Lightweight moisturizers are a great option when you don’t want to layer on a rich cream every day. If you’re dealing with oily skin or breakouts, a lighter texture will absorb quickly and hydrate your skin just as effectively, and you don’t necessarily need a thick or heavy moisturizer to keep your skin smooth and supple. But, where to start? We’re going to narrow down the best ingredients and lightweight moisturizers for all skin types.
What Makes a Moisturizer Lightweight?
Lightweight moisturizers are defined not only by their texture, but also by how they are absorbed by the skin and their ability to hydrate without feeling heavy or greasy. They are often water-based and contain other lightweight ingredients like humectants, which contain and absorb water. Examples of humectants include hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw moisture from the air and deeper layers of the skin to the surface, providing hydration without adding weight.
Characteristics of lightweight moisturizers:
- Water-Based: They typically use water as the primary solvent, allowing for quicker absorption compared to oil-based cream.
- Low Oil Content: The reduced amount or absence of heavy oils contributes to the lightweight feel and reduces the likelihood of clogged pores.
- Absorbency: Lightweight moisturizers are designed to be quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving behind little to no greasy residue.
- Texture: They often come in gel or lotion form, which is lighter than the heavier creams or balms.
The Best Lightweight Moisturizers for Every Skin Type
Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator
The Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator won the Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022, taking a highly coveted spot in the Clean Beauty category. Allure’s beauty editors said: “It’s hydrating! It’s brightening! It’s … pink! There’s no shortage of reasons to love this quick-to-absorb [hydrator], but if you want another one: It smells like a freshly baked strawberry pie.”
Thanks to a Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex, this gel-cream moisturizer aids dry or dehydrated skin by providing intense hydration while still feeling light on the skin. This formula also contains strawberry, which provides naturally occurring salicylic acid. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates and removes a buildup of dead skin cells to brighten the look of a dull complexion.
Echinacea Recovery Cream
Echinacea Recovery Cream assists with reducing the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. Echinacea defends the skin against environmental stressors like pollution, while yarrow herb provides nutrient-rich moisture. The skin receives further hydration from evening primrose oil, and aloe vera helps to improve the appearance of elasticity in the skin for a more youthful-looking complexion.
Customer Sharon A. praised the Echinacea Recovery Cream in an online review saying: “Miracle moisturizer! I am so happy with the results I am getting from using this moisturizer. I use it before bedtime every other day and in the morning my skin feels hydrated, soft and radiant with a noticeable reduction in redness … I have gotten so many compliments on my complexion so I will definitely keep using it.”
Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
This award-winning lightweight moisturizer is suitable for normal and oily skin. Carefully formulated to cool, nourish and cleanse the skin, the Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer keeps the look of problem skin under control thanks to cucumber juice, yogurt, willow bark and tea tree oil. It also contains a Biocomplex2™, a booster of antioxidants that adds the looks of radiance to your complexion.
Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer
If your skin is feeling dull and dry, our Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer will help revitalize it. Formulated with superfruit mangosteen and red clover flower extract this light moisturizer will help reduce the appearance of pores and refine the skin texture. And ribose (from corn seeds) promotes the appearance of a smoother, more youthful complexion. This hydrating formula begins as a dewy gel and melts into the skin for a smooth, matte finish.
One happy customer Lisa J. left a review about this moisturizer saying: “WonderfuI. I have oily skin, even at age 61. It’s difficult to find a moisturizer that will nourish but not oil up my complexion. I found it. Love this stuff!”
Lightweight Moisturizers for Oily Skin
While lightweight moisturizers can work for most skin types, oily skin is their target market. Oily complexions can still become dehydrated. Wait, what? According to New York City-based dermatologist Claire Chang, MD: “Those with oily skin can still have dehydrated skin, which means it can have high sebum levels, but low water content.” This is when a lightweight moisturizer comes to the rescue, delivering hydration in a lighter way. As mentioned, gel or water-based moisturizers are the go-to in these circumstances.
The Acne Advanced Clarifying Hydrator attacks oily skin with a multi-pronged approach. As well as using salicylic acid to fight the appearance of blemishes that often accompany oily skin, it boasts a combination of blue and sacred lotus extracts that diminish skin shine.
Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Moisturizer is a lightweight gel-cream that multitasks. It contains niacinamide, which reduces the look of pore size while retaining hydration, plus bakuchiol, which smooths the skin’s texture while minimizing visible signs of aging.
