The Best Lightweight Moisturisers for Oily Skin
Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Amy
When you’ve got oily skin, finding a moisturiser that hydrates without turning you into an oil slick by midday can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. These are some of my favourites for my oily-combination skin, and I’m confident that they will work just as well on oily or acne-prone skin. These moisturisers are perfect for keeping your skin balanced, hydrated, and fresh all day long.
This post is all about the best moisturisers for oily skin, but if your skin also leans a bit dry in certain areas, you might want to check out my guide to The Best Moisturisers for Combination Skin, especially helpful if your skin changes with the seasons.
1. Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream
50ml | £12.99
If you’ve been anywhere near the skincare aisle recently, you’ve probably spotted Byoma’s bright, cheerful packaging staring back at you. With affordable prices and seriously impressive formulas, it’s no surprise this brand is everywhere right now!
The Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream was my favourite daytime moisturiser last summer, and I can definitely see it reappearing in my warm weather skincare routine again this year. It’s a dream for oily skin. It has a gorgeous, lightweight gel texture that feels cooling on the skin and absorbs super quickly, no sticky or greasy residue in sight.
The formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, and green tea. It’s also oil-free and non-comedogenic, making it ideal for anyone prone to breakouts or congestion.
The only tiny downside? I usually need about 4 pumps (instead of the recommended 1-2) to cover my face and neck, so I tend to get through a bottle quite quickly. Still, for the price and performance, it’s absolutely earned a spot in my summer skincare lineup.
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, oil-free, great for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Cons: May need to use more product than suggested.
Check out my full review of this Byoma Moisturiser here!
2. Tatcha The Water Cream
50ml | £67
If you fancy splashing out, Tatcha The Water Cream is pure luxury in a jar. It’s a lightweight gel-cream that uses clever water-burst technology — basically, it melts into your skin and delivers a surge of hydration without feeling heavy.
It’s specially designed for oily and combination skin, helping to balance oil production, minimise the look of pores, and leave skin looking fresh and radiant (without the dreaded midday shine).
Tatcha’s packaging is so stunning that I can’t even bring myself to throw the boxes away. (They’re all proudly stashed in a drawer!) It also smells lightly floral and turns my rushed morning skincare routine into a few minutes of pure spa-like bliss, even if my kids are shouting for snacks in the background!
Would I pay full price every time? Probably not. But with a good discount code? 100% worth it.
Pros: Beautiful texture, balances oily skin, luxurious feel, plays well under makeup.
Cons: Expensive.
3. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
30ml | £6.80
If you like simple, straight-to-the-point skincare, you’ll love The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA.
This is a no-frills moisturiser packed with hydrating ingredients like amino acids, fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid. It gives enough hydration to keep your skin comfortable but doesn’t overload oily or acne-prone skin.
It’s not the most luxurious formula — no fancy textures or lovely scents here — but for the price, it’s a fantastic everyday moisturiser if you want something gentle and effective. I love using this as a night cream in the summer after using a Retinoid like retinol or tretinoin.
It’s a fantastic everyday option, especially if your skin is a bit sensitive to heavier products or fragrances.
Pros: Super affordable, no-frills hydration, ideal for sensitive and oily skin.
Cons: Basic formula, no “luxury” feel.
4. APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Facial Cream
55ml / £13
If you’re looking for a Korean skincare option, APLB’s Gluthathione Niacinamide Moisturiser deserves a place in your oily skin routine.
It’s packed with brilliant ingredients like niacinamide, centella asiatica, and ceramides, all working together to regulate oil production, improve skin clarity, and strengthen the skin barrier. The texture hits the sweet spot; it’s lightweight enough for oily skin but still feels nourishing and hydrating.
This is quickly becoming my favourite morning moisturiser on warmer days. It feels similar to the Byoma Gel Moisturiser above on my skin. I’m honestly not sure which one I prefer. They are both fantastic options for lightweight hydration under moisturiser in the summer months.
It absorbs quickly and layers beautifully under sunscreen or makeup, making it a fab all-rounder for morning routines.
Pros: Brilliant ingredients, great for soothing oily or acne-prone skin.
Cons: Harder to find in UK shops (but easy enough online).
5. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (used as a night cream)
70ml | £26
Laneige’s Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask is technically marketed as an overnight treatment, but if you’ve got oily or combination skin, it works beautifully as a lightweight night cream too.
It has a silky gel texture that feels ultra-light on the skin but still delivers serious hydration. The formula is packed with ingredients like peptides, collagen complex, and squalane, helping to firm, plump, and strengthen the skin barrier overnight, without feeling heavy or greasy.
I love using this when my skin feels a little dehydrated but still prone to oiliness, especially during warmer months. It soaks in quickly, doesn’t leave any sticky residue, and by morning, skin feels smoother, softer, and more refreshed.
Bonus? You only need a small amount, so a jar lasts ages.
Pros: Ultra-light but deeply hydrating, perfect for hot nights or oily skin.
Cons: Technically a sleeping mask, so not a daily moisturiser (but it works just as well!).
6. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
50ml / £14
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a brilliant affordable option if you want something lightweight, oil-free, and easy to find on the high street.
It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin without clogging pores, and the gel texture feels instantly cooling and refreshing. It sinks in fast, doesn’t feel greasy, and layers perfectly under makeup and SPF.
The original version does have a light fragrance, which doesn’t bother me, but if you’re sensitive, it’s worth knowing there’s now a fragrance-free option too.
All in all, it’s a no-fuss, reliable moisturiser that works beautifully for oily and combination skin, especially in warmer weather.
Pros: Affordable, hydrating, easy to find, lightweight texture, layers well under makeup and SPF.
Cons: Light fragrance in the original version (may not suit very sensitive skin).
Save this post for later if you’re building your oily skin routine!
