Best oil-free moisturisers: the complete guide for choosing oil-free moisturisers for acne-prone, sensitive, combination and dry skin.
Moisturising our skin daily is so important in our skincare routine. I put it second place in importance after sunscreen because, without enough hydration, your skin barrier suffers, which might lead to skin damage and acne breakout.
I’m Esraa Sheta, a Pharmacist who is obsessed with skincare products. Today, I will show you the best oil-free moisturisers according to the dermatologists we asked about and the products I attested in BeautySkinReviews. An oil-free moisturiser is an excellent choice for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin types. They provide long-lasting hydration and protect your skin barrier. Many moisturisers we will talk about help boost your skincare barrier and make your skin feel much better in less than one month.
Top 15 Oil-free Moisturisers
1. Effaclar Mat Daily Moisturiser
Pros
- Best for oil control
- Medium texture
- Fast absorption by the skin
- Moisturise and repair skin barrier in 1 hour
- Anti-shine & anti enlarged pores
- It can be applied under make-up
Cons
- –
Effaclar Mat Daily Moisturiser is a great oil-free moisturiser that you can use twice daily. It works best for people with oily skin to get a matte appearance. The bottle is relatively small, but using a pea-sized amount is enough for hydrating your skin. I loved using this cream with my tretinoin to reduce skin irritation. For best results, apply the Effaclar moisturiser on a damp face to lock the moisture into the skin.
Price at the time of publication – £16.
- Skin Type: Oily
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Vitamin C & Vitamin E
- Dose: Use twice daily
2. Olay Beauty Fluid Face And Body Moisturiser
Pros
- It provides a perfect base for make-up
- 24-hour hydration
- Light, silky feel
- It makes the skin glow naturally
Cons
- –
If you are looking for an on-the-go moisturiser to use once daily and get 24 hours of daily hydration, use Olay Beauty Fluid Face And Body Moisturiser. It is lightweight and can be used as a primer under your make-up.
Price at the time of publication – £4.75
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Lotion
- Key ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Dimethicone and Glyceryl
- Dose: Apply once daily
3. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturising Cream
Pros
- Nourishing hydrating moisturiser
- It provides long-lasting hydration to the skin.
- It can be used as a primer for make-up.
- Light moisturising cream
- It has a creamy texture
- Quickly absorbed by the skin
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturising Cream is the best-selling oil-free moisturiser this year for normal skin. It has glycerin and squalane, which are very hydrating to the skin. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturising Cream is a lightweight cream, so if you have dry skin, you might need to apply more cream to moisturise your skin deeply. For the best results, use your moisturiser on damp skin. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has a high quality similar to other Kiehl’s products. However, it is expensive compared to other drugstore moisturisers. It is worth buying if you are looking for a good moisturiser that doesn’t break out your acne.
Price at the time of publication – £22.99
- Skin type: Normal
- Formula: Gel
- Key ingredients: Squalane, Glycerin & Salicylic Acid
- Dose: Use twice daily
4. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream
Pros
- Great for building your skin barrier
- It delivers moisture deep into your skin
- 100% Natural
- It is dermatologist-tested.
Cons
- Not for people who have mucin allergy
- It has a strong smell
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream is the year’s best-selling natural moisturiser. It is perfect for oily skin, dry skin and damaged skin. It glides onto the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This cream is a good choice if you are looking for a Korean skincare product.
Many people reported allergic contact dermatitis-like rash after using the COSRX Advanced Snail Cream. If you decide to try it, do a skin test by applying a small amount of the cream on a small skin patch to test if you are allergic to mucin.
Price at the time of publication – £16
- Skin type: All Skin Types
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: snail mucin, Betaine and hyaluronic acid
- Dose: once or twice a day on clean skin
5. Sukin Oil Free Moisturiser
Pros
- It smells good
- Well-priced
- The skin easily absorbs it
- It is rich in natural sources of iron
Cons
- –
Combination skin can get away with using Sukin Oil Free Moisturiser a few times daily to keep your face hydrated. It has glycerin and eucalyptus that help reduce bacteria breakout and refresh the skin. This product is made in Australia, cruelty-free and 100% vegan.
