Best Moisturisers for Oily Skin: Benefits, Types and Expert Picks

The strategic use of a lightweight, targeted moisturizer for oily skin provides significant advantages:

• Oil Regulation: When skin is properly hydrated, it stops overcompensating with excess sebum production, leading to better oil control.
• Strengthened Skin Barrier: A healthy moisture barrier protects your skin from environmental damage and irritants, which can otherwise trigger breakouts.
• Improved Product Efficacy: Many oil-control and acne treatments can be drying. A moisturiser helps counteract this dryness, ensuring you can use your active ingredients effectively without irritation.
• Reduced Shine: Formulas designed for oily skin often have mattifying properties that absorb excess oil throughout the day, providing a smooth finish.
• Minimised Appearance of Pores: Proper hydration can make the skin appear plumper and smoother, indirectly reducing the visibility of large pores.

The key to finding the right formula lies in texture and ingredients. Look for products that deliver pure hydration without the heavy occlusives that can weigh down and clog pores.

• Gel-Based Moisturiser for Oily Skin: These are often the gold standard. They have a jelly-like, lightweight texture, absorb instantly, and provide intense hydration without any greasy residue. Products like Pond's Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser are a fantastic example, using a light, water-based formula.
• Water-Based Moisturiser for Oily Skin: These formulas substitute heavy oils with water and humectants (like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin) for hydration. They feel light and refreshing.
• Non-Comedogenic Moisturiser for Oily Skin: A non-negotiable term. This label signifies that the product is formulated not to clog your pores, which is crucial for acne-prone oily skin.
• Oil-Free Options: These contain no traditional oils, making them ideal for avoiding a heavy, greasy feel.

• Ingredients to Look For:
  • Hyaluronic Acid (HA): A powerful humectant that draws water into the skin without adding oil.
  • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Helps reduce pore size, calm inflammation, and regulate oil production.
  • Salicylic Acid (BHA): Excellent for gently exfoliating and keeping pores clear.
  • Ceramides & Pro-Ceramides: Essential for repairing the skin barrier, as seen in formulas like LAKMÉ Dew Drama Gel Creme, Pro-Ceramides, Vit E + Vit B + Vit F, which balances hydration with barrier support.
• Texture is Key: Opt for gel based moisturizer for oily skin, light lotions, or gel-creams over thick, heavy creams or ointments.
• The Right Finish: Choose moisturisers labeled as 'mattifying' or 'sheer' for all-day shine control.

The correct application enhances the benefits of moisturiser for oily skin and ensures it works effectively.

1. Prep Your Skin: Always apply to freshly cleansed and toned skin. Wait about 30 seconds after applying serums to ensure maximum absorption.
2. Use a Pea-Sized Amount: Less is often more with oily skin. A small amount, evenly distributed, is enough.
3. Pat and Press: Gently pat or press the product into your skin using upward motions instead of rubbing vigorously.
4. Follow with SPF (Day): In the morning, always follow your non-SPF moisturiser with a separate, lightweight, oil-free SPF.
5. Night-Time Focus: At night, you can use a slightly richer (but still oil-free and non-comedogenic) formula, such as the gentle ingredients found in Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser, to support overnight repair without feeling heavy.

• Applying too much product: Over-application leads to pilling and a greasy feeling.
• Rubbing too hard: This can stimulate oil glands and cause irritation.
• Skipping the morning application: Hydration is needed to protect your skin barrier from pollution and keep oil regulated during the day.
• Using heavy, fragranced creams: Heavy formulas and strong fragrances can clog pores and cause irritation or breakouts.

Dermatologists consistently recommend formulas that prioritise hydration and barrier repair while maintaining a light, airy texture.

1. Pond's Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturiser: A standout affordable option. Its super light, gel-based consistency and focus on hydration (often containing Hyaluronic Acid) makes it an excellent daily water based moisturizer for oily skin. It absorbs instantly and leaves no sticky feeling.
2. LAKMÉ Dew Drama Gel Creme, Pro-Ceramides, Vit E + Vit B + Vit F: This formula targets both hydration and barrier health. The gel-crème texture is lightweight, while the inclusion of Pro-Ceramides strengthens the skin's natural protective layer—crucial for oily skin prone to damage from harsh cleansers.
3. Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser: While 'Rich' may sound contrary to oily skin needs, Simple's products are known for being exceptionally gentle and free from harsh chemicals, making them ideal for oily and sensitive skin types. It focuses on gentle, barrier-friendly ingredients, providing necessary hydration without heaviness for evening use.

• Double Cleansing: In the evening, use a light, oil-free micellar water or a gentle cleansing oil followed by a foaming cleanser to effectively remove sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum.
• Use Clay Masks: Incorporate a gentle clay mask 1-2 times a week to absorb excess oil and unclog pores.
• Blot, Don't Rub: Use blotting papers throughout the day to absorb shine without disturbing makeup or stripping necessary moisture.
• Limit Exfoliation: Don't over-exfoliate. Excessive scrubbing can strip the skin and trigger even more oil production. Stick to chemical exfoliants like Salicylic Acid (BHA) a few times a week.

Finding the best moisturizer for oily skin is not about eliminating oil; it's about achieving balance. By opting for lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil-free formulas, you can effectively hydrate your skin, control excess shine, and maintain a clear, healthy complexion. Embracing a suitable moisturizer for oily skin is the final, non-negotiable step to managing your oily skin successfully.

A: No. While a hydrating serum (like one with Hyaluronic Acid) adds water to the skin, a moisturiser's role is to create a lightweight barrier (an occlusive layer) to lock that hydration in. Skipping the moisturiser means the serum's hydration can quickly evaporate, potentially making your skin drier.

A: Humectants, such as Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerin, are the most important as they attract water to the skin without adding oil, ensuring pure, lightweight hydration.

A: No. By definition, "non-comedogenic" means the product is specifically formulated not to clog pores, making it the safest choice for oily and acne-prone skin.

A: It's beneficial. You can use a lighter, mattifying formula with SPF during the day and a slightly more nourishing, barrier-repairing formula (like one with ceramides or niacinamide) at night.