Best moisturizer for oily sensitive acne prone skin

When it comes to skin, oil can be too much of a good thing. Yes, sebum—the oil your face naturally produces—is one of the keys to glowing, radiant skin. But when oil production goes into overdrive, it can be quite annoying (think: clogged pores, shiny skin, and even acne). While everyone's skin and skin issues are different—meaning there's never going to be a one-size-fits-all fix—there are ways to adjust your routine to reduce some of that shine. That's where oil-free moisturizers can come in handy.

If your skin is a candidate for oil-free moisturizer, we've rounded up 15 of the best formulas that leave skin looking plump and hydrated, but not at all shiny.

BEST WATER CREAM

Naturium

Marine Hyaluronic Water Cream

BEST FOR DARK SPOTS

Caudalie

Vinoperfect Instant Brightening Moisturizer with Niacinamide

ESTHETICIAN RECOMMENDATION

Biologique Recherche

Creme Dermopurifiante

BEST MULTI-TASKER

Artisan of Skin

Hydra Boost Oil Free Moisturizer

BEST VITAMIN C

OLEHENRIKSEN

C-Rush Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer

BEST GEL FORMULA

Farmacy

Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer with Moringa and Papaya

BEST FOR ACNE

Paula's Choice

CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer

BEST FOR RADIANCE

OSEA

Seabiotic Water Cream

BEST FOR MELANIN-RICH SKIN

Mele

Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream

BEST ANTIBACTERIAL

boscia

Green Tea Oil-free Moisturizer

BEST WITH SPF

Juice Beauty

SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer

BEST FOR OIL CONTROL

La Roche-Posay

Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

BEST DRUGSTORE

Neutrogena

Oil Free Acne Facial Moisturizer

BEST CRUELTY-FREE

Kate Somerville

Oil Free Moisturizer

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA

EltaMD

AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply moisturizer for oily skin?

The best time to apply moisturizer in the daytime is after cleansing and toning, and before sunscreen and makeup. Allow a minute or two for the formula to sink into your skin before layering another product on top—this will help prevent any "pilling."

At night, moisturizer is best applied as the last step in your routine, following cleanser, toner, serums, and any treatment steps you might use.

What is the best moisturizer for oily skin?

When shopping for a moisturizer for oily skin, look for gel or water-based formulas instead of creamy textures. These are often more lightweight and oil-free. It's also important to cater your search to your skin's unique needs, such as fragrance-free if you're sensitive, or non-comedogenic if you're acne-prone.

What causes oily skin?

It's often genetic, but sometimes, our routines can contribute. "Over-exfoliation is one of the most common practices that increases oil production," says Sarah Akram, celebrity master esthetician and owner of Sarah Akram Skincare. "By constantly over exfoliating, you’re stripping the skin and because of this your skin will begin to overproduce oil, and once you start layering other heavy oils and moisturizers on top, this will most definitely contribute to your oil production." The important thing when this happens, she recommends, is to keep it simple, let your skin barrier heal, and slowly integrate products back into your routine

How do I know if my skin is dry or dehydrated?

One of the best ways to see if you need an oil-free moisturizer is to check whether you skin is dry or dehydrated—two concepts that are often mixed up, according to celebrity skin expert and founder of Artisan of Skin, Sharlena Hassani.

"When deciding between an oil-free moisturizer or moisturizer with oil it’s important to choose one based off your skin type and what you are treating on the skin," she says. "The first thing to check for is whether your skin is dry or dehydrated. If you have dry skin, your skin is producing less oil or sebum, which is the natural oil produced by your body to lubricate the skin as well as act as a barrier of protection. Dehydrated skin, however, means there’s a lack of water, not oil." For the latter, you can supplement with an oil-free—yet still hydrating—moisturizer.

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Which moisturizer is best for oily acne

Which moisturizer is best for acne

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