Moisturiser for oily skin: do you need one?

Short answer: yes

Oil and water are different things. Skin can make plenty of oil and still lack water, which is why some people have a shiny T-zone and tight cheeks at the same time.

A moisturiser helps skin hold on to water and feel comfortable. If you skip it, skin may feel tight after cleansing, and some people find their skin looks shinier by the afternoon. That is not the same for everyone, but it is a common experience.

Oily, dry or dehydrated: how to tell

Three words get mixed up, and they describe different things:

• Oily skin looks shiny, often within a few hours of washing. It is about how much oil your skin makes.
• Dry skin makes less oil. It tends to feel tight, rough or flaky most of the time, and it often feels worse in cold weather, in air conditioning or after a hot shower.
• Dehydrated skin is short of water, not oil. It can happen to any skin type, so it can feel tight, a little rough or dull even if it also looks shiny. Dehydrated skin can make fine lines look more noticeable.

You can have more than one at once. A rough guide: if your skin feels tight within minutes of cleansing but looks shiny by the afternoon, it is probably oily and dehydrated. If it feels rough and looks flaky or dull most of the day, it is more likely to be dry.

If your skin feels tight after cleansing, your cleanser may be too strong, or you may be skipping moisturiser. A gentler cleanser from our cleansers range is a good first change.

What to look for

For oily or acne-prone skin, texture matters more than the label.

• Gel or gel-cream. Light, water-based and quick to absorb.
• Lotion. A little richer than a gel, still light on skin.
• Hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol and ceramides help skin feel hydrated without a heavy finish.
• Soothing ingredients such as centella can suit skin that is easily irritated. See our centella guide.
• "Non-comedogenic" on a label means a product is designed to be less likely to clog pores. It is a helpful hint, not a guarantee.

Heavier creams, rich balms and thick sleeping masks tend to feel too much for oil-prone skin, though they can suit dry areas or the colder months.

Browse our moisturisers, or see the oiliness picks for products that suit shine-prone skin.

Dry or dehydrated skin: choose a cream

If your skin is dry, or dehydrated and not very oily, you can go a step richer than the gel advice above.

• Cream or gel-cream. A cream feels richer and sits on skin longer, which many people with dry skin find more comfortable. A gel-cream is a good middle option if a cream feels heavy.
• Ingredients to look for: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol and squalane help skin feel hydrated and soft.
• Apply on slightly damp skin, right after cleansing or toner, so the moisturiser helps hold that water on skin.
• Combination skin: use a gel on your T-zone and a cream on drier cheeks, or a gel by day and a cream at night.
• Keep the rest gentle. A mild, non-foaming cleanser and one new product at a time. If you use an exfoliating acid, use it less often and moisturise afterwards.

Dry skin can also be a seasonal change, so you may want a richer texture in winter and a lighter one in summer.

If your skin is itchy, red, painful or keeps flaking despite moisturising, see a GP or pharmacist rather than adding more products.

How to use it

1. Cleanse first. Use a gentle cleanser, not one that leaves skin squeaky.
2. Apply on slightly damp skin if you like. It can make a light formula feel more comfortable.
3. Use a small amount, about the size of a pea or a little more for your whole face.
4. Apply it last after any toner or serum. See our skincare routine order guide.
5. Do it morning and night. Many people use a lighter gel in the morning and a slightly richer one at night.

If you use an exfoliating acid in the evening, moisturise afterwards as well. Our BHA vs AHA guide has more on how to start.

Common mix-ups

• "Oil-free" does not mean it is the best choice. Some oils are light and suit skin well, and some oil-free gels feel sticky. Try a patch test and see how it feels.
• Mattifying products are not the same as moisturisers. They are designed to reduce the look of shine. They can be used alongside moisturiser, not instead of it.
• Blotting and then moisturising is fine. You do not have to leave skin bare.

FAQ

Next steps

• Build a short routine, with the right texture for your skin, using the routine builder
• Prefer a Korean-style step-by-step? See Korean skincare routine for oily skin
• Browse moisturisers
• See oiliness picks

This guide is general information, not medical advice. For persistent or severe acne, see a GP or dermatologist. How we write our guides: the Skinova Diary team writes them as general information, drawing on product labels and public guidance.