Best Overall

Cetaphil Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30

$17

$14 at Amazon$15 at Target

$18

$15 at Walmart

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 4 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No

Not only is this option super lightweight and noncomedogenic (hooray—no clogged pores!), but it also touts micro pearl technology, which works to absorb excess oil on the skin’s surface, leaving your face with a matte finish. This product has the added benefit of delivering your daily dose of necessary broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection. Plus, in true Cetaphil fashion, it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about irritation if you also have sensitive skin. Dr. Omar Noor, M.D., FAAD, of Rao Dermatology, is a fan: “I like Cetaphil’s Pro Dermacontrol Oil Absorbing Moisturizer. It is a balance of effectiveness while still having an elegant vehicle to deliver that effectiveness.”

Best Budget

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer

$13

$10 at Amazon$12 at Walgreens

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 4 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

This pick boasts a low price and high quality—win/win. Oily skin and breakouts often (and unfortunately) go hand-in-hand, but that won’t be an issue when you add this one to your skincare routine. Best of all, you won’t be left with a greasy feel either. This formula is oil-free and noncomedogenic, both nonnegotiable when you’re battling blemishes. It also has the added benefit of containing a small amount of salicylic acid, an oil-dissolving ingredient that can both help treat existing pimples and keep future ones from forming. Beware of overusing it though, since it can be drying. (Yes, even oil-prone skin can get dry!) Those sensitive to fragrance may want to keep scrolling, too, since it’s infused with a pink grapefruit scent.

Best Mattifying

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Oil-Free Mattifying Moisturizer

View on AmazonView on Ulta$40 at Target

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone, salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 1.4 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

This oil-free moisturizer features a unique sebulyse technology, which the brand claims both mattifies your complexion and helps tighten pores, as well as a form of zinc, which it credits to further neutralizing shine. The result is skin that feels hydrated but looks matte. It also got an expert’s seal of approval, specifically from Dr. Adam Friedman, associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine. He loves this La Roche-Posay moisturizer for oily skin, in addition to the above Cetaphil pick. “Both are designed specifically for oilier skin, with ingredients that can bind or break up sebum like diisopropyl sebacate, silicates, and starches to help reduce shine rather than contribute to it,” he says.

Best Gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

$27

$19 at AmazonView on Ulta$20 at Target

Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, polyacrylamide | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Gel moisturizers, like this Neutrogena option, are a great pick for any skin type, but especially for those prone to oil. Why? They contain a higher water content rather than relying on richer oils and butter. This one also uses hyaluronic acid, which attracts water to and holds it in the skin, locking in moisture and helping to improve skin elasticity. It plumps and hydrates, leaving noticeably softer skin without any greasy residue. Word of warning to those sensitive to scents: this one contains a fragrance that lingers long after it’s applied. Follow our lead and stash it in the fridge; that way, it’ll feel extra cooling and soothing when applied.

Best Lightweight

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius

$18

$14 at Amazon

$18

$14 at WalmartView on CVS

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone, aloe leaf juice | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 3 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Not a single pick on this list is heavy or rich—oily skin needs moisture, but not that much moisture—but if you’re on the hunt for a super featherweight formula, this one is the winner. Its water-based formula contains aloe water and hyaluronic acid, delivering lasting hydration with an ultraclean feeling. We love that this formula glides on silky smooth and melts into skin almost immediately, so you don’t need to worry about losing half of it to your pillowcase come bedtime. It also wears well under makeup, and since it absorbs quickly, you don’t have to wait long before unzipping your makeup bag. As for your unwanted oil, this moisturizer gets to work immediately with its mattifying benefits.

Best Anti-Aging

Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer

$30

$29 at AmazonView on TargetView on Walmart

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl dipeptide-7 | Skin Type: Mature | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Fine lines and wrinkles are often associated with dry skin, but the truth is that, no matter your skin type, everyone is prone to those natural steps of aging. This small but mighty bottle contains a complex of peptides that, according to Olay, can have a youth-boosting effect since it plumps skin with plenty of hydration to improve elasticity while fading fine lines and wrinkles. We love that its whipped texture absorbs into skin lightening fast, thanks to a special technology that transforms it from cream to liquid upon contact with your skin. Ultimately, you’ll be left with a silky, matte complexion.

