10 Best Lightweight Moisturizers For All Skin Types – 2024
Keep your skin care issues at bay with products comprising gentle formulas.
Raisa's passion for skin care and makeup began at a young age, inspired by her mother's experimentation with different products. While pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology in college, she realized her true calling and decided to change course during the pandemic.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
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The importance of moisturizing the skin daily cannot be overstated. The best lightweight moisturizer will leave your skin feeling fresh and hydrated. If you are not a fan of the creamy feel of regular moisturizers, the lightweight formulas are for you. These products are water-based and work like a gel. They are packed with powerful ingredients that are moisture bombs for your skin. Raisa Zarin, a licensed esthetician, says, “Lightweight moisturizers can help eliminate build up on the skin as it absorbs quicker into the skin!” We have listed the 10 best lightweight moisturizers available online. Check them out!
In This Article
Top 10 Lightweight Moisturizers To Buy In 2024
1. Best UV Ray Protection:CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion
If you have oily skin, you will love this dermatologist-recommended ultra-light moisturizing lotion. It reduces the shine, provides a matte-finish, and helps retain the skin’s moisture level. It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II that restore the protective barrier of your skin and keep it healthy. Moreover, it contains SPF 30 and protects you from the harmful UV rays. This moisturizer is recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation and is suitable for normal to oily skin.
- Oil-free
- Allergy-tested
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Broad-spectrum sun protection
- Developed with dermatologists
- Silky-smooth finish
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- The pump dispenser may malfunction.
Quick TipEnsure to use a toner before applying this lotion to absorb excess oil.
2. Best For Oily Skin:L’Oreal Hydra Genius
This is a water-based hydrating moisturizer and is best for oily skin. It is a face lotion with a gel-like consistency that is absorbed quickly, without any greasiness and shine. It contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera that provide 72 hours of hydration. It makes your skin soft, improves the skin texture, and makes it appear healthy. Reviewers on Amazon like its lightweight and non-greasy feel.
- Lightweight
- Matte-finish
- Non-oily
- 72 hours hydration
- Suitable for normal to oily skin
- Quickly absorbed
- Restores skin’s elasticity
- The fragrance might feel overwhelming.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 7,350 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
3. Best For Matte Finish:Olay Luminous Whip
This is a lightweight sunscreen moisturizer, and as the name suggests, it has a whipped cream-like texture. It is whipped with Active Rush Technology to get absorbed fast and protect your skin from sun damage. This dermatologist-tested formula is non-greasy, provides a matte finish, and reduces dark spots, age spots, and discoloration. Also, this clean beauty brand does not test its products on animals.
- Contains SPF 25
- Oil-free
- Non-greasy
- Non-comedogenic
- Matte-finish
- Fast-absorbing formula
- Goes well under makeup
- Might burn the eyes.
4. Best Alcohol-Free:Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench
Peter Thomad Roth is a clinically backed skincare brand. If you have dry skin, this lightweight and moisturizing cream formula containing 30% hyaluronic acid complex is perfect for you. It contains three molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid that lock in moisture for 72 hours. The ProHyal+ reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines to give you youthful skin. It also contains hydrolyzed silk that gives your skin a soft and smooth finish. Reviews on Amazon indicate that a little goes a long way for this product.
- Oil-free
- Alcohol-free
- Fragrance-free
- Non-greasy
- Weightless texture
- Not hydrating enough for mature/older and dry skin.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 3,931 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
5. Best Dermatologist Tested:Tatcha The Water Cream
This is an oil-free water cream and contains a bunch of botanical extracts. It includes the Japanese leopard lily and Japanese wild rose extracts that control excess oil, clinically-tested to tighten the skin pores, and improve your skin texture. This dermatologist-tested formula contains Hadasei-3 and an anti-aging complex made of rice, green tea, and algae that provides a calming effect and also gives you a shine-free glow and youthful radiance. Plus, this skincare brand steers clear of any sort of animal testing.
- Mineral oil-free
- No synthetic fragrance
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Urea-free
- DEA/TEA- free
- Phthalate-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-irritating
- Dermatologist tested
- Sensitive skin-friendly ingredients
- Non-sensitizing
- Cruelty-free
- Expensive for the quantity
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 518 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
6. Best Dark Spots:Bliss Drench and Quench Cream-To-Water Hydrator
This dermatologist-tested product has a cream-to-water formula that provides lasting hydration to your skin without leaving a greasy residue and helps maintain all-day moisture. It is developed with Hydrozome technology that protects the natural moisture barrier of your skin. The vitamin C in the moisturizer fights free radicals and brightens your skin by reducing dark spots and also helps promote even skin tone. It also contains German chamomile extracts to calm skin irritation. Plus, this planet-friendly skincare brand does not test its products on animals. Reviews on Amazon indicate that this product is fast-absorbing and helps the skin glow.
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- SLS/SLES-free
- DMDM hydantoin-free
- Urea-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- DEA/TEA/MEA/ETA-free
- No formaldehyde-releasing agent
- 100% cruelty-free
None
7. Best Non-Greasy:Skyn Iceland The Antidote Cooling Daily Lotion
This dermatologist-tested lightweight lotion is formulated for chronically stressed skin. It contains white willow bark extracts, a natural form of salicylic acid, mint extracts to impart a cooling sensation, Icelandic kelp for fighting inflammation, and Meadowsweet extracts to reduce oiliness and tighten the pores. These ingredients help decongest and heal the skin, prevent breakouts, and reduce redness.
- Contains natural extracts
- Tested on sensitive skin
- Pleasant fragrance
- Non-greasy
- May cause a tingling/burning sensation.
