9 Of The Best Gel Moisturisers To Get You Through Summer

Sure, we all want that effortless, glass-skin glow. But when glass-skin turns into shiny t-zone and our makeup starts slipping off before we get out the door, it’s not so desirable anymore. Sound familiar? We’ve got you. 

Although summer is the season of sitting beach-side sipping iced lattes, it can also be the season of oily skin woes for many of us, so much so that you might feel the need to eliminate products that cause more shine, like a moisturiser. Well, skimming out on your moisturiser might actually be making the problem worse. With high humidity causing water loss, salty swims and dryness from too long spent in the sun (we hope by now we don’t need to remind you to use SPF), our skin needs moisturiser in summer just as much as it does in winter. What we can tell you, however, is that finding a good lightweight gel moisturiser to add to your routine can help to keep you glowing, sans oil.  

Whether the unrelenting balmy summer nights gets the better of your t-zone, or you’re a long-time oily skin girl, these are the best gel hydrators to have on your radar this summer. Bring on the humid days, we say!

LANEIGE Water Bank Blu HA Gel Moisturiser

LANEIGE has earned a cult status name among Korean skincare enthusiasts and it’s not hard to see why—the brand is known for its groundbreaking water-based formulas that deliver dewy glass-like skin. Luckily for those of us with oily skin types, the LANEIGE Water Bank Blu HA Gel Moisturiser does just that, but without the shiny t-zone.  The formula is lightweight and oil-free, combining mint leaf extract and blue hyaluronic acid to cool and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. The perfect summer skincare addition. 

SHOP NOW: LANEIGE Water Bank Blu HA Gel Moisturiser, $58

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream

No doubt you’ve heard of Kiehl’s famed Ultra Facial Cream, but did you know it has an oil-free gel sibling? That’s right, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream is here to answer our shiny girl prayers. The moisturiser is non-greasy and is ideal for normal to oily skin types, packed full of skin loving ingredients like glacial glycoprotein to protect the skin from temperature changes (much needed this Australian summer) and aid in water retention. 

SHOP NOW: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, $62

Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream

Ultra nourishing, yet lightweight enough to use all summer long, the Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream is an oily-skin saviour. The whipped gel-cream texture instantly melts into the skin and thanks to real probiotic rich Greek Yoghurt (yes, real), the skin is left calm, nourished and radiant. Get ready to have skin that looks and feels as fresh as a Mediterranean holiday. 

SHOP NOW: Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream, $50

Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser

 Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser has long been an icon for good reason. Although it may have fallen off our radars over the last few years, trust us when we say it’s still one of the best. The lightweight gel formula contains Clinique’s Auto-Replenishing technology to assist the skin in rehydrating itself and locking in moisture, leaving you with skin that is refreshed, plump and—most importantly—shine-free. 

SHOP NOW: Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturiser, $70

Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream

As if the name alone doesn’t already scream ‘perfect summer moisturiser’, we’re here to tell you that Alpha-H’s High Tide Water Cream with Australian River Mint is an oily-skin dream. The feather-light jelly texture drenches the skin with ingredients like native river mint, hyaluronic acid and squalane, yet manages to soak in seamlessly leaving nothing behