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ELLE Edit: 15 Moisturisers To Try If You Have Oily Skin
Non-greasy, blemish-fighting hydration is the name of the game
If you have acne-prone or oily skin, finding a moisturiser that works for you can often feel like an impossible task. First, it's a case of trying to work out what it needs or why it's suddenly broken out, and then it can feel like a complete guessing game when it comes to calming down your skin without making the problem, and your damaged skin barrier, worse.
It's true that hydration can sometimes feel like the enemy, but finding the right balance is key. 'Even if you have oily skin, using a moisturiser as part of your regime is advisable to protect the skin from environmental conditions that can cause dehydration. Even if your skin is oily it can still be dehydrated,' says Dija Ayodele, skin health expert and clinic founder, who advises on looking for formulas that contain decongesting ingredients, like salicylic acid. In fact, when your skin becomes dehydrated, it will produce more sebum (oil) which in turn causes more breakouts, notes aesthetic doctor and skin expert, Dr Sophie Shotter.
Though it might be tempting to throw on the thickest creams to relieve that tight feeling dehydrated skin can cause, it normally goes the other way, resulting in oilier skin that's more prone to spots. 'Avoid moisturisers that are really heavy in consistency and opt for oil-free products,' confirms Ayodele. 'These will lessen the excess oil you add to the surface of your skin.'
Dr Shotter agrees: 'make sure that moisturisers are oil free and non-comedogenic - this means that they will not block your pores,' she says. Pay close attention to the ingredients lists too. 'Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, and avoid lipid rich products which could also be pore clogging,' she adds. 'Ingredients lists can be hard to interpret, but be sure to avoid alcohol (it dehydrates your complexion and so your skin produces more oil), lanolin (occlusive), SLS (irritant), dimethicone (a silicone which is occlusive), cocoa butter (comedogenic), fragrance (irritant) and essential oils (irritant).'
As for the texture, seek out lightweight gels, water creams and oil-free formulas with matte finishes. Dr Shotter recommends using a gel moisturiser twice a day. 'This will help keep your skin balanced and healthy and regulate sebum production.'
And where there's a will, there's a way. We've rounded up the best moisturisers for blemish-prone and oily skin to help eradicate any spots and pimples to leave you with skin that's matte and totally spot-free.
Shop 2024's Best Moisturisers For Oily Skin Now
Searching for an affordable alternative for your oily complexion? Look no further than this brightly packaged but hardworking gel-cream by Byoma. A tonic for thirsty skin, it combines niacinamide and barrier-boosting ceramides and has a super lightweight consistency making it a salve for anyone prone to oiliness and breakouts.
If you don't want to compromise on skin-quenching qualities when it comes to your daily moisturiser, try switching it up for this water gel. Incredibly light weight, it sinks into skin so quickly, with no stickiness, and no clogged pores. Especially good on the forehead and t-zone.
Waking up to uncomfortable, congested skin? An extra blanket of thick, greasy shine is the last thing you need. That's why we favour lightweight, water-gel textures that hydrate without ever feeling heavy. Cue Drunk Elephant's Protini Polypeptide Cream. This cloud-like moisturiser absorbs into your skin without leaving a trace and is packed with peptides to help strengthen and nourish your face when it's at it's most compromised.
The name of this cream speaks for itself: clear and calm. Taking a three-pronged approach to acne, this multitasking moisturiser targets excess dead skin cells, over-production of sebum and bacteria. Made up of Japanese liquorice extract, lingonberry seed oil and a soothing complex of chamomile, lavender and sage, this high-performance gel cream lightens acne scars, controls oil and most importantly keeps acne-causing congestion at bay.
When it comes to blemishes, La Roche-Posay is famous for being able to tackle any spot that you throw at it. Containing salicylic acid, this daily moisturiser works to unblock pores and control sebum levels. Use it regularly and you’re not only less likely to get future breakouts but, with the addition of zinc, it helps to get rid of any current spots, too.
In fact, if you're really only hoping to treat a few single, sporadic breakouts, the brand's latest spot treatment is just the thing you need.
It's no secret that Dr. Jart+ is a powerhouse when it comes to redness. In fact, you might already be familiar with its viral colour-correcting treatment which has been crowned a modern skincare hero by TikTok. This ultra-light cream is another favourite of ours. It uses a clever complex of tiger grass and cicabond (a skin renewing blend of proteins and minerals) to calm and restore irritated, red, stressed skin when spots and rosacea make an unwanted return.
If you find you get the odd spot now and again but still want your skin to appear glowy, this luxe hero from Dr. Sturm provides the best of both worlds. Enriched with zinc, it manages to soothe any irritation and counteract redness whilst still leaving skin with a plumped and dewy finish – no oiliness in sight.
When it comes to luxury skincare, Tatcha is hard to beat. This chic pot comes complete with a gold spatula to pick up the perfect amount of product with every application. The formula is pretty impressive too; a rich blend of rice, algae, green tea and Japanese rose. It smoothes texture, tightens pores and balances excess oil production, leaving you with a demi-matte finish. Add it to your skincare routine ASAP.
Acne-prone, oily and sensitive? If you've hit the trifecta, you can't go far wrong with a bit of Avène in your daily routine. Not only does it mattify, reduce excess sebum and hydrate all at once, but it's also formulated with the brand's iconic Thermal Spring Water which soothes areas of irritation. We'll take two.
We guarantee you'll find Augustinus Bader's line-up of luxury, hardworking products on almost every beauty editor's bathroom shelf. Designed for oily skin types and humid climates, this lighter version of the cult original cream has a matte finish specifically designed to control unwanted shine. A brilliant bookend to any skincare routine, it's a worthwhile investment if you ask us.
Salicylic acid is the gold standard when it comes to blemish-busting ingredients, and one to look out for when you're shopping for skincare. This creamy moisturiser also contains hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin feels supple, plump and hydrated throughout the day too. Consider it a one-stop shop to a blemish-free complexion.
If your skin is ultra-sensitive and prone to a shiny T-zone then this weightless moisturiser from Curél ticks every box. It's fragrance-free, won't clog your pores and is ideal for sensitive skin types. A couple of pumps is enough for your whole face, so this bottle will last for a while. It'll balancing oil production and because it's also rich in skin-barrier-soothing ceramides, it'll soften, smooth and hydrate without leaving any greasiness behind.
While this might not look like the most appealing of moisturisers, it's proof that what's on the inside really counts. If you have oily skin and have looked on with envy as dry skin types around you get to slather on rich, luxurious creams without breaking out, we hear you. This hydrating option is less than £20 but believe us when we say it outperforms many pricier brands, and has everything you need if you're prone to redness and oversized pores.
Acne-prone skin commonly goes hand-in-hand with excess oil production, which is exactly what this gel hydrator aims to quell. While it may feel sticky at first, it sinks into skin in seconds to leave you with a grease-free face.
Skincare expert Kate Somerville has been treating and perfecting faces for 30 years, so it's safe to say that she knows her stuff. That's why this cult moisturiser contains oil-absorbing microspheres that work to ensure skin stays matte all day long.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
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