Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Oily Skin: 10 Products Proven to Work

If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Choosing new anti-aging moisturizers for oily skin can sometimes be nerve-wracking. Make the wrong choice and you could be left dealing with the potential fall-out for months; excess greasiness, unwanted shine, inflammation, and, of course, dreaded pimples.

That said, denying your skin a good moisturizer would be a huge mistake. Not only is a moisturizer one of the best ways to treat and prevent the visible signs of aging, but it’ll also keep your skin cells hydrated. Failing to do this causes your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, producing even more oil to make up for the lack of water.

So, where do you find a moisturizer that’ll hydrate your skin and tackle the visible signs of aging, without causing you to break out? That can be a challenge, which is why we’ve done the hard work for you. Read on to learn more about 10 of the best moisturizers for oily skin – each one produces proven results, not only when it comes to skin hydration, but also in terms of firming the skin and reducing wrinkles.

[ninja_tables id=”18796″]

Contents

Top Rated Formula for Anti-Wrinkle Benefits: LifeCell All-in-One Skin-Tightening Treatment

Lifecell product

When it comes to the very best anti-aging cream for oily skin, one of our top recommendations is the LifeCell All-in-One Skin Tightening Treatment. Why? Because this formula is extremely effective at boosting collagen production to firm and tighten the skin, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Although it’s a cream, it’s very lightweight, enabling it to absorb into the skin within seconds. Even better, as soon as it does, its light-reflecting micro-technology immediately brightens and smoothens the skin – it’s like a real-life Instagram filter that also happens to boost skin health at the same time! It’s easy to see why so many claim that this is the very best anti-aging moisturizer for oily skin.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin C & Peptides

You probably already know that vitamin A is one of the most revered anti-aging ingredients out there. It reduces wrinkles, thickens the skin, and has a very effective all-around anti-aging effect [1]. Most moisturizers contain just one form of vitamin A, but this one boasts two; retinol and retinyl palmitate. This is combined with two forms of vitamin C, an antioxidant famed for its brightening and tightening properties.

LifeCell has also included a cocktail of peptides in this blend. Research shows that not only can peptides treat and prevent skin aging, but they also have skin protective qualities [2], resulting in the improved overall health of the skin.

Pros:

  • One of the best lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizers available
  • Contains powerful anti-aging ingredients
  • Offers both instant and long-term anti-aging results
  • Can be used on every skin type, including oily skin

Cons:

  • On the pricier end of the scale (but totally worth the investment!)

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Skincare Product for Boosting Hydration & Erasing Fine Lines: Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum product

Most people think of moisturizers as being creams, but serums can sometimes be just as effective at moisturizing the skin. In fact, due to their thinner consistency, serums can often be more beneficial for oily skin since they provide lightweight hydration.

Of course, you still need to make sure that the hydrating serum you’re using doesn’t clog pores, which is why we love the Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum. Capable of instantly softening and smoothening the skin after the first use, followed by long-term wrinkle reduction, this fast-absorbing formula delivers its anti-aging compounds deep into the skin for maximum benefits.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Panthenol & Peptides

If you’re dealing with an uneven skin tone or dark spots, whether from acne breakouts or the aging process, then niacinamide is an ingredient that you should definitely be using. Also known as vitamin B3, this antioxidant has been proven to lighten hyperpigmentation while improving skin barrier function [3].

In addition to niacinamide, this serum also contains panthenol, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that moisturizes the skin while improving elasticity [4]. They’re particularly effective when combined with peptides, which you’ll also find in this formula.

Pros:

  • A very lightweight serum that quickly absorbs into the skin
  • Contains ingredients that firm, brighten, and hydrate the skin

Cons:

  • Contains fragrance and alcohol, which could irritate sensitive skin

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Drugstore Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Revitalift Cicacrem Night Cream

Revitalift Cicacrem Night Cream product

Many drugstore moisturizers contain heavy, pore-clogging ingredients that don’t do oily skin any favors. However, the L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacrem Night Cream is an exception, which is exactly why it has gained such a loyal following among those looking to tone down oil production.

This night moisturizer keeps the skin hydrated for eight hours. After a week of regular use, you’ll notice that your skin looks plumper, and wrinkles will have started to diminish, with the brand’s clinical studies showing that the skin’s repairing capacity improves by 10%.

Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, Salicylic Acid & Jojoba Oil

Centelle asiatica is the star of the show here. This botanical is a historical medicinal plant that’s loved for its healing properties, which your skin will benefit from each time you apply this moisturizer. In addition to hydrating the skin, it also has anti-inflammatory properties and can boost collagen production too!

This formula also contains salicylic acid – a must-have for anyone with oily skin. This beta-hydroxy acid exfoliates dead skin cells from deep within the pores, which not only does away with dull skin but prevents breakouts as well. Although salicylic acid can sometimes cause dry skin, it’s combined with jojoba oil in this blend, non-comedogenic oil that can actually help to rebalance sebum production.

