15 Lightweight Moisturisers That Don't Feel Greasy And Battle Dryness

We have long been obsessed with Cetaphil's moisturiser. It contains the perfect combination of hydrating ingredients, making it non-greasy and quite lightweight. It has panthenol, niacinamide, and hydrating glycerin, which preserves the skin barrier, improves moisture retention, and soothes the skin. A little dollop goes a long way and keeps your skin moisturised all day sans the chip-chip.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Panthenol, Glycerin, and Niacinamide

Neutrogena Hydro Boost is a cult classic for all the right reasons. Its gel-based consistency makes it super lightweight and non-sticky. You get an instant glow and plumped effect with a supple, hydrated finish. Containing electrolytes, hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and natural moisturising factors, its hydration retention ability is one of the best. This product is also regarded as a close dupe to Clinique's Moisture Surge, which costs more than double the price of this.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Electrolytes, Hyaluronic Acid, Amino Acids, and Natural Moisturising Agents

For those obsessed with everything Laneige (like we are), the Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturiser needs no introduction. It's one of their bestselling products, with ingredients like betaine, mint leaf extract, and blue hyaluronic acid. The formula is quick-absorbing and provides intense hydration for long hours. Though it comes in two more textures, the gel-based one is perfect for oily skin and monsoon. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.6/5

Key Ingredients: Betaine, Blye Hyaluronic Acid, and Mint Leaf Extract

Pro-Tip: Love Korean skincare? We've got an entire list of Korean moisturisers you will adore.

Dot & Key Hyaluronic acid is an accessible option that delivers great hydration and moisture while maintaining a non-sticky, lightweight feel. It consists of five kinds of essential ceramides, improves the skin barrier, and balances the skin microbiome while calming any irritation and redness. Though not recommended for oily skin, folks with combinational or dry skin can definitely add this to their routine. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Probiotics, Japanese Rice water, and Hyaluronic Acid

Simple's Kind to Skin hydrating moisturiser is another great option for everyday use and has consistently gained positive reviews since its launch. It's non-comedogenic and free of parabens and fragrance, making it great for sensitive skin. The ingredient list consists of borage seed oil, glycerin, vitamin E, and pro-vitamin B5, making it super nourishing while retaining moisture in the skin for up to 12 hours. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Borage Seed Oil, Glycerin, Vitamin E, Pro Vitamin B5

Clinique never misses, and its viral Moisture Surge moisturiser is a true testament to it. It instantly brings a dewy glow to the skin and is super lightweight with a gel texture. Perfect for all skin types and completely oil-free, this moisturiser is great all year round. It has aloe bioferment and hyaluronic acid that infuses moisture into the skin and keeps it locked, along with a blend of vitamins E and C that helps produce antioxidants. It's definitely on the steeper side of the hill but is considered absolutely worth it. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Key Ingredients: Aloe Bioferment, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C and E

L'Oreal's moisturiser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid is a great lightweight moisturiser, which is great for someone on a budget. Its thick gel-like consistency hydrates and nourishes the skin effectively and leaves your skin feeling perfectly hydrated sans the stickiness. The micro-epidermic hyaluronic acid technology significantly increases moisture penetration, and ceramides help repair the skin barrier. Many users have deemed it great for oily skin, as well as for humid provinces.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Glycerin and Niacinamide

Aqulogica has been a game-changer in the industry, providing great skincare at extremely affordable prices. The brand claims to derive all its ingredients from natural sources and packages them in strikingly cute packaging. Their range of moisturisers is also pretty impressive, with three variants, our favourite being Glow+Hydra. It's exceptionally lightweight, a powerhouse of antioxidants, and adds a refreshed glow.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide

Well, we cannot talk about great moisturisers without mentioning COSRX, can we? We absolutely love viral snail mucin, and this Advanced Snail Mucin All-in-One Cream is phenomenal and lightweight. Made from 92% snail mucin skin filtrate, this cream is remarkable in terms of hydration and moisture retention. It also offers other benefits like evening out the skin tone, reducing dark spots, and soothing any kind of irritation. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Key Ingredients: Snail Mucin Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid

Innisfree is an all-time favourite, with a range of bankable products with wonderous formulations. This Green Tea Seed Cream is great for boosting hydration in the skin, softening the skin texture, and creating a protective barrier to keep the moisture locked in. The ingredient list is absolute fire, with the additions of squalene, green tea probiotics, panthenol, ceramides, and five different molecules of hyaluronic acid that are game-changing for hydration and moisture retention.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Key Ingredients: Squalene, Hyaluronic Acid, Green Tea Water, Green Tea Probiotics, Panthenol, and Ceramides.

If you are specifically looking for a vegan moisturiser, then we recommend Klairs Fundamental Water Gel Cream. It's a great daily gel moisturiser with key ingredients like Jeju green tea water, panthenol, trehalose, and hyaluronic acid. It gives the skin a radiant glow and provides great nourishment. The non-greasy and non-sticky texture makes it great for Indian monsoons and will leave your skin looking supple.

Nykaa Rating: 4.3/5

Key Ingredients: Panthenol. Jeju Green Water, Trehalose, and Hyaluronic Acid

If you have tried Face Shop's products, you know that they all have a lightweight texture that quickly absorbs and nourishes. This Chia Seed Hydro Cream is no exception, featuring chia seeds and vitamin B12. It restores moisture and adds a radiant glow to the skin that lasts for hours. Plus, it works great for folks with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Key Ingredients: Vitamin B12, Chia Seeds, and Glycerin

We have only recently tried Belif and have quickly fallen in love with the brand. The True Cream Moisturising Bomb provides intense hydration, applies like a dream, and leaves the skin supple, nourished, and smooth. You can also use this as a sleeping mask to wake up to the most glowy, dewy-looking skin. We especially recommend this one to folks who have dry skin.

Nykaa Rating: 4.5/5

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Rasberry Leaf Extract, and Panthenol

Probably the product that made ceramides all the rage and was also seen in Alia Bhatt's vanity, D'You's 'In My Defense Barrier' cream is an excellent lightweight moisturiser that quickly absorbs, deeply hydrates, and nourishes while being non-sticky and fast-absorbing.. It's great for all skin types, and the ingredient list consists of purslane extract, ceramides, acai berry sterols, panthenol, and allantoin, which protect skin barriers, help prohibit inflation, and plump up the skin.

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Purslane Extracts, Acai Berry Sterols, and Panthenol

Lakme has been a household brand for as long as we can remember, and we cherish their Hydro Pro Gel moisturiser, which is pocket-friendly and effective. It does a great job of providing hydration to the skin and locking in moisture, and its gel-like texture makes it great for monsoons or humid weather. 

Nykaa Rating: 4.4/5

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Glycol