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Most of us can be pretty lost when it comes to choosing the perfect moisturiser for our skin; more so in the case of women who have oily skin . Trusting the wrong moisturisers can do more harm than good, ultimately derailing your dreams of glowing, healthy skin. Not on our watch though! If you have oily skin, the first thing to know is that you can’t afford to blindly choose a moisturiser just based on its fancy packaging or tempting scent. What you basically need is a formula that’s lightweight, non-comedogenic, and oil-free. Anything more would just be an added advantage in your skin-care routine.
To help you navigate this overwhelming path to supple skin, we’ve curated a list of well-serving hydrating moisturisers you need on your radar. Before we dive in, let’s delve into some natural moisturisers you can DIY and explore the benefits of moisturisers for oily skin.
Benefits Of Moisturising Oily Skin
It may seem counterproductive to moisturise oily skin, but there are several benefits to doing so. Here’s a lowdown:
Oil control: Lightweight and non-comedogenic – meaning it won’t clog the pores – helps regulate the production of sebum. This leads to reduced greasiness over time and fewer chances of breakouts, as per a study.
Balancing hydration: Moisturising oily skin helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and prevents the sebaceous glands from going into hyperdrive and producing excess oil to make up for dryness.
Acne prevention: When the moisture levels of your skin are regulated and balanced, your pores stay unclogged and acne build-up is restricted. This also means your skin will be soft to the touch and have an even texture.
Pollution and environmental stressors: Moisturisers create a protective barrier on the skin, which helps prevent damage from pollution and environmental stressors that trigger oil production. Many day moisturisers also have SPF to protect against the harmful UV rays.
Skin health: It’s 2024, and multi-use products are the holy grail. This is why many moisturisers out there today will include antioxidant-rich and soothing ingredients that improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.
Best Moisturisers For Oily Skin
1. Celeb-Approved
It’s no secret that Alia Bhatt loves the d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser. But the entire beauty and skincare side of the internet has jumped the bandwagon and vouches for its lightweight and non-greasy formula. With 20x more ceramides, it quite literally helps build a barrier to protect the upper layers of your skin while providing deep nourishment.
2. Recommended by dermatologists
The CeraVe AM Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer With Sunscreen has been developed with dermatologists to provide the ultimate hydration and sun protection for your skin in a single step. It is fortified with 3 essential ceramides that are identical to those found in your skin, hyaluronic acid for that boost of moisture, and niacinamide to treat dark spots.
3. Nykaa Bestseller
The bestselling Dr. Sheth's Ceramide & Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturizer deeply hydrates the skin while reducing dark spots or pigmentation. It strengthens and restores the skin’s barrier, while soothing inflammation, leaving behind soft and supple skin. The non-sticky formula is fast-absorbing making it ideal for reapplication throughout the day.
4. Budget Buy
Who said moisturising your skin has to be an expensive affair? Meet Ponds Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser – a moisturiser for all seasons which is also easy on the wallet and your skin. Infused with the goodness of Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Glycerine, it absorbs into the skin faster than regular creams and gives 24-hour hydration for a water-fresh glow. And don’t sweat it because this non-oily formula promises happy skin even in scorching summers.
5. Premium Pick
The COSRX Ultra Moisturizing Lotion features a star that makes up 70% of the ingredients – birch sap. A study suggests that birch sap is a natural alternative to traditional skin whitening agents and causes less irritation and side effects on the skin. If you have sensitive skin in addition to excess oil production, this is the elixir you’ve been waiting for. This Korean beauty product can calm and treat irritated skin and is hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist-tested.
6. Gel-Based
A moisturiser that enhances your natural glow? Yes, please! Loaded with micro-shimmers, the Faces Canada Peaches N Cream Tinted Moisturizer imparts a peachy glow to your skin while keeping it perfectly hydrated for hours at a stretch. Lightweight and gel-based, its milky texture spreads on your skin like butter and absorbs rapidly without any greasy results. Plus, it’s available in different shades to pair well with your skin tone. Now, that’s what we call a perfect match.
7. Water-based
So you want a formula that plumps up your skin without making its presence felt? Well, we’ve found minimalistic hydration at its best with the PAC Aqua Blast. A lightweight, non-greasy formula, it seeps into the first layer of your skin to splash across the right amount of hydration and leave you with smooth and supple skin. Oh and did we tell you it also moonlights as a pre-makeup prep to ensure a flawless base?
8. Paraben-free
Always looking out for paraben-free labels? Well, the Plum Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer sure won’t disappoint you. Free of parabens, phthalates, and propylene glycol…you get the gist, this non-comedogenic formula (RE: no blocking pores) offers a matte finish moisturisation to your skin. Spiked with antioxidant-rich Green Tea Extracts, it also helps combat acne and weed out dead skin cells. What we’re saying is morning, noon or night, feel free to expect hydrated and clear skin.
