Looking for the Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin?
Great! You have come to the right place as we bring forth a list of the leading names that are ruling this industry since the past few years.
Oil on the skin can make you look young and vibrant, but too much oil on the skin can make your face look greasy and shiny, and it also causes acne breakouts.
It is tough to manage oily skin, but the right skin-care regimen can make it less challenging.
Along with washing your face three times a day, wearing sunscreen outside, using oil-free make-up, you also have to apply moisturizer every day.
Moisturizer? Yes, you read it right. Most of us who have oily skin avoid it, thinking they would make our face a breakout zone or an oil slick.
It is a misconception that people who have oily skin should not use moisturizers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), even if you have oily skin, "it is still important to apply moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated."
For detailed information about best face moisturizer for oily skin and which one to go for we recommend you going through our buyer's guide at the bottom of the article as it can be really beneficial for you in selecting the best moisturizer for oily acne prone skin.
If your skin is not properly hydrated, it might invite a host of other skin problems.
However, you can't make the mistake of randomly picking a moisturizer and applying it on your face. You have to find one that is formulated for your skin type. A good oil-free moisturizer not only hydrates your skin but also absorbs the excess oil on your skin.
Look out for these factors before buying a moisturizer for your oily skin.
Other related articles: Top 10 Best Night Cream in India
, Top 10 Best Toners For Oily Skin in India
We Highly recommend you to read the Moisturizer for Oily Skin Buying Guide at the end of this article to get in-depth knowledge about latest Moisturizer for Oily Skin trends and tips on making an informed decision about which product to buy for your needs 🙂
Let's explore the list and have a look at the features along with the pros and cons of the Top 13 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin in India.
Top 13 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin in India
Although my favorite among all is Lakmé Peach Milk SPF 24 PA Sunscreen Moisturizer, but you must check all of them to make your buying decision.
1. Lakmé Peach Milk
Lakmé Peach Milk SPF 24 PA Sunscreen Moisturizer has all the elements to make your oily skin feel nourished, smooth, and radiant.
Lakme has formulated it by blending peach extract and milk, and with Nutritive Moisture Technology, a "breakthrough" deep moisturizing technology.
The moisturizer absorbs easily and locks moisture for 24 hours, which gives your face a soft, non-greasy glowing look. Also, We Recommend Lakmé Peach Milk as the best moisturizer for oily skin with spf.
It also shields your skin from harmful UV rays as it has SPF24. Apply it daily to get the best result. It is also suitable for people who have normal skin.
Pros
Related Post: Top 10 Best Moisturizer For Men In India
Cons
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for combination skin gives your face a very soft look.
After applying it, you will not feel that your skin is dry on the cheeks and oily in other areas, as its dual-action formula moisturizes all dry areas without leaving behind a greasy residue.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture also has an oil-absorbing microsponge, which controls the excess on the T-zone and makes it best cream for oily skin.
And, as the microsponge is non-comedogenic, there is no chance of any pore getting clogged. Your skin will look better, deeply hydrated, and will get a natural, matt finish.
Pros
Cons
3. Patanjali Ayurved Limited Aloe vera Moisturizing Cream
Patanjali Ayurved's Aloe Vera Moisturizing Cream is suitable for all types of skin. It prevents skin from dehydrating and keeps it smooth, soft, and glowing.
And, the aloe vera gel present in this moisturizing cream makes your skin supple and helps fight acne.
Although it has a thick consistency, the cream is not at all greasy and gets absorbed quickly in the skin.
Moreover, it can be applied all over the face and body. It is best for the winter season, as it protects the skin against harsh winter dryness.
Pros
Cons
4. NIVEA Soft
NIVEA Soft, Light Moisturiser comes in milky-white color and has a soft and light texture. It gently revitalizes your skin and keeps it supple and dehydrated.
This soft cream from NIVEA spreads easily and absorbs quickly in the skin, because of this, your skin feels soft and smooth all day long.
