The best moisturizers for oily skin,according to dermatologists and skincare experts
The 11 moisturizers that dermatologists and skincare experts rate highest for oily skin, ranked by genuine consensus.
What changed, 20 October: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is the new number one.
These are the 11 moisturizers that the dermatologists and skincare experts we follow rate most highly for oily skin, ranked purely by how warmly they talk about them in their own reviews. No brand pays to appear, and the order updates as new reviews come in.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion leads with a Guru Score of 88% from 19 gurus, and it is also a budget buy. If price matters, the top splurge is Tatcha Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer at number 7, with a Guru Score of 78%. Of the 11 we hold a full ingredient list for, 10 skip drying alcohol, 9 are fragrance-free, 7 contain niacinamide and 6 contain hyaluronic acid.
Under each pick is what the experts liked about it and, where we hold one, a line a guru actually said about it. A Guru Certified mark means broad agreement across many experts. Skin is personal, so anything new is best patch-tested first.
The podium
88%Guru ScorePM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
“The CeraVe PM lotion is a simple night lotion, love it. Lightweight, great for all skin types.”Dr. Mamina
What the gurus liked: Lightweight enough for oily and combination skin; Layers well under sunscreen and makeup
Contains: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
87%Guru ScoreReedle Shot PDRN Capsule Cream
“I loved everything I tried from their capsule cream, which I mean, it's just glorious. This is something, especially during the summer that I loved using.”Gothamista
What the gurus liked: Lightweight despite nourishing ingredients
Contains: Niacinamide, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
87%Guru ScoreToleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer
“One of my favorite picks for oily skin is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer.”April Basi
What the gurus liked: Gel texture absorbs quickly without heaviness; Mattifies without leaving skin dewy
Contains: Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
The rest of the list
- 4
NeutrogenaHydro Boost Gel CreamOily skinCombination skinBudget buy84%11 gurus“I finished up the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. You all know that's a long standing favorite of mine.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Great for oily and combination skin; Budget-friendly, lasts a long time
The catch: Fragrance version has a noticeable scent some dislike
Contains: Hyaluronic acid.
- 5
The OrdinaryRice Lipids + Ectoin Micro EmulsionOily skinCombination skinBudget buy82%7 gurus“This way, you can get your ectoin in a gorgeous, beautiful emulsion that disappears without a trace, works as a moisturizer and a hydrating serum all in one and yeah is just stunning.”Mad About Skin
What the gurus liked: Lightweight, non-sticky texture; Reduces redness and smooths texture
The catch: Not hydrating enough on its own in winter
Contains: Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 6
TopicalsFaded Brightening & Clearing GelOily skinAcne-prone skinMid-range81%14 gurus“It's an incredible blend of really good brightening agents to help with dark spots, discoloration, and the overall health of the skin. I have loved using this product.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: Fragrance-free unscented version available
The catch: Pricey for the amount used per application
Contains: Niacinamide, Azelaic acid, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 7
TatchaWater Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing MoisturizerOily skinCombination skinSplurge78%14 gurus“When I did use the Tatcha Water Cream I absolutely fell in love with it. It is a gorgeous formula and yes it is beautiful fragrance strong but it sinks into your skin.”Nipun Kapur
What the gurus liked: Oil-free formula suits oily and combination skin; Cooling effect lasts a long time
Contains: Hyaluronic acid.
- 8
The INKEY ListOmega Water CreamOily skinCombination skinBudget buy75%13 gurus“The only one I have to show is The INKEY List Omega Water Cream, that I love a lot.”Doctor Anne
What the gurus liked: Lightweight but hydrating across all skin types; Dewy finish that shows through makeup
The catch: Can peel up sunscreen when layered
Contains: Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 9
VersedDew Point Moisturizing Gel CreamOily skinCombination skinMid-range74%6 gurus“A lot of my patients also really like the Verst Dew Point gel cream moisturizer.”Dr. Sam Ellis
What the gurus liked: Absorbs quickly without heaviness; Non-greasy finish
Contains: Hyaluronic acid, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 10
BYOMAMoisturizing Gel CreamOily skinSensitive skinMid-range73%11 gurus“The BYOMA Moisturizing Gel Cream, I've talked about this many times on my channel and this really is a perfect formulation for the summer months, but honestly this is great for all year round.”Sincerely Miss Ash
What the gurus liked: Lightweight but genuinely moisturizing; Matte finish without greasiness
The catch: Can feel tacky or sticky
Contains: Niacinamide, AHA, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 11
CeraVeOil Control Gel CremeOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy67%7 gurus“The oil control moisturizing gel cream, if you have oily skin you're going to love this. That mattifying effect from the starch is great, it's subtle, it won't leave you flat, but it's a great one.”Doctorly
What the gurus liked: Mattifying effect without looking flat; Lightweight texture for oily skin
The catch: Pills and causes peeling under sunscreen
Contains: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
Who's doing the judging
Ranked from the public takes of 35 independent gurus, including 13 dermatologists, 2 doctors and 2 makeup artists.
DoctorlyDermatologist
Dr. Aanchal MDDermatologist
Dr. Shereene IdrissDermatologist
Dr DrayDermatologist
208SkinDocDermatologist
Dr. Sam EllisDermatologist
Dr. Daniel SugaiDermatologist
The Budget DermatologistDermatologist
Dr. Vanita RattanDoctor
Dr. Jenny LiuDermatologist
Dr. MaminaDermatologist
Dr Alexis StephensDermatologist
Dr. Aleksandra BrownDermatologist
Tea with MDDermatologist+21These are independent experts we follow, not an in-house panel. We collect opinions they have already shared publicly on YouTube; they are not connected to The Guru Index and have not endorsed this ranking. "Guru" is our own editorial title for the voices we trust.
You asked
What is the best moisturizer for oily skin?
On the latest data it is CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, with a Guru Score of 88% from 19 gurus. The ranking above lists all 11 that clear our bar, in order.
What moisturizer for oily skin do dermatologists recommend?
Of the 13 dermatologists whose reviews feed this ranking, more approve of CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion than any other pick: 9 of them. It holds a Guru Score of 88%, at number 1 on the list. Next come La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream, with 6 each.
What do the top moisturizers for oily skin have in common?
Of the 11 we hold a full ingredient list for, 10 skip drying alcohol, 9 are fragrance-free, 7 contain niacinamide and 6 contain hyaluronic acid. That is a pattern in what the experts rate, not a rule: the ranking itself is by their verdicts.
How is this ranking decided?
We rank by the Guru Index consensus score: the warmth of every independent expert take we have logged for each product, with a minimum number of reviewers required so a single enthusiastic review can't top the list. Nothing here is paid placement.
How we make money. Some shopping links may earn The Guru Index a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products rank or how they score.