8. Best For All Skin Types:Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly
This dermatologist-tested lightweight moisturizing cream has water-jelly like texture and feels extremely refreshing upon application. It gets absorbed into your skin quickly and leaves no sticky residue. It is clinically-proven to improve skin health and provides 24-hour intense hydration that makes your skin resilient. It is hypoallergenic and suitable for all skin types.
- Dermatologist-developed
- Allergy tested
- Non-sticky
- 100% fragrance-free
- Oil-free
- Suitable for all skin types
None
9. Best For Blemishes:Murad Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Acne and blemish-prone skin needs extra protection. The Murad Anti-Aging moisturizer has a blemish-control formula. It has SPF 30 that protects your skin from early signs of aging (photoaging) and prevents blemishes to deliver clinically proven results. It contains kombucha black tea ferment that reduces fine lines and wrinkles and an oil-control complex that clears the skin pores and keeps the skin youthful. This lightweight moisturizer helps effectively brighten dull skin and is also suitable for all skin types, from normal, dry, and oily to combination skin. Plus, this skincare brand is animal-friendly and does not test its products on them.
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Travel-friendly size
- May cause breakouts.
Quick TipUse a nourishing serum before applying the moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Dry skin can actually secrete excess oil to compensate for the dryness, leading to blemishes and stubborn acne.
10. Best Oil-Free Formula:Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Replenishing Hydragel Complex
This is a refreshing water gel and provides 24-hour intense hydration to your skin. It has a HydraGel complex that prevents dryness, refines your skin pores, and makes the skin smooth. It is an oil-free formula that feels incredibly lightweight on the skin and can be used day and night.
Note: It contains mushroom extracts. If you are allergic to mushrooms, avoid using it. A patch test is recommended.
- Paraben-free
- Lightweight
- Non-oily
- Reduces dryness
None
"This gel cream is perfect for oily or combination skin. It's light, absorbs quickly, and doesn't leave a greasy feel. It is ideal for summer use but works well in the cooler months. It's been effective for smoothing and hydrating my skin without irritation and is now a staple for my skin care."
This was our list of highly-rated lightweight moisturizers available on the market, selected after a careful consideration of their unbiased online reviews. Lightweight moisturizers can be a great addition to your skincare routine. They feel nothing on the skin yet hydrate it intensely. But choosing the right one from the various options available can be challenging. Check out this buying guide to learn how to choose the best lightweight moisturizer.
What To Look For While Buying The Best Lightweight Moisturizer
- Texture
Moisturizers come in varying textures, from lotions to gels. Decide on a texture that suits your skin and feels the best. If you have dry skin, it is best to stick with a cream-based moisturizer. On the other hand, opt for a gel-based moisturizer for oily or combination skin.
- Ingredients
Look for active ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in your moisturizer that help to calm irritated skin. It nourishes the skin and strengthens the skin barrier. These active ingredients are gentle enough to work on all skin types and can be a great addition to your daily regimen.
- Formula
The whole point of a moisturizer is to provide your skin with hydration and moisture. Hence to get the best out of your moisturizer, go for the ones with hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, etc.
- Additional Benefits
Having SPF in your moisturizer will protect your skin from the sun. An SPF-induced moisturizer before applying your sun protectant will ensure double protection from sun damage. Check to see if the moisturizer also works as an anti-aging.
- Chemical-free
While choosing a moisturizer, it is best to avoid excessive quantities of artificial fragrance, colorings, alcohol, parabens, or talc that can cause irritation and discomfort to your skin. If you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin, it’s best to go for formulations that are dermatologist-tested or allergy-tested to avoid any adverse skin reactions.
The Bottom Line
A moisturizer is a must for everyone, no matter what skin type you have. Whether you have oily, acne-prone skin or want to avoid suffocating your skin with thick lathery creams, good lightweight moisturizers ensure that your skin stays healthy without feeling heavy. These products are water-based and leave your skin feeling fresh and supple. Lightweight moisturizers not only prevent clogged pores but are strong enough to provide adequate hydration throughout the day. The CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion is great for a quick fix for your morning routine as it also offers sun protection. The Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench is a fragrance- and oil-free option for acne-prone skin, while the Tatcha The Water Cream is a luxurious cream ideal for sensitive skin. These are non-greasy, paraben-free, moisturizers are also enriched with other skin-nourishing ingredients. The moisturizers mentioned above will help fight signs of aging and promote a naturally supple soft skin.
Why Trust Stylecraze
Shiboli Chakraborti uses her outstanding analyzing and writing skills to find and review skin care products for her readers. She is a certified skin care coach and hence understands the needs of every skin type. She has scoured many websites to review these best lightweight moisturizers listed in this article. To assist you in choosing the right product, Shiboli has created a comprehensive review besides listing the pros and cons of each product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lightweight moisturizer?
A lightweight moisturizer has a sheer and watery consistency that spreads easily on the skin and gets absorbed faster.It is ideal for people with oily skin types.
Should I use a lightweight moisturizer?
Use lightweight moisturizer if you have oily or acne-prone skin. You may also opt for lightweight moisturizers during warmer months when the temperature is generally high and humid.
Should I use a lightweight moisturizer at night or morning?
Use a lightweight moisturizer twice a day to keep your skin moisturized without clogging pores.
Should I use lightweight or rich moisturizer?
Rich moisturizers have a thicker consistency and are suitable for dry or combination skin types. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, always opt for non-comedogenic and lightweight moisturizers with breathable formulas to let your skin breathe.
Do you really need a lightweight moisturizer?
Yes, a lightweight moisturizer maintains your skin’s moisture barrier without clogging pores. You need a lightweight moisturizer more during summer and spring when the atmosphere is too humid and sweaty.
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