drugstore facial moisturizer for dude with oily skin

October 8, 2020 10:29 AM

As it gets colder, my skin is getting dryer, especially on my face. I've used moisturizer in the past, but my skin is super oily, so it generally makes me uncomfortable. I'm looking for a product that will keep my skin hydrated without causing me to gush oil, and is available in stores so that I won't have to order it online. Some details and a bit of vanity inside.

So yeah, I do want to keep my face hydrated, but part of this is vanity. I have extremely soft, youthful-looking skin (like, people generally estimate me to be fifteen years younger than I am), and I'd like to keep it that way. :-) But whenever I've used moisturizer in the past, it's gone one of two ways: Either I buy an oil-based drugstore product like Neutrogena or Nivea for Men because I'm in the shaving section and it's convenient, and then I end up with a face that feels like I'm in a swimming pool; or I buy a product online that promises to be oil-controlling, but it's expensive and I never reorder. My ideal is something that I could pick up at a Walgreens or Target cheaply for that reason. The best product I've found so far is Ryoku for Men Oil Control Lotion, but its price and availability are pretty variable, which is annoying. I'm a guy, but I'm open to the possibility of using a women's product as long as there's not a distractingly strong fragrance. What can you recommend?

posted by kevinbelt to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (27 answers total)

I've been using small amounts of Hempz as the weather gets colder and it seems to be working pretty well, especially after shaving. It's scented, but it's not very strong and gone pretty quickly.
posted by jquinby at 10:32 AM on October 8, 2020

I'm a cisgender woman with combination skin (partly oily, partly dry) and the best drugstore brand I have found is Cerave. It is definitely available at both Walmart and Target, and is fragrance free. In the winter, I have used their Skin Renewing Night Cream and it has done wonders to strengthen my skin's natural barrier against wind and cold (and I say this as someone who has mild rosacea, which makes me particularly vulnerable to wind and cold!)

It never leaves my skin feeling greasy; just plump and well-hydrated. Note that best practice for moisturizer application is to apply with clean hands by gently pressing (not rubbing) onto the face. This allows for better absorption and also uses less product.
posted by nightrecordings at 10:40 AM on October 8, 2020 [6 favorites]

The dermatologist go-tos in drugstore moisturizers are Cerave and Cetaphil. A dermatologist will encourage you to get one with SPF in it to make it more likely you'll use sunscreen daily, but I find those formulas unpleasantly greasy and shiny, so I use the spf-free ones (that's why I linked the nighttime formula of Cerave above). Dermatologists also hate fragrance, both the above linked are fragrance-free. Finding a good sunscreen that you like should be a separate operation from your basic moisturizer, I believe, because finding both in one is unlikely.

Don't get extra bells and whistles and functions and features like "oil control" or 70 percent extra-manly packaging. A plain moisturizer like I've linked should soak into freshly-washed skin within a few minutes leaving no sheen, gunk, or grease.

You DO need to wash your face first; Cetaphil makes a good gentle derm-friendly facial cleanser (which you may even be able to find in a tiny bottle in the travel section of the drugstore, to try - a little goes a long way anyway), and I recommend a little silicone face-washer for application - NOT to brutalize your face with, use it gently, but silicone doesn't mildew or get face gunk built up in it and tends to not cause reactive breakouts or redness, and they are easy to keep in the shower to use there.

Any change in skin care routine (including starting one in the first place) will probably result in 2-4 weeks of some amount of upset in your skin, a bit of breakouts and redness or rebound oiliness, but it should be pretty mild. Just don't be shocked if it takes a bit of adjustment time.
posted by Lyn Never at 10:47 AM on October 8, 2020 [6 favorites]

Here are couple that work well for most people I know, including some men with oily skin. They're all unscented or neutrally scented. The SPF will help you keep that soft, youthful skin longer--ever see those people whose skin looks older than they are? In most cases, that's sun damage. It can also be smoking--if you smoke, you'll do your skin a favor by stopping.