Along with this it is one of the best moisturizer for oily skin in India. If your skin is very oily, apply a little amount of this moisturizer.
And it has a delightful mild fragrance, which makes you feel instantly refreshed. It is suitable for all types of skin and is perfect for the colder months.
Pros
Cons
5. Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion has a fast-acting, long-lasting formula that helps nourishes skin, and enhances skin’s natural moisture.
It consists of natural ingredients such as macadamia nut oil and glycerin, which locks in skin moisture.
It is because the ingredients bind water to the skin, and therefore preventing moisture loss. Once applied, the skin feels soft and refreshed, and there is no greasy feeling.
And, its lightweight hydration soothes sensitive skin. There is no fragrance, and it is non-irritating and non-comedogenic. It is suitable for use both on the face and body.
Pros
Cons
6. Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturiser
Neutrogena Oil-Free Facial Moisturiser SPF15 moisturizes the face as well as protects it from harmful sun-rays, making your skin feel soft and smooth.
Its Broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen prevents premature signs of aging and makes it best day cream for oily skin in India.
Moreover, the milky white moisturizer does not clog the pores, which is why it does not trigger an acne breakout.
Once applied, the oily skin does not look greasy or shiny as the moisturizer’s sheer, oil-free formula absorbs quickly into the skin.
Its key ingredients include Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, and Oxybenzone. Oily skin people can apply it every day.
Pros
Cons
7. Lotus Herbals Alphamoist Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Oil-Free Moisturiser
Lotus Herbals Alphamoist Alpha Hydroxy Skin Renewal Oil-Free Moisturiser delivers intense moisturization as it absorbs easily and quickly into the skin.
It comes with natural ingredients such as almond oil, aloe vera, basil leaf extract. The almond oil is rich in both vitamin E and vitamin A.
Vitamin E helps skin fight the free radicals while vitamin A prevents acne-breakouts.
The properties of the basil leaf extract heal the damaged skin and also lighten its skin tone, while aloe vera seals in essential oil.
Once applied, the skin feels soft, supple, beautiful, and flawless.
Pros
Cons
8. CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Ultra-Light SPF 30 Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight oil-free moisturizer that contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
They help the skin retain the natural moisture as well as protect it from external damages.
The lotion's Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen prevents premature aging by shielding the skin from the harmful sun rays. When applied, the skin feels soft, silky, and hydrated.
The lotion leaves the skin with a matt finish, which ensures that the face does not look greasy or shiny. It can be used as daily face cream for oily skin.
Pros
Cons
9. L'Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care
L'Oreal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care is formulated to offer lightweight hydration. When applied, it infuses the skin with moisture and locks it in.
It claims to offer 74 hours of intense hydration. Also, the moisturizer quickly absorbs the oil and gives the skin a matte finish.
After Applying it your sensitive skin will feel soothed and nourished as it is best oil free moisturizer for oily skin .
The mattifying action of this L'Oreal moisturizer removes excess sebum from the skin.
And, its dual-action, due to its key ingredients aloe water and hyaluronic acid, makes the skill feel healthy, fresh and young.
Pros
Cons
10. Olay White Radiance Advanced Whitening Skin Cream
Olay White Radiance Advanced Whitening Skin Cream Moisturizer with SPF 24 makes the skin radiant and brighter.
It consists of vitamin B3, which helps reduce the appearance of the dark spots on the face and neck and evens out the skin tone.
The Product Quality let us add on this Product in the list of best face cream for oily skin and pimples.
This moisturizer from Olay also lightens the skin tone, making you look fairer for days.
It enhances the skin's natural radiance as well. It also has ingredients that do not let your skin become dull and dark. The SPF 2 protects your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Pros
Cons
11. VLCC Lavang Moisturiser
VLCC Lavang Moisturiser, as the name implies, consists of clove (lavang) oil.
It also contains herbal neem extract which makes it best herbal moisturizer for oily skin.
Clove's compound called Eugenol has anti-bacterial properties, which prevents bacterial infection.
