7 Of The Best Drugstore Moisturizers For Oily Skin

I’ve had oily skin all my teenage and adult life. If you do as well, you probably know what it’s like trying to find a face moisturizer that provides just the right amount of moisture without leaving your skin looking like a greasy mess.

Finding a good face moisturizer was such a struggle for me that, for a while, I stopped using a moisturizer on my face and would just apply a primer or serum and go about my day (take it from me, that is not the best choice).

Related read: My Favorite Things 2021: Skincare

Even oily skin needs moisture, and when the skin is dehydrated, it will produce more oil. Once I started consistently using a face moisturizer and keeping my skin hydrated by using more hydrating skin products and drinking more water, I started to see my skin secreting less oil.

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The key is to find a moisturizer that hydrates your skin without the heavy emollients so your face feels comfortable, light, and fresh. Here are some of the key things to look for in a moisturizer that you’ll use on oily skin

• It’s lightweight
• Oil-free
• Water-based
• Doesn’t clog pores (AKA non-comedogenic)
• Has humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin

Here are 7 face moisturizers that fit that bill

Cetaphil Oil Absorbing Moisturizer

This moisturizer claims to be lightweight and oil-free, so it absorbs quickly into the skin. In addition to providing 24-hour hydration, this moisturizer has MicroPearl technology that absorbs surface oil, helping to control shine and give the skin a mattifying effect. Plus, it has broad-spectrum SPF 30 providing protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays.

You can purchase this moisturizer from

• Target 
• Walmart 
• Amazon 

Related read: My Top 9 Oily Skincare Products To Get At Walmart

Neutrogena Hydro Boost City Shield Hydrating Water Gel with SPF 25

This is my go-to daytime moisturizer all year long because it has SPF in it. In addition to providing sun protection, this moisturizer helps fight pollution & environmental stressors, it’s lightweight, oil-free, and provides lightweight hydration. I provide a full review of it here.

You can purchase this moisturizer from

• Target 
• Walmart 
• Amazon 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50

I've been using this moisturizer for several months, and though it's got a heavier texture than I typically gravitate towards, it's worked really well for me. I even shared a review of it here.

Not only does it hydrate the skin, but it also shields the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

It contains the following key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid to lock in moisture for a plump complexion
• Broad-spectrum SPF 50 Helioplex® sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun
• Vitamin E to help fight daily environmental aggressors

You can purchase this moisturizer from

• The Neutrogena Website
• Amazon
• Target
• Walmart
• Ulta

La Roche Posay, Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer

I haven’t yet tried the brand La Roche Posay or this moisturizer, but after reading about it and seeing reviews, I really want to. It claims to provide all-day hydration without the shine while helping to repair the skin barrier after 1-hour.

It's formulated with a high concentration of La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide, glycerin, oil-absorbing powders, perlite, and silica

You can purchase this moisturizer from

• Target 
• Amazon
• Ulta

Equate Beauty Hydration Gel Facial and Neck Moisturizer

The website notes this compares to the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, so it could be a dupe for that.

This moisturizer provides all-day moisture while being oil-free and fast-absorbing, and contains hyaluronic acid.

This moisturizer is only available at Walmart as it’s the Walmart store brand.

Yes To Watermelon Daily Gel Moisturizer

This moisturizer from Yes To claims to be lightweight and cool to the touch. It’s “loaded with Lycopene and Watermelon Extract to refresh, Vitamin C to brighten, and skin-plumping Sodium Hyaluronate to improve texture.”

You can purchase this moisturizer from Amazon.

CeraVe AM SPF 50 Facial Lotion 

This is a brand I'd heard good things about, and I wanted to try some of their products, so I was excited when they sent me this facial lotion to try out. I share my full review of it here.

It claims to 

• Act as a two-in-one moisturizer and sunscreen 
• Be a lightweight formula 
• Be fast-absorbing with no white cast, and works across all skin tones 

You can see more about this lotion and purchase it at Target, Walmart, Amazon, CVS, and Ulta.

What moisturizer would you try?