One of the most challenging aspects of having oily skin is finding the right balance between keeping it hydrated and matte. OILY skin requires hydration just as much as dry skin, but the right moisturizer must strike a delicate balance to avoid over-drying and causing breakouts. Here, we've compiled a list of the 16 best matte face moisturizers for oily skin that cater to various skin types and concerns.
1. Neutrogena HydroBoost Gel-Cream
Description: Neutrogena HydroBoost is a lightweight, hydrating gel-cream that instantly absorbs into the skin, providing all-day hydration without adding an overwhelming amount of weight. Its formula is primarily composed of hyaluronic acid, a powerful hydrator that keeps the skin moisturized for hours. The addition of glycerin further enhances this effect, providing a supple feel to the skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin
Pros: lightweight, all-day hydration, suitable for various skin types
Cons: may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin due to the fragrance
2. Dieux Air Angel Matifying Moisturizer
Description: Dieux's Air Angel is a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer that provides high-hydration without weighing the skin down or causing breakouts. It contains several hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and amino acids, which work together to nourish the skin and promote a matte finish.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Amino Acids
Pros: fragrance-free, great for oily skin, lightweight texture
Cons: may not be as long-lasting as other options
3. SkinMedica C E Ferulic Mattifying Moisturizer
Description: SkinMedica's C E Ferulic Mattifying Moisturizer is a lightweight, oil-free serum with SPF 30 that helps protect the skin from environmental stressors while hydrating and refining the skin's texture. It contains a blend of niacinamide, vitamin C, and ferulic acid, which work together to brighten, hydrate, and reduce inflammation.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Ferulic Acid, Squalane
Pros: oil-free, broad-spectrum UV protection, reduces inflammation
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin types
4. The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel-Cream
Description: The Body Shop's Seaweed Oil-Control Gel-Cream is a lightweight, hydrating gel-cream that helps regulate sebum production and oiliness in oily skin. It contains royal sugar kelp, a sustainable source of seaweed that provides natural油脂-balancing benefits.
Key Ingredients: Royal Sugar Kelp, Hyaluronic Acid
Pros: sustainable, helpful for oily skin types, lightweight texture
Cons: may not be as effective as other oil-abolishing ingredients
5. First Aid Beauty CloudCream Moisturizer
Description: First Aid Beauty's CloudCream Moisturizer is a creamy moisturizer with a whipped soufflé texture that provides instant hydration and extends the life of your makeup. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide, among other ingredients, to nourish and mattify the skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Niacinamide
Pros: lightweight, easy to apply, helps maintain a matte appearance throughout the day
Cons: potentially leaves a greasy residue on the skin
6. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer
Description: La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer contains Sebulyse technology, which targets excess oil and reduces the appearance of large pores. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps absorb excess oil and keep the skin matte.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Sebulyse Technology
Pros: oil-free, effective at reducing oiliness and pore size
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin types due to the high alcohol content
7. Differin Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 46
Description: Differin's Oil-Control Mattifier is a lightweight, oil-free face cream with an SPF of 46 that helps control oiliness and mattify the skin. It contains a chemical exfoliant with niacinamide, which can help regulate oil production and minimize the appearance of pores.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Hyaluronic Acid
Pros: oil-free, broad-spectrum protection, helps control oiliness
Cons: may not be suitable for oily skin types with particularly active skin conditions
8. Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturizer SPF 50+
Description: The Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturizer is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with an SPF of 50+ that helps protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. It contains several hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and squalane, which help maintain a youthful appearance and provide a matte finish.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Mineral Oil
Pros: broad-spectrum protection, lightweight texture, helps control oiliness and shine
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin types
9. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Stay-Matte Hydrator
Description: Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions Stay-Matte Hydrator is a lightweight, hydrating lotion that helps control shine for a matte look. It contains hyalurionic acid, a hydrating compound similar to sebum, among other ingredients, to moisturize the skin without leaving it feeling greasy.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane
Pros: lightweight, effective at reducing shine, helps maintain a healthy skin barrier
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin types
10. Vichy Minéral 89
Description: Vichy's Minéral 89 is a mineral-rich moisturizer that hydrates the skin without adding an overwhelming amount of oil. It contains hyaluronic acid and volcanic water, which provide intense hydration and help protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Key Ingredients: Hyalurronic Acid, Volcanic Water
Pros: powerful hydrator, suitable for oily skin types, lightweight texture
Cons: may not be as long-lasting as other oil-free moisturizers
11. EltaMD防晒乳液
Description: EltaMD防晒乳液 is a water-resistant, lightweight face oil that helps protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. It contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which can help control oiliness and provide a matte finish.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid
Pros: broad-spectrum protection, oil-free, lightweight texture
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin types due to the higher alcohol content
12. The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Mattifying Gel-Cream
Description: A hydrating, oil-free gel-cream with a lightweight texture that helps regulate sebum production and oiliness in oily skin. It contains royal sugar kelp, a sustainable source of seaweed that provides natural油脂-balancing benefits.
Key Ingredients: Royal Sugar Kelp
Pros: sustainable, lightweight texture, helpful for oily skin types
Cons: may not be as effective as other oil-abolishing ingredients
13. Dermalogica Clear Start Oil Clearing Matte Moisturizer
Description: Dermalogica's Clear Start Oil Clearing Matte Moisturizer is a lightweight, oil-free formula that reduces shine and minimizes the appearance of imperfections as soon as it is applied. It contains powerful hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, which help to brighten and hydrate the skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C
Pros: lightweight, oil-free, reduces shine and improves skin texture
Cons: may not be suitable for particularly oily skin
14. Schönka Ruby Cream
Description: Schönka Ruby Cream is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that helps control oiliness and provides matte texture. It contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and niacinamide, which work together to hydrate the skin and prevent the appearance of fine lines.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Niacinamide
Pros: lightweight, oil-free, reduces oiliness and provides a matte finish
Cons: may not be suitable for very oily skin
15. CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
Description: CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream is a lightweight, hydrating hand cream with a lightweight texture that helps to lock in moisture and provide a matte finish. It contains three types of ceramides, which help to maintain the skin's barrier function and prevent trans-epidermal water loss.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides
Pros: lightweight, effective for oily skin, promotes healthy skin barrier function
Cons: may be necessary to reapply throughout the day for full effect
16. Vichy Mineral 89
Description: Vichy's Mineral 89 is a mineral-rich moisturizer that hydrates the skin without adding an overwhelming amount of oil. It contains hyaluronic acid and volcanic water, which provide intense hydration and help protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Volcanic Water
Pros: powerful hydrator, suitable for oily skin types, lightweight texture
Cons: may not be as long-lasting as other oil-free moisturizers