No one’s a fan of that ‘chip chip’ feeling of greasy skin, so it’s natural to ward off any and all kinds of moisturisers. Alas, it is true that no matter the skin type, it’s a cardinal rule to moisturise. This may sound counterintuitive (trust us, it’s not) but moisturising oily skin actually helps reduce the icky, heavy feeling of excess oiliness. Oily skin occurs when the oil glands in our skin produce too much sebum. While this slows down ageing and keeps the skin naturally moisturised, excess sebum can clog pores and make way for blackheads and breakouts. When the skin is dehydrated, your oil glands produce even more oils as a trigger response. That’s why a good moisturiser for oily skin should strike the right balance between moisturisation and hydration. While the former balances oil production, the latter helps in water retention and prevents moisture loss.
With that, here are the 12 best men’s moisturisers for oily skin.
1. Home Remedy Meets Science
What we love: It has our favourite traditional ingredient like haldi (turmeric) which is widely known for its anti-inflammatory and glow-resist properties. Plus, it has cica, which soothes those angry, painful pimples. While the transparent gel absorbs quickly for a non-greasy moisturisation, the hyaluronic acid in it locks in hydration. Perfect summer facial gel!
Key Ingredients: Haldi, cica and hyaluronic acid
2. Brightening, Rice Water Formula
What we love: Its formula is inspired by K-beauty secrets. It has rice water which is a great brightening and texture-refining ingredient. Niacinamide regulates oil production while fading away old acne scars. This one’s also yet another gel-based cream that easily absorbs into the skin. If you’ve had to forgo moisturiser during the daytime, you don’t have to with this blue glass as it sits comfortably underneath sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Rice water, niacinamide, mat marine and cactus water
3. Combination To Oily Skin
What we love: If your goal is just to keep the skin moisturised, this is easily a good moisturiser for oily skin. It may not have the popular ingredients but it still contains powerhouses like glycerine to keep the skin soft and hydrated. It also goes one step ahead with alpha bisabolol which has antimicrobial properties to fight acne-causing bacteria.
Key Ingredients: Alpha bisabolol, glycerine and betaine
4. Fragrance-Free
What we love: If you’re not a fan of scents in your skincare regimen, this one won’t disappoint. With soothing lotus extracts and hydrating components like hyaluronic acid and panthenol, this moisturiser has a runny gel consistency to absorb into the skin without leaving it feeling greasy or sticky. Yet another ideal daytime moisturiser.
Key Ingredients: White lotus, hyaluronic acid, panthenol and niacinamide
5. For Active Acne
What we love: No matter how many pesky breakouts you get, this 50ml tube doesn’t give you an excuse to skip moisturising. While it does the needful with oat extract to keep the skin soft and supple, it’s the 1% salicylic acid part you will love. This treats active acne by gently exfoliating away clogged sebum, impurities and bacteria for smooth skin. Unlike the regular 2% amount we usually see in potent treatment serums, the lower concentration of this BHA makes it ideal for daily use, both AM and PM.
Key Ingredients: 1% salicylic acid and oat extract
6. Oily That’s Also Sensitive
What we love: Aside from the aesthetic jar, this not only soothes active breakouts, it also fades acne scars! This is all thanks to the duo of cica and niacinamide. The lightweight, summer-approved hydration is courtesy of ceramides and oatmeal extracts for supple skin that doesn’t feel like it will melt off in heat and humidity.
Key Ingredients: cica, ceramides, niacinamide and oatmeal extract
7. Vitamin C-Infused
What we love: Have you ever noticed your skin looking a bit dull when the skin is extra greasy? Sebum oxidation, accumulation of dead skin cells and uneven skin texture can do that. This moisturiser has two vitamin powerhouses. Vitamin C is a rich antioxidant that fights sun damage, and oxidation and tackles hyperpigmentation. Vitamin E deeply nourishes the skin and strengthens the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E and Gotu Kola
8. Lightweight, Matte Finish
What we love: If juicy, dewy skin isn’t your scene, the Green Tea Mattifying Moisturiser from Plum is exactly what you’re looking for. While green tea helps manage oil production, glycolic acid provides mild exfoliation to prevent clogged pores.
Key Ingredients: Green tea and glycolic acid
9. From K-Beauty
What we love: You wouldn’t typically think of a lotion when you want to invest in one of the best moisturisers for oily skin. This one from Cosrx, though, is an exception. Unlike a typical creamy lotion formulation, this milky moisturiser goes on like a gel. So you don’t have to worry about sweating out white droplets of unabsorbed product (thank god, phew!). Moreover, this has birch sap which is a lesser-known antioxidant that soothes, repairs and hydrates. What more could you ask for from a top-selling brand?
Key Ingredients: Birch sap
10. For a Juicy Glow
What we love: If you think hydrated glow is only for dry skin, then the Aqualogica Glow Oil-Free Moisturiser begs to differ. It has vitamin C for an even-toned glow, papaya extracts to remove dead skin cells and hyaluronic acid for lasting hydration. Glow in, greasiness out!
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, papaya extract and hyaluronic acid
11. Worth The Splurge
What we love: If you want to prioritise hydration just a little over moisturisation, then this will quench thirsty skin like a dream. It has a unique formulation of glacier glycoprotein which prevents moisture loss while micronized amino acids control shine and sebum production. While one reviewer said that this tub is a “permanent fixture” on their dressing table, another said it’s the perfect base for makeup/sunscreen.
Key Ingredients: Glacier glycoprotein and micronized amino acid
12. Best-Rated
What we love: Everything! It’s lightweight, has a pleasant fragrance and is super affordable. Want more convincing besides the nourishing duo of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E? It has a whopping 154k+ ratings and 16k+ reviews!
Here’s a review that echoes our sentiment:
“I love the fragrance of this... it smells really good. It’s hydrating. It is a really super-light gel. This is my 3rd purchase and I keep buying it again..”
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E