9. Non-Comedogenic
Guilty of skipping moisturiser ‘cause you’re in no mood for clogged pores or breakouts? It’s time you meet the power boss behind hydrated skin for oily-skinned peeps – Re'equil Oil Free Moisturiser. Replete with Betaine, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol and Xylitol (we know we lost you there but think of them as the BFFs you didn’t know your skin needed), this formula retains moisture, limits water loss and optimises hydration to all layers of skin. The best part? It delivers intense hydration without clogging pores. Now, ain’t that smooth?
10. Sun Protection
While prepping your face, don’t underestimate the side effects of the sun. Get yourself a daily moisturiser that’s also infused with SPF protection to combat the UV rays like Votre Multi Vitamin & Rejuvenating Day Moisturiser Spf 35 Pa++. This intense moisturiser is formulated with a blend of seven super-charged ingredients including antioxidant-rich Grape Seed extracts to support natural cellular renewal, reduce pigmentation and delay signs of ageing. Slather it on mornings before you step out and nobody will be the wiser.
11. Night moisturiser
Using a well-balanced moisturising formula before you retire for the night works three times better than all your moisturising attempts during the day. Even better: if it’s a light, non-drip formula that won’t disrupt your beauty sleep. Enter Plum Green Tea Night Gel Cream. Born from the nourishing elements of green tea, willow bark, liquorice extract, and glycolic acid, this potent night cream fights pimples and controls excess oil production; besides it soothes inflammation and brightens the skin.
12. Organic
How about pampering your skin with an earth-friendly moisturising potion? The Jeva Pure Aloe Vera Gel with Saffron Extract hydrates your skin and allows it to heal with minimal scarring. Curious how it works? The antioxidants keep skin firm and hydrated, the Aloe Vera Gel creates a protective layer against pollution and soothes inflammations whereas the age-old spice a.k.a. Saffron promotes a blemish-free complexion. Just what you need to instantly awaken your skin.
Homemade Moisturizers For Oily Skin
Here’s a lowdown on DIY moisturisers for oily skin using natural ingredients that can be prepared in a jiffy.
1. Banana
- Step 1: In a bowl, mash a ripe green Banana until it turns into a smooth paste.
- Step 2: Add 2 drops of Sunflower Oil and 2 drops of Honey into the bowl. Whisk the mixture well.
- Step 3: Apply this paste onto your skin and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off with water.
2. Aloe Vera
- Step 1: In a bowl, scoop out the gel from an Aloe Vera leaf and blend it to form a solution or use a pure cold-pressed gel.
- Step 2: Add 2 drops of Olive Oil and Almond Oil to the solution. Stir it well.
- Step 3: Apply this mixture onto your skin and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse off with water.
3. Strawberries
- Step 1: In a bowl, mash 4 fresh strawberries to get a thick paste.
- Step 2: Add 2 drops of Honey and 1 tablespoon of Fresh Cream to the bowl. Whisk it well.
- Step 3: Apply this mixture onto your skin and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.
4. Jojoba Oil
- Step 1: In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of Jojoba Oil, 1 tablespoon of Lavender Oil and 1 tablespoon of Coconut Oil. Stir it well and pour this hydrating solution into a dropper bottle. Shake it well.
- Step 2: Apply 2 drops of this solution on your face and let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove excess oil if any with a cotton swab.
FAQs On Best Moisturizers For Oily Skin
1. Do people with oily skin need moisturisers?
Yes! While it may seem like oily skin doesn’t need any more oils, it is actually beneficial to use moisturisers. They help maintain hydration levels and regulate oil production in oily skin. This helps control excess oiliness and greasiness on the skin, eventually reducing breakouts and preventing acne. Moisturisers also nourish and treat inflamed and irritated skin, protecting it from pollution and other environmental stressors that trigger acne. Many moisturisers also feature ceramides, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, green tea, aloe vera, and many such ingredients that promote healthier skin. Hence, using moisturisers can improve overall health and appearance, and help balance the sebum production in oily skin.
2. Can moisturiser cause acne if you have oily skin?
Moisturisers can cause acne in oily skin but it completely depends on the formulation and ingredients of the product you use. Acne is caused in oily skin as the sebaceous glands produce excess sebum, clogging the pores and triggering bacterial growth. So, of course, you don’t need more oils clogging the pores. The most important choice is using lightweight formulations – also known as non-comedogenic – as they help prevent clogged pores. You should also use water-based and gel-based formulas instead of creamy moisturisers that have excess oil. Furthermore, using fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products is a safer choice as it will limit the chances of acne build-up.
3. Recommend the best Indian moisturiser for oily skin.
- d'you In My Defence Barrier-Building Moisturiser With 20x More Ceramides
- WOW Skin Science Pure Vitamin C Sleeping Night Gel with Aloe Vera
- Lotus Professional dermoSpa Bulgarian Rose Radiance & Renewal Night Crème
4. Suggest the best moisturiser for oily skin in summer.
- Lakme Peach Milk SPF 24 PA++ Moisturiser
- Mamaearth Oil Free Face Moisturizer With Apple Cider Vinegar
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturiser SPF 15
