As someone who has struggled, with oily skin for years—where my face always looked shiny, as if I were sweating. Yes, even oily skin needs a moisturizer. After making a lot of skincare mistakes, I’ve learned that choosing the right kind of moisturizer is necessary to balance the oiliness on the face.
In this post, I’ll break down why you need a moisturizer, the types that work for oily skin, and a few tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Why Moisturizer Is Essential for Oily Skin?
A right moisturizer keeps your skin balanced and hydrated without your clogging pores or making you look oily. And, a wrong one can leave your skin greasy and shiny all day.
When your skin isn’t properly hydrated, it tries to make up for it by producing even more oil. This can lead to enlarged pores, a shiny T-zone, and frequent breakouts. From personal experience, not all moisturizer made for oily skin help reduce greasiness and shine. It was a trial-and-error process for me and finally found the one.
The key is to find a gel or water-based moisturizer with an oil control formula that hydrates the skin without being heavy on the skin.
Which type of Moisturizer is Best for Oily Skin?
Always look for these keywords on the label
- Oil-free and Non-comedogenic – It means a product with these labels won’t clog your pores or cause acne.
- Gel-based or water-based textures – These are lightweight when compared to creams and won’t make your face feel heavy or greasy
- Mattifying – It helps to reduce oil on face giving you that shine-free look for hours.
Ingredients to Love
- Hyaluronic acid – Hyaluronic acid helps maintain balanced hydration and supports healthy oil production, without clogging pores or feeling heavy.
- Niacinamide – Niacinamide helps regulate excess oil, making it a great choice for oily skin. It also has calming properties that soothe inflammation and reduce redness.
Ingredients to Avoid
- Avoid heavy creams or anything that contains mineral oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, paraffin, petroleum jelly, or silicone derivatives, as they can make your skin greasy.
Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin
I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers over the years and here’s a list of moisturizers that have worked wonders for my oily skin.
#1 Dr. Seth’s Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil – Free Moisturizer
I’m currently using this moisturizer. It has a lightweight gel texture that feels super comfortable on the skin and gets absorbed easily. It does not make my skin greasy or overly shiny, leaving my skin feeling balanced and hydrated but not oily. It also works well under sunscreen and makeup, making it my go-to moisturizer.
#2 Re’equil Oil Free Mattifying Moisturising Gel
It is a mattifying gel which gives you an instant shine free look that that lasts for hours. So, if you’re someone who struggles with shine, especially in hot and humid weather, you’ll love this. It holds up well in summer and under makeup.
However, during the monsoon, this gel made my skin feel tight and uncomfortable, so I have to switch to another moisturizer. Other than that, it is a really good moisturizer.
#3 Dot & Key CICA Calming Skin Renewing Night Gel Cream
Although it’s a night gel cream, I used it both day and night, and it’s the only moisturizer that gets me compliments whenever I used it. It leaves the skin glowing while effectively controlling excess oil. Also, the niacinamide in it visibly faded my acne scars over time.
How to Apply Moisturizer on Oily Skin
- Cleanse– Start with a gentle face wash that helps to remove excess oil without stripping the skin.
- Tone (optional)- If you like using a toner, go for an alcohol-free one.
- Moisturize– Apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture.
- Sunscreen– Apply a matte sunscreen after the moisturizer to keep oil at bay.
Tip: Apply moisturizer twice daily, especially after washing your face.
Final Thoughts
So, does oily skin need moisturizer? Absolutely!
Using the right moisturizer can help reduce oiliness and prevent acne. Once I adopted this step, it made a huge difference in how my skin behaved and felt. I noticed a more balanced skin and reduced shine. So, make sure to select a moisturizer that hydrates without greasiness, followed by a matte sunscreen.
Disclaimer
This post is based on personal experience and for informational purposes only. Please consult a professional before trying any new skincare product. For more details, see my full disclaimer.
