Best Oil-Free Moisturizers for All Skin Types: What You Need to Know

Best Oil Free Moisturizers

“Oil Free” is a complicated statement in skin care that’s way more confusing than it needs to be, in fact, there is no standard definition of “oil free” in skin care at all. I’m a dermatologist, and in this blog I’ll provide my own definition and recommendations of oil free moisturizers for all 16 Baumann Skin Types. Oily skin types often ask for a recommendation for an oil-free moisturizer for the face, but is avoiding oil in face lotions and creams really necessary when you have oily skin? Can dry skin types use oil-free face lotions and creams? Are gel moisturizers better for oily skin? This blog will explain what “oil free” means and if oil free products are good for your skin type.

First- I highly recommend taking the Baumann Skin Type Quiz for free today. Most people think they know their skin type, but our data shows that most people guess their skin type incorrectly. Buying the wrong products can set your skin health back by months. When you know your Baumann Skin Type, products on our website that are safe for you will be indicated with your skin type icon. You can take the quiz with the button below!

Best Oil Free Moisturizers

Which oil free moisturizer is best for you depends upon if you are oily or dry, as well as the other skin health barriers you have. Below Here are some general suggestions on the best moisturizers for individual skin concerns. Keep in mind that this advice is less personalized than your custom skin care routine recommendation is after you take the quiz.

Oil Free Moisturizers for Oily Skin

Oily skin types can have a hard time finding products that don’t cause acne. That’s because oily skin types can get clogged pores from an excess of lipids on the face, including saturated fatty acids from many oils. For those reasons and more, I often advise oil free moisturizers like these for oily skin types:

Cera Ve PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is an oil free light face lotion that is noncomedogenic.

Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer SPF 30 – contains micropearl technology to mattify skin and control excess sebum and shine. Broad spectrum SPF guards against daily UV damage.

Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture is one of the bestselling oil-free face moisturizers but it contains petrolatum and soybean sterols that can make this feel greasy on the skin. It is non-comedogenic.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Face Moisturizer – uses micro-exfoliating LHA to refine skin texture, shrink visible pores, and purify acne-prone skin without dryness or irritation. My acne patients with oily skin love this!

Essopi Triple Antioxidant Serum is my go-to oil-free moisturizer when my patients have sensitive skin and need antioxidants in their skincare routine.

This product is good for Baumann Skin Types 7,8,11,&12

This oil free antiaging moisturizer has peptides and antioxidants. It has jojoba esters but not the oil form of jojoba. It was designed to be noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic.

EltaMD AM Restore is an oil free moisturizer. It has some ascorbyl palmitate in it which is mildly comedogenic, however, it the moisturizer has been tested and shown to be noncomedogenic so it should be safe in acne-prone skin types.

Elta MD PM Restore Moisturizer is also oil-free and noncomedogenic. It is a bit heavier than the AM version so it you have very oily skin, you will not like this. Does not repair the skin barrier, so this is not for dry skin types. It is best for normal/oily and combination/oily types which some people call combination skin.

Oil Free Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Dry skin types need a moisturizer in their regular daily routine, but some dry skin types might be sensitive to many kinds of oils. Some oils can still clog the pores of acne-prone dry skin types, or are simply allergenic to some people. If you have dry skin and need an oil free moisturizer for your daily regimen, here is my product recommendation for you:

This oil free moisturizer was created by Dermatologist Dr. Amy Brodsky. It has niacinamide to help give cells energy to make collagen and other vital components and to repair skin damage. Niacinamide is a PAR-2 blocker that help even skin tone. This product is perfect for dry skin types with acne and dark spots from acne.

Antiaging Oil Free Moisturizers

Anti-aging products are designed to do things like promote collagen synthesis, aid in exfoliation, eliminate free radicals on the skin, smooth skin texture, and more. Anti-aging is a challenging skin care journey because it is best treated through prevention. For that reason and others, many moisturizers have anti-aging benefits, but some people are sensitive to products with oils in them. If you are looking for an oil free anti-aging moisturizer, these are my two favorites:

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is one of the best oil-free antiaging moisturizers. It’s also noncomedogenic. It has many antiaging growth factors and peptides.

This retinol for beginners is oil-free. Make sure you use it as part of a complete customized skincare routine to get the best results.

Oil Free Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin

Acne prone skin types are the most likely to get clogged pores from using oils in skin care products. If you are prone to acne and can’t find products that won’t clog your pores, but still need a moisturizer, this product might be your skin type solution:

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer is good for skin types

This is the oil free product that I recommend most to my oily skin teens. Dimethicone helps keep oil hidden while silica and methyl methacrylate crosspolymer absorb oil. This is also noncomedogenic so is perfect for teens with acne-prone skin.

Oil-Free Moisturizers with SPF

Protecting your skin from solar radiation should be a part of your everyday skin care routine. If you are hesitant to use sunscreen because it might clog your pores, I recommend this oil free sunscreen for you:

This Murad oil-free susncreen was desinged for acne-prone skin.

Oil Free Body Moisturizer

This oil free body lotion contains humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help hold water on the skin’s surface.

