Having oily skin doesn’t mean you can skip moisturizing — it means you need a mattifying moisturizer.
Even the oiliest skin needs proper skincare, but knowing which products will work for you and which ones will make you look like you’re melting can be tough.
It seems like the obvious solution is to keep your skin dry, but counterintuitively, dryness can lead to oiliness — which might be why your skin is so oily.
Keeping skin too dry can dehydrate it and cause it to produce excess oil to compensate, making it even slicker and shinier. In other words, if your skin doesn’t have enough water, it will counteract that lack of hydration by producing oil.
The best way to create a skincare routine for oily skin is to look for lightweight and oil-free products that leave a matte finish.
But finding products that meet these criteria can be tough — especially when it comes to face moisturizers. How can you choose one that sufficiently hydrates your skin without worsening oiliness?
That’s where mattifying moisturizers come in.
What Is a Mattifying Moisturizer?
The term mattifying moisturizer refers to a moisturizer that reduces oiliness and leaves a matte finish.
Many mattifying moisturizers are formulated to control oil production. On top of that, these products are generally free of any oils, so they don’t add any extra shine to your skin. Instead, they use water to hydrate the skin properly.
Since they’re made with oily skin in mind, mattifying moisturizers soak into the skin without creating or leaving behind a greasy residue.
Although mattifying moisturizers can do a lot to control oily skin, the best way to deal with oily skin is to create a balanced skincare regimen that works for you.
It’s a good idea to find other types of products crafted to keep skin healthy while reducing oiliness. (For example, you may want to use blotting papers or an oil control product if you have a serious oil problem.)
Quic Take
Here our recommendations from the list:
A light moisturizer for men that tackles excess oil, large pores, and shine. Infused with natural elements like volcanic rock powder and salicylic acid, it stands out as a top mattifying choice.
If you're dealing with ongoing adult acne and seeking an affordable, specialized moisturizer, consider giving this Moisturizer a try.
A triple-action vegan moisturizer: hydrates, controls oils, and combats breakouts. Non-comedogenic, made of 96% natural ingredients, preventing irritation and pore blockage.
Read on for more info and the complete…
The 9 Best Mattifying Moisturizers for Oily Skin for Men
Here are 9 of the best men’s mattifying moisturizers to help control oily skin.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin
La Roche-Posay is named after the French town that provides the skincare brand with its signature thermal spring water. It might sound like pseudoscience, but really, it’s just really good (and mineral-rich) water.
That water is the driving force behind the brand’s Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin. This lightweight moisturizer controls oil production, deals with enlarged pores and reduces shine.
Effaclar Mat uses natural ingredients like volcanic rock powder and salicylic acid to work its magic, and overall, it’s one of the best mattifying moisturizers for men on the market today.
Clinique Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Gel
Clinique is one of the best skincare brands around. The company works with dermatologists to develop safe, effective formulas with high-quality ingredients. While Clinique’s products are usually marketed toward women, they’re just as suitable for guys.
The brand’s Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Gel isn’t advertised as a mattifying moisturizer, but that’s more or less what it is. It’s completely oil-free and absorbs quickly for a shine-free finish.
Key ingredients like barley, sunflower, and cucumber nourish the skin without resorting to heavy doses of artificial compounds. The moisturizer is fragrance-free and allergy-tested, so it’s a great pick for sensitive skin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer
Take it from a guy who uses his girlfriend’s First Aid Beauty products: this brand’s skincare packs a punch. It’s formulated for sensitive skin, making it somehow both gentle and powerfully effective.
The company’s Ultra Repair Oil-Control Moisturizer is a clean and lightweight product that actively works to control and minimize oil. Its oil-control technology targets sebum production while reducing the appearance of pores and removing shine.
Impressively, the Ultra Repair moisturizer is vegan, non-comedogenic, unscented, and free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, drying alcohols, and more.
Caudalie Vinopure Oil-Control Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin
If your skin is somehow both oily and dry at the same time, you probably have combination skin. It’s a tricky skin type that requires specially formulated products like the Vinopure Oil-Control Moisturizer from Caudalie.
This vegan moisturizer is a triple threat — it hydrates your skin, keeps oils at bay, and helps prevent annoying breakouts and blackheads. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores, and it’s made with 96% natural ingredients to avoid the problem of irritation.