* CeraVe AM Moisturizer with SPF 30
* Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen (SPF 15)
* Laroche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV (SPF 30) - This one's a little more expensive, but still available at many drugstores and Target. It's also the most matte if you're worried about shininess, though the others aren't particularly shiny, either.

And here's a good overview (from the Skincare Addiction subreddit, which is a surprisingly good source) of what to look for in moisturizers, with links to product recommendation threads and many deep rabbitholes to jump down if you're so inclined.
posted by rhiannonstone at 10:48 AM on October 8, 2020 [2 favorites]

Adding another Cerave recommendation. It's great stuff and easy to find.
posted by burntflowers at 10:48 AM on October 8, 2020

I would like to also recommend CeraVe.
If you are just one big oil slick you can try a toner like this one from The Ordinary. It's inexpensive and an excellent product.
But just give the CeraVe a try for a few weeks and see how your skin adapts to it. It's a really nice, super available facial moisturizer at a great price.
posted by phunniemee at 10:55 AM on October 8, 2020

nthing CeraVe. I have combination skin and it works great without leaving the oilier parts of my skin feeling greasy.
posted by bedhead at 10:57 AM on October 8, 2020

yeah cerave is definitely a good place to start. if you find yourself at a slightly bougier drug store (a la target), embryolisse is another good gentle starting point that isn't too heavy.
posted by zsh2v1 at 11:30 AM on October 8, 2020

Depending on how oily your skin is, I think it might be worth trying a serum rather than a lotion. I have combination acne-prone skin (oily in t-zone) and really like serums from the Ordinary, which I use for moisture rather than a lotion. I find them moisturizing without making my skin oily. I definitely have noticed a positive change since I started using them. Bonus is that they have anti-aging properties, so you might look even younger after using them to moisturize for a few months! The Ordinary is a great no-frills company that focuses usually on single-ingredient formulas and is transparent about how much active ingredient is in each bottle.

Perhaps my top recommendation to you would be matrixyl plus hyaluronic acid. The HA is moisturizing and the matrixyl is anti-aging. Two drops cover the whole face, so the whole bottle should last 4 months or so. You could also consider Buffet or Buffet with Copper Peptides as a general anti-aging plus light moisture thing. Other options that might be worth a shot are Niacinamide/Zinc (good for oily skin - maybe not moisturizing per se, but I find it makes my skin feel a bit dewy, while somehow helping with oil control). If you're looking for more of a lotion texture, I really like the vitamin C lotion (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%). Very light, great texture, antioxidant/anti-aging, and definitely non-greasy. This made my skin really glowy and bright and clear, and I recommend it. You might experience their other Vitamin C products as being moisturizing enough too - haven't tried those but you could browse that section as well.

I order these online but I believe Ulta and Sephora sell some of the Ordinary products in store? Might be worth calling your local branches about what they have in stock among the above.
posted by ClaireBear at 11:34 AM on October 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

I used to have oily skin like a dude due to an excess in testosterone and the best facial lotion that helped balance it out was Purpose day lotion. Frequent use of a moisturizer actually helps with oily skin. I haven’t been able to find it in stores lately, but it’s about 8-12 dollars and a little goes a long way. It’s available on Amazon.
posted by Young Kullervo at 11:41 AM on October 8, 2020

I tried CeraVe based on recommendations here for my super oily skin, and all I could think afterwards was "none of those people truly have oily skin, holy cats."

What has worked fairly well for me is a toner (I use Son and Park Beauty Water) followed by Differin day lotion. The Differin at first will feel like it's not moisturizing much at all but throughout the day it'll balance out the oiliness somewhat without leaving you flaky.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:01 PM on October 8, 2020

Yeah, CeraVe's moisturizers are too oily for me, too (though I love their Hydrating Face Wash, and using that does tend to help my skin retain moisture). Like you, I only use moisturizer in the winter, and I can only use something very light. I swear by this stuff: Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream. It's a gel, not a cream or lotion, and it leaves my skin feeling more supple but not at all oily. It's also quite affordable and you can find it in stores (and it's fragrance-free).
posted by ourobouros at 12:20 PM on October 8, 2020

