Hydrating your skin is an important part of any skincare routine, but it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works for oily skin.

Many moisturizers on the market are heavy and can clog pores, leading to breakouts and excess oil production.

Luckily, there are some great options specifically designed for oily skin that will hydrate your skin without making it look or feel greasy.

But first, it’s important to understand why oily skin needs moisturizing.

Despite having an excess of oil production, oily skin can still be lacking in moisture. 

Skin that is lacking in moisture does not have an adequate amount of water, as opposed to oil.

This lack of water can cause the skin to overcompensate by producing more oil, leading to even more problems with breakouts and excess shine.

Using a moisturizer can help to stabilize the skin's natural oil production and bring back much-needed hydration for a clearer, healthier complexion.

When we made this article about the moisturizers for oily skin, we opted for formulas that are light and oil-free.

Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can help draw and hold moisture without adding excess oil.

Avoid moisturizers with heavy, occlusive ingredients like petrolatum and mineral oil, as these can clog pores and cause breakouts.

But firstly, if you are curious about the importance of maintaining your skin moisturized, read our article on the topic.

It will explain why it is crucial to moisturize often, and how this affects your appearance positively.

Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Cloud Cream


If you're looking for a moisturizer that feels great on your skin, this one is a great option. It's oil-free and won't clog your pores. Plus, it's infused with ceramides and antioxidants that help lock in moisture and give your skin a brighter, more youthful appearance.


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La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin


This La Roche-Posay moisturizer is a great choice if you are looking for one that won't clog your pores and has a matte finish. The brand uses innovative technology to reduce excess oil and has a unique anti-sebum ingredient. The matte effect is most likely caused by the micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, microspheres, and perlite that consumes sebum and humidity.


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Etude SoonJung 10 Free Moist Emulsion


If you're looking for a gentle moisturizer with a low pH, we recommend this one from Etude's SoonJung line. Products with a high pH can damage the skin's acid mantle and cause irritation, so it's important to choose a moisturizer with a low pH (between 1 and 6). This moisturizer also contains lots of humectants, which help the skin retain moisture.


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CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM


A hydrating moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid is often enough to provide moisture, but if your skin needs more oil-free ,  lightweight,  non-comedogenic lotion is next level. This type of lotion offers hydration without feeling heavy, which is important for oily skin because it doesn't need a heavy, emollient-rich moisturizer. This lotion also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-strengthening ceramides, and niacinamide.


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Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer


If you have oily, sensitive skin or a weakened skin barrier, this gentle moisturizer is a great option. It contains salicylic acid, a type of beta hydroxy acid that unclogs pores, removes dead skin cells, and reduces inflammation, helping to prevent breakouts and give you smoother, exfoliated skin. The formula also contains prebiotics that help strengthen the skin barrier, protecting against environmental stressors and reducing water loss (dehydration), which can restore the balance of water and sebum in oily skin.


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Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum


This budget-friendly moisturizer from Vichy is the perfect solution for those who are looking to hydrate and plump their skin. The hyaluronic acid and the brand's signature mineral-rich volcanic water work together to provide your skin with the moisture it needs. This unique combination of ingredients makes this moisturizer a must-have for anyone seeking to improve the appearance and feel of their skin.

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