Although Vinopure is best for men with combination skin in mind, it can also work for oily and acne-prone skin. However, it does contain some natural oils, so it may not work for you if you have a severe oil problem.
Horace Mattifying Face Moisturiser
French skincare company Horace is on a mission to make the best grooming products for men. And sure enough, the brand’s offerings tick a lot of the right boxes.
The brand’s Mattifying Face Moisturiser is a fast-absorbing product for oily skin. It’s made from 99% natural ingredients and is free of silicones and mineral oils.
The moisturizer does contain a couple of lighter natural oils, so again, this might not be the best choice if you have extremely oily skin. That said, if you have slightly to moderately oily skin, the Mattifying Face Moisturiser is a good option.
Clinique For Men Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer
Here’s another Clinique product that promises to maximize moisture while minimizing oiliness. The Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer features a lightweight formula that mattifies excess oil throughout the day.
Like many of Clinique’s products, this moisturizer is unscented, allergy tested, and free of oils, parabens, and phthalates. Clinique says it works well for both oily and combination skin types.
It’s worth noting that this moisturizer isn’t necessarily better than Clinique’s other offerings just because it has “For Men” on it. In terms of ingredients, it’s not all that different from products marketed to women.
The bottom line: Find what works and stick with it.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer
Kiehl’s has been in business since 1851, so it’s safe to say the company knows a thing or two about making skincare products.
The Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer is a gel cream that cools and hydrates while reducing shine. The fast-absorbing formula is suitable for normal to oily skin, and you won’t find any oils, alcohol, or parabens in this fragrance-free product.
In addition, the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Moisturizer is non-comedogenic and works for acne-prone skin. This might be your product if you need a mattifying moisturizer that also cools.
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
If you have persistent adult acne and need a more targeted moisturizer that’s also a little easier on the wallet, try Cetaphil’s Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer.
Since Cetaphil’s products are for sensitive skin, you can trust that this moisturizer will help clear breakouts without irritation. (It also works to reduce post-acne marks). The formula uses salicylic acid and ingredients like licorice root extract to nourish the skin.
Though it lacks some premium ingredients, this moisturizer is about as inexpensive as possible. If price is your top concern, this moisturizer is hard to beat.
Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer
Are you on the lookout for a mattifying moisturizer with some anti-aging properties? Baxter of California’s Oil Free Moisturizer has you covered.
This moisturizer uses ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin, green tea extract, and chamomile to cut down on inflammation and mitigate premature aging.
It is fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types, so it’s good for oily and combination skin. It should also work well for sensitive skin.
This moisturizer is also a touch cheaper than some of the higher end options, so it’s a solid choice if you want a better formula at a slightly more affordable price point.
Mattifying Moisturizer FAQ
Are you searching for some quick answers about mattifying moisturizers? Look no further. Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you understand what mattifying moisturizers are and what they’re good for:
What is a mattifying moisturizer?
A mattifying moisturizer is a moisturizer that provides a smooth matte finish to the skin after it’s applied. Most mattifying moisturizers are formulated for oily skin, so they often work to control the production of oil.
What’s the best mattifying moisturizer with SPF?
While you’re probably better off applying moisturizer and sunscreen separately, there are some good two-in-one products. Cetaphil’s DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30 and Horace’s Mattifying Face Moisturiser SPF30 are both good options.
Are mattifying moisturizers good for dry skin?
It depends on what type of dry skin you have. If you have combination skin — where your face is oily in some places and dry in others — then an oil-free mattifying moisturizer should work for you.
However, if you have regular dry skin, you should opt for a regular moisturizer that contains both oil and water. You can still get some results from mattifying moisturizers, but they won’t hydrate your skin as much since they’re oil-free.
The Best Mattifying Moisturizers for Men: Final Thoughts
For guys with excessively oily skin (or tricky combination skin), an effective mattifying moisturizer is nothing short of a miracle.
Like a regular moisturizer, a mattifying moisturizer should generally be the last product you use in your daily routine. (If you’re newer to skincare, a simple way to start is by using just a cleanser and then following up with a moisturizer).
The right mattifying moisturizer can work wonders, but it has to be right for your skin type. Find the right product for you, and your daily skincare routine will get a whole lot easier. And, of course, your face will thank you for it.
At what age did you start using moisturizer? Share in the comment section below!
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