Which Face Cream Is Best for Oily Skin?

Finding the right face cream for oily skin is a delicate balance. The wrong formula can feel heavy, clog pores, and leave a greasy residue, while skipping moisturiser altogether can lead to increased oil production as the skin tries to compensate for lost hydration. The key is to choose a cream that moisturises without overwhelming the skin, using ingredients that support the skin’s natural balance rather than disrupt it, and potentially exacerbate problems. 

At The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company, we’re committed to crafting face creams that nourish the skin without using synthetic ingredients. Instead, we use high-quality, plant-based oils and botanical extracts that work in harmony with your skin, offering hydration and gentle protection to the skin, plus, beautifully balanced scents blended by myself. 

What’s the best way to care for oily skin, the best natural ingredients to look for, and which of our face creams will work best for balancing oil production while keeping the skin healthy and hydrated?

Understanding Oily Skin: Why Does It Happen? 

Oily skin is caused by the overproduction of sebum, the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is essential for protecting and moisturising the skin, but when too much is produced, it can lead to, a shiny complexion, especially around the forehead, nose, and chin (the T-zone). Clogged pores, which can result in blackheads and acne. A heavy or greasy feeling on the skin. 

Many people believe that oily skin should be "dried out" to reduce shine, but this often makes the problem worse. When the skin is stripped of moisture, it responds by producing even more oil, creating a frustrating cycle of dehydration and excess sebum, which can lead to spots, clogged pores, etc.

The solution is not to remove oil entirely but to focus on hydrating and balancing the skin so that it functions optimally. 

Which Ingredients Work Best for Oily Skin? 

When choosing a face cream for oily skin, it’s important to look for ingredients that hydrate without clogging pores. Some oils are heavy and comedogenic (pore-clogging), while others are light, fast-absorbing, and actually help regulate oil production. 

Here are some of the best natural ingredients for oily skin: 

Hemp Seed Oil 

Hemp seed oil is an excellent ingredient for balancing oily skin. It is non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores), absorbs quickly, and actually helps regulate sebum production. Rich in omega fatty acids, hemp seed oil hydrates and soothes without leaving a greasy residue. 

Blackcurrant Seed Oil 

This is another excellent oil for oily skin, as it provides essential fatty acids that help keep the skin barrier strong while preventing excess oiliness. Blackcurrant seed oil is particularly good for sensitive or acne-prone skin, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Jojoba Oil 

Jojoba oil is often called the "skin-balancing oil" because its structure is very similar to the skin’s own natural sebum. This means it helps regulate oil production, keeping the skin hydrated while reducing excess shine. 

Glycerine 

Glycerine is a powerful humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin. It provides hydration without adding excess oil, making it an essential ingredient in skincare for oily and combination skin types. We don’t use Glycerine in any of our products, but it is produced as a natural by-product in our cold processed soap making. 

Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is lightweight, hydrating, and incredibly soothing. It helps calm irritation, provides hydration without heaviness, and works well as a natural alternative to synthetic gels. This is a product we’ve never used as it’s water-based and all water-based products require a different type of analysis and testing to anhydrous ingredients. 

Shea Butter (in small amounts) 

Many people assume shea butter is too rich for oily skin, but in small amounts, it can actually help lock in moisture without clogging pores. Our formulas use just the right amount to provide nourishment without heaviness. 

So, which of our face creams work best for this skin type?

Our Face Creams for Oily Skin 

Ultra Rich Anti-Ageing Face Cream – Day Formula 

If you have oily skin but still want deep hydration and anti-ageing benefits, this is a great option.

This formula contains fast-absorbing plant oils that provide hydration without leaving a greasy layer on the skin. It absorbs beautifully, leaving the skin feeling refreshed rather than weighed down. Coconut oil, shea butter, eco-sustainable Palm Oil work together to balance moisture levels while helping to reduce fine lines. 

This cream is best for oily or combination skin types that need hydration without heaviness. Use very sparingly. 

View Ultra Rich Anti-Ageing Day Cream

Ultra Rich Anti-Ageing Face Cream – Night Formula 

While this night cream is slightly richer than the day formula, it is still non-greasy and deeply nourishing when used properly, i.e. sparingly as a little goes a long way. 

Many people with oily skin avoid night creams, fearing they will feel too heavy. However, this formula contains Avocado Butter and Argan oil, which are excellent for balancing oil production while repairing the skin overnight. 

If your skin is oily but occasionally dehydrated, this is a fantastic way to ensure hydration without congestion. 

View Ultra Rich Anti-Ageing Night Cream

Eternal Anti-Ageing Super Cream with Black Lilac & Vitamin E 

This is a highly effective Anti-Ageing cream, designed for both oily and combination skin types. 

It contains black lilac seed oil and vitamin E, which help to improve skin elasticity, while keeping sebum production under control. This is a great choice for anyone looking to combat the first signs of ageing while keeping the skin feeling fresh and balanced. The scent of this cream is one that I’m particularly proud of. I blended it a few years ago during a Christmas Holiday period. 

View Eternal Anti-Ageing Super Cream

Symmetry Anti-Ageing Face Cream 

This face cream is perfectly balanced for oily skin, offering deep nourishment without a greasy finish. 

With a base of Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Eco-Sustainable Palm Oil and a small amount of Beeswax,, it actively regulates sebum production while providing hydration that lasts. These oils absorb quickly, leaving the skin feeling smooth and refreshed, making this an ideal daily moisturiser for oily skin types. Again, a little goes a long way, so use sparingly. 

View Symmetry Anti-Ageing Face Cream

How to Use Face Cream on Oily Skin 

Use sparingly – A quarter pea-sized amount is enough for the entire face. Literally a tiny amount will suffice. It’s better to less and then add more if you need to rather than using too much. It’s worth bearing in mind that 99.9% of face creams on the market are diluted with water, then thickened with fillers and glycerine to make them feel less oily. All this does is makes an inferior cream, bulked up with synthetic ingredients. In our opinion, it’s better to use a 100% natural ingredients recipe with no water in it. This way, the use of synthetic preservatives isn’t required to extend shelf-life.

Apply to damp skin – This locks in hydration and improves absorption. Monitor your skin’s response – If your skin feels too oily, reduce the amount used. This is a very important point to make. Our creams are rich so use sparingly. Your skin should love it.

The Final Word 

Oily skin still needs moisture, but the right balance is essential. Our face creams are carefully formulated to hydrate, nourish, and protect without clogging pores. 

If you are looking for rich, natural face creams that work with your skin, not against it, we’ve probably got something that will suit you perfectly.

Explore Our Full Face Cream Collection

Thank you for taking the time to read through this. It’s a bit technical in parts but I thought it important to give you as much detail as possible, so you’re properly informed about what we do. 

If there’s anything I’ve missed, just ask. 

Tommy Crooks 
The Founder.