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Does oily skin need moisturizer? The answer—yes. As someone who has oily skin, 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 oily skin need a moisturizer, why moisturizer is important for oily skin, which type of moisturizer is best for oily skin, and my 4 best moisturizer for oily skin.
Why Oily Skin Need Moisturizer?
Yes, oily skin need a moisturizer because 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.
What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Oily Skin?
Labels to Look for in Moisturizer for Oily Skin
- 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 in a Moisturizer for Oily Skin
- 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.
- Cica — Cica also known as Centella Asiatica is a popular skincare ingredient in K-beauty products. It helps to repair skin barrier, retain moisture and reduces redness and inflammation.
- Cermaide — Cermaide strenghten the skin barrier, lock in moisture and boost hydration which helps balance oil production without adding grease, and protect against environmental damage.
Ingredients to Avoid in a Moisturizer for Oily Skin
- 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.
3 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Here’s a list of 4 best moisturizers for oily skin that have worked wonders for my skin.
BEST OVERALL: Dr. Seth’s Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturizer
BEST FOR MATTE LOOK: Re’equil Oil Free Mattifying Moisturising Gel
BEST NIGHT GEL: Dot & Key CICA Calming Skin Renewing Night Gel Cream
BEST FOR WINTER: RE’ EQUIL Oil Free Moisturiser For Normal to 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
The only moisturizer that gets me compliments whenever I used use this night gel. It leaves my skin glowing while effectively controlling excess oil. Also, the niacinamide and cica in it visibly lighten my acne scars over time.
#4 RE’ EQUIL Oil Free Moisturiser For Normal to Oily Skin
I use this moisturizer during the winter as during summer, I find this moisturizer a bit to heavy for oily skin. It has a cream texture which is suitable if your oily skin gets dry in winter. It won’t give you that tight feeling. And, it is only cream that I found it to be suitable for winter for oily skin.
I don’t use this moisturizer during the summer because I find the moisturizer a bit to heavy for oily skin.
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.
FAQ
Do I need to moisturize if I have oily skin?
Yes, you need to moisturize even if you have oily skin. If you skip it, your skin won’t be properly hydrated and will produce even more oil to compensate. This can cause enlarged pores, a shinier T-zone, and more breakouts.
What happens if oily skin uses dry skin products?
Using products meant for dry skin on oily skin can cause several issues such as excess shine, increased breakouts, clogged pores, disrupted skin balance. As dry skin products are typically richer, heavier, and more occulsive which can sit on top of the skin surface and make your skin look greasy.
Does moisturizer reduce oiliness?
Oily skin needs moisturizer. Skipping moisturizer makes your skin produce more oil, leading to shine, enlarged pores, and breakouts.
Why Trust Subtle Edge Life
Hi, I’m Manisha, founder of Subtle Edge Life. My blog currently focuses on oily skin. I test everything myself, take detailed notes, and tell it like it is — no sugarcoating, no sponsored fluff. My goal is to help you make smarter choices, avoid wasting money, and finally feel confident in your skin. Read more