As someone with dehydrated but acne-prone skin, finding moisturisers that work for me has been a journey. As anyone else who has experienced oily skin and breakouts will know, when oiliness and congestion is at its worst, moisturising can feel like the last thing you want to do to your skin. But as I've learned (the hard way), it's actually one of the most important.
The better hydrated your skin is, the healthier it is, and the healthier it is, the better able it is to heal existing breakouts and prevent future ones. What's more, when your skin is well hydrated, it won't feel the need to "self moisturise" which it does by producing more oil. In fact, many people who think they have oily skin actually have dehydrated skin, and by depriving it of moisturiser, you're actually making the problem worse.
Back in the day I'd either avoid moisturiser completely or reach for thick creams to address symptoms of dryness—which then resulted in a greasy T-zone and increased breakouts. Since then, years of trial and error has taught me that not all moisturisers are created equally. Broken down simply, moisturisers can be split into two categories—oil-free and oil-based. If oiliness, breakouts, and dehydration are amongst your concerns, then you're going to want to opt for an oil-free moisturiser. In fact, I now exclusively use oil-free moisturisers and my skin has never been better.
What does oil in a moisturiser do?
Oils typically act as occlusives, which means they're great at sealing moisture into the skin and nourishing and strengthening the outermost layer of the skin. However, some oils may clog your pores and trigger breakouts, especially if you do have oily or acne-prone skin.
Who should use an oil-free moisturiser?
If your skin is naturally quite oily, or you simply prefer a lightweight-textured formula which absorbs quickly, then you'll probably prefer using an oil-free moisturiser over an oil-based one. Plus, if your skin is prone to dehydration, you'll find that water-based and oil-free moisturisers provide deeper hydration and very quickly quench your skin's thirst.
Why should you use an oil-free moisturiser?
As well as absorbing quickly and feeling lightweight, oil-free moisturisers tend to work better when layered with other products, such as your sunscreen and makeup. For this reason, they're a great option for your daytime moisturiser.
What's more, because they have water-based formulas (rather than being oil-based), they focus on deeply hydrating all of the skin's layers, rather than simply nourishing the surface layer. If you have dehydrated skin, they'll really help to boost your moisture levels and improve your overall skin health.
What are the benefits of oil-free moisturisers?
The main benefits of oil-free moisturisers are that they feel lightweight and don't leave any heavy or greasy residue on skin.
They also provide really deep hydration without any of the unwanted side effects associated with oil-based products. If you have oily skin or are breakout-prone, some oil-based moisturisers may contribute to clogged pores, excess oil, and increased breakouts. So with an oil-free moisturiser, you can apply it as liberally as you need for maximum hydration without having to worry about these unwanted side effects.
The Best Oil-Free Moisturisers:
- Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream
- Lumene Balancing Light Moisturizer
- The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer
- Versed Dew Point
- Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%
- Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
- Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream
- Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydro Plump Water Cream
- Farmacy Beauty Daily Greens Gel Moisturizer
- Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
- Beauty Pie Shinkai Electrolyte Drench 3-In-1 Deep Hydrating Gel Cream
1. Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream
This oil-free moisturiser has been a lifesaver for me through the summer months, when increased temperatures and humidity tend to wreak havoc upon my skin. It has a refreshingly cool gel texture and truly does feel like a cold glass of water for parched skin, providing intensive moisture without feeling rich or greasy.
2. Lumene Balancing Light Moisturizer
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you'll love this moisturiser which immediately sinks into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Instead, it dries into a velvety matte finish that minimises the look of pores and helps to calm skin redness too, thanks to Nordic meadowsweet and calming Arctic Roseroot. The addition on zinc helps to reduce shine throughout the day and it promises to not clog pores.
3. The Inkey List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer
This lightweight gel-cream moisturiser is one of my everyday staples which I always come back to when my skin is feeling extra dehydrated. It also doubles up as a makeup primer, smoothing skin and delivering a seriously glowy finish. I never experience cakey or powdery-looking foundation when I'm wearing this.
4. Versed Dew Point
Another gel-cream formula which I love. The formula contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera and green tea, so this is a great choice if your skin is prone to redness or sensitivity.
5. Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%
Niacinamide is an excellent ingredient to use if you're experiencing oiliness or breakouts. It helps to regulate and stabilise your skin's natural oil production, while also strengthening the skin barrier to prevent dehydration. This weightless, gel-textured (and oil-free!) formula sinks in instantly, without leaving any sticky residue.
6. Shani Darden Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer
If you do prefer a more creamy, softening texture to your moisturiser, then I'd highly recommend checking out this option. It feels nourishing (without being heavy) thanks to squalane—an oil-like substance which provides the same benefits, minus the unwanted side effects.
7. Byoma Moisturising Gel Cream
As an esthetician, I frequently recommend this option to clients looking for an affordable oil-free moisturiser. The thin, gel texture absorbs into skin so quickly and feels instantly hydrating. What's more, it contains ceramides, which help to seal moisture into the skin and prevent it from escaping in order to improve long-term hydration, too.
8. Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Hydro Plump Water Cream
What I love about this moisturiser is that (just as its name describes) it really does plump skin with moisture. The key ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which works by attracting and holding moisture in the skin—without clogging pores.
9. Farmacy Beauty Daily Greens Gel Moisturizer
Many water-based moisturisers leave skin with a fresh, dewy glow. Now, personally, I love this—but understandably, if your skin is prone to oiliness then you may prefer a more mattifying formula. Since this is specifically formulated with oily skin in mind, it's designed to reduce excess oil and prevent shine as well as hydrate skin.
10. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
Also formulated for oily skin, this light gel moisturiser delivers deep hydration to the skin. It's also great for wearing under makeup, since it contains silicones which help to prevent any oiliness from rising through and disturbing your foundation.
11. Beauty Pie Shinkai Electrolyte Drench 3-In-1 Deep Hydrating Gel Cream
There's a reason why this moisturiser has racked up such a loyal fan base among Beauty Pie subscribes, and is frequently sold out. It absorbs quickly and feels light, but just one layer will deeply hydrate your skin. In fact, it's so hydrating that it can even be used as a moisturising mask.
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