Having oily or acne-prone skin doesn't mean that you should skip on moisturiser – adequate hydration is important for all skin types. Water-based moisturisers, also known as gel moisturisers or gel facial creams, will supply much-needed moisture and nourishment to oily complexions without feeling too heavy, greasy, or uncomfortable. They're also great for sensitive and other skin types, especially during warmer, humid seasons.
If you're in the market for a new water-based moisturiser, our buying guide will share what to consider while purchasing. This will help you to narrow down what's out there to find the ideal option for your skin type and beauty concerns. Then, go through our top 10 suggestions of the best water-based gel moisturisers to buy online in the UK and pick a few to try out.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of water-based moisturisers available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Neutrogena | 2 ![]() IT Cosmetics | 3 ![]() L'Oreal Paris | 4 ![]() Glow Recipe | 5 ![]() Revolution Skincare | 6 ![]() Clinique | 7 ![]() Origins | 8 ![]() Murad | 9 ![]() bareMinerals | 10 ![]() Clinique |
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Name | Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturiser | Confidence in a Gel Moisturiser | Hydra Genius Liquid Hydrating Moisturiser | Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturiser | Hydration Boost Lightweight Gel Cream | Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel | GinZing™ Oil-Free Energy Boosting Gel Moisturiser | Clarifying Water Gel Hydrating Face Moisturiser | Pureness Soothing Gel Moisturiser | Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly |
Features | Dermatologist Tested, Oil-Free and Non-Comedogenic Moisturiser for Restoring Hydration and Skin Barrier | Keeps the Skin Quenched for 72 Hours While Reducing Fine Lines | With Aloe Water and Hyaluronic Acid for Hydration and a Healthy Glow | A Fruity Lightweight Gel That Plumps Skin With 90% Watermelon Extract | An Oil-Free Formula Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid for Light and Lasting Hydration | A Refreshing Drink for Oily Skin That Improves Complexion Over Time | A Zingy Oil-Free Formula to Invigorate the Skin for a Fresh Glow | A Water-Light Hydrator to Purify, Refine and Clear Acne-Prone Skin | Great for Sensitive Skin Thanks to Minimal, Natural and Clean Ingredients | 24-Hour Hydration Repair and Pollution Defence With a Water-Jelly Texture |
Price | £11.99 | £33.00 | £6.59 | £38.00 | £5.06 | £24.99 | £27.00 | £23.40 | £29.00 | £26.00 |
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, botanical trehalose | Ceramides, glycerin | Hyaluronic acid | Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid | Hyaluronic acid, tallow seed butter | Hyaluronic acid | Hyaluronic acid | Hyaluronic acid | Coconut milk, coconut water | Hyaluronic acid |
Other Active Ingredients | - | Cactus flower extract | Aloe vera | Jasmine, peony | - | Sunflower seed cake, barley extract, and cucumber fruit extract | Coffee, ginseng, niacinamide | Korean red pine extract, salicylic acid, ginger root extract | Prickly pear | Sunflower seed cake, barley extract and cucumber fruit extract |
Best For | Barrier strengthening | Anti-ageing, 72-hour hydration | 72-hour hydration, calming | Hydrating, soothing, dark spots | Hydration, cooling | Hydration, barrier strengthening, brightening | 72-hour hydration, radiance boosting | Hydration, pore refinement, clearing up skin | Calming, reducing redness | Hydration, repair, stress protection |
Skin Types | Normal to combination, sensitive | Combination, normal, oily, mature | Dry, sensitive | Oily, combination, sensitive, mature; dry skin can use as a serum | All | Combination to oily | Normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive | Oily, acne-prone | Oily, sensitive | Oily |
Oil-Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
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Compared to rich and heavy oil-based moisturisers, water-based moisturisers have a higher concentration of water which gives them more of a lightweight gel texture that is quickly absorbed by the skin. Additionally, water does a great job at transporting other actives, facilitating better skin penetration and absorption. Gels are also capable of retaining water, limiting moisture loss.
Free of fatty ingredients that normally make up cream moisturisers, another benefit of gels is that they deliver hydration without blocking the pores. This is excellent for oily skin types, and also those prone to acne. Water-based creams are great for all skin types during the warmer seasons when lighter products are preferred, especially under foundation or other makeup.
Gel creams are popular in K-beauty, too. Check out the best Korean moisturisers here.
All skin types can benefit from water-based moisturisers, especially during the warmer seasons thanks to their cooling effect. Hyaluronic acid is a common moisturising ingredient used in gel creams, as it is great at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin without being too heavy or clogging the pores.
The humectant is capable of penetrating deep into the skin's layers, delivering moisture at every level, filling out any cracks or fine lines to restore plumpness, and leaving the skin with a healthy dewiness. It is an ingredient that is suitable for all skin types, but particularly oily complexions since it supplies moisture without leaving the skin feeling too greasy or with an unwanted shine.
Like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides are also naturally found on the skin and are great for moisturising and preserving the skin's lipid layer. Plant-based ingredients such as watermelon extract, coconut milk and coconut water can also be used to supply moisture and nourishment with their naturally occurring, skin-loving vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Looking for a little coverage? These are our favourite tinted moisturisers for oily skin.
On top of delivering hydration, water-based moisturisers often contain other active ingredients to nurture and protect the skin. Calming ingredients such as aloe vera, jasmine, peony extract, ginger root, cucumber fruit extract, and prickly pear are great to have for sensitive skin types as they provide a soothing effect against any inflammation or irritation.
For anti-ageing care, ingredients like cactus flower extract are packed with various vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes to combat ageing and collagen loss, all while protecting the skin against UV damage. Ginseng is another collagen-boosting ingredient that can help the skin to maintain its elasticity.
For strengthening the skin barrier, sunflower seed and barley extracts are antioxidant-rich with skin-conditioning properties. If you have acne-prone skin, coffee or Korean red pine extract are ideal for keeping acne-causing bacteria at bay, preventing breakouts before they even have a chance to occur while reducing inflammation at the same time.
Although water-based moisturisers have a higher water-to-oil ratio, it doesn't mean that they are completely oil-free. So if you have a particularly oily complexion, it's worth searching for formulas that specify they are oil-free to avoid any unpleasant greasiness that can lead to clogged pores, blackheads and blemishes.
If your skin is prone to acne, it is advisable to opt for non-comedogenic formulas which are formulated and tested to prevent pore-clogging. While a product that does not specify it is non-comedogenic does not necessarily mean that it will clog the pores, this is just an extra step to avoid breakouts or worsening your skin condition.
Don't miss our makeup artist-reviewed list of non-comedogenic foundations!
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
50 ml
£11.99
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, botanical trehalose |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | - |
Best For | Barrier strengthening |
Skin Types | Normal to combination, sensitive |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | Yes |
75 ml
£33.00
Moisturising Ingredient | Ceramides, glycerin |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Cactus flower extract |
Best For | Anti-ageing, 72-hour hydration |
Skin Types | Combination, normal, oily, mature |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
70 ml
£6.59
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Aloe vera |
Best For | 72-hour hydration, calming |
Skin Types | Dry, sensitive |
Oil-Free | No |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
60 ml
£38.00
Moisturising Ingredient | Watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Jasmine, peony |
Best For | Hydrating, soothing, dark spots |
Skin Types | Oily, combination, sensitive, mature; dry skin can use as a serum |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
50 ml
£5.06
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid, tallow seed butter |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | - |
Best For | Hydration, cooling |
Skin Types | All |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
125 ml
£24.99
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Sunflower seed cake, barley extract, and cucumber fruit extract |
Best For | Hydration, barrier strengthening, brightening |
Skin Types | Combination to oily |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | Yes |
50 ml
£27.00
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Coffee, ginseng, niacinamide |
Best For | 72-hour hydration, radiance boosting |
Skin Types | Normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
47 ml
£23.40
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Korean red pine extract, salicylic acid, ginger root extract |
Best For | Hydration, pore refinement, clearing up skin |
Skin Types | Oily, acne-prone |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | Yes |
50 ml
£29.00
Moisturising Ingredient | Coconut milk, coconut water |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Prickly pear |
Best For | Calming, reducing redness |
Skin Types | Oily, sensitive |
Oil-Free | No |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
125 ml
£26.00
Moisturising Ingredient | Hyaluronic acid |
---|---|
Other Active Ingredients | Sunflower seed cake, barley extract and cucumber fruit extract |
Best For | Hydration, repair, stress protection |
Skin Types | Oily |
Oil-Free | Yes |
Non-Comedogenic | No |
Written and Researched by Audrey Tan
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