I have combination skin and I’m a devotee of Target’s store-brand unscented lotion. It comes in giant pump bottles for dirt cheap. I can put it on almost any area of the face or body as often as I like without feeling greasy. My dermatologist even approves.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:34 PM on October 8, 2020

Also I’ve tried CeraVe and for some reason it leaves a solid residue all over my face that needs to be wiped off once it dries. Not sure why.
posted by Young Kullervo at 1:28 PM on October 8, 2020

My partner (a cisgender man) also found the CeraVe too greasy for his oily, breakout-prone skin. He likes Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel so I think the suggestion to try a gel rather than a lotion might be the way to go. I've also used it and find it very quick to absorb with no greasy after-feel.
posted by misskaz at 1:50 PM on October 8, 2020

Hello fellow oily-faced dude. My skin doc gave me a sample tube of CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion a while back and I've never stopped using it. It's SPF 30 and it's really matte. Feels really nice on the face. It's not the cheapest thing in the world, but it won't break the bank. I buy mine at the pharmacy around the corner, and a little tube lasts about 2 months.

I also do a lot of public and on-camera speaking (well, I did until... you know). I get so sweaty-oily-shiny when I'm under hot lights in a suit that it makes me look crazy nervous. I see myself on recordings and, ugh, I can't stand the effect that has on how people read my performance. One very nice videographer person introduced me to using face powder a couple years ago. And, holy cow, *THAT'S* why people use powder! If you feel as strange as I do carrying around a compact to work meetings... well, get over it. They fit in your pocket and have a mirror inside, so you can do what I do and just pop into a bathroom stall to swipe a little across your greasy face before walking out looking as non-shiny as can be. Pandemic WFH might be a good time to test this out?
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 1:58 PM on October 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Many many men in my life, who previously avoided moisturizering due to greaseball effects, swear by the Trader Joe's "enrich" lotion. It even has spf! Also, it's very cheap.
posted by zinful at 2:11 PM on October 8, 2020

zinful: Many many men in my life, who previously avoided moisturizering due to greaseball effects, swear by the Trader Joe's "enrich" lotion. It even has spf! Also, it's very cheap.

I'm a nondude who had oily skin up until about five years or so ago, though my forehead and nose still get pretty shiny, esp. in the summer.

One of the joys of Trader Joe's arriving in my state was the discovery of Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion. It blends in well, doesn't smell like anything and is very cheap ($3,99 for 4 oz.). But the SPF is just 15, so put on a lot of it (this much, plus one more finger's length), or make sure that you take other sun-protection measures, like wearing a baseball cap.
posted by virago at 2:37 PM on October 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

I'm going to go the route of lighter-than-Cerave and recommend using straight squalane oil like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Squalane-100-Pure-60-mL/dp/B003MJG19K

It's cheap as hell considering you only need around 5-8 drops per day. I exfoliate gently in the shower with the silicone scrubber mentioned above, and then after drying my face on a towel, I put around 8 drops in my palm and then dot it over my face and rub it in. Done. I have a tendency to get oily, but have a few dry areas on my face, and it somehow makes both of these things better.

It feels super weird at first to put OIL on your OILY FACE, but what happens is that over a couple weeks, your skin stops overproducing the oil in the first place. Squalane is an odorless, colorless oil that won't oxidize and is very easily absorbed. It's been a godsend for me.
posted by fiercecupcake at 2:55 PM on October 8, 2020

To avoid oiliness I think you want a water-based moisturizer, not a lotion or cream. I do The Ordinary hyaluronics and then a water moisturizer—multiple thin layers instead of one thick one—but here's a drugstore water-based moisturizer that has HA built in.
posted by babelfish at 3:47 PM on October 8, 2020

I tried the Cerave and Neutrogena ones mentioned above, and they were not good for my oily skin. I like Eucerin Daily Protection. Available at drug stores near the other Eucerin products.
posted by Red Desk at 8:15 PM on October 8, 2020

The best product I've found so far is Ryoku for Men Oil Control Lotion

If "Ryoku" is a typo for Kyoku, and this is the product that works well for you, Amazon has its ingredients as: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclomethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Dimethiconol, Calcium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate-20, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Capryl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA.

