We Tested Nearly 40 Face Moisturizers to Find the Best for Oily Skin — Our Favorites Start at Just $12

If you’re prone to oils taking over your face, consider this Tatcha moisturizer that’s completely oil-free. This noncomedogenic formula protects against blocked pores, smooths and hydrates your skin, and is made from a blend of non-irritating botanical extracts to soothe and calm the skin. It’s a super lightweight mix between a gel and a cream (Water Cream is a perfect name) and instantly melts into the skin.

This moisturizer passed our tests seamlessly. It sunk into the skin instantly, leaving a hydrated (but not sticky, oily, or greasy) finish. There was even a slight plumping effect on the fine lines across our tester’s forehead.

While the cost is higher than any others on TheShockNews, it’s worth it for the quality if you’re able to swing it. It has sleek — though not as portable — packaging. There’s also a golden spatula applicator to keep contamination to a minimum (although some may prefer a tube dispenser versus a tub). Plus, a small dollop goes a long way, so it will last you a while.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Japanese Wild Rose, Japanese Leopard Lily, glycerin, blend of green tea, rice, algae | Consistency: Cream

When a formula is so light that you can barely feel it on your face, it earns the name “invisible” like this moisturizer from Paula’s Choice. Most notably, we found the feel of this product to be incredible: It’s hydrating, reduces oil, and left our skin feeling supple during testing. We also loved that it restored moisture without creating a shine.

This moisturizer, infused with hyaluronic acid, delivers deep hydration and aced the appearance and texture tests. It easily absorbed into the skin without leaving a sheen, instead making the skin look and feel glowy. It’s suggested to use this product in the morning followed by SPF or as a moisturizing night cream.

Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, algae extract, glycerin, grapeseed oil, green tea, superoxide dismutase, panthenol⁠ | Consistency: Gel

Niacinamide is one of the best skincare ingredients for targeting excess oil, so we were really excited to test out The Inkey List Omega Water Cream, which features niacinamide along with a hydrating ceramide complex and betaine for moisture barrier support.

While it takes longer to absorb in humid climates, this moisturizer quickly soaks into the skin in other environments. Once absorbed, the lightweight, creamy formula is barely noticeable and leaves the complexion feeling smooth and hydrated.

Throughout the testing period, we never experienced any excess oil or grease, and we were thoroughly impressed by how well it helped blur the look of some of our pores and fine lines, too. The low price tag was also a major perk for us, especially considering how well it worked compared to more expensive alternatives.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Ceramide complex, niacinamide, betaine | Consistency: Cream

This skin cream features a lightweight texture that is enhanced with ceramides so you can get a major moisture boost without it feeling too heavy or oily on the complexion.

Throughout the testing period, we were most impressed by how well the formula locked in hydration while keeping excess oil at bay. After applying and waiting for it to fully absorb (it does feel a bit tacky initially, but that goes away after a few minutes), our skin felt so dewy and hydrated that it felt like we had just taken off a sheet mask.

Additionally, we loved how its creamy texture feels on the complexion — it goes on like butter for an even applicatoin. 

Size: 5.07 ounces | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, polyacrylamide, triethanolamine | Consistency: Cream

We were also impressed by PCA Clearskin’s creamy yet lightweight formula that absorbed into the skin easily and made our skin feel more moisturized and smoother immediately. It features a blend of marigold flower oil, lemongrass extract, and cucumber fruit extract to up the ante on purifying and calming the complexion.

This skin cream is relatively pricey — especially considering you only get 1.7 ounces of product — so it’s a bit of a splurge. However, with ingredients like vitamin A for evening skin tone and clearing the complexion and niacinamide for brightening dark spots caused by acne, we found that this formula is particularly great for those who experience more blemish-prone skin.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Bisabolol, niacinamide, vitamin A, marigold flower oil, lemongrass extract, cucumber fruit extract | Consistency: Cream

This moisturizer is a favorite of both of the expert dermatologists we interviewed. With a blended consistency of gel and cream, this moisturizer is slightly thicker than the other standouts on our list, but testers said it still feels lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin. The gel cream has a nice texture and consistency, spreads easily, and creates a cooling effect once applied.

The matte finish was evident from the first application, and despite the thickness of this cream, our tester said that it set pretty quickly. The mattifying effect is ideal for those with oily skin who are constantly fighting shine, because it still supports hydration without leaving residue that’s amplified by natural oils.

Clinically tested, in addition to our own tests, this moisturizer has been shown to work as a product for acne-prone skin, too, because it’s noncomedogenic and doesn’t clog pores. While it didn’t plump the appearance of fine lines like some others we tested, if you are most concerned with oil buildup, this is a solid choice.

Size: 2.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, glycerin | Consistency: Gel-cream

This whipped cream is a delicacy for your skin — it smooths and softens with hydrating ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid and uses whipped coconut milk to protect the barrier from free-radical damage.

During testing, we loved how smooth this felt on the skin and how it added a cooling sensation once applied. It passed our absorption and appearance tests, absorbing quickly and evenly onto the face. Our tester not only felt hydrated, but she said her skin looked hydrated. And the oil stayed away: Her skin didn’t feel oily at all — not even her nose, which she said usually exhibits the most oil on her face.

One of our favorite aspects of this moisturizer was that it left skin looking completely natural with no tint or residue. It has a wonderful consistency and works well with Black skin without the worry of a pale look, leaving the skin feeling hydrated without being ultra-shiny.

