Having a balanced skincare routine with can be challenging with an oily complexion. Cleansing and treating the skin can be simpler but choosing the right moisturiser is very important to avoid dehydration and clogged pores. This is why oil-free moisturisers are key. They give you the hydration you need without blocking pores or adding extra shine. This makes them great for both your morning and evening routines.
If you avoid using a moisturiser on your oily skin, your body compensates for the lack of hydration by producing even more sebum. Tackle both dehydration and excess oil with our selection of stand-out lightweight moisturisers formulated for oily and acne-prone skin.
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- Top Picks for Oil-Free Moisturisers
- Lightweight Hydration for Dehydrated Oily Skin
- Avoid Breakouts with an Acne-Safe Moisturiser
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What Ingredients to Look For in an Oil-Free Moisturiser
Leverage skincare heroes such as hyaluronic acid, peptides and aloe vera
Explore out favourites from La Roche Posay, Caudalie, Bioderma and Murad
Deep moisture without the greasy residue – all-day comfort and radiance
Non-comedogenic formulas for blemish-prone skin – clear and balanced complexion
Top Picks for Oil-Free Moisturisers
Finding the right moisturiser is crucial for acne-prone, oily or combination complexions. Our top picks offer hydration without clogging pores, with lightweight formulas to keep skin comfortable and all day. Look for hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and antioxidants for skin support. We can help you choose a product which can fit into both your evening routine as a grease-free night moisturiser and a day cream for a non-greasy glow.
1. La Roche Posay Hyalu B5 Aqua Gel SPF
La Roche Posay's Aqua Gel is a popular alternative to the cult classic Hyalu B5 Cream, and it's easy to see why. This light gel-cream feels like a cool drink of water for your skin. It gives intense hydration without any greasiness. What's more, the moisturiser with SPF protects you from the number one cause of photo ageing - UV damage
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Perfect For: oily, combination, or sensitive skin. It absorbs quickly and gives a fresh base for makeup.
2. Caudalie Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturiser
Caudalie's Vinoperfect Moisturiser is a wonderful choice for people who want smooth, hydrated skin without the rich cream formula of some other top-rated moisturisers. This brightening moisturiser helps reduce dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and an uneven complexion. It gives you a more balanced and glowing look. It contains squalane which mimics natural oils but is suitable for all complexions - it works as the perfect oily skin-compatible night cream.
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Perfect For: Dehydrated, oily, combination and dull skin
3. Caudalie Vinohydra Gel Moisturiser
If you often deal with shine in the middle of the day, try Caudalie's Vinohydra Gel Moisturiser. This gel gives quick and lasting hydration for up to 72 hours. It helps your complexion feel balanced all day. It is very light, which makes it a great option for combination skin or places with more humidity. Plus, it's fragrance-free, so it's safe for sensitive skin and less likely to irritate.
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Perfect For: oily and combination skin
4. Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream
Bioderma is a well-known skincare brand loved for its gentle and effective products. One of its great items is the Hydrabio Gel Cream. This oil-free cream is made to give long-lasting moisture to dry and sensitive complexions. Its lightweight texture sinks into the epidermis easily. It gives a lot of hydration without being greasy, so it's perfect for people who like a light feel. The gentle formula helps support our natural moisture barrier and leads to a healthier, more balanced look.
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Perfect For: Oily, acne-prone skin
5. Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Murad's Nutrient-Charged Water Gel really delivers hydration. It is made for oily skin prone to blemishes. This gel helps keep oil in check and makes pores look smaller. The water-based gel soaks in quickly, leaving your skin feeling fresh and not sticky. It has a mix of antioxidants and ingredients that fight inflammation. This means it not only hydrates but also protects your skin from damage and helps lessen redness.
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Perfect For: dehydrated, oily, dull and acne-prone skin.
Lightweight Hydration for Dehydrated Oily Skin
When your skin is oily and also dry, choosing the right moisturiser can be tricky. You need to get the right balance. It should give hydration but not block your pores or make breakouts worse.
Look for products that say "non-comedogenic." This means they will not clog pores. Focus on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. These are good for retaining moisture. They pull in and hold water without making your skin feel heavy or greasy. This helps with both dryness and excess oil.
Read about lightweight serums for oily skin.
Our favourite moisturiser for dehydrated oily skin is the Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel because it helps repair a damaged moisture barrier without the thick texture of some ceramide moisturisers. It contains quenching hyaluronic acid and peptides.
Avoid Breakouts with an Acne-Safe Moisturiser
Acne requires special care in a skincare routine and moisturising can make or break your anti-acne routine. Pore-clogging ingredients are common in moisturisers and these can exacerbate acne and skin texture. Also, acne treatments can be drying so a good hydrating routine is important for keeping inflammation at bay and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. An oil-free moisturiser makes it easier to avoid common comedogenic ingredients while keeping your skin hydrated and comfortable.
Choose oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturisers that are formulated with blemishes in mind. Look for ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide. These can help control breakouts and make blemishes less noticeable. We love the Bioderma Hydrabio Gel Cream because it contains anti-acne ingredients: niacinamide and salicylic acid and skin-loving squalane and glycerin. If you need a little more hydration, try a hyaluronic acid serum.
What Ingredients to Look for in an Oil-Free Moisturiser
Navigating skincare can be tough, but finding the right oil-free moisturiser can really help.
- Hyaluronic acid is important because it attracts and holds moisture. This helps plump and revitalise while reducing fine lines and dullness.
- Antioxidants like Vitamin C and green tea extract protect you from damage by the environment. Find an antioxidant serum.
- Aloe vera is nature’s aftersun, it soothes irritation and boosts hydration and it's oil-free. Explore our favourite natural moisturisers.
- Squalane, while fat-based, squalane is a naturally-derived ingredient which identically mimics the fats in our moisture barrier. It's easily absorbed and contributes to normal hydration levels.
- Niacinamide is a hero ingredient which reduces enlarged pores, controls oil production and brightens dull complexions.
- Salicylic acid is a must-have in any acne or oily skin routine, it helps to reduce excess oil production while gently resurfacing an uneven texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any potential drawbacks of using an oil-free moisturiser?
Oil-free moisturisers are ideal for those who hate the greasy finish of typical moisturisers or for those who want a more mattifying effect without losing all of the hydration benefits from their day cream. However, the fats and oils in moisturisers help retain all that amazing moisture. Oil-free moisturisers can make your skin feel hydrated at first but then it can dry out throughout the day.
How do oil-free moisturisers hydrate the skin without using oils?
Oil-free moisturisers use humectants, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, to draw in and hold moisture from the air. They usually have lightweight, water-based formulas. This helps them absorb quickly and offer hydration without using oils. Peptides are super hydrating and many formulations include squalane or cross-linked hyaluronic acid to help reduce transepidermal water loss.
What are the benefits of oil-free moisturisers?
Oil-free moisturisers give light hydration without blocking pores. This makes them great for oily complexions. They usually have a non-greasy look. They won’t add shine, which helps them fit well into your morning or evening routine. They're often preferred by acne-prone skin, oily skin and those who want to avoid a rich cream which feels heavy and greasy.
