The Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin That Won’t Clog Pores

Because I am naturally oily and acne-prone, the right moisturizer has made all the difference. It’s all about using things that moisturize but don’t stuff pores, or they will make you greasier.

Here is my tutorial on selecting an oily skin moisturizer and the best ones I have used.

What to Look For In The Best Oily Skin Moisturizer?

Moisturizer is essential even if you have oily skin. If you don’t drink enough water, your oil glands pump a lot of sebum out the backdoor, which means more pimples. But not any moisturizer will do.

These are the things to look for in a moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin:

Look for Lightweight, Oil-Free Formulas

Don’t use oily or greasy moisturizers made from oils, butter, and waxes, such as mineral oil, coconut oil, shea butter, etc. They’re a bit heavy for oily skin and can clog pores. Instead, go for lightweight, oil-free lotions and gels that absorb rapidly and leave no residue.

Focus on Hydrating, Non-Comedogenic Ingredients

Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and dimethicone hydrate without being comedogenic (non-pore-clogging). They hold water on the skin without weight and oiliness.

Look for Mattifying and Oil-Bodies Ingredients

Choose oil absorbents such as silica, kaolin clay, charcoal, and salicylic acid, which smooth and matte skin. These control oil production without drying out.

Ensure it’s Fragrance-Free and Non-Irritating

Perfumes, dyes, alcohols, and essential oils dry and itch pre-existing oily skin. Look for formulas without these household irritants.

Include Essential Sun Protection

Even oily skin needs SPF to prevent UV damage. Be sure to apply broad spectrum SPF 30 (or greater) in your day moisturizer.

Now, check out my top moisturizers for the above reasons. I’ll have a full review of the most oil-free day, night, and mattifying moisturizers.

Best Oil-Free Gel Moisturizers for Daytime

If you want something lightweight gel-like, these light, greasy moisturizers are hydrating without greasiness or breakouts.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30

This oil-absorbing moisturizer with SPF 30 by Cetaphil fixed my oily acne-prone skin.

It has micro pearl technology, which instantly smooths skin, while licorice root extract calms excess sebum. The gel-creamy feel is so light that it saturates so fast, and no grease is behind it.

Pros:

• Micropearl technology instantly mattes the skin.
• Licorice Root Extracts the excess oil in your body.
• Gel-cream texture – there’s no oily after-taste.
• Easy to use with make-up on directly after without pilling.
• Offers broad spectrum SPF 30 sun protection.

Cons:

• Too oily for dry skin.
• It’s only in the form of a tint that can be removed after a couple of hours.
• It can block pores in very oily skin types.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer

I love Neutrogena’s oil-free acne moisturizer from the drugstore. It’s specifically designed for acne-prone skin with primary actives such as dimethicone to smooth pores and add texture.

The soft gel formula is cooling and refreshing to apply. It dissolves into my skin in seconds and is so natural and silky. I never worry about this moisturizer leaving a residue or pilling with other products, even under other products.

Pros:

• Mainly designed for acne-prone skin.
• Dimethicone smooths and smoothes the texture of pores.
• Very light gel sinks in right away.
• Provides a natural, silky sheen.
• Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic

Cons:

• It cannot be moisturizing enough for dehydrated skin.
• Will pill when used in too much product.
• The bottle is squirmy to empty.

COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion

COSRX oil-free ultra moisturizing lotion is a Korean beauty must-have for oily skin. There’s a creamy gel-like texture to it, and feels so cool on the skin. The lotion formula moisturizes better than a gel without feeling thick or greasy.

Pros:

• Milky gel-lotion duo hydrates naturally, not sticky.
• Birch sap and panthenol maintain a barrier.
• Centella and tea tree calm redness and inflammation.
• Dissolves quickly with no after-feel.
• It may be used day and night.

Cons:

• It’s not moisturizing enough for dehydrated skin types.
• Bad odor on irritated noses.

Best Mattifying Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Mattifying moisturizers are the creamier moisturizers I’ve ever used if you have oily skin that won’t go away. They don’t dry out skin, only matte skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer

Effaclar Mat moisturizer from La Roche-Posay is the best I’ve ever tried for oily, shiny skin. It works with micro-exfoliating lipo hydroxy acid to unclog pores and mattify skin while moisturizing.

My t-zone gets CRAZY oily all day, but this keeps it hydrated and shiny for hours.

Pros:

• Micro-exfoliating lipo hydroxy acid resurfaces and smoothes pores.
• Niacinamide dries out pores, soaks up oil, and smoothes out redness.
• Fluid feel disperses quickly and dissolves, leaving no residue.
• Evens oily skin without tightness or itchiness.
• Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic

Cons:

• It may be drying if used too much.
• Too oily for normal-to-dry skin types.
• Expensive

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

In addition to being light SPF 46, EltaMD’s UV Clear moisturizer is a wizard at taming my oily, acne-prone skin. It’s loaded with oil-digesting zinc oxide and moisturizing sodium hyaluronate.