Pros:

  • Noticeable anti-wrinkle results can be seen in just seven days
  • A good formula for hydrating the skin and smoothing skin texture

Cons:

  • Formulated with alcohol and fragrance, which could exacerbate sensitivities

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: Origins Clear Improvement Moisturizer

Origins Clear Improvement Moisturizer product

While some oils can be extremely beneficial for oily skin, it’s also completely understandable if you’d prefer to go with an oil-free formula instead, which is exactly what the Origins Clear Improvement Moisturizer is.

This cream not only acts as a regular moisturizer that hydrates the skin but it can also be used as an acne treatment and preventative, thanks to how it exfoliates the skin and detoxifies the pores.

Key Ingredients: Bamboo Charcoal, Salicylic Acid & Glycerin

You’ll find a 1% concentration of salicylic acid in this cream. This is low enough to be safe for daily use, yet potent enough to keep the pores clear of dulling buildup. In this formula, salicylic acid becomes even more effective than usual because of how it’s combined with bamboo charcoal. This is another exfoliating agent that gets rid of dead cells to leave mature skin renewed and rejuvenated.

Finally, let’s talk about hydrating ingredients. Glycerin, which is known for being the best humectant out there, is the main one. However, this cream also contains sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and algae extract, all of which deliver lightweight hydration to skin cells.

Pros:

  • Feels cooling and refreshing when applied
  • Can be used as both an anti-aging product as well as an acne treatment
  • A fragrance-free formula

Cons:

  • Has a scent that’s reminiscent of charcoal. However, the fact that it doesn’t contain any added fragrances is a good thing!

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Top Pick Low Price Budget Product for Oil Control & Treating Breakouts: Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment

Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment product

While not technically a moisturizer, the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment is a must-have for anyone with oily, acne-prone skin that’s looking for a new anti-aging solution.

This hand-help light therapy device is ideal for treating sporadic pimples and reducing inflammation in the skin, which indirectly helps to slow down the skin aging process too.

Key Ingredients: Blue & Red LED Lights

This light therapy device offers two modes; red and blue. Red targets acne-causing inflammation while blue destroys acne-causing bacteria. Whether you use them individually or combine the two modes to create a pink light, this device can effectively put a stop to your breakouts.

Pros:

  • An effective way to treat acne
  • Can be used alongside other products in your skincare routine
  • The anti-inflammatory effects of this device help to slow down skin aging

Cons:

  • You’ll need to commit to using this device three times a day, for two minutes each time, in order to see results

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Combination Skin Over 50: BioBare Skin REVIVIFY Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream

BioBare Skin REVIVIFY Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream product

You need to be careful when dealing with combination skin. Rich ingredients that nourish your dry patches could cause you to break out in oilier areas, while sebum-reducing ingredients will make your dryness worse.

The BioBare SKIN REVIVIFY Encapsulated Retinol 0.5% Cream strikes the perfect balance between the two. An ideal formula for mature skin, this moisturizer reduces the visible signs of aging while also delivering lightweight hydrating ingredients to thirsty skin cells.

Key Ingredients: Retinol, Squalane & Safflower Seed Oil

High concentrations of retinol can irritate the skin, but low concentrations take a while to produce results. The solution? A low concentration of encapsulated retinol. This allows the vitamin to be released slowly into the skin, which doubles its efficacy while keeping the skin calm. As a result, the 0.5% encapsulated retinol in this formula, along with the retinyl palmitate, will help you to boost collagen production and cell turnover, without exacerbating breakouts.

In order to prevent your skin from drying out, this formula is also packed with hydrating ingredients, including squalane and safflower seed oil. Don’t worry, although the latter may be an oil, it’s not one of those heavy oils that’ll weigh your skin down – it’s lightweight and has anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it could actually help to prevent your skin from breaking out.

Pros:

  • Contains encapsulated retinol, which allows your skin to benefit from the ingredient over a longer period of time
  • A cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free formula

Cons:

  • Can’t be used during the day, as the retinol will cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Skin Repair Cream for Oily Skin With 5* Reviews: CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum product

If you’re looking to hydrate your skin while repairing your skin barrier, which will help to balance out oil production in the long run, then the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum would be a wise choice.

This silky serum will lock moisture into your skin for up to 24 hours. It’ll also restore your skin’s barrier to leave your skin plumper and smoother – use it regularly and you should notice a significant improvement after four weeks.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Sodium Hyaluronate & Citric Acid

The selection of high-powered ceramides in this formula enables it to strengthen and repair the skin’s protective barrier. These ceramides get to work in just 24 hours [5], with results continuing to get better over time. This is helped by sodium hyaluronate, which infuses skin cells with moisture to leave them looking plump and full.

Citric acid also makes an appearance in this product. It acts as an exfoliant, while also bringing with it some potent brightening effects.

Pros:

  • Hydrating enough to be used as a standalone moisturizer
  • Helps to plump up the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Cons:

  • Some people avoid using this serum during the day, as it can cause sunscreen products to turn flaky

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Moisturizer for Mature Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel product

Want a moisturizer that’s thicker than a serum but lighter than a cream, and can be used on sensitive skin? The SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is your answer.

Safe for use on all skin types, this product is all about hydration. Use it regularly and your skin will start to look and feel softer, smoother, and more supple than ever.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid & Vitamin B5

If you’re a fan of minimalist products, then you’ll appreciate how this hydrating gel only contains four ingredients.

The two most important are hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. The former is one of the most popular ingredients for hydrating oily, mature skin, while the latter thickens and fortifies the skin’s protective barrier. As a result, the skin will soon be able to better defend itself against transepidermal water loss, therefore keeping itself better hydrated.

Pros:

  • A minimalist formula that’s suitable for all skin types
  • Oil-free and fragrance-free
  • Extremely effective at deeply hydrating the skin

Cons:

  • Focuses more on hydration, rather than anti-aging

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Anti-Aging Day Cream for Oily Skin: La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin

La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin product

If you hate how your face takes on a greasy, shiny look each day, then turn to the La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin.

This oil-free formula not only hydrates the skin for up to eight hours but also immediately gives the skin a matte finish while reducing the appearance of enlarged pores. It helps to re-balance sebum production too, meaning less shine in the long run!

Key Ingredients: Sebolyse & Micro Powders

One of the most intriguing active ingredients in this formula is sebolyse, a compound that mattifies the skin while tightening up the pores.

It becomes even more effective when combined with the micro powders that you’ll find in this cream. These have absorbent properties that blot up excess oil to keep the skin looking matte all day.

Pros:

  • Works well at mattifying the skin, even in humid environments
  • Offers both instant and long-term mattifying results

Cons:

  • Isn’t a fragrance-free formula, which could irritate sensitive skin

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


Best Product for Protecting Oily Skin From Pollution: Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum

Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum product

Pollution is all around us – there’s really no escaping from it. Even worse, it accelerates the skin aging process in a big way, which is why anti-pollution skincare has really taken off in recent years.

The Vichy Mineral 89 Face Serum is a great example of one such product. Designed to hydrate the skin for 24 hours, while fortifying the skin’s protective barrier to allow it to better defend itself against environmental pollutants, this serum is a must-have in any modern-day skincare routine.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin & Vichy Thermal Mineralizing Water

This serum’s formula is pretty simple – it only contains 11 ingredients, and 89% of this silky solution is made up of Vichy’s exclusive volcanic water. This is rich in 15 essential minerals, all of which boost and protect the health of the skin in their own ways.

The hydrating element of this serum comes from the industry’s two favorite humectants; hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Together, they draw moisture from the environment into the skin’s barrier, plumping and firming it up.

Pros:

  • A minimalist formula that hydrates all skin types, including sensitive skin
  • Has a gel-like texture that leaves the skin feeling instantly hydrated
  • Helps to protect the skin from pollution

Cons:

  • Some customers have found that this formula isn’t hydrating enough for their skin

CLICK FOR BEST PRICE


FAQ

Q: Is oily skin good for anti-aging?

Woman in her bathrobe towel moisturizing her face

Oily skin tends to age slower than other skin types, mainly because all of that excess oil helps to keep the skin better moisturized and protected.

Q: Which moisturizer brand is best for oily skin?

In our opinion, the best moisturizer brand for oily skin is LifeCell.

Q: How do you treat oily aging skin?

To treat aging on oily skin, you’ll need a hydrating, antioxidant-rich skin care routine, combined with healthy lifestyle habits.

Q: Which anti-aging serum is best for oily skin?

There are a few anti-aging serums featured above that are perfect for oily skin types!

Q: Can you get wrinkles with oily skin?

Yes, all skin types can get wrinkles, including oily skin.

Q: Is moisturizer good for oily skin in summer?

Oily skin needs a moisturizer year-round, even in the summer. However, during the warmer months, you’ll need to use a lightweight formula.

Q: Do I need serum if I have oily skin?

While you don’t need a serum, serums can be extremely beneficial for oily skin.

Q: Is moisturizer or serum better for oily skin?

Oily skin can benefit from both a moisturizer and a serum.

Q: What is the best SPF moisturizer for oily skin?

We would recommend picking a moisturizer from the list above and then layering a dedicated SPF product over the top of that. SPF needs to be reapplied frequently throughout the day, and doing this with a full-on moisturizer could end up being too much for oily skin.

Q: Which products are good for instantly hiding hyperpigmentation on oily skin?

We would recommend looking for a tinted moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients, such as aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.

Conclusion: Choosing the Perfect Moisturizer for Your Skin

Can’t decide which moisturizer to pick? We’d recommend choosing one that best matches up to your specific skin concerns. Sure, we know that oiliness is one of your issues, but does your skin need extra hydration to plump it up? Are you trying to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles? Do you want to fade dark spots? Whatever the problems your skin may be facing, you’ll no doubt be able to find the perfect product in our list of recommendations above.

[ninja_tables id=”18763″]

References

[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26578346/
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621003297
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921764/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21982351/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197824/

Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.