Whilst we're striving for radiant and healthy skin, finding the best moisturiser is a hard feat - unless you're familiar with the best oil-free moisturisers. If you're dealing with oily, combination or acne-prone skin, these might just be the next best thing you never thought of. Look for something that's hydrating and nourishing without excess oil? Enter: oil-free moisturisers.
These moisturisers are a hot choice for those dealing with particularly oily or combination skin. Where they provide hydration without adding extra oil to the skin's surface, you'll be looking smooth and fresh without the grease. By balancing moisture levels, these moisturisers for oily skin make your skin's natural glow show, as well as prevent your skin from becoming excessively dry or oily.
Closer's best oil-free moisturisers at a glance:
Best overall oil-free moisturiser: Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream 50ml - View offer on Cult Beauty
Best hydrating oil-free moisturiser: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream - View offer on LookFantastic
Best affordable oil-free moisturiser: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion - View offer on LookFantastic
Ever heard of the term 'non-comedogenic'? Well, this is something you should be familiar with when it comes to oil-free moisturisers because it means they won't clog pores - and that's what you'll find with most of these choices. You'll be a fan of this if you're prone to breakouts, as these moisturisers hydrate without contributing to blemishes, making them a great moisturiser for acne-prone skin.
So, with all that in mind, we're stocking up on these choices to make sure our skin is more glowy and less greasy. From Byoma to Kiehls, CeraVe and La Roche-Posay, here are the best oil-free moisturisers on the market right now, and why you should be snapping them up ASAP.
SHOP: The best oil-free moisturisers to try
Best overall oil-free moisturiser
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
If you haven't already heard of the trusty skincare brand that is Byoma, then get to know. This oil-free moisturiser is both barrier-boosting and lightweight, making it a great everyday choice. Plus, it's great value for money with niacinamide and green tea. So handy.
Tried & tested by Shopping Editor, Aimee Jakes: "Easily my favourite product in the range, the gel formula is perfect for oily, yet dehydrated skin. It's silky and lightweight, yet very nourishing and I find myself reaching for this constantly. There are honestly zero faults with this moisturiser and would happily use this for all of eternity. If you had told me this product was £50, I would have believed you."
Pros
- Lightweight and non-greasy
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Includes hyaluronic acid
Cons
- May not be suitable for dry skin
Best hydrating oil-free moisturiser
www.lookfantastic.com
More than anything, we just want our moisturisers to suck-in hydration as much as possible - especially when they're oil-free. Enter: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream. Made with imperata cylindrica root extract, antarcticine and cucumber, this formulation balances out your complexion to banish excess oil.
Customer review: "Lovely gel moisturiser! Non-scented and great for my skin, I can be quite sensitive to face cream and haven’t had a problem with this one. I have oily skin and this definitely helps prevent excess oil."
Pros
- Provides long-lasting hydrating
- Non-comedogenic meaning it wont clog pores
Cons
- May need a richer moisturiser if you have combination skin
Best affordable oil-free moisturiser
www.lookfantastic.com
CeraVe's range is a go-to for easy, accessible skincare that is fuss-free. This classic CeraVe PM Facial Moisturising Lotion with Ceramides will keep you hydrated for up to 24 hours and is known for being super lightweight, making it a great base for daily makeup. Looking for an in-depth review? Check out Closer's CeraVe Moisturising Lotion review.
Customer review: "This is perfect for my dry skin a very light formula which helps my skin to feel heavily hydrated - I have purchased this multiple times and would recommend it."
Pros
- Great value-for-money
- Ceramides help strengthen skin barrier
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Can feel heavy on oily skin
Best oil-free moisturiser with niacinamide
www.facetheory.com
The key to this Facetheory Supergel Oil-free Moisturiser M3 is the niacinamide in it, which reduces pores whilst working with the salicylic acid to clear your skin of any blemishes. Both hydrating and lightweight, this will zap away any grease.
Customer review: "Love this moisturiser! One of my favourite products both versions are amazing. It doesn't irritate my sensitive skin and gives you a nice refreshed glow too. I would recommend it to anyone! 5 stars."
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Niacinamide and salicylic acid clears blemishes
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
Cons
- May not be as moisturising
Best non-comedogenic oil-free moisturiser
www.lookfantastic.com
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar MAT is your daily essential for combating pores and shine. Powered by Sebulyse, it controls excess sebum with an oil-free, Perlite-infused formula. Perfect as a makeup base. Paraben-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin.
Customer review: "Wouldn’t ever go without. Best moisturiser for oily skin. Helps to mattify shiny skin without making my skin look dull and keeping skin hydrated."
Pros
- Helps control excess oil and shine
- Sebulyse technology leaves a matte finish
Cons
- Matte effect can be fairly intense
Best matte oil-free moisturiser
www.lookfantastic.com
Experience deep hydration with The Ordinary's Natural Moisturising Factors + HA. This non-greasy formula replenishes your skin's protective NMF barrier, delivering amino acids, hyaluronic acids, and more for a brighter, healthier complexion. Vegan and cruelty-free too.
Customer review: "As with most ordinary products, you get exactly what your skin needs without the hefty price tag. This moisturiser does exactly what it's meant to do. It leaves my skin feeling nourished and healthy. No fancy scent, just a nice creamy, easily absorbed formula. The perfect addition to your skincare regime."
Pros
- Affordable choice
- Contains natural moisturising factors
- Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Texture can be heavy
Best oil-free moisturising gel
www.clinique.co.uk
Experience eight hours of oil-free hydration with Clinique's Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Gel. Dermatologist-developed, it balances and refreshes oily and combination skin. Enriched with natural moisturizing factors and botanicals like barley, sunflower, and cucumber, this non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula strengthens your skin's moisture barrier.
Customer review: "I have really struggled with moisturisers before. I have oily skin, and anything too heavy clogs my skin and gives me spots under the skin. The moisturising gel goes into my skin and doesn't feel heavy. Absolutely love it."
Pros
- Well trusted brand
- Provides hydration all day long
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Can be less moisturising than other options
What is oil-free moisturiser?
Lets get down to the details. Oil-free moisturiser is a skincare (usually face cream) product made to hydrate the skin without adding additional oil or greasiness. This makes it a perfect choice for oily skin or as a moisturiser for combination skin. If you prefer a lightweight and non-greasy texture in your skincare routine, this might be the one for you.
Make sure to double-check the ingredients and functions of a moisturiser before you purchase it because it's important you choose a product that matches your skin. Overall, you can assume that most oil-free moisturisers are made with oily skin in mind but they do work for dry skin too. It all depends on which brand and project you're buying from.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for Closer. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.