Dermatologists Share the Best Moisturizers for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin (2025)

Every skin type needs a moisturizer in its skincare routine, even oily skin. Dermatologists recommend adding a moisturizer, which is an important step in adding hydration to the skin's barrier. Opting out of moisturizers can lead to hydration and more oil production, says Candace Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Las Vegas. Which is why you'll want to find a moisturizer to balance and hydrate oily skin.

What to look for

How we chose

When choosing the best moisturizers for oily skin, we focused on several key factors to balance hydration without creating excess oil. We prioritized products that are lightweight and oil-free, which prevent pore-clogging and enhance skin barrier hydration. Essential ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid were recommended by dermatologists for their ability to control sebum production, reduce redness, and improve overall skin function. Additionally, we selected moisturizers with SPF for added sun protection to prevent signs of aging. Our goal was to find options that combat shine, ensuring the skin remains healthy and balanced.

Here are the best moisturizers for oily skin, according to dermatologists.

The experts:

• Candace Spann, MD, dermatologist in Las Vegas
• Sapna Palep, MD, dermatologist in New York City
• Gretchen Frieling, MD, dermatopathologist in Boston
• Erum Ilyas, MD, dermatologist in Philadelphia
• Marie Hayag, MD, dermatologist in New York City
• Janelle Vega, MD, dermatologist in Miami
• Naissan O. Wesley, MD, dermatologist in Los Angeles
• Shari Sperling, MD, dermatologist in New Jersey
• Carl Thornfeld, MD, CEO and founder of Epionce
  

If your skin is both oily and flaky, look for a product that can balance the skin and make it less reactive, says Ilyas. This one does just that, plus brightens and smooths, without overdrying or causing further irritation. Its key ingredient, azelaic acid, is a treatment for rosacea and acne. It works to brighten skin tone, improve skin texture, reduce blemishes, and provide antioxidants. The 10 percent azelaic acid works well with acne scars.

Get the look of plump, radiant, and smooth skin thanks to this lightweight moisturizer that features AquaPort technology, which transports hydration faster and deeper into the skin​. The formula contains algae extract to protect against blue light and ward off dark spots and fine lines. The formula also has a rosemary peptide complex to help plump and revive.

This formula is packed with three types of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate every layer, glycerin to strengthen the skin's barrier, and amino acids to help build protein. It works in three stages: hydrating, strengthening, and protecting the skin. Most customers share that their skin was hydrated for over 72 hours.

This moisturizer absorbs quickly and controls oil production, leaving skin healthy. It's packed with niacinamide and has a ceramide complex and betaine to hydrate and moisturize. You can use it right before you apply your makeup.

This moisturizer contains high-powered silica powder, grape seed polyphenols, and olive squalane to control oil, minimize blackheads, and mattify the skin, helping to combat acne. It's also free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, and mineral oil. It's a multitasking moisturizer that can also help reduce acne scars and dark spots. Niacinamide, glycerin, and silica minimize blemishes.

This is a lightweight and soothing moisturizer that uses micropearl technology to absorb surface oil to reduce shine, says Palep. It also has broad-spectrum UV protection, meaning it guards against both UVA and UVB rays. This oil-free moisturizer also free of fragrance, and is gentle enough for your oily skin and leaves a matte finish without clogging pores.

While the texture of this cream is light and breathable, your skin feels adequately moisturized after each use. It's formulated with Japanese wild rose to tighten the look of large pores, Japanese leopard lily to control excess oil production, and green tea, rice, and algae to increase radiance. This cream can blend seamlessly with your sunscreen, thanks to its cooling sensation, keeping your skin hydrated all day without any stickiness or greasiness.

This lightweight and lightly tinted mineral-only formula is packed with antioxidants and resveratrol to zap shine and soothe inflamed, acne-prone skin, says Frieling. As you age, your body produces less collagen, which can dull your skin. This tinted mineral matte moisturizer boosts collagen production, and the addition of vitamin C brightens skin tone. Willow bark and bisabolol help calm and reduce redness.

Oily skin and breakouts usually go hand in hand. If you're using any products to combat acne, opt for this nighttime moisturizer that helps repair the skin barrier and reduce any sensitivities acne products are notorious for, says Ilyas. It has MVE technology, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to give your skin tons of hydration.

This light gel-cream blend delivers niacinamide to help even skin tone, control excess oil production, and balance skin without the addition of heavy emollients that may clog pores, says Spann. Borage seed oil, which contains fatty acids that reduce redness, and cucumber extract purify and soothe the texture. All it takes is a smooth layer to deliver hydration and minimize breakouts.

This moisturizer harnesses the power of Sebulyse technology, which absorbs oil and tightens pores, as well as micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid to reduce shine and smooth the skin's natural texture, says Hayag. It's ideal for those who need a moisturizer that also gives skin a matte look, while reducing the appearance of pores, and it can be used as a base for your everyday makeup.

Retinol helps mitigate the production of sebum, leading to fewer clogged pores, says Vega. As a bonus, it also works to reduce both fine lines and deeper wrinkles. This night cream contains glycerin to help hydrate and keep bacteria out of the skin, as well as help speed up wound recovery and protect it from dirt and debris.

This gel moisturizer is loaded with hyaluronic acid, which effectively moisturizes without spurring oil production that leads to greasiness, says Sperling. The formula is non-comedogenic and absorbed quickly into the skin, providing long-lasting and intense hydration. A lightweight gel-cream helps deliver hydration around the clock, giving you a healthy, natural glow.

This lightweight gel serum contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin without clogging pores and vitamin B5 to repair the skin's barrier, says Wesley. Along with hyaluronic acid, it has vitamin B5 to help with acne scars. The gel also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and improves uneven skin tone.

When skin is constantly stripped and trying to fix itself, oil production skyrockets, says Thornfeldt. This lighter-weight version of the brand's Renewal Facial Cream works to repair and balance moisture levels to promote healthier skin that won't overproduce oil. Its key ingredient is safflower seed oil, which has fatty acids to hydrate and repair the outer layer of skin.

This formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides to hydrate skin and combat signs of aging. It's also fragrance-free, which is great for sensitive skin, absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky, and delivers a radiant glow.

The bakuchiol, a gentle retinol alternative, in this cream improves skin texture. The formula is thick enough to melt into mature skin without leaving a greasy residue, giving you a renewed glow. Vitamin E improves texture and evens out skin tone.

Ingredients like niacinamide, amino acids, and squalane in this lightweight formula hydrate, smooth, and even skin tone without leaving a white cast.

Centella Asiatica in this rich cream produces collagen, while the prickly pear plant helps restore elasticity in your skin. Beauty writer Larry Stansbury shares that this ultra-hydrating cream "helps my oily skin when it gets super dry from washing my face during a hot steamy shower. After a month of using it, I noticed that my skin was super hydrated, and dark spots were minimized."