And, when Eugenol blends with herbal purifiers such as neem, the result is a "potent concoction" that is effective against cystic acne.
Moreover, VLCC Lavang Moisturiser keeps the skin supple and nourished for hours. It is suitable for all skin types, also it is best face cream for oily acne prone skin.
By using it regularly, you can get a clear, smooth skin.
Pros
Cons
12. Khadi Pure Herbal Aloevera Gel with Liquorice and Cucumber Extracts
Khadi Pure Herbal Aloevera Gel with Liquorice and Cucumber Extracts is one of the best face cream for oily skin as it moisturizes without giving the skin a greasy and shiny feeling.
It contains natural ingredients that have healing properties, which restore the skin's suppleness and make it healthy.
The consistency of this aloe vera gel is thick, but it is easy to spread and quickly absorbs in the skin.
After applying it, your skin becomes soft, regains its natural glow, and improves skin texture. Those who have oily skin can use it every day.
Pros
Cons
13. Ponds Light Moisturiser
Ponds Light Moisturiser makes the skin feel fresh. It is very light on the skin and moisturizes the skin from deep within because of its enriching Vitamin E ingredient.
It also contains glutamic acid, which helps restore the skin's moisture balance. Once applied, the skin feels soft and smooth, and it gets a non-oily fresh glow.
And, it is easy to spread and absorbs into the skin quickly. It is very suitable and also one of the best cream for oily skin and normal skin.
It does not feel greasy or sticky. The moisturizer claims to have 24-hour moisturize locking power.
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide: How to Purchase Moisturizers for Oily Skin
You have to use moisturizer even if your skin is oily. It will lock in the natural moisture of the skin and prevent it from overproducing oil, making your skin appear soft, smooth, supple and radiant.
It is, however, important that you choose the right and best moisturizer for oily skin. If you don’t do that, it will cause irritation, inflammation, or make your skin breakout. Finding an appropriate moisturizer is the first step for an effective skincare regimen, and to help you find one for your oily skin, here is the buyer’s guide.
Best Moisturizing Cream
Determine Skin Type
What skincare product do you use depends on the type of your skin. Before shopping for a moisturizer, you must first determine your skin type. There are four main skin types: normal, dry, oily, and combination.
You have oily skin if it has a greasy or shiny appearance, has noticeable pores, especially large clogged pores around the nose, and it is vulnerable to acne, blackheads, and pimples. And, if you have oily skin, you have to be extra careful when buying a skin-care product as it is prone to acne and breakouts.
Even if a brand claims that its moisturizer is suitable for all types of skin, you must double-check and read the reviews online to confirm that it would not cause breakouts or cause other negative reactions. Don’t fall for promotional claims and only buy a moisturizer that is specially formulated for oily skin.
Look for Oil-Free Moisturisers
Don’t buy moisturizers that have oil if your skin is oily. As your skin is not dry, it does not need intense moisturization. It will cause your skin to breakout. So, avoid buying moisturizers that are heavy and greasy and have mineral oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and petrolatum.
Look for an oil-free moisturizer that is high on water content. Such moisturizers keep your skin hydrated and nourished as well as keep oil under control. Also, they keep your skin soft and smooth, without leaving behind a greasy feeling.
Check Moisturisers with Water Content
It cannot be stressed enough that even oily skin needs to be hydrated. If it is not hydrated enough, the skin will appear dull as well as it will produce more oil, causing more breakouts. You have to moisturize your skin every day.
Those who have oily skin don’t apply moisturizer, thinking that their skin would look greasy and shiny. However, by not applying moisturizers, they end up doing more harm to their skin than good. You don’t have to worry about greasy appearance or breakouts if you choose a moisturizer that has water content.
Such a moisturizer binds water to the skin, making it look radiant and bright. And, it does not cause breakouts as well. Look for moisturizers that are formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water. They help maintain your skin’s hydration level and also hydrate it.