Size: 2.1 ounces | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vegan dessert milk, whipped coconut milk | Consistency: Cream

This compact moisturizer contains a gorgeous blend of niacinamide, amino acids, and squalane, which hydrates and smooths. “This cream moisturizes without being sticky or blocking the pores,” said Dr. Marcus. She added that the niacinamide helps “soothe and even skin tone.” These ingredients create a lightweight formula that absorbs into your skin rather than just sitting atop it. Our tester said it “feels sheer” and “refreshing” when applied.

There’s a light floral fragrance, which might bother some and suit others depending on sensitivity to smells. Once applied, though, this creamy moisturizer passed our appearance tests. After applying, our skin didn’t feel greasy or oily but was instead left feeling super hydrated. We also found it created a great base for makeup.

Thanks to the niacinamide, our skin felt soothed after applying this moisturizer. While the container isn’t large, and you may have to restock more often, it’s small enough for travel, and the low price makes regular replacements more feasible.

Size: 1.35 ounces | Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, amino acids, squalane | Consistency: Cream

As its name suggests, this moisturizer features a formula of peptides and hyaluronic acid to support skin hydration and suppleness while protecting against moisture loss and blurring the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The skincare formula also has coconut water, which provides amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that support overall skin health, as well as squalane for a glow effect and rose extract which can help calm blemish-prone or irritated complexions.

Throughout the testing period, we were very impressed by how well this hydrated the complexion — though we did find it a better fit for fall or winter weather, as it can be a little too heavy for more humid climates.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Coconut water, hyaluronic acid, peptides, squalane | Consistency: Gel cream

When a product is created by a skin expert like esthetician Shani Darden, you know it’s going to have some incredible ingredients your skin can drink up: hyaluronic acid to boost moisture, hydrolyzed collagen to stimulate skin cell growth and plump the skin for a more supple appearance, as well as red algae extract to help both aims of hydration and softer skin.

This formula felt super-lightweight and milky, which the skin immediately drank up. It left our tester’s skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated without leaving any residue on her skin. It’s suggested to use between two to four pumps of this product and massage it into your face and neck. It left us with noticeably smoother skin that radiated a subtle glow. This moisturizer passed our oil tests, leaving our tester’s skin hydrated and glowing without feeling oily or greasy.

Size: 2.5 ounces | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, red algae extract | Consistency: Cream

Oily skin can sometimes appear dull and lackluster. To combat this woe, we recommend trying this Beautystat cream, which features a potent blend of ceramides along with hyaluronic acid, vitamin F, pomegranate sterols, and a Bio-fermented Nutrient Complex to create a more hydrated effect and natural-looking glow.

While testing this formula, we found that it not only targeted dullness but also worked really well at keeping inflammation at bay, and it even helped clear up some breakouts. Additionally, we loved how lightweight the formula feels on the skin and that it can provide effective and long-lasting hydration without feeling too heavy. Albeit on the expensive side, you can actually make this formula last a long time since we found a little goes a long way.

Size: 1 ounce | Key Ingredients: Bio-fermented Nutrient Complex, hyaluronic acid, vegan ceramides, pomegranate sterols, vitamin F | Consistency: Cream

If you have oily and uneven skin, it can be frustrating to find products that tame oils while addressing texture concerns. This rich formula is made with a blend of green tea extracts and oils, as well as panthenol, which softens skin for a smoother finish. We found that it absorbed into the skin right away during our tests.

In terms of feel and appearance, we did notice a slight shine, but it looked more fresh and hydrated rather than greasy or oily. The strong green tea scent surprised us, and we felt it was a bit overwhelming when first applied to the face. Nevertheless, the lightweight coverage dries quickly, and the scent fades throughout wear.

Size: 1.69 ounces | Key Ingredients: Jeju green tea extract, Jeju green tea seed oil, panthenol | Consistency: Cream

As far as texture is concerned, we were most impressed by the Earth Harbor Mermaid Milk Nutrient Glow Moisturizer. This skin cream features a lightweight, whipped texture that glides onto the skin easily and absorbs ultra-fast.

We love that it features tons of nourishing and refreshing ingredients — including some skincare superstars like spirulina, matcha, seaweed extracts, peptides, aloe, and hyaluronic acid — that soothe oily complexions and provide deep nourishment while also leaving behind a semi-matted effect once absorbed into the skin. On top of that, the formula is noncomedogenic, so despite its creamy texture, it won’t clog up pores, which is always a perk for those with oily skin.

Size: 2 ounces | Key Ingredients: Spirulina, matcha, seaweed extracts, vegan peptides, omega fatty acids, eggplant, ivy gourd, tulsi, vegan hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf juice | Consistency: Cream

If you want to treat your skin to a long-lasting hydration surge that will keep the oil shine away, this creamy moisturizer will melt into your skin. Made without parabens and oils, we loved the consistency; it felt very soft on our tester’s face, absorbing quickly without leaving behind any greasy residue.

With ingredients like niacinamide, this moisturizer soothes inflammation and softens the texture of skin. During testing, we found it didn’t feel sticky on the skin, but rather soft and dewy, and created a refreshed, moisturized, and plumped look. Our skin’s texture felt softer than usual, and it also looked brighter. We also found that the moisture lasted.

The packaging is also refillable, which helps reduce plastic and gives this product extra points in our book. Though on the pricey side, this moisturizer’s cost matches the value, so we say it’s worth the investment for anyone who can swing it.

Size: 1.7 ounces | Key Ingredients: Pomegranate spheres, orange blossom peptides, macro hyaluronic acid | Consistency: Cream