The 10 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Tatcha The Water Cream

5

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Drawing inspiration from Japanese geishas and their iconic beauty rituals, Vicky Tsai founded Tatcha with the goal of balancing timeless Japanese botanicals and clinically proven skincare ingredients. The Water Cream, one of the brand’s most popular products and our best-performing moisturizer, is the perfect example of that.

The formula contains a proprietary blend of twice-fermented rice, green tea, and algae, plus Japanese wild rose and leopard lily to refine skin, reduce oil production, and keep everything calm. True to its name,  the gel-meets-cream lovechild seamlessly melts into skin, leaving it refreshed and soothed on contact. The reason it’s so great for oily skin is that it doesn’t leave residue or a shiny-looking film in its wake. Instead, those with oily skin should expect to feel hydrated (and maybe even a little bit dewy) but certainly not greasy. The formula does impart a subtle, shine-free glow, but it’s one that makes skin look more supple.

Our tester was also impressed by the functionality of the packaging. The tub looks gorgeous on any vanity (despite being bulky for travel) and comes equipped with a spatula that slips right into the top for safekeeping. A small scoop goes a long way, ensuring you’ll really get your money’s worth out of this moisturizer.

Price at time of publish: $70

Ingredients: Japanese wild rose, Leopard lily, Green tea, Rice, Algae | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 0.34, 1.7, or 2.5 oz.| SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Mattifying

La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer

4.5

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Oily skin folks, listen up: Don’t compromise your skin barrier by leaving moisturizer out of your routine. This gel-cream moisturizer from La Roche-Posay is designed to hydrate the skin without added shine. Despite being somewhat hefty straight out of the bottle, the formula dries down almost immediately after coming into contact with the skin. The formula includes a high concentration of antioxidant-rich La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, three hydrating ceramides, inflammatory-reducing niacinamide, and moisture-retaining glycerin, each of which works to balance and mattify oily skin while leaving it nourished. One thing to keep in mind: It can pill if you apply sunscreen on top right away. To avoid pilling, we recommend waiting 10 minutes between moisturizer and sunscreen application.

Price at time of publish: $21

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Glycerin | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 2.5 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Uneven Texture

Tata Harper Water-Lock Moisturizer

4.8

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There’s so much to love about this one from Tata Harper. For one, it has naturally-derived ingredients like pomegranate spheres, orange blossom peptides, and hyaluronic acid that work together to lock in moisture, support a hydrated skin barrier, and leave behind a healthy-looking glow. It also contains lactic acid to help gently exfoliate the top layer of skin, ultimately improving texture and tone over time. Secondly, it doubles as a silicone-free primer, so you can slather it on and go about the rest of your makeup routine knowing it’ll stay put for hours. It doesn’t pill underneath makeup, but rather serves as a smooth, silky base for foundation and concealer. When you inevitably run out, you can refill your empty jar with a recyclable pod—a win for you and the environment.

Keep in mind that since there are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in the formula, it can increase your sensitivity to the sun and the likelihood of a sunburn. Be sure to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this moisturizer.

Price at time of publish: $68

Ingredients: Pomegranate spheres, Orange blossom peptides, Hyaluronic and lactic acids | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Size: 1.7 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Acne

Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid

4.8

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When you have oily, acne-prone skin, chances are you’ve questioned if moisturizer is really necessary. As it turns out, moisturizer is actually key to helping the skin heal. The last thing you want, however, is to slather a pore-clogging moisturizer all over your face, exacerbating the issue even further. Enter: Caudalie Vinopure Oil-Control Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin.

Loaded with silica powder and java tea extract to mattify and target sebum, olive squalane to hydrate, and polyphenols to reduce blackheads, this moisturizer is an all-in-one formula that acne-prone skin types won’t want to skip. Testers found the moisturizer extremely lightweight with a gel-like consistency that melted right into pores. And, best of all, it didn’t leave behind an oily sheen; in fact, our tester noted that she walked out with super matte skin. It’s not a miracle worker, though. Sure, it sopped up extra oil lingering on top of our tester’s skin, but she did say that her existing redness looked the same.

Price at time of publish: $38

Ingredients: Grape seed polyphenols, Silica powder, Java tea extract, Olive squalane | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Size: 1.35 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Enlarged Pores

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel

5

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As the name suggests, the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel is, well, invisible. Though you can’t see it, the moisturizer works overtime to provide hydration, minimize the look of pores and defend the skin from environmental aggressors. Thanks to niacinamide (an anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening ingredient) and age-fighting antioxidants, you can expect your skin to feel silky smooth and your pores—and fine lines— to look a lot less pronounced. Our tester was obsessed with it and even shared that her skin absorbed it in seconds, leaving behind a glow without a trace of shine in sight. Use it day or night, just be sure to follow up with an SPF of 30 or more during the daytime to reap the full benefits of this moisturizer. Though niacinamide is generally a calming ingredient, it can cause irritation when combined with other active ingredients, especially if you have super sensitive skin. Just to be safe, try performing a patch test on a small area of skin to see how well your skin reacts to the moisturizer.