Opt for Lightweight Moisturisers
Buy a moisturizer that makes your oily skin feel and appear healthy, hydrated, and radiant. It should not add another layer of oil, clog the pores, and cause breakouts. You will find all the positives that you are looking for in a lightweight moisturizer.
Such a moisturizer hydrates and soothes your skin, without leaving a film. It also easily spreads and does not feel sticky as the skin quickly absorbs it. The lightweight moisturizers contain ingredients such as glycerine and water-retaining hyaluronic. Avoid at all cost the heavier moisturizers as they spell disaster for the oily skin.
Only Buy Non-Comedogenic Moisturiser
What makes your skin oily? It happens when your skin's sebaceous glands produce too much of a waxy and oily substance called sebum. It generally hydrates the skin and keeps it healthy. However, too much of sebum makes the skin oily, and it also clogs the pores, causing acne breakouts.
You can't use a heavy, comedogenic moisturizer for a skin that produces too much sebum. Choose a moisturizer that has "non-comedogenic" written on its label. Such a moisturizer is specifically formulated to not clog pores.
And, if the non-comedogenic moisturizer has an anti-inflammatory agent, it will not only hydrate the skin and keep the pores clog-free but also soothe the irritation and help reduce the appearance of scars.
Your skin will feel plump, supple and grease-free. However, if your skin acne-prone, you need to be careful even when buying a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Some ingredients of the moisturizer might make the acne worse as they might clog the pore.
Buy Moisturiser with Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Oily skin, too, needs protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB), as they make your skin dark, spotty, and dull as well as they cause aging. To avoid that, you must buy a moisturizer that can protect your skin from the harmful sun rays.
You don't have to fear that a moisturizer with sun protection factor, or SPF, will make your skin more oily and clog the pores. It is not going to do that if it has all the right ingredients and is oil-free and non-comedogenic. SPF tells you how much capability the moisturizer or the sunscreen lotion has to filter UVB rays.
If you want to protect your skin from both UVB and UVA rays, shop for a skincare product that has a "broad spectrum" written on its label. An SPF of 30 is more effective compared to SPF 15. It blocks almost 97 percent of the UVB rays.
Buying a moisturizer with an SPF higher than 15 is also not a good idea as it contains a higher concentration of sun-blocking ingredients. They can make your oily skin feel more greasy and shiny.
So, it is best to buy a moisturizer that offers broad-spectrum coverage and has SPF 30. According to Consumer Search, the common sunscreen ingredients are titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, tinosorb, and Mexoryl SX. Make sure that the sunscreen you intend to buy has one of these ingredients.
Check Oil-Free Moisturiser with Anti-Aging Feature
There is a wrong misconception that oily skin does not get wrinkles as it is more moisturized compared to dry skin. Oily skin too gets lines -- sometimes deeper lines and bigger pores -- and dark spots and can appear dull.
No medicine can stop you from getting older, but there are moisturizers that can help you age better, with fewer fine lines. If you apply such a moisturizer daily, it will help alleviate wrinkles and other signs of aging. In the market, there are a lot of oil-free, lightweight moisturizers with anti-aging properties.
They not only make your skin smooth and supple but also minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and also prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots. If you are above 30 years of age, it is better to buy an oil-free moisturizer that has anti-aging property.
Look for Fragrance-Free Moisturisers for Sensitive Skin
We all get attracted to the pleasing smell and feel that a moisturizer’s good fragrance will soothe and refresh the skin. That is a wrong notion. Most of us are not aware that fragrance can be a problem for sensitive skin.
There are research findings that have concluded that fragrance can cause irritation, redness, allergic reaction, and other negative skin reactions. Even if the skin does not show signs of inflammation immediately, the effects might begin to appear years later if you continue to use the moisturizer that has a strong fragrance.
If your skin is oily and sensitive, it is best to choose a fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid moisturizers that contain perfumes, lanolin, petrolatum, and other comedogenic ingredients.
