Best Moisturizer For Oily Skin & Acne

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Avoiding moisturizer can actually exacerbate oily skin because, after cleansing and stripping your skin of its natural oil, it may hyper produce oil to replace what’s been lost.  

For most of us,  a hydrating skincare product whether it be an essence, moisturizer or serum  is key to a healthy skincare routine.  Its not only important to find the right moisturizer for your skin type (Ie not something heavy or one that breaks you out) but also to realize that  less moisturizer is more , as too much hydration make lead to aggravated skin.

And this is even truer if you live in a place with high heat or humidity, like India. Choosing the wrong moisturizer can result in an a greasy feeling, pore-clogging, and more troublesome skin issues.

To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled this list of the best moisturizers for oily skin in India are any of the below. 

5 BEST MOISTURIZERS FOR OILY SKIN

Each of these 5+ moisturizers offers something unique, but they all have something to offer oily skin in India.

Neutrogena HydroBoost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel ₹949

First up is the highly rate Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel.  The gel formula is super fast absorbing and provides intense hydration without any heaviness.  Key ingredients in the skin-beneficial formula include multiple hydrating ingredients such as amino acids, PCA and Hyaluronic acid Acid.  The alcohol-free formula also includes Allantoin  to calm skin & Electrolytes to boost ingredient absorption.  The moisturizer 72 hours of lasting hydration, skin barrier protection, and 5 dimensions of healthier skin.

Plum Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer For Face ₹376

Plum Green Tea Oil Free Moisturizer is packed full of skin-beneficial ingredients and is one of our favorite Indian fragrence-free moisturizers for oily and acne-prone skin.  Enriched with Green Tea for antioxidant benefits, pimple mark fading Niacinamide to regulate oil and reduce inflammation, and Hyaluronic Acid for intense hydration, and a non-sticky finish.  Other standout ingredients of the silicone-free formula (some people find silicone irritating or drying) are brightening Kakuda Plum and soothing Willow Bark Extract.

COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion With Birch Sap ₹1240

Your skin will drink up this Korean oil-free moisturizer almost immediately, leaving no greasy finish (which is a must for oily skin types). It uses a base of birch sap in place of water, which is packed with vitamins and antioxidants that both calm and protect the skin. And If your oily skin is also acne prone, they’ve got you covered with 70% willow bark, which treats both irritations and redness.

Alternatively consider COSRX’s  popular Hydrium Green Tea Non-Oily Gel Cream ₹1755 that is known also for being lightweight, soothing and including multiple antioxidants that help the skin.

Bioderma Sebium Hydra Moisturizer ₹1195

Oily skin is prone to breakouts and irregularities, but Bioderma a cult-favorite french brand, took that into account when developing this moisturizer for oily skin. For acne-prone skin, they’ve included an exclusive Fluidactiv patented complex that balances the quality of sebum and keeps pores from becoming clogged. For a host of irregularities they’ve included enoxolone and allantoin to reduce redness and repair skin texture. But all that doesn’t come at the expense of hydration, which is accomplished with ultra-hydrating and nourishing glycerine and ceramides.

Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Gel Face Moisturizer ₹330

Minamalist’s Gel Face Moisturizer is a fan-favorite we trust, with  its  ultra-lightweight texture the silicone-free formula absorbs quickly, leaving no sticky residue. Enriched with Shea Butter, Polyglutamic Acid, and Sepicalm, the fragrance-free moisturizer locks in moisture while soothing irritation and redness.  Other key ingredients include Minerals like Zinc, Copper, & Magnesium that help protect against free radical damage. Perfect for normal to oily skin, it hydrates and calms without causing breakouts. Highly recommended!

If you have sensitive skin that needs to calm down , consider Minimalist 3% Sepicalm With Oats Face Moisturizer (₹331).   

TIPS FOR OILY SKIN

Here at The Youthist, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond. And we know a lot of you with oily skin can use all the advice you can get. So here are our top 3 favorite skincare tips for caring for oily skin:

WASHING YOUR FACE

Arguably the most basic aspect of any skincare routine is regularly washing you face. But when you have oily skin, it’s how you wash your face and with what that matters.

First of all, never scrub the skin. Scrubbing too hard can lead to irritation at the least and damage at the most. You should also be looking for a gentle foaming cleanser that helps clarify pores and doesn’t strip the skin of too much of its natural oil. Last but not least, make sure you’re washing before bed, in the morning, and after exercise – and then following that up with a moisturizer.

EXFOLIATING

Excess oil easily gets trapped in your pores along with dead skin cells and other dirt and debris. The clogging of your pores with these materials is what leads to breakouts, and the solution is exfoliating. 

Individuals with oily skin should be chemical exfoliating at least once per week using a non-abrasive exfoliator like BHAs, salicylic acid, or willow bark extract. This will help clarify the inside of your pores and prevent clogging.

OIL-FREE

Whether it’s a skincare item like moisturizer or cleanser, or a makeup item like foundation or primer, always look for oil-free. Oily skin does not need any extra oil added to it. You already have an excess of sebum and adding oils, either natural or synthetic, will only add to your skin troubles. 

While we’re at it, we’ll also mention that you should look for alcohol-free formulas. Alcohol has a drying effect that can lead to serious irritations.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Oily skin is one of the most common skin types we get questions about because it can cause a variety of skin issues, from breakouts to irritation to excessive shine. The good news is, there’s plenty you can do to help get your oil skin under control – starting with your moisturizer.