Price at the time of publication – £6.74
- Skin type: Combination
- Formula: Oil
- Key ingredients: Carbon, eucalyptus & tea tree
- Dose: apply twice a day
6. BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream
Pros
- Great lightweight moisturiser
- It enhances the skin barrier
- It improves skin tone and texture
- Alcohol & fragrance-free
Cons
- –
BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream is a pH-balanced and hydrating moisturiser for all skin types. It is much better than Cerave for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. It is very lightweight and yet effective in hydrating your skin. It has niacinamide, which brightens your skin, and green tea, which soothes the skin and reduces skin inflammation. BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream also contains antioxidants that protect your skin from free radicals and enhance the skin barrier.
Price at the time of publication – £11.88
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Green tea and niacinamide
- Dose: Apply 1-2 pumps in the morning and evening.
7. Olay Regenerist Whip SPF Face Moisturiser
Pros
- Light cream
- It has great value for the money
- It has anti-ageing benefits
- Smooth texture
Cons
- Not for very sensitive skin
Olay Regenerist Whip SPF oil-free moisturiser reduces the appearance of pores and makes the skin more radiant and even-toned. Use this cream around the eyes, jawline and neck to prevent wrinkles and skin sagging. It doesn’t cause white cast and has a delightful fragrance.
Price at the time of publication – £18.99
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide & peptides
- Dose: use in the morning on the neck, under the eyes and jawlines to protect your skin from UV radiation.
8. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil Control Moisturiser
Pros
- Weightless Hydration
- Easy to apply and absorbs quickly
- Oil control moisturiser
- It has anti-ageing benefits
- It helps absorb excess oil
Cons
- –
First Aid Beauty Oil Control Moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin with no greasy feeling. It is excellent for all skin types; apply a pea-sized amount of the cream over clean, dry skin. It also helps with reducing wrinkles and dull skin appearance.
Price at the time of publication – £22.95
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide and Triclocarban
- Dose: twice daily AM & PM.
9. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser
Pros
- absorbed instantly by the skin
- Unique Hyaluronic Gel Matrix
- It keeps the skin hydrated all the day
- It can be used as a primer
Cons
- –
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser is excellent for dry skin and doesn’t clog pores. It can be used on both the face and neck. From my experience, hydration lasts for around 12 hours and can be used for oily skin, too. The hyaluronic acid gel matrix in Neutrogena hydrates the skin and creates a reservoir of water in the skin.
Price at the time of publication – £8.40
- Skin type: Dry Skin
- Formula: Gel
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Dose: apply twice daily
10. Avène Hydrance Light Hydrating Emulsion
Pros
- Great light moisturiser
- Non-greasy
- It makes your skin feel better, soft and radiant
- Provides 24 hours of hydration
Cons
- –
If you are looking for a light moisturiser, this emulsion is fantastic. It provides 24-hour hydration and is easily absorbed by the skin. It doesn’t cause skin to break out and is suitable for normal to combination skin types. After trying it for two months, I felt my skin texture was normal while I have acne-prone skin type. It is very gentle and effective.
Price at the time of publication – £16
- Skin type: All, including sensitive skin
- Formula: hydrating emulsion
- Key ingredients: Avène Thermal Spring Water & Glycerin
- Dose: Use twice daily
11. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Day Cream Moisturiser
Pros
- Soap-free formula
- Pro-retinol A and elastic flex
- SPF 30
- It protects against dark spots.
- It firms and tightens the skin.
Cons
- A bit of heavy cream
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Day Cream Moisturiser earns top scores for making the skin firmer and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Red ginseng is a powerful ingredient that makes your skin look less tired. Use every morning to moisturise your skin. It also has SPF 30 properties. However, I recommend applying sunscreen on sunny days with SPF +50.
Price at the time of publication – £6.18
- Skin type: Oily Skin
- Formula: Lotion
- Key ingredients: Retinol
- Dose: once every morning
12. NEOM- Perfect Night’s Sleep Overnight Facial Cream
Pros
- The rich texture that doesn’t leave skin greasy
- Delivers up to 48 hours of intense hydration
- Repairs the skin barrier
Cons
- Expensive
- Thick texture
If you are looking for a luxurious and practical night cream, NEOM- Perfect Night’s Sleep Overnight Facial Cream is an excellent choice for you. It can be used on both face and neck. The cream is a bit thick, and it feels luxurious to put on. It does hydrate your skin, and you should apply it once in the evening to enjoy long-lasting hydration.
