SHINE AWAY
Say goodbye to excess sebum and hello to your new best friend: Chloe James rounds up moisturisers for oily skin
It seems counterintuitive, but nothing helps oily skin like the perfect moisturiser. While logic suggests no moisturiser is the best way to reduce shine, this actually kicks sebum production into overdrive as your skin tries to make up for a lack of hydration. Thus begins the vicious cycle of oily skin.
But finding a moisturiser up to the challenge is tough. Not just any formula will do – those designed for dry complexions tend to be thick, which won’t do anything to control greasiness. Look instead for noncomedogenic, oil-free, thinner formulas, such as gels. These won’t clog your pores, but also won’t leave you with the opposite of your original problem and dry out your skin.
If you find your oiliness is also causing frequent breakouts, look for a moisturiser with salicylic acid or active ingredients. To round up the best of the best, we looked for moisturisers that reduce shine, mattify skin and improve its texture in the long run.
A good moisturiser keeps your skin hydrated, but a great one will totally transform your skin the longer you use it. Those of us with oily skin just want glowy, not greasy, blemish free and non-congested skin, if that’s not too much to ask. We put each one to the test over a few weeks – both solo and under make-up – to find our top choice, testing budget-friendly and luxury formulas alike.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Glossier priming moisturiser balance: £23, Glossier
Glossier’s original priming moisturiser is a cult favourite that gives a plump, dewy finish, but can be too hydrating for oily skin. Thankfully the brand didn’t forget about us – earlier this month it released the priming moisturiser balance, formulated specifically to control the shine. The gel-cream formula contains marine extract to reduce oiliness and willow bark extract to smooth skin, while niacinamide improves the appearance of pores and uneven skin tone. This was the lightest formula we tried, absorbing almost instantly. We noticed immediate results on our T-zone which only improved over the course of the week. Instead of leaving skin totally matte, it had just a hint of dewiness that never devolved into a greasy mess or broke us out. An oily skin miracle.
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IT Cosmetics confidence in a gel lotion moisturiser: £32, IT Cosmetics
This formula has the perfect consistency – it’s a light yet hydrating gel that breaks down into a more liquid consistency as you massage it into your skin. It’s infused with ceramides, glycerin and cactus flower extract to help smooth out any imperfections and fine lines. Skin instantly felt softer, healthier and prepped for makeup. A little goes a long way – it’s easy to apply too much and it will sit on the surface of your skin for longer if you do. While we experienced some breakthrough oiliness the first few days, there was a noticeable decrease in greasiness after about a week.
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Alpha-H clear skin hydrator gel: £21, Cult Beauty
Designed to help clear problematic skin, this moisturiser works in part by controlling sebum production. The formula is very watery, but don’t let that put you off. It absorbs straight away yet manages to also feel deeply hydrating in all the right places. Our tester was experiencing the beginning of a hormonal breakout when she first started using this product, but it went away practically overnight. The salicylic acid, tea tree, eucalyptus, vitamin B3 and witch hazel combo works wonders on blemishes and makes a huge difference to the appearance of dark spots and acne scarring. However, those with sensitive skin may find it too harsh.
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Laura Mercier mattifying oil-free moisturiser: £54, Lookfantastic
Laura Mercier is the master of creating a fresh, healthy base with its make-up, so it makes sense it's perfected a priming base to go beneath it. The formula is water-based so it feels super-refreshing. It’s enriched with French lavender floral water and honey, which soothes skin and works to regulate long-term oil production. Of all the moisturisers on this list, it has the most matte finish. There’s also no need to use primer – even in hot weather, it locks make-up onto your complexion morning to night.
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Allies of Skin molecular multi-nutrient day cream: £95, Allies of Skin
There isn’t much this moisturiser can’t do. With eight hydrators, 10 antioxidants and a 12.5 per cent nutrient complex, it eliminates dullness, reduces breakouts and controls your skin’s glow. Niacinamide brightens your complexion, manuka honey serves as a natural anti-bacterial and moringa extract forms a protective barrier against pollution particles. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic and is surprisingly gentle on skin considering its extensive ingredient list. Pores also looked more refined after a few days.
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Clarins hydra-essentiel cooling-gel: £37, Clarins
The first thing you notice about this moisturiser is the scent, but that’s not a bad thing. The formula is cool and refreshing on the skin, helping it retain moisture and boost hyaluronic acid production. There’s a lot of science behind Clarins’ Hydra-Essential range, but the key is its anti-pollution complex to protect you from environmental damage, which can play a large role in excessive oiliness. We were sceptical of the formula at first – it’s very thick and sticky for a gel – but it sinks in quickly with no residue. Our tester’s complexion looked fresh, healthy and grease-free.
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Skin Proud sorbet skin everyday jelly moisturiser: £13.99, Asos
Skin Proud is a relatively new brand with affordable prices and Instagrammable packaging. The sorbet skin moisturiser has a jelly-like texture, formulated with skin plumping hyaluronic acid and soothing rose water. Like all jelly moisturisers, it’s very lightweight and refreshing. When it comes to oily skin, this translates to a layer of locked-in moisture that controls oiliness. While we experienced a bit of shine after a few hours, it kept the worst at bay.
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Squish smoosh vegan moisturiser: £40, Liberty
Launched by model and body positivity influencer Charli Howard in 2019, Squish is a buzzy beauty brand that lives up to its hype. Cream moisturisers are touch-and-go for oily complexions, but Smoosh is one of the good ones. Lightweight and packed with jojoba oil, vitamin E and flaxseed oil, it conditions without over-hydrating your skin. Apply minimally to your T-zone and make sure you take a moment to appreciate the tortoiseshell packaging.
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Ole Henriksen counter balance oil control hydrator: £28, Boots
Combating oiliness for the long haul is a tricky business. An innovative combination of active botanicals and natural antiseptic properties tackles congested pores, giving you a subtle glow. AHAs (a chemical that acts as an exfoliant to remove dead cells and smooth the skin surface) have a reputation for being harsh, but this hydrator nails the fine balance between reducing oiliness and drying your skin out completely. It sits well beneath makeup and prevents any oil-induced caking throughout the day. Our tester did experience some tingling upon application, so those with sensitive skin should patch test before use, just to be safe.
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La Roche-Posay effaclar mat: £17, La Roche-Posay
Specifically formulated for those prone to shine, this moisturiser mattifies without drying out your complexion. To get the job done, it contains sebolyse – a sebo-control active ingredient clinically proven to target oiliness and wide pores – and micro powders. While it promises to mattify for up to six hours, our tester found it actually lasted more like four or five.
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Nivea oil-free face cream moisturiser: £4.10, Boots
Hydrating and mattifying, this day cream works to gradually bring down oil levels throughout the day. Antioxidants help prevent and slow down environmental damage to your skin, improving its health with extensive use. While it toned down our oiliness for a couple of hours, our nose and forehead accumulated some shine by late afternoon.
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The verdict
Glossier added what’s sure to be a cult classic to its skincare collection with the Priming Moisturiser Balance, which totally transforms oily skin in a matter of weeks. The Alpha-H Clear Skin Hydrator Gel is a
go-to for those struggling with acne scarring or hyperpigmentation, while Skin Proud’s Sorbet Skin everyday jelly moisturiser is a great choice for skincare beginners or those on a budget.