Benefits of using a lightweight Moisturizer
There are many reasons someone would choose a lightweight moisturizer. Those with oily or acne-prone skin might reach for one because they hydrate without adding oil or clogging pores. The season can also play a role in the choice, as a lighter texture is more comfortable during the summer months when sweat and humidity can make skin feel greasy. And overall preference can be a factor as well, as some people find heavy creams uncomfortable and favor a lighter texture. Let’s look a little deeper into the different benefits of this moisturizing option:
Hydrates the Skin
Lightweight moisturizers are designed to hydrate and soften the skin without leaving it feeling shiny or slick. Upon application, they should feel refreshingly light and hydrating while giving you maximum non-greasy moisture.
Wears Well Under Makeup & SPF
Lightweight moisturizers wear well under makeup and your SPF because of their thin texture. They not only moisturize dry skin but also resist pilling and caking.
Suitable for Summer & Winter
When the temperature rises, the last thing you want is a moisturizer that is too rich for your skin type. If the moisturizer isn’t suitable, your skin might attract a buildup of sweat and grime. The lighter texture is ideal for warmer weather and seasonal changes, as these hydrating creams feel almost weightless. During the cold weather season, lightweight moisturizers like our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator still have a place in your winter skin care ritual. Layering one into your usual routine keeps your skin soft and supple all season long. Read on for our three-step mini routine, perfect for wintry weather.
Prevents Buildup & Breakouts
Your skin may benefit from a lightweight moisturizer particularly if you’re acne-prone or oily. Since lightweight moisturizers are not heavy and absorb quickly into the skin, they may prevent further buildup or breakouts from occurring.
Provides a Light Texture
Sometimes your skin doesn’t need the protection of a rich moisturizer. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t usually wear a creamy moisturizer, you may prefer the light and fresh feeling of a lightweight moisturizer.
Non-Greasy
You can also avoid greasy textures with lightweight moisturizers. With less rich oils in their formulation, these lighter moisturizers avoid leaving a shine behind.
How To Choose a Lightweight Moisturizer
When looking for a lightweight moisturizer that will work for you, there are a few things to consider. Your skin type is at the top of the list, so make sure you’re crystal clear on that. Next, you’ll want to think about desired benefits. Are you only interested in hydration? Do you need barrier support? What about SPF? Here are a few things to think about when deciding which lightweight moisturizer to try:
Ingredients: From powerful humectants like hyaluronic acid that attracts and retains moisture, to ceramides that help strengthen the skin’s barrier and prevent moisture loss, it’s important to know which ingredients mingle well with your type of skin and the results you’re looking for from your moisturizer. Niacinamide, for example, minimizes sebum production, while hyaluronic acid provides major hydration minus the heavy or greasy feel.
Texture: Lightweight moisturizers should absorb quickly and feel weightless on the skin. Anything that leaves a greasy or sticky residue may be too thick for your complexion. Water-based or gel moisturizers do the job without that oily feeling.
SPF: For daytime, it’s imperative that you use an SPF. For convenience, a lightweight moisturizer that contains SPF is a good way to do double-duty. Make sure it’s always SPF 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection.
How to Incorporate a lightweight moisturizer into your routine
Wondering how to incorporate a lightweight moisturizer into your daily skin care? We’ve created a mini three-step routine including the lightweight Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator paired with the Birch Water Purifying Essence and Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil. This routine boosts your skin with the combination of hydrating birch water, rosehip oil and a Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex.
Step 1: Prep The Skin
Prep your skin for your skin care routine with the Birch Water Purifying Essence. Nutrient-rich birch water purifies and hydrates the skin. This formula also provides moisturizing benefits and reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines. To use: Apply a small amount of product in your hands or on a cotton pad and pat it onto your skin. Do not rinse.
Step 2: Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator
This mixture of multi-weight hyaluronic acid and marshmallow root is the second step in this routine, keeping moisture in your skin so that it remains hydrated and smooth. To use: Apply a layer over the entire face, neck and décolleté area and leave it on.
Step 3: Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil
The Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil gives your skin further hydration thanks to essential fatty acid ingredients. Jojoba, rosehip and seabuckthorn oils also promote skin elasticity and hydration. To use: Apply a thin layer of oil (two to three drops) to your face and neck. Massage in with circular motions once or twice daily. Leave it on.
Ready to decide on a moisturizer? To narrow down your decision, you can also view our other moisturizer guides, including:
And if you need more help, visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner.
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