyaluronic acid to deliver lasting yet undetectable hydration. It glides on silky smooth and melts into skin almost immediately, and also touts a mattifying action to help remove unwanted oil.
Best Anti-Aging: Olay Regenerist Whip
Fine lines and wrinkles are often associated with dry skin, but that’s not always the case. This featherweight formula (which, fun fact, took 10 years to develop) has the same anti-aging prowess as the beloved Olay Regenerist Serum, thanks to a complex of youth-boosting peptides. Still, the whipped texture absorbs into skin lightning-fast, thanks to a special technology that transforms it from cream to liquid upon contact with your skin. It leaves your complexion smooth, silky, and matte, the perfect prep step pre-makeup.
Best for Combination Skin: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30
If you’re oily in certain spots but dry in others, reach for this pick. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, a major win for the oily parts, but also has the added benefit of containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, a win for the dry parts. Even better? You get your necessary SPF, too.
Best with Antioxidants: Avalon Organics Intense Defense Oil-Free Moisturizer
To score a little more bang for your buck, seek out a moisturizer that contains skin-protecting antioxidants. We especially like this one, which touts one of the most potent and effective antioxidants out there—vitamin C. The skincare superstar not only helps neutralize pesky free radicals formed by exposure to UV rays and pollution, it can also help fade dark spots and stimulate collagen production. This particular pick contains two different forms of the vitamin, all in a fast-absorbing, oil-free formula.
Best Multi-Tasking: Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Balancing Face Moisturizer with Green Tea
Slather this on during the day when you need an effective mattifying moisturizer, use it overnight for a hydrating though non-greasy night cream, or leave on a thin layer for 10 minutes as a nourishing mask. Either way, you get plenty of good-for-your-skin ingredients—97% of which are naturally-derived—and no mineral oil, parabens, silicones, or dyes. Plus, it contains salicylic acid.
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Best with SPF: Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
In case you missed it, wearing sunscreen daily (a broad-spectrum formula with at least an SPF 30) is an absolute must. And yes, we’ve heard the “sunscreen makes me break out” excuse, but that doesn’t fly when you can use this guy. It was dermatologist-formulated specifically for acne-prone skin. The result? A non-greasy, non-pore-clogging formula that also contains micro pearl technology to absorb excess oil. We also appreciate that it offers an SPF 30, given that many moisturizers only contain an SPF 15.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Alba Botanica Refining Aloe & Green Tea Moisturizer
Yes, sensitivity is more likely to occur in those with dryer skin, but that doesn’t mean that oily skin can’t also be sensitive. This is both oil-free and hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates, dyes, or synthetic fragrance, all common irritants for the sensitive set. Green tea delivers a dose of antioxidants, while aloe and cucumber work to soothe skin.
Best Cream: Botanics Shine Away Mattifying Day Cream
If you crave a little bit more hydration, reach for this thicker option. Granted, it’s not oil-free, but it does mattify the skin and also contains clarifying willow bark extract (the pre-cursor to salicylic acid). It’s a great pick for days when you’re maybe feeling not quite so oily, or to use during the winter when everyone’s skin tends to skew on the dryer side.