Best for Combination Skin

CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

$20

$16 at Amazon$20 at Ulta$17 at Target

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re oily on certain parts of your face—hello, T-zone!—but dry in other spots, add this CeraVe pick to your A.M. and P.M. routine. It’s oil-free and noncomedogenic, making it a major win for the oily parts. It also has the added benefit of containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, supporting the dry-prone parts of your face. Even better? It contains SPF protection, too.

From the first application, we loved how smooth it felt on our skin. Though it went on white to start—thank or blame the SPF for that—that ghost face look disappeared since it absorbs almost immediately. It can tend to pill when used with other skincare, but we found a light layer of translucent powder that solved that issue, leaving a smooth, even look all day long.

Best With Antioxidants

Avalon Organics Gel Cream Moisturizer with Vitamin C

$24

$15 at AmazonView on WalmartView on Vitacost

Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, ascorbic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

To score a little more bang for your well-earned buck, seek a moisturizer containing skin-protecting antioxidants. We especially like this one, which touts one of the most potent and effective antioxidants out there: vitamin C. The superstar skincare ingredient not only helps neutralize pesky free radicals formed by exposure to UV rays and pollution, but it can also help fade dark spots and stimulate collagen production. This particular pick contains two different forms of the vitamin, rejuvenating your skin and giving it a (not at all greasy) glow. It’s fast-absorbing, too, so you can apply makeup in the morning or hit your head to the pillow at night without needing to wait for it to soak in.

Best Multitasking

Garnier SkinActive 3-in-1 Face Moisturizer

$18

$10 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter | Skin Type: Balanced | Size: 6.8 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

This is a solid pick for anyone with oily or combination skin since it’s infused with green tea, which hydrates while giving you a matte look. You can apply it in the morning as an effective all-day mattifying moisturizer. Then, come bedtime, it doubles as an ultra-hydrating, nongreasy night cream. You can also use it as a facial mask, leaving a thin layer on for 10 minutes to nourish and balance oily skin. Either way, you get plenty of good-for-your-skin ingredients—97% of which are naturally derived—and no mineral oil, parabens, silicones, or dyes.

Best With SPF

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer

$16

$15 at Amazon$16 at TargetView on Walgreens

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 4 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: wearing sunscreen (a broad-spectrum formula with at least an SPF 30) every day is an absolute must. Yes, even on cloudy days. We’ve heard the “sunscreen makes me break out” excuse countless times—perhaps you’ve even used it—but that trick doesn’t fly when you can use this oil-free SPF moisturizer. Acne-prone people, rejoice! This lightweight formula was dermatologist-formulated specifically for acne-prone skin, absorbing oil as it shields you from the sun.  The result: A nongreasy, noncomedogenic formula that also contains micro pearl technology to absorb excess oil. It packs serious hydration and sun protection, all without clogging your pores.

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Bolden SPF 30 Brightening Moisturizer

$28

$26 at AmazonView on Boldenusa.com

Active Ingredients: Homosalate, octisalate, avobenzone, octocrylene | Skin Type: All | Size: 2 oz | SPF: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This moisturizer does triple duty, not only hydrating but also protecting against UV damage and helping to fade dark spots for a more even skin tone. It’s formulated with superhero ingredient vitamin C, a stable form of the brightener that helps stimulate collagen production and fades skin discoloration. So long, sun spots! This formula is sulfate-, paraben-, and phthalate-free but packed with squalane, which improves skin at a cellular level, and safflower oil, which repairs the skin’s barrier. We found it to be creamy in texture yet lightweight in feel—ideal all around. It hydrates without feeling greasy (hallelujah!) and doesn’t leave behind a white cast or sticky residue like other SPF products can.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Oil Free Moisturizer

$20 at Amazon$21 at WalmartView on Vitacost

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, octyl palmitate, aloe leaf juice | Skin Type: All | Size: 3 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you have sensitive and oily skin, daring to bring a new product into your skincare routine can feel especially risky. You have our word on this oil-free and hypoallergenic moisturizer, though. It will tend to all of your needs: soothing skin, avoiding irritation, and lightly hydrating. We took a critical eye to its list of ingredients. It doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates, dyes, or synthetic fragrances, all common irritants for the sensitive set. Green tea delivers a dose of antioxidants, while aloe and cucumber work to soothe skin. We love how well it wears under makeup, too, providing a fresh, dewy look all day long.

Best Cream

Botanics Revive & Protect Postbiotic Moisturizer

$38 at AmazonView on WalgreensView on Vitacost

Active Ingredients: Black tea kombucha | Skin Type: Dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Craving a little bit more hydration? Reach for this creamy (yet fast-absorbing) option. Granted, it’s not oil-free, but it is formulated for all skin types—oily included. Packed with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, it’ll infuse your skin with much-needed antioxidants, helping to restore its natural moisture barrier and protect against environmental factors. Its creamy texture is extra soft-to-the-touch and its understated packaging sits pretty in your medicine cabinet, too. We also love its subtle scent, an invigorating blend of blood orange, cedarwood, and ginger essential oils.

Best for Texture

ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer

View on AmazonView on Ulta$20 at Target

Active Ingredients: Pineapple extract, kojic acid, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Combination, oily, acne-prone | Size: 2 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have oily and textured skin, whether from acne scars or otherwise, this moisturizer is the perfect pick for you. It has the Goldilocks effect—light enough not to clog your pores, yet substantial enough to leave your skin feeling hydrated and plump. In other words, it’s just right. This moisturizer is able to regulate oil with the help of hydrating hyaluronic acid and exfoliating enzymes, which balance oil levels and even skin’s texture. As a bonus, it also puts kojic acid to work to fade and prevent acne scars, adding to your skin’s newfound smoothness. We love its feel, which isn’t oily or sticky. Instead, it goes on smooth and matte. It works well to prep your makeup routine, too, since it keeps your foundation and concealer from slipping and sliding.

Best Gentle Formula

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture

$120

$100 at AmazonView on Kroger.com

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone, petrolatum | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive | Size: 4 oz | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No

Specifically made for sensitive skin types, this pick from Neutrogena has an especially lightweight formula that hydrates and nourishes in the gentlest ways. Its oil-free and water-based formula absorbs in no time, giving you a quick boost of hydration without unwanted shine or grease. Even better—it’s hypoallergenic and free from fragrances, alcohol, and dyes, so there’s an extremely low chance that it’ll irritate your skin.

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer

$27

$18 at Amazon$30 at Ulta$20 at Target

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 oz | SPF: 50 | Cruelty-Free: No

Consider this Neutrogena option a two birds, one stone situation. Not only can it act as your daily moisturizer, but with the addition of broad-spectrum SPF 50, it also shields you from UVA and UVB rays. Two other star ingredients are also key: vitamin E, which helps protect against everyday environmental stressors, and ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid. It’s free from parabens, dyes, oxybenzone, fragrance, and mineral oil, making for a hypoallergenic product that won’t clog your pores. That means you receive a much-needed boost of hydration that absorbs weightlessly into your skin, and it does so without a white cast that other sunscreens are prone to leaving.

Best Multipurpose

Lancôme UV Expert Defense SPF 50+ Primer & Moisturizer

$48

$46 at Amazon$48 at Sephora$48 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, Moringa seed extract, and Edelweiss | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 oz | SPF: 50+ | Cruelty-Free: No

Consider purchasing this one little bottle to streamline your makeup bag since it’s a primer, moisturizer, and sunscreen all in one. Its lightweight formula (that’s paraben- and mineral oil-free) has a water-like gel texture that goes on with an invisible finish, leaving behind no white residue. Throughout our testing period, it proved to be an especially impressive primer, prepping the skin with a healthy, dewy glow that looks beautiful bare or layered under makeup. While we’d consider it a makeup bag staple, if you’re spending extended time in the sun, you may want to consider another SPF since this one is a pricey option to reapply repeatedly.