Pros:

• Offers lightweight broad spectrum SPF 46.
• Contain niacinamide to close pores and absorb oil.
• Lactic acid gently exfoliates.
• Water hydrating sodium hyaluronate dryness prevents.
• Anti-oil zinc oxide maintains shine.
• Wears easily with no white cast or greaseiness.
• Gentle enough to apply after procedures.

Cons:

• Creates a white cast on dark skin tones.
• It is not hydrating enough for dry skin types.
• Stings if used after retinol or peels

Boscia Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer

My lifesaver is Boscia’s oil-control mattifying moisturizer, especially when my skin is oily and clogged.

It’s made with silica and zinc oxide to remove shine and light moisturizing from aloe leaf juice. It’s super cooling and refreshing to use on the first application. It dries to an impeccable matte finish that keeps oil and shine away for hours.

Pros:

• Silica and zinc oxide wick away extra oil and sheen.
• Delivers hydration from aloe leaf juice. Lightly watery.
• Cool, refreshing, and good on the skin.
• Delivers a matte perfection for hours.
• Vitamin C and antioxidants brighten the face.
• Pleasant herbal scent

Cons:

• It’s too astringent for dehydrated skin.
• The strong scent may dry out clogged pores.

Best Oil-Free Night Creams for Oily Skin

Your skin needs hydration the most overnight. These oil-free night creams absorb quickly and won’t clog pores while you sleep.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe PM moisturizer is my go-to night cream for acne-prone skin. It has repair ceramides and pore-cleansing niacinamide. This is a nighttime water pump from hyaluronic acid. It is quick to sink in and doesn’t itch because of its lightweight lotion texture.

Pros:

• It contains rejuvenating ceramides and niacinamide.
• Hyaluronic acid keeps you hydrated for hours.
• Non-greasy lotion formula that won’t clog pores.
• Easy to apply, no greasy odor.
• Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Doesn’t moisturize very dry skin.

Paula’s Choice OIL-FREE Moisturizer

In a test, I used Paula’s Choice oil-free moisturizer when my skin was susceptible and prone to rash. It pleasantly hydrated my skin with no greasiness or breakout risk.

It is refreshing, cool on my skin, and then just a layer.

This can be the only night cream I use, and I don’t have to fear that I will wake up feeling dry or flaky from the next day. Paula’s Choice oil-free moisturizer is fantastic if you want a light, fragrance-free night cream that won’t block pores.

Pros:

• It helps soothe & hydrate without getting greasy.
• Green tea extracts and red algae provide antioxidants.
• Allantoin soothes swelling and redness.
• Cooling is ultimately absorbed without leave-on residue.
• Fragrance-free and cruelty-free

Cons:

• Runs out fast

First Aid Beauty Oil Control Moisturizer

It’s a thicker night cream formulated with colloidal oatmeal to strengthen the skin barrier and a combination of oils to remove excess sebum.

Pros:

• Colloidal oatmeal supports the skin barrier.
• Blend of oils to soak up sebum.
• Feverfew and licorice cool and calm redness and irritation.
• Restores skin to its hydrated state, not flaky.
• Soothing eucalyptus scent

Cons:

• Rich cream consistency could be too rich for some.
• It might clog pores for really bad acne sufferers.

Tips for Applying Moisturizer on Oily Skin

When it comes to your new oil-free moisturizer, you must do as much research as you need to find the right formula. Here are some application advice for maximum value:

• Cleanse thoroughly after exfoliating the skin to remove dust, oil, and makeup.
• Dry skin after washing — Don’t rub it on too much.
• Apply a small pea-sized amount – if you apply too much product, it can result in breakouts.
• Warm the moisturizer between your fingers before using it to get the most hydration.
• Apply to dry areas such as the cheeks, and don’t slather too much into oily regions.
• Allow moisturizer to sit for several minutes, and then apply other items.
• Blot oil in the day rather than washing the face again, which drys skin.
• Scrub 2-3 times weekly so moisturizer gets the best insouciant into pores.

Final Thoughts

Getting oily or acne-prone skin doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the benefits of moisturizing. Use non-comedogenic products specifically designed for your skin type to keep your skin moisturized without making it greasier or prone to breakouts.

The right oil-free moisturizing product can make your skin balanced and supple for good. No more shine and congestion! Give one of my favorite products a go. And always follow the application advice for the best results.

If you have any other queries, please let me know! Feel free to ask for advice on how to pick your moisturizer fit.