The 14 Best Serums for Oily Skin, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

$17 at Amazon $17 at Target $25 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, M.D., is a fan of niacinamide (vitamin B3) for oily complexions, and this serum from Naturium serves it with a generous 12% concentration. Not only does the antioxidant help balance oil production, but it can also calm inflammation, prevent breakouts, and provide an all-around more radiant complexion.

It also contains zinc PCA (short for ​​pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) to optimize the benefits of niacinamide while reducing potential irritation. Lastly, you'll get hyaluronic acid, arguably the most popular ingredient found in serums, and for good reason. "Hyaluronic acid is a large molecule that sits on top of the skin," Dr. Mack says. "It pulls water to the cells, creating a plumping, smoothing effect." We just wish it was easier to tell when we’re running out of serum (the bottle is opaque).

Best Budget

The Inkey List Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

$10 at Sephora $10 at Kohls.com $10 at Theinkeylist.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You can always count on The Inkey List for exceptional formulas at wallet-friendly price points, and this clean serum is no exception. It calls on niacinamide and squalane, a natural moisturizer, to balance your skin's oil production, then plumps it up with hyaluronic acid. The downside is that it doesn’t layer well, so if you have an extensive multiproduct beauty regimen, this one might not be for you. 

Best Splurge

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

$85 at Amazon $43 at Sephora $85 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, prickly pear, licorice extract | Size: 1, 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dr. Engelman recommends the fan-favorite Good Genes for those in the market for an exfoliating formula primarily due to one key ingredient. "Lactic acid, derived from dairy, is gentle on the skin and is even safe enough to use during pregnancy," she tells Byrdie. "It improves discoloration and age spots, and corrects pH imbalances." 

We like that this formula includes licorice extract and lemongrass to tackle dark spots and prickly pear extract for soothing redness and sensitivity. However, keep in mind that exfoliators like lactic acid can aggravate very sensitive skin—so if your skin is ultra-reactive, slowly integrate the product into your routine.

Best Plumping

Monat Hydration Booster

View on Monatglobal.com

Key Ingredients: Coconut water, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Monat's Hydration Booster Serum is ultra-hydrating, but its oil-free formula won’t clog shiny, breakout-prone skin. "Products like Monat's Hydration Booster serum make the skin look softer, smoother, and more youthful in appearance without increasing oil production or clogging pores," Dr. Mack says. "Coconut water combined with hyaluronic acid is like a tall glass of water for the skin." The product also boasts antimicrobial marine algae to fight breakouts and vegan collagen for a more youthful complexion.

Best Vitamin C

Sephora Collection Super Glow Serum with Vitamin C+E

$21 at Sephora $21 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, peptides | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dr. Mack is a fan of vitamin C for oily skin. The powerful antioxidant protects against free radical damage, evens skin tone, and promotes collagen production, providing a smoother and more radiant appearance. You'll see noticeable results with Sephora's Ultra Glow Serum, which combines vitamin C with anti-inflammatory vitamin E and peptides (amino acids known to stimulate the production of elastin and collagen) to deliver a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.

Best Retinol

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum

$58 at Amazon $65 at Sephora $65 at Target

Key Ingredients: Microencapsulated retinol, squalane | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Retinol’s ability to increase cell turnover—all while clearing clogged pores and debris—make it a particularly useful ingredient for oily skin. Among serums containing the vitamin A derivative, Fusion PM shines above the competition. It uses a time-release version of retinol which works gradually, minimizing irritation and other potential side effects while maximizing the skin-smoothing, retexturizing, and complexion-enhancing results. If you have acne-prone skin, be wary of an initial side effect of using retinol, known as a “purge.” This may cause breakouts at first, but they will eventually clear for a beautiful complexion.

Best Gentle

Paula's Choice Resist Antioxidant Serum

$45 at Amazon $45 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Oily skin can absolutely be sensitive too, and if that applies to you, you’ve likely experienced serums that take care of the oil but also irritate the skin. That’s when you turn to a lightweight serum like this one from Paula’s Choice. It contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C, three of the ingredients recommended by Dr. Mack and Dr. Engelman. The concentrate is gentle enough to use morning and night, offering soothing hydration, plumper skin, and a dewy finish.  

Best for Mature Skin

No7 Protect & Perfect Serum

$28 at Target $35 at Ulta View on No7beauty.com

Key Ingredients: Peptides, rice protein, hyaluronic acid, retinyl palmitate | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Mature skin that’s prone to being oily can be tricky to maintain since most serums for mature skin are stuffed with moisturizing elements that can also clog pores. Boasting a proprietary complex of retinol, peptides, rice protein (which helps with moisture retention and elasticity), and hyaluronic acid, No7 Protect & Perfect covers all the bases for mature skin without adding oil. Apply the product to your face and neck before bedtime and you should wake up with smoother, more even-toned skin.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum

$38 at Amazon $18 at Sephora View on Mytopicals.com

Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If your oily skin is also pimple-prone, this little pink tube is your best bet. It leans on tranexamic acid and azelaic acid—which are much gentler than they sound—to provide mild chemical exfoliation, smooth uneven texture, and improve the look of acne. The combo also helps prevent breakouts from occurring in the first place. Strangely, for an acne-fighting product, it isn’t oil-free. That doesn’t seem to detract from the results, but if you do break out with oil-based products it might not work for you. 

Best Oil-Balancing

Glossier Super Pure Serum with Niacinamide + Zinc

$34 at Sephora $34 at Glossier.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA, vitamin C | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We also like Glossier Super Pure for skin that’s prone to develop oily zones. Niacinamide and zinc PCA (an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from inflammation) are the heroes of this water-gel formula, helping to balance oil production and decongest pores while enhancing your overall complexion. Be aware that the bottle isn’t UV protective, meaning the ingredients might spoil or expire if exposed to direct sunlight. So if you go outside on a trip, keep it in a sunproof bag.

Best K-Beauty

It's Skin Power 10 Formula VB Effector Cera Guard

$10 at Amazon $14 at IHerb

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love Korean skincare products for often having much more than one benefit, and this serum is no different. This affordable serum from It's Skin was a hit when we tested it at home. The super-lightweight formula contains niacinamide and vitamin C to balance oil production, boost radiance, correct discoloration, and offer a grease-free glow. The ingredients are favorites of our dermatologist experts and work well together. Our one complaint is that this one contains a synthetic fragrance, which might cause discomfort for sensitive-skinned friends.

Best Hybrid

Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum

$17 at Sephora View on Fentybeauty.com $30 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, witch hazel | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

After trying it out first-hand, three Byrdie editors agreed the hydrating, plumping, skin-enhancing effects of Fenty Fat Water are top notch. This toner-serum hybrid is especially great for oil-slick complexions as it minimizes the appearance of pores and balances oil production without inadvertently drying you out. We love how simple it is to apply—take some on your palms and gently pat it onto your face until the product is fully absorbed. Although Sephora considers this to be a clean formula, it does contain synthetic fragrance, which may bother sensitive skin types.

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum

$79 at Amazon $68 at Sephora View on Eadem.co

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, fruit enzymes, licorice root | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Acne and oily skin often go hand in hand, which means hyperpigmentation is usually (unfortunately) on the way. To heal hyperpigmentation and prevent future breakouts simultaneously, use this serum from Eadem. It has niacinamide to soothe inflammation and calm active blemishes, as well as vitamin C to promote an even skin tone. As the name suggests, it has a milky consistency that feels soothing on the skin and keeps the complexion hydrated. Rounding out the formula is pineapple and papaya enzymes, which are able to exfoliate the skin and lift dark spots without causing further irritation. We also love that the formula was made for women of color in mind, so it's able to lift hyperpigmentation on deep and dark skin tones.

Best for Textured Skin

Shani Darden Lactic Acid Serum

$89 at Amazon $89 at Sephora View on Shanidarden.com

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, gluconolactone, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This serum from celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden uses lactic acid to gently—but effectively—exfoliate the skin for a smooth, soft complexion. It's so great for oily skin because it's able to balance the oil in the skin and treat acne and hyperpigmentation, all while keeping the skin soothed (due to the inclusion of aloe vera and green tea). We love that it has a lightweight texture that absorbs into the skin easily, and that it can keep oily skin types hydrated without causing congestion.