I’m pretty much only dipping into my favourite gel moisturisers at the moment and I want to share with you some of my favourites and go-to’s.
I’m a combination skin / sometimes oily and have been for life! I am always using gel moisturisers so I have a pretty goof gauge of what is good, plus I wanted to share a bunch that are slightly different, a mixture of budgets etc. I have A LOT that I like and rate in terms of lightweight, gel moisturisers. The handful I have picked to share with you are all slightly different, and it fits a budget from £12 up to £59.
First up, and possibly the obvious….a gel or lightweight moisturiser doesn’t have to be for an oily or combination skin. You may simply like a feeling of something light on your face, maybe you are layering lots of skincare and want to keep your moisturiser to a minimum in favour of a richer serum / oil / SPF etc. Gel hydrators can leave you feeling super fresh and I also love these in the more humid weather. In the summer, you may be reaching for these formulas more as your skin will produce more oil in warmer conditions. I know a lot of men opt for a gel too.
Gel and lightweight moisturisers aren’t just minimal moisture either : some of these picks will flood your skin with hydration : they just don’t feel heavy. There’s so many formulas to choose from and you can pretty much find one to tick all your boxes : luckily we have so many brands and skincare products to choose from nowadays!
So let’s get stuck into some AMAZING gel moisturisers that will do glorious things to your skin!
The Best Gel + Lightweight Moisturisers:
These are mainly oil-free (I’ve written below each mini review which ones are) but will still really nourish and do great things for your skin. Some are richer in feel, some are lighter and they all do slightly different things. Honestly I could have included way more as there are SO many great ones but let’s try and keep this reasonably succinct!
Ole Henriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Creme (£37)
This is quite a sumptuous gel-creme, so a little richer in texture than some of the others but none-the-less it feels lovely and weightless on the skin, absorbs in really quickly and leaves skin feeling invigorated and fresh! This is also full of great, active ingredients and does more than just hydrate. This is one to reach for if you want that anti-ageing hit.
Due to the daily effects of stress, fatigue, and pollution can leave skin looking dry and dull. This peachy gel will instantly illuminate and deliver an energizing burst of 24-hour hydration. It targets fine lines and wrinkles, renews youthful radiance and firms skin. It’s also a great makeup base. Powered by three sources of vitamin C and Rose of Winter, it imparts a rush of instant brightness and helps long-term too.
Oil-free? Yes.
Aurelia Balancing Ultra-Light Moisturiser (£30)
I love Aurelia skincare and I welcomed this lighter-weight moisturiser with open arms! It’s super hydrating but weightless on the skin. It contains brightening mulberry and restoring PROTIDA™ technology, and blemish-fighting salicylic acid and distilled witch hazel which helps reduce sebum production. A fresh floral scent of mandarin, jasmine and tuberose gives your mood a balancing boost, too. This one is great if you are prone to breakouts and have oily skin problems in general.
Oil-free? Yes.
Psssst you can get 20% off ALL AURELIA SKINCARE using my code LAURALOU20
Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion (£59)
This is a stunning formula and one of my favourites I seem to re-purchase time and time again. This floods your skin with hydration and is that typical gel formula that you are looking for and great for every skin type. This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer is infused with a unique Japanese marine algae enriched with essential amino acids and B vitamins to enhance skin’s elasticity and moisture content. Leaves skin feeling fresh, plump, and hydrated.
Oil-Free? Yes.
You can get a whopping 20% off this DDG moisturiser using my code LAURA_LF over on LookFantastic right here!
Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel (£55)
Another favourite. I remember I got sent this a couple of years ago and when I unboxed it on my Instagram stories, I had a *a lot* of DM’s telling me how fab it was. I was not disappointed! I get it ; It’s gorgeous! So, so very lightweight and feels almost like a serum upon application. This unique, pink-hued water-gel contains revolutionary Cumulative Hydration-Release Technology that instantly locks moisture to skin and increases retention for up to 5 days. A nutrient-charged blend of peptides, vitamins and minerals strengthens the skin’s barrier for smooth, plump skin. Just a dime-sized amount of Nutrient-Charged Water Gel provides enough hydration for wearing alone or underneath your SPF and makeup.
Oil-free? Yes.
Erborian Bamboo Creme Frappe (£39)
This has a similar texture to the Murad, as in it’s super light-weight and almost like a water-gel in feel. This a a super cooling and hydrating moisturiser, light as air and cool as ice! It provides an immediate boost to the skin and is perfect for those sluggish morning when you need to be alive. It is immediately absorbed, leaving skin refreshed and energised….I also love the delicate scent to this one. It just smells fresh! It contains Bamboo Waterlock Complex to moisturise, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract which is your antioxidant and Sodium Hyaluronate which is Moisturising and prevents skin dehydration.
Oil-free? Yes.
Skin Proud Frozen Over Gel-to-Ice Hydrator (£16.95)
This is a completely clear gel hydrator : I love the way it looks! This is filled with plumping and soothing hyaluronic acid and gives the skin a lovely burst of cool hydration. This is great when you just want some simple hydration , nothing too fancy….and it’s a fantastic makeup primer! It’s cooling when applied and it’s great to enliven and re-fresh the skin.
Oil-free? Yes.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser (£36)
Glow Recipe is a brand I’m just continually being impressed by. This is one of my top 3 products from their range and it’s a must-have for oily and combination skins. It offers juicy hydration, lightweight, oil-free and leaves skin glowing. Watermelon is traditionally used in Korea to soothe irritated and inflamed skin : it helps restore, soothe and replenish. It also contains our favourite hyaluronic acid. This is available in both a full size (60ml) and mini (25ml).
Oil-free? Yes.
Syrene Aqualight Moisture Gel Lotion (£58)
This gives you gentle hydration and it’s packed with antioxidants too. Fast-absorbing, the formula is fuelled by a combination of marine and nature-derived actives that intensely nourish and promote optimal skin health. This is great for balancing the skin and it’s also antibacterial.
Ephemer™ (a Pacific seaweed extract) boosts skin’s defences against oxidative stress, while a blend of marine collagen, larch tree extract and Aquaxyl™ lock in moisture and support the barrier function, reducing the risk of transepidermal water loss. An iconic New Zealand ingredient, manuka honey brings antibacterial properties to keep skin clear.
Oil-free? Yes.
This may seem pricey @ £58 bit it is a 100ml size which is double all the others! What’s more : you can get a whopping 20% off this over on LookFantastic using my code LAURA_LF SHOP HERE!
ELF Holy Hydration Hydro-Gel Moisturiser (£12)
My favourite budget lightweight moisturiser! Prepare for hydration like you’ve never seen before. e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Holy Hydration! Hydro-Gel Moisturizer is a lightweight gel moisturiser that works to promote a plumped, hydrated complexion. The silky formula instantly absorbs into the skin and wears smoothly under makeup for a fresh, all-day finish. Formulated with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture for a plump complexion, ceramides to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, and peptides to promote collagen and improves skin texture.
Oil free? No.
I hope you found this post on the best lightweight, gel and oil-free moisturisers helpful! I really think we are spoilt for choice and pretty much every brand has that lighter-weight option now. Not only do they allow layering your skincare a little easier, but you get that lovely light and fresh feeling on the skin, AND more-often-than-not, these kind of formulas sit really well under makeup.
Do let me know any of your favourite gel moisturiser formulas! I’m always not he lookout for more to add to my pile of go-to’s.