Ensure Moisturiser is Non-Alcoholic
Most assume that moisturizers that contain alcohol are not that bad because they quickly dry and almost feel weightless on the skin. It is a wrong assumption. You might not immediately see the side-effects, but regular use of alcohol-based moisturizers will damage your skin in the long-term.
They will cause breakouts, irritation, and make your skin dull and ineffective in retaining moisture. Also, the alcohol content is said to stimulate oil production that makes your skin’s pores clog, which causes a breakout.
So, it is best to avoid moisturizers that have alcoholic ingredients such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, alcohol denat, and methanol. Go for water-based, lightweight moisturizers. They, too, quickly absorb in the skin and feel light without causing negative reactions.
Go for Hypoallergenic Moisturisers
We apply moisturizers to minimize water loss through the upper layer of our skin, which keeps it soft, smooth, and healthy. However, some ingredients present in them can be allergy-causing additives, which might cause inflammation, itching, red rashes, or breakouts.
If you have sensitive skin, don’t buy moisturizers that have a potentially allergenic chemical. It is better to pick a moisturizer that is labeled hypoallergenic, which indicates that it has fewer allergy-triggering ingredients.
And, if your skin is very sensitive, opt for the best moisturizer cream for oily skin that has fewer ingredients or is formulated using a single ingredient.
Avoid Moisturisers that Contains Potential Allergens
If you have sensitive oily skin, you have to be very careful when shopping for a moisturizer. Even the products that claim to be 100% natural might have a potential allergen.
Its first-time use might not trigger an allergic reaction, but after repeated exposure, your skin might get scaly rashes, feel itchy, or there might be a severe breakout. The fragrance is the most common allergen found in the moisturizers.
Chamomile and lavender can also trigger an allergic reaction after repeated exposure. Make sure to check the ingredients written on the label before you buy a moisturizer for your oily skin.
Here are some of the potential allergens found in the popular moisturisers as per Medpage Today: fragrance mix, paraben mix, tocopherol (DL-a-tocopherol), phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde releasers, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, cocamide diethanolamine, methylisothiazolinone, Compositae mix, lanolin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, ethyl acrylate, benzophenone-3, D-limonene, and melaleuca alternifolia.
Ingredients to Look for in best Moisturisers for Oily Skin
Some ingredients in a moisturizer keep water from leaving the skin while some attract water to the skin. Check if the moisturizer that you intend to buy has some of these ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and elastin, which help retain water, and sorbitol, glycols, glycolic acid, glycerin, and sodium PCA, which help attract water to the skin.
Glycolic acid has properties that reduce your skin’s excessive oil, which prevents the clogging of the pores, while hyaluronic acid helps hydrate your skin as well as it makes the moisturizer lightweight.
Another effective ingredient for oily skin is dimethicone. Popular oil-free moisturizers use it instead of petrolatum, which can clog the pores. Niacinamide (Vitamin C3), salicylic acid, and retinol are also good for your oily skin.
They help absorb sebum, strengthen the outer layer of your skin, build collagen, and keep your skin healthy, soft, smooth and supple.
Cost
All major skincare brands offer moisturizers specifically designed for the oily skin. Their formulations vary a little, and their cost varies as well: from low, medium to high. Not everyone can afford a moisturizer that has a high price tag.
However, you don't need to worry if you have a limited budget. There are good moisturizers available in the low-to-medium price range. Plus, the high cost of the moisturizer does not imply that it would be more effective.
There are affordable skincare products that work like magic on your skin. So, choose a moisturizer that suits your skin the best and which your wallet can also afford.
Availability
The cosmetic market is flooded with moisturizers for the oily skin. You can easily buy it from a shopping mall or single- store cosmetic shops. If you don’t want to step out and expose your skin to sun rays, dust, smog, or traffic fumes, you can buy it from e-commerce sites such as Nykaa, Amazon, and Flipkart.
They, too, sell a wide range of skincare products. At an e-commerce site, you may get your favorite moisturizer at a price lower than the market retail price (MRP). Before ordering, check the user-generated reviews to find out if a moisturizer is really effective for your oily skin or not.
