Because non-greasy, non pore-clogging moisturisers DO exist and we have the proof
The best moisturiser for oily skin may seem counter-intuitive, but believe it or not, oily skin can still get dehydrated. You’ll need a different set of ingredients to someone with dry or flaky skin.
Although your skin is overdoing it on the oil front, it still needs some hydration to maintain skin barrier health. ‘Many anti-acne products dry out skin, so it is important to rehydrate it to prevent overproduction of sebum to combat the dryness,’ consultant dermatologist Dr Sharon Wong says.
Be sure to also tailor your skincare routine to your skin type: take your pick from our best cleansers and fighting shine will become a whole lot simpler. Then for make-up, add one of our best foundations for oily skin to your beauty routine.
So what should you look for when buying products? ‘Avoid heavy moisturisers and opt for oil-free creams or serums instead,’ says Dr Wong. With this in mind, we’ve sourced different types of the best moisturiser for oily skin below.
Best moisturiser for oily skin and open pores
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Pore Minimising Lotion, £29.50, John Lewis
Enlarged pores are unlikely to completely shrink down – their size is down to a combination of things like skin type and genetics – but there are some steps you can take to minimise them. Some moisturisers can help to encourage pores to shrink a little; Kiehl’s lightweight lotion is one such formula, containing Amazonian white clay, that reduces the appearance of pores without simply drying the life out of your skin. If your pores are very large it may be worth looking into microdermabrasion if you’re keen to reduce their noticeability for the long-term.
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Best moisturiser for oily skin with SPF
Dermalogica mediBac clearing™ Oil Free Matte SPF 30, £44.50, John Lewis
It can be a real struggle to find a moisturiser with a good SPF that’s simultaneously not too greasy or heavy – which SPF notoriously can be. Fortunately, there are a few carefully formulated moisturisers that both benefit oily skin and protect it from sun damage. Dermalogica is known to cater for the needs of oily-skinned people, and their mattifying SPF 30 lotion works to mop up excess oil, while also shielding against sun damage. No more oily sun cream problems.
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Still want more moisturiser offerings? Scroll though our gallery below for more brilliant buys.
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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+, £16, Lookfantastic
Probably the best-known good moisturiser for oily skin, La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo targets congested oily skin. The 'duo' refers to 1) salicylic acid that shrinks spots and 2) zinc PCA that calm the irritation and stops blemishes looking red and angry.
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Murad Oil Control Mattifier, £23, Fabled
Oil-Control Mattifier works quickly on contact with the skin to beat shine and keep your complexion matte. Don't be alarmed by the thick texture: This cream absorbs almost instantly to leave the skin feeling light to the touch and ready for foundation. Willow bark extract gently exfoliates and there's an added bonus of SPF 15.
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Avène TriAcnéal Expert, £23, Beauty Expert
An evening moisturiser for stubbornly blemished skin, TriAcneal contains an anti-bacterial as well as retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin A that can help unblock clogged pores.
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Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturiser, £96, Net-A-Porter
Trust us when we say the price tag is totally worth it here. 100% natural and made with 40 high-performance ingredients, the lightweight formula works to clarify the surface layers of your skin, which is why it's so great for oily complexions.
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Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Stay Matte Hydrator, £36 Fabled
Clinique's oil-free moisturiser promises to keep shine at bay for 8-hours. If you're particularly oily, you might need to keep some blotting paper or powder in your handbag for top ups, but it really does mattifying for most of the day.
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Erborian Bamboo Matte, £21 Fabled
Erborian harnesses the use of Korean skincare traditions. This moisturiser uses bamboo powder to mattify and Waterlock complex that stops the skin barrier drying out.
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Vichy Normaderm Anti-Blemish Care, £15 Feelunique
If you have oily skin, chances are you also suffer from regular spots. Vichy's day moisturiser contains glycolic acid to exfoliate and encourage cell turnover, whilst salicylic acid works as a antiseptic and reduces the inflammation of a zit.
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Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel, £27 Look Fantastic
Here at Marie Claire, we trust Paula's Choice products. They have changed the appearance and health of so many of our staff memeber's skin. We are complete converts and we hope to turn you into one too. When you have oily skin, the idea of putting on a thick cream can be off putting, which is why this gel is perfect for those with a natural slick. It hydrates, but leaves a matte effect on the skin that smoothes out the appearance of large pores.
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Shisedo Waso Quick Matte Moisturiser Oil-Free, £34 Cult Beauty
Shisedo's Waso range is aimed at younger skin, but honestly anyone, at any age, will reap the mattifying benefits of this gel. The formula is created with a sebum-absorbing powder inside.