Why Use an Oil-Free Moisturizer?

There are a few things to think about in addition to skin type before buying a oil free moisturizer for your face. It is important to ask yourself, “Why would I want an oil free moisturizer?” Below I discuss the different reasons you might need to use oil free skincare products.

There are a few key reasons why someone may want to use an oil free moisturizer:

Preference for a non-greasy feel

Many people simply do not like the feeling of heavier, greasier moisturizers on their skin. Even patients who do not have overly oily skin often prefer the lighter feel of an oil free moisturizer formula. These are designed to hydrate the skin without leaving behind a slippery, tacky, or shiny residue after application.

Help control excess oil and shine

For those with very oily skin, excess sebum and slipperiness are major concerns. Applying an oil free moisturizer can provide hydration while controlling grease and shine. Patients also appreciate that oil free moisturizers allow makeup, powder, and sunscreen to glide smoothly onto skin without appearing patchy or caking up.

Reduce risk of clogged pores/acne

Moisturizers with high oil content have a higher likelihood of clogging pores for some skin types. This in turn leads to increased blackheads, breakouts, and congestion over time. Opting for an oil free, non-comedogenic formula minimizes this risk. Those already struggling with acne will likely see better results from an oil free moisturizer.

Improve compliance with regular use

When research subjects enjoy the feel and performance of a moisturizer formula, studies show they are more likely to apply it consistently every day. The non-greasy refreshing feel of oil free options makes people more eager to use them. This leads to better absorption of all regimen steps.

So in summary- the main driver for using an oil free moisturizer is personal preference for a lightweight, easily absorbed, non-greasy hydrating formula. But they also provide essential oil control and clog preventing benefits for the right skin types.

Once you have a better feel for why you want an oil free moisturizer, lets discuss the best moisturizers out there that do not contain oil.

Benefits

Using lightweight oil free hydrators offers perks like:

Oil Control – Less oil means less shine and slip, allowing you to comfortably wear less powder, touch up less often, and show off a flawless complexion longer

Allows Makeup to Glide Smoothly – Creamy moisturizers can interact poorly with liquid foundation, preventing proper application and absorption. Oil free options provide the perfect slick-free canvas for makeup

Non-Greasy After Feel – For those who dislike heavy lotions, oil free moisturizers absorb rapidly without leaving behind slippery residue or tackiness

Feels less heavy on skin – men and oily skin types seem to prefer lighter moisturizers on their skin.

What Does Oil Free Mean?

There is no standard definition or criteria that regulates use of the term “oil free” on skincare product labeling. As a dermatologist specializing in clinical skin care, I have often been asked to clarify what oil free truly means. This is what it means to me:

If interpreting the phrase literally, oil free would indicate a product formula containing no oil ingredients whatsoever. However, many items marketed as oil free actually do contain components of plant oils such as esters.

The term oil free can also be used as a descriptive adjective referring to the final texture, feel and spreadability of the product. Oil free denotes that the moisturizer, lotion, cleanser or serum has a lightweight, non-greasy, water-like feel when applied. It does not necessarily denote a complete absence of oily feeling substances. Oil free does not mean noncomedogenic, as some non oil ingredients can clog pores.

Myths about Oil Free Skincare

Oily free skincare may have ingredients that clog pores. For example, Bees wax is not considered an oil but is comedogenic. Oil free often means the moisturizer is light weight, but does not necessarily mean that the moisturizer is not greasy feeling. Fatty alcohols, for example, are not oils but give moisturizers a greasy oily texture.

It can be very confusing shopping for oil free skincare, so I suggest you make it easy on yourself and take our skincare routine quiz. We will help you find the best oil-free moisturizers for your skin type. Without knowing your Baumann Skin Type it is hard to know if an oil free gel moisturizer, oil – free lotion, or oil free cream is right for you.

Oily Ingredients that are Not True Oils

These ingredients in skincare are not considered oils, but do feel oily on the skin. They may be found in ‘oil-free moisturizers’. I divided them up by which plant oil or petroleum product the ingredient is derived from.

From Palm Oil:

Palm Kernel Alcohol

Palm Alcohol

Palm Glycerides

Palmitate (various forms like Cetyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate)

Squalene

From Soybean Oil:

Soybean Sterols

Soybean Glycerides

Hydrogenated Soybean Oil

Hydrogenated Soy Glycerides

Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil

Soybean Oil PEG-6 Esters

From Vegetable Oil:

Cetyl Stearate

Glyceryl Stearate

PEG-100 Stearate

From Castor Oil

Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG Castor Oils (PEG-40 Castor Oil, etc)

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil

Ethoxydiglycol

Castor Isostearate

From Mineral Oil

Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil)

Petrolatum

Ceresin

Ozokerite

Paraffin

From Olive Oil

Squalane (Olive-derived)

Hydrogenated Olive Oil

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

Olive Glycerides

Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters

Olive Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters

These can be in products which make them feel heavy and greasy even if they are technically “oil free.”

As you can see, there is a lot to known when choosing an oil free moisturizer. Let us help you find the right moisturizer that targets all of your barriers to healthy skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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