True or false: oily skin types still need to moisturize.
For those of you shaking your heads at the idea of not moisturizing—A+. Though you might be tempted to let oily skin be, doing that can actually leave you with even oilier skin. Not a good look.
If your skin isn't properly hydrated, it will begin to produce even more oil to compensate for the oil it’s missing, leaving you even shinier than before.
So what is the best moisturizer for Oily Skin? The best moisturizers for oily skin will usually contain two types of ingredients, those which fall into the categories of astringents and humectants.
The first is astringents. Astringents tighten the pores and help to control excess oil production. Examples of astringents include witch hazel, rosemary, lavender, thyme, and citrus oils like lemon or lime.
The second is humectants. Humectants bind moisture to the skin by drawing water from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. They leave the skin soft without leaving a film and help to hydrate dehydrated skin (which unlike dry skin, a type, is a skin condition which most of us have). Examples of humectants include honey, aloe, and glycerin.
So, with the above established—here are our favorite picks for keeping oily skin hydrated
Mizon’s All-in-One Snail Repair Cream
This cult-classic lies somewhere between a moisturizer and a serum. With 92% snail extract, this ingredient truly earns it’s all-in-one status. Snail mucin is hydrating, works to improve the appearance of fine lines, and reduces acne scarring and blemishes. It feels lightweight and silky and is great for providing oily and acne-prone skin with just the right amount of hydration.
Aromatica Tea Tree Balancing Emulsion
Australian tea tree oil works to keep acne at bay in this all-natural product from Aromatica. Filled with calming, soothing ingredients like plantain leaf, comfrey root, and burdock, this lightweight, gel emulsion (i.e. light moisturizer) nourishes and hydrates irritated skin, keeps the pores clear, and controls sebum, but does not interfere with the skin’s natural oil.
Mizon Watermax Aqua Gel
This refreshing green goop of a cream contains witch hazel and glycerin for the perfect balance between softening and balancing. It also has brightening and anti-inflammatory licorice root in it in addition to a bevy of antioxidant fruit and herbal extracts—think goodness like basil, watermelon, and honey.
Caolion Lte V3 Pore Care Hydration
The components of this moisturizer are like a dream for oily skin and the concerns it often comes with. Oily skin is often associated with enlarged pores (although that’s not always the case), and this moisturizer addresses those concerns. Snake and bee venom (!), powerful ingredients which encourage collagen and elastin production, smooth the appearance of rough and uneven texture, address blemishes, and enlarged pores. It also contains glycerin, rosemary and lavender, among other fruit/herbal extracts to balance the skin and provide antioxidants.
Cremorlab Fresh Water Gel
This ultra-light moisturizer is a dream to apply as it feels simultaneously hydrating and lightweight. As for its formulation, it contains witch hazel, a great ingredient to help soak up excess oil, tighten the pores to prevent more oil production, and brighten and calm the skin. Lavender soothes and is antibacterial, so it helps fight blemishes. Finally, aloe and Cremorlab’s proprietary T.E.N. thermal water soothe the skin and provide lightweight hydration.
Be The Skin Botanical Moisturizing Soothing Cream
This lightweight gel-type moisturizer contains ceramide, a powerful hydrator, that works without making the skin sticky; it also contains jojoba oil, which mimics the natural sebum in the skin, and prevents the oil glands from producing more oil, plus glycerin, which is a humectant. Asiatic Leaf extract calms the skin and minimizes the appearance of pores!
