Got oily skin? Your routine is missing these light-weight moisturisers

If you read the title of this story and did a double take—“why do I need to be moisturising when my skin produces enough oil to supply a nation?” then we are here to prove otherwise. If your skin is over-producing oil, it could be a sign of dehydration. When you don’t hydrate properly (both inside and out!), your skin goes into overdrive by producing more oil to compensate for it, resulting in dullness and greasiness. So yes, you read that right—though using a face cream might sound counter-intuitive, adding it to your daily skincare routine will do wonders, especially in winter, but even in peak summer.

The key is to stay away from heavy, enriched moisturisers—gel-based light ones are your best bet. And if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, look out for oil-free creams that reduce the risk of your skin breaking out. 

Below, Cosmopolitan India recommends the best ones that you need to add to your shelf, right now. 

Clinique Moisture Surge 100h Auto-replenishing Hydrator

This cream by Clinique has a cult status for a reason—the oil-free gel cream with aloe bio-ferment and hyaluronic acid (HA) claims to penetrate the skin’s surface to hydrate it from within, ensuring your skin stays moisturised for longer, and produces less oil and sebum as a result. Creams that contain HA, which is a humectant, meaning it attracts water from the surroundings to your skin, are better at delivering hydration. This one gets a big thumbs up from us!

One Thing Centella Soothing Cream

If you’re on the lookout for a moisturiser that not only hydrates but also soothes inflamed, irritated skin, then this one is just for you. By the Korean brand One Thing, the cream contains centella, which is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. The gel-like formula absorbs quickly on application, leaving no greasiness behind. While it will do well in both your day and night routine, layer it with a toner or another moisturiser during night time for an extra boost of hydration. 

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
 

You can always trust Kiehl’s skincare line to deliver, and its Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream does the job of a moisturiser perfectly. The oil-free gel formulation doesn’t weigh down skin but absorbs instantly, leaving supple skin in its wake. Containing natural extracts, the fragrance-free cream is ideal for those who have highly sensitive skin. 

belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb

belif, a Korean skincare brand, is known for its range of products that are oily-skin appropriate. Its The True Cream - Aqua Bomb is a favourite among skincare enthusiasts, thanks to its ultra-light consistency that glides like a dream and sinks into the skin almost instantly. The refreshing cream is formulated to burst on contact with your skin—the moisturiser ‘floods’ it with extreme hydration, leaving skin smooth and soft. Now, who wouldn’t want that!

Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel

Murad’s moisturiser ticks all the boxes for oily skin—it’s oil-free, it has a gel texture, and it features hyaluronic acid that adds that extra surge of hydration. There’s salicylic acid on the ingredient list, too, which is known to gently exfoliate and refine skin for a balanced non-greasy finish. Plus, Korean red pine extract helps in combating any irritation. It gets a 10/10 from us!