Price at the time of publication – £44.00
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Ceramide
- Dose: apply once in the evening
13. FREEDERM Clearing Oil-Free Face Moisturiser
Pros
- It provides long-lasting skin hydration
- Soothing moisturiser
- It reduces Spots
Cons
- The glow doesn’t last long
- Not for too-sensitive skin
FREEDERM Clearing Oil-Free Face Moisturizer is light, giving my skin a healthy, glowy look after applying it. However, I felt that the glow doesn’t last for too long. This cream is a fantastic moisturiser for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. I love that it is not oily at all. It contains antimicrobials to help prevent acne breakouts. It would be best if you used it once daily.
Price at the time of publication – £4.37
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Niacinamide
- Dose: Apply daily to face & neck after cleansing thoroughly.
14. NIVEA Sensitive Day Cream Moisturiser
Pros
- affordable price
- with SPF 15
- pH-neutral, perfume-free
- It reduces skin tightness and redness instantly.
Cons
- It is a bit greasy
- It doesn’t skin on the skin quickly
I wouldn’t say I liked that NIVEA moisturiser is a bit greasy, and the skin does not readily absorb it. You can use NIVEA Sensitive Day Cream Moisturiser as a sunscreen with UV protection with SPF 15. However, it is ineffective; you need at least SPF 30 for good sun protection and environmental suppressors.
Price at the time of publication – £4.
- Skin type: sensitive skin
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, Liquorice extract & grape seed oil
- Dose: apply once daily.
15. NEUTROGENA® Clear & Radiant Moisturiser
Pros
- For acne-prone skin
- Excellent moisturiser for daily cleansing
- Great price
Cons
- Overpowering scent
- Avoid applying it on acne spots
NEUTROGENA® Clear & Radiant Moisturiser deeply cleanse your skin as it contains salicylic acid. However, it is a bit strong. If you have too dry skin, you shouldn’t use it. If you have oily skin, use it carefully. Don’t overuse it, as it might cause skin dryness. If you feel that your skin is too dry while using this product, you should use it less. I advise you not to use it directly on acne spots as it might cause acne break out.
Price at the time of publication – £3
- Skin type: All
- Formula: Oil
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid
- Dose: once daily
How do we choose the best oil-free moisturisers?
I’m a pharmacist and beauty editor passionate about skincare products. I have tested the oil-free moisturisers on my skin. I also researched the products and read customer and dermatologist reviews to help you with this comprehensive guide on everything related to oil-free moisturiser and how to choose the best one for each skin type. All the products listed have at least 4 out of 5 stars on online shopping websites.
Check Also:
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- Which Philips Lumea is The Best? – Full Review
- Best Moisturisers for Dry Skin in 2023
FAQs
Are oil free moisturisers better?
Oil-free moisturisers are gentler on the skin and less likely to cause acne breakouts. They might work better for you if you have acne-prone skin or oily skin. However, if you have dry skin, you might feel that oil-free moisturisers don’t provide you with enough hydration, and you may prefer moisturisers with some natural oils.
In general, oil-free moisturisers are lightweight and don’t leave your skin greasy.
Is oil-free moisturiser better for acne?
It depends on the product you are using and the ingredients it has. It would be best to look for an oil-free moisturiser that doesn’t contain elements that cause acne breakout or over-dryness of the skin. However, it is generally better for acne than heavier, oil-based moisturisers.
Should I skip moisturiser if I have acne?
No, moisturising your skin is an essential step in your skincare routine, especially if you use salicylic acid or hydroxy acid that causes skin dryness. Moisturisers also help maintain your skin’s natural barrier function. Skin dryness might worsen acne and clog pores.
Do I have dry skin, or am I dehydrated?
You can tell if you have dry skin or are dehydrated by doing the pinch test. It is very easy to do in the following steps:
- Take a section of your skin on the back of your hand or the cheek with two fingers
- Squeeze the skin section gently.
- If your skin bounces back within 3 seconds, this means that your skin is likely well hydrated. If your skin doesn’t bounce back within 3 seconds, this means your skin is dehydrated.
Hello! This is Esraa Sheta, Beauty Editor and Pharmacist. I have been creating product reviews for over 7 years now. All the product reviews for BeautySkinReviews are unbiased. I carefully select the products and rigorously test them to ensure that the reviews are truthful and beneficial to customers. I’m confident that you will discover a wealth of valuable tips and tricks to elevate your skincare routine.
