How to choose a daily cream for oily skin

Why moisturize skin that already feels oily?

Skin oil and skin moisture are not the same thing. Moisturizers add water to skin and help reduce water loss through its outer layer, called the skin barrier. Oily skin can become dehydrated, and drying it out too aggressively can encourage more oil production. A daily moisturizer supports hydration rather than trying to remove every trace of oil.13

Does it have to be a cream?

No. Moisturizers come as gels, lotions, creams and ointments. The word cream is not a requirement for daily moisturizing, however firmly the skincare aisle has committed to naming everything.3

Choose the texture around how dry your skin feels, not just how shiny it looks. Mild dryness can need only a light moisturizer at night, while very dry areas need more protection. Heavy, occlusive products, which seal moisture into skin, can aggravate acne. A richer texture is therefore not automatically a better choice for an oily face.34

What should the label say?

• Look for a formula made for oily skin, with the words oil free and noncomedogenic.
• If your skin is sensitive, choose a sensitive skin formula with relatively few ingredients.
• Prefer fragrance free products, especially if your skin is sensitive or you have allergies.
• For a moisturizer that doubles as daytime sun protection, look for broad spectrum coverage and SPF 30 or higher.

Fragrance free does not mean free of every possible allergen. Botanical extracts can also cause reactions, and a hypoallergenic label does not rule out an allergy. Use those labels to narrow your choices, then check how your skin responds. Try only one new moisturizer at a time so you can identify the cause if a reaction develops.245

Which moisturizing ingredients are useful?

Humectants attract and hold water in skin. Examples include glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and they feel less thick and greasy than heavy occlusive ingredients. Emollients soften and smooth skin, while occlusives help prevent moisture escaping. These jobs can overlap within one moisturizer; you do not need a separate product for each.34

Ceramides are fats naturally present in skin that help lock in moisture. Added ceramides can support moisturizing, particularly when dryness is part of the problem. Ingredient choice also matters if skin is damaged: urea and acidic preparations can sting scratched or cracked skin. A daily moisturizer does not need exfoliating acids simply because your skin is oily.23

Buy within your budget and prioritize a formula suited to your skin type. Effective moisturizers exist at different prices, so the price tag is not a dermatology qualification. Be equally skeptical of dramatic anti aging promises: moisturizers can soften the appearance of fine lines, but a jar cannot deliver a facelift.25

How do you use a daily moisturizer?

1. 1Wash your hands, then cleanse your face gently. Wash in the morning and before bed, and after sweating. Avoid scrubbing or rough washcloths.
2. 2Gently pat your skin so it is no longer dripping but remains slightly damp. Apply moisturizer gently; moisturizing products work well after washing or bathing while water remains in skin.
3. 3During the day, apply a separate sunscreen after other skincare and before makeup. Use broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher with water resistance, and apply it 15 minutes before going outdoors.
4. 4Reapply sunscreen every two hours while outdoors. A moisturizer containing sunscreen still needs to meet the same protection requirements.

Use your moisturizer consistently and adjust the frequency to dryness. Plain emollients without active ingredients can usually be reapplied when skin feels dry; products containing medicines need their own directions. Your needs can change in winter. If you have a beard, cleanse the skin beneath it daily and moisturize afterward rather than treating the hair as a substitute for skincare.467

What if you already use a treatment cream?

Follow your prescriber's instructions for layering medicines and moisturizer. Some prescription products need to go on before an emollient. For a retinoid that feels too drying, one approach is to apply a moisturizer that will not clog pores immediately after washing, then apply the retinoid 20 to 30 minutes later before bed. Do not assume that sequence applies to every treatment.46

Will a daily cream stop shine?

A moisturizer helps hydration, but it will not eliminate oily skin overnight. Mattifying moisturizers can help reduce visible shine in the moment, while changes to an oily skin routine take time. For oil showing through during the day, press an oil absorbing sheet against the area rather than rubbing, which spreads oil and can irritate skin.1

Give a comfortable routine at least 30 days before judging whether it is working. Switching products repeatedly can leave you with irritation instead of progress, which is a poor return on all that bathroom shelf administration. That waiting period does not apply to a product that irritates your skin: stop using it right away.6

When should you stop or get help?

Contact a healthcare provider for ongoing irritation, itching, redness, a rash or wounds that will not heal. Stop a moisturizer that causes an allergic skin reaction. Oily skin alone is not a health problem, but if it bothers you and your routine has not helped after a month or two, a dermatologist can help choose products or discuss treatment for excess oil.134