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From high-end, pore-refining formulas to no-nonsense drugstore options for sensitive skin.

I'm a Shopping Editor who uses my passion for hitting "add to cart" (and my 8+ years in media) to curate the best products on the web — I'm particularly passionate about finding the best beauty products, which probably stems from my days of working at Lush Cosmetics, where I learned about effective skincare ingredients while getting covered in bath bomb dust every day.

Whether you're dealing with naturally oily skin, easily clogged pores, sensitive and reactive skin, or simply want something lightweight for a humid climate, an oil-free moisturizer can help keep your skin clear and hydrated with less chance of irritation. To be clear, not all oils are bad in a moisturizer, but they can make formulas feel heavier — and they can cause clogged pores and breakouts in more sensitive skin types. Plus, oil-free moisturizers run less risk of pilling and feel heavy under makeup. From drugstore staples like Cetaphil and Cerave to splurge-worthy upgrades from Skinceuticals and Tatcha, these oil-free moisturizers are lightweight and reviewer-loved.

CeraVe's Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a skincare aisle legend for a few reasons — it's incredibly simple yet incredibly effective. It features ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a lightweight formula that's fragrance-free and gentle enough for both your face and body. If you're looking for no-nonsense moisture you can slather on anywhere, this is a great place to start.

Promising review: "I’ve been using this mainly as a facial moisturizer, and it’s one of the few that absorbs almost immediately without leaving any residue. The texture is light, spreads easily, and still manages to keep my skin comfortable through repeated applications. The pump bottle also makes it easy to use throughout the day. I greatly appreciate the fragrance-free formula since it doesn’t clash with other lotions or anything else I’m wearing. It has more substance than a basic lotion, and it’s gentle enough for when my skin is sensitive or irritated. Overall, highly recommend." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in two sizes).

Cetaphil's Daily Hydrating Lotion treats your skin to hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help attract water and protect your skin's natural barrier for up to 24 hours, which is quite impressive given its ultra-lightweight texture and drugstore-friendly price.

Promising review: "I have sensitive skin, which is so prone to acne that I don’t touch my face, ever, or I get pimples. For that reason, finding a moisturizer for my face has been a decades-long process of trying all different brands and formulas, with no lasting success. I began using Cetaphil cleanser for my face about a year ago, and it was a total game changer, but I was still in need of moisture. I tried the Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF protection, and it was good, but I still couldn’t keep my face completely clear. Then I tried this formula. Oh.My.Gosh, the search is over!! This moisturizer is the perfect blend of moisture and no acne-causing heaviness. Like other reviewers have said, it is much thinner than a lotion. It’s not liquid, but somewhere in between. I LOVE it. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and I haven’t had a single chin pimple or cheek blemish. It’s the answer to my wish for clear skin!" —JustMe

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer is a perfect choice if a shine-free, oil-control finish is at the top of your list of priorities. This unique moisturizer is formulated with silica and perlite to help absorb oil instantly and provide a smoothing effect. Plus, you'll still get the moisture-retaining ceramides, restoring niacinamide, and soothing prebiotic thermal water the brand is known for.

Promising review: "Highly recommend this moisturizing matte face moisturizer! My skin type tends to be more oily and acne-prone, so I was hesitant to try any moisturizer. My dermatologist recommended this brand about two years ago, and I've consistently used it every day and night since! The lotion is extremely moisturizing without leaving it feeling greasy, oily, or shiny... I truly think consistency over time has shown me the best results with this moisturizer!" —Jordyn M

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in an SPF formula). 

Peach Slices Acne Oil-Free Moisturizer dares to ask the question, "What if an acne treatment wasn't ridiculously drying?!" The answer is this genius formula that combines hydrating hyaluronic acid with the breakout-fighting properties of 0.5% salicylic acid — and yes, it's gentle enough to use every day, twice a day!

Promising review: "Moisturizing and hasn't broken me out, but it feels slightly oily compared to the matte finish it has in the description.

Edit — I posted this about a year ago, and to this day I still use this moisturizer as well as their toner. Quite literally my holy grail. My face used to always end up oily in the middle of the day, and ever since using this, my face doesn’t get greasy, yet it keeps my skin moisturized. It’s kept my acne at bay as well." —Samantha

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture is a great choice if you're looking for some pore-refining qualities in your moisturizer. The included botanical extracts can help minimize the appearance of pores, while algae extracts provide nourishing hydration. It'll provide a shine-free finish, but is hydrating enough to use on your neck and chest as well.

Promising review: "I am highly impressed with this product! The texture is silky and it has been very effective at keeping my skin hydrated all day. It leaves my face feeling soft and looking radiant. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quality daily moisturizer." —Elizabeth S.

Get it from Dermstore, Blue Mercury, and Skinceuticals for $85.

Paula's Choice Resist Daily Hydrating Fluid Face Moisturizer proves that SPF doesn't have to feel greasy or heavy. The texture is described as "water-light" and manages to pack in SPF 50 sun protection and calming chamomile and green tea, all while leaving behind a satin-matte finish. Plus, reviewers say it doesn't leave a white cast!

Promising review: "I’ve tried a lot of moisturizers with SPF, and this one really stands out. It’s incredibly lightweight and feels almost like nothing on your skin, which I love, especially if you don’t like that heavy sunscreen feeling.

It goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly without leaving any white cast or greasy residue. The finish is more of a soft matte, so it works really well under makeup or even on its own. It’s designed to be oil-free and suitable for normal to oily skin, which definitely shows when you use it." —Sean B.

Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in two sizes).

Amazon Basics Oil-free Facial Moisturizer is a wildly popular choice for sensitive skin, with more than 5,000 rave ratings from Amazon customers. Reviewers love that it's a simple, lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and is completely fragrance-free. And the under-$10 price point certainly doesn't hurt.

Promising review: "This moisturizer has been great for sensitive skin. It is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and does not leave any greasy feeling behind. I like that it is fragrance free and noncomedogenic, so it does not irritate my skin or cause breakouts. It keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day without feeling heavy. Simple, effective, and a great value for everyday use." —Jake R.

Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Face Moisturizer — I am delighted to inform you that retinol and hydration can live together in perfect harmony! This creamy moisturizer features retinol to help smooth fine lines with continued use, and hyaluronic acid to add a dose of balancing moisture. The best part? It's available in both a fragranced and fragrance-free formula, so you can keep it simple if fragrance tends to irritate you.

Promising review: "This is my go-to night cream. It has a great consistency and my skin feels super hydrated when I wake up. I do think I’ve seen some slight improvements in my skin from this cream. I also really like the scent, it’s light enough not to be overbearing but is refreshing." —Lauren C.

Get it from Amazon for $28.47 (available with and without fragrance).

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer is perfect if you're looking to ditch the separate vitamin C serum and streamline your routine. This will help brighten and even skin tone, providing a glowy appearance that's never greasy.

Promising review: "This has transformed my skin in days. I was not expecting the brightening to be so drastic. I’m shocked — in a good way. It is not in the least bit greasy, hence I can wear during the day." —azithromycin1

Get it from Nordstrom and Dermstore for $72.

Glo Skin Beauty BHA Clarifying Gel Moisturizer has a water-gel consistency that absorbs super quickly while treating your skin to a gentle dose of hydroxy acid to lightly exfoliate and minimize the appearance of pores. It also helps eliminate shine throughout the day, so you can say goodbye to using oil-blotting sheets every hour on the hour.

Promising review: "Loving this! Recommended by my physician sister, this is hydrating and leaves my skin glowing. Lightweight and smells wonderful." —PB

Cosrx Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap — don't let the "ultra-moisturizing" in the name fool you, this is a featherlight lotion featuring 70% birch sap to provide hydration without feeling sticky and thick. Plus, reviewers say it has a soothing, cooling effect on the skin when applied.

Promising review: "This moisturizer does a great job in keeping my skin feeling hydrated and clean for a long time. I have combination skin, so the oil-free nature of this moisturizer is great for the parts of my face that are a bit oilier than the rest, but it still works well on the drier parts. It adds a nice glow to your skin... A little goes a long way, surprisingly, and it's really easy to apply and work into the skin. For the price that it costs, you really get your money's worth. I highly recommend it for people who may struggle with breakouts from combination skin." —Jack S.

Tatcha The Water Cream is a cult-favorite for its impressively lightweight formula that essentially feels like pure water on the skin. It's a gel-cream consistency in the jar, but melts down into a watery, cooling texture once applied. Don't be fooled by the super light feel — this has glycerin for a dose of hydration and wild rose to help refine the appearance of pores.

Promising review: "I absolutely love the Tatcha 'The Water' cream moisturizer. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and leaves my skin feeling refreshed without any greasy residue. I’ve added it to my daily facial routine, and it makes my skin look smooth and hydrated throughout the day.

The texture is silky and cooling, which makes application feel like a little luxury. I appreciate that it layers well under makeup and keeps my skin balanced. Overall, this moisturizer is a wonderful addition to any skincare routine, worth every penny for the quality and results." —Kreole Troi

Get it from Amazon for $74+ (available in two sizes and a $25 travel size).

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream feels like a soothing gel serum but hydrates like a medium-weight cream. It features glycerin to soften and moisturize for up to 24 hours and amino acids to help reduce shine and minimize excess sebum.

Promising review: "As someone with incredibly acne prone skin and breaks out after using many products, this one is safe! I have gone through several jars. Doesn’t pill under makeup and layers well." —emzy5

Get it from Sephora for $39+ (available in three sizes), Ulta for $39+ (available in four sizes), and Nordstrom for $72 (also available in a smaller size).

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight Gel Moisturizer — what's Beta Glucan, you ask? It's a humectant that can help attract moisture and maintain your skin's hydration level. You'll also get ceramides to support the skin barrier and amino acids to lightly moisturize. Yep, all of that is packed into a gel formula that absorbs almost instantly and even works well under makeup.

Promising review: "I have suffered from adult hormonal acne for over 10 years. Throughout my 20s, I tried so many moisturizers. Some clogged my pores, while others wouldn't absorb and wouldn't work well under makeup. There were some other expensive brands that worked well, but when you need a daily moisturizer, for most of us, dishing out $30 or $40 for a luxury skincare product just isn't feasible. This is the ONLY moisturizer I have repurchased again and again for over a year now, and it's worth every penny... It's lightweight, absorbs beautifully into my skin, and leaves it a little tacky and shiny for a few minutes after application...which makes it perfect to double as a primer for foundation. Best of all, it doesn't leave weird 'pilling' that most cream-based moisturizers seem to. It has a light tingling and cooling effect that feels invigorating. For its price point, this product can't be beat, and I will continue to use it on a daily basis year-round." —Jillian

Get it from Amazon for $6.50+ (available in two sizes). 

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Plus, gentle cleansers, moisturizers for sensitive skin, and finds from Amazon and Walmart.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.