After water, the lotion's heavy on silicones (for a silky, smooth surface) and starches (aiding oil absorption, contributing to the matte finish), and I think you should look for these ingredients (listed early on, as above) in the next moisturizer. I'm pro-cleanser to get this stuff off at night, and also pro-sunblock (consider it maintenance for the youthful looks you currently enjoy), making that evening removal a given.

At Target (on sale) and elsewhere (varies), Olay Sun Face Sunscreen Serum And Shine Control - SPF 35 has tapioca starch, dimethicone, dimethiconol & sodium polyacrylate starch. On the Cetaphil site, DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 has dimethicone, silica, aluminum starch, & dimethiconol.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:25 PM on October 8, 2020

Sounds like you have dehydrated, not dry, skin. Dry skin lacks sebum (oil); dehydrated skin lacks hydration (water). The difference is important because the goals are different. Dehydrated skin is like a dry sponge that needs water to plump up and function at its best. You want to exfoliate a few times a week, infuse your skin with hydration, and seal it in with an oil-free moisturizer.

Babelfish has made some good product recommendations for dehydrated skin. You want to infuse your skin with serums or essences, and hyaluronic acid (HA) is a hydration magnet (though you should avoid it if you live in a desert climate). The Ordinary is a high-quality, low-cost source for HA.

When my skin feels particularly dehydrated, my favourite product Is Laneige’s Cream Skin Toner/Moisturizer. Despite being called a toner/moisturizer, Cream Skin feels more like a watery essence. Slap it on after cleansing and put a moisturizer on top. This one’s a bit more expensive and only available at Sephora, but it lasts me a while and doesn’t have any noticeable smell. It also makes the biggest difference in hydration out of all the products I’ve tried.

For a moisturizer, the Neutrogena water-based gel-cream recommended above is a great oil-free option. Typing from my phone so can’t do a lot of research but I believe it has some HA in it as well.
posted by saltypup at 9:37 PM on October 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Agreed that CeraVe will likely be WAY too heavy for you. I'm a skincare nerd, but unless you want to become one, too (do it! it's great!), you probably don't want to bother with layering serums and oils and whatnot. Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel or La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide Oil Free Moisturizer.

Also, are you cleansing? Please do! Treat your youthful bouncy skin right and please do not use Cetaphil. It's got a really high pH, and despite its popularity, it sucks the moisture right out of acidic human skin. I bet you'd like CosRx Low pH Morning Gel Cleanser, which you won't find at the drugstore, but is affordable on Amazon.
posted by mostlymartha at 11:05 PM on October 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I bought some CeraVe last night, and I'm wearing it now. So far (about an hour in), I can feel the weight of it, but it doesn't feel greasy. I don't mind it yet. I'm planning to go to Trader Joe's this weekend anyway, so I'll pick up the Enrich lotion then. Thanks everyone!
posted by kevinbelt at 6:50 AM on October 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Oil of Olay’s complete all day moisturizer SPF 15 may also be a winner for you. It leaves 0 greasy residue for me.


The Missha all around safe block sun milk is also a nice spf 50 sunscreen moisturizer that has a very dry feeling finish and is suitable for daily use.
posted by slateyness at 11:03 AM on October 9, 2020

A couple of things to note: depending on underlying issues, you may only have oily skin as a reaction from not gently cleansing and moisturizing, so watch and keep track of changes.

My favorite skin-obsessed youtube makeup artist kind of has a policy that skincare is for nighttime and sunscreen is for daytime, so even if you end up with a moisturizer that is not daytime-friendly for you, try it at night (where it's going to blot off onto your pillowcases, so prepare to stock up on those and wash/change frequently; I layer several onto my pillows so I can pull the top one off and have a fresh one every couple of days). You may find that something very light is all you need in the day as you're getting your hardcore hydration at night.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:25 PM on October 9, 2020