Price at time of publish: $33

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Algae extract, Wheat germ oil | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Size: 2 oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Discoloration

Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream

5

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Whether it’s due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (otherwise known as PIH), or exposure to the sun, dark spots can happen, regardless of your skin type. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who have melanin-rich skin tend to be more prone to dark spots and patches as their skin can produce extra melanin when triggered by things like pimples, wounds, hormonal changes, and more. Melē, a brand dedicated to formulating skincare products for people of color by dermatologists of color, created an all-in-one product for those dealing with both oily skin and discoloration. Plump It Up Nourishing Facial Cream is a non-greasy hydrating cream that works to even out skin tone without adding any extra oil or shine. The formula includes skin conditioning agents (like plant-based squalane), niacinamide and vitamin B5 to fight discoloration and plump the skin all at once, all you have to do is massage the silky cream onto your face. We’d be remiss not to share the fact that it has a subtle floral fragrance, but according to our tester, it isn’t strong and shouldn’t bother most people. However, if you’re easily irritated by fragrances or have an allergy, you should avoid this one.

Price at time of publish: $19

Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin B5, Amino acids, Plant-based squalane  | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.35 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Retinol

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

4.6

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If you’re using a retinoid (like tretinoin or retinol), a good moisturizer is your best friend. Like peanut butter and jelly, retinoids and moisturizers go hand and hand, especially when it comes to keeping your skin free from irritation. Since retinoids are powerful and can cause a whole slew of issues—like dryness, for instance—if you don’t use it correctly, dermatologists will usually recommend you use the sandwich method. In simple terms, the sandwich method entails applying a layer of moisturizer before going in with your retinol. Then, after you give the retinol time to absorb, you finish everything off with another layer of moisturizer.

While any moisturizer is better than none, for best results, a rich and silky one is key. The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 wowed testers with how easy it was to massage all over the skin without feeling greasy. One tester noted that it “definitely takes time to absorb,” but that’s because it contains rich emollients and lipids, proving it to be a great option for nighttime (aka when you’ll be using retinol).

Price at time of publish: $136

Ingredients: Lipids, Vitamin E | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.6 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Gel

Basebutter Balancing Gel Facial Moisturizer

4.8

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Designed with oily skin types in mind, the Balancing Gel Facial Moisturizer from basebutter is a great option for those prone to clogged pores. Packed with nourishing ingredients like anti-inflammatory aloe leaf juice, hydrating shea butter, and pore-refining witch hazel, the lightweight gel works to hydrate, balance, and prevent breakouts. Testers loved how it reduced overall oiliness throughout the day (even in a humid environment) and were impressed by how quickly it absorbed into their skin. One tester did note that it felt “minty” and somewhat cooling on contact, which is likely due to the large amount of aloe vera present in the formula. This isn’t a dealbreaker for everyone, but it’s worth mentioning in case that’s not your thing.

Price at time of publish: $29

Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, Shea butter, Evening primrose oil, Witch hazel | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Size: 2 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Cream

innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Cream Face Moisturizer

5

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A daily moisturizer, the innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Cream Face Moisturizer is exactly what it sounds like: A hydrator powered by green tea. The USDA Certified Organic green tea used in the product is rich in both antioxidants and amino acids, both of which deliver skin-quenching hydration to the skin. Despite its super strong green tea fragrance (which the tester didn’t expect), it goes on sheer. And, although it’s lightweight, a little goes a long way, so you can get the most out of the tub. It’s by no means mattifying, so if you’re really oily, you may not be as pleased with this one. Nonetheless, our tester shared that her skin felt hydrated and that it would be ideal for cold, windy days when skin needs a little boost.

Price at time of publish: $24

Ingredients: Green tea extract, Green tea seed oil, Panthenol | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 1.69 fl. oz.| SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Vegan

Kopari Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream

4.8

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Those looking for a vegan option should consider their search complete. The Kopari Moisture Whipped Ceramide Cream is formulated with clean, vegan ingredients (its main ingredients are glycerin, shea butter, and coconut fruit extract), and has a whipped butter-like texture that feels luxurious while applying. It’s on the thicker side, so our tester was surprised at how her oily skin didn’t look greasy after she rubbed across her face. After a few minutes, it gave her skin a smooth-looking finish. That said, this option isn’t exactly mattifying, but it’s a great choice for someone who appreciates a natural-looking glow. She especially appreciated the fact that it blended effortlessly into her Black skin, no white sheen in sight.

Something to note: If you have acne-prone skin, you may want to be weary of this option. The formula is clean, but ingredients like shea butter and coconut extract do have the potential to clog pores.

Price at time of publish: $42

Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Whipped coconut milk, Seed oil milk| Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 2.1 fl. oz. | SPF: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes