9 of Our Favorite Non-Comedogenic Serums for Oily Skin
January 02, 2025
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum with Melasyl + Niacinamide
If your breakouts tend to leave stubborn dark spots in their wake, add this serum to your routine, stat. It’s made with 10% niacinamide and an exclusive ingredient called Melasyl and helps visibly reduce even persistent dark spots with continued use. The non-comedogenic formula is suitable for all skin types and tones, and it’s gentle enough for twice-daily use.
L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum
Youthful-looking skin is within reach with this serum for oily skin, which contains exfoliating salicylic acid alongside vitamins C and E. The lightweight and non-comedogenic formula helps brighten the skin, minimizes the appearance of large pores, and visibly improves the look of fine lines. It also helps even the skin tone with consistent use, making it a great pick for those with minor discoloration or unevenness.
Biotherm Life Plankton Elixir Anti-Aging Serum
Oily skin needs hydration, too—and this lightweight serum delivers just that. The non-comedogenic formula boasts a blend of hyaluronic acid and nutrient-rich thermal plankton extract and helps hydrate, strengthen, and firm the skin—all without exacerbating clogged pores or blemishes. Use the non-comedogenic serum morning and night to help promote fresh, healthy-looking skin.
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F Triple Serum
H.C.F. stands for hyaluronic acid, vitamin, and ferulic acid—three standout ingredients that come together in this powerful (and decidedly luxurious) face serum. The unique packaging actually houses the ingredients separately, so they’re mixed only upon application for maximum stability. Smooth the fast-absorbing formula onto your freshly cleansed face morning and night to help target discoloration, fine lines, and laxity while smoothing and firming the skin.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil Serum
Most face serums for oily skin are oil-free, but oil can have a place in your skincare routine—even if you’re acne-prone. Take this nighttime face serum as a prime example. It’s made with a blend of ultra-light, non-comedogenic oils and helps replenish the skin at night, boosting essential moisture to reveal a soft, supple complexion. Keep in mind that, unlike traditional face serums, this formula should go on as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine. Just dispense two to three drops into your palms and press the lightweight formula onto your face before hitting the sheets.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum
Score smoother-looking skin within a week with this powerful face serum for pores. The gentle formula stars glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid and helps exfoliate the skin to reveal smoother, softer skin over time. It’s also suitable for all skin types—so it’s worth a try even if your skin tends to be sensitive. Note that alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so you’ll want to be extra diligent about sun protection when incorporating this serum into your routine.
Vichy Normaderm BHA Exfoliating Serum
If your skin breaks out easily, this serum for acne-prone skin is one to consider adding to your cart. It’s made with a combination of salicylic and glycolic acids and helps target existing blemishes while working to prevent new spots from forming. If you’re new to chemical exfoliants, you may want to start with once-daily usage. As your skin acclimates, you can begin incorporating it into both your morning and evening skincare routines.
SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
This hydrating facial serum slots well into any skincare routine, whether your skin is oily, dry, or somewhere in between. It’s made with hyaluronic and vitamin B5 and helps replenish dull, dehydrated skin without clogging pores. You can use it as your sole facial serum, layer it under another serum, or apply it to your clean face in place of moisturizer to help support smooth, radiant-looking skin.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Post-acne marks can be incredibly frustrating when you’re on the quest for clearer-looking skin. This serum, which contains encapsulated retinol, can help. The lightweight formula helps reduce the appearance of post-blemish marks and visible pores while helping to smooth and refine the skin for an even-looking complexion. You can use it nightly, but if you’re a retinol newbie, we suggest starting with a twice-weekly application and gradually ramping up your usage until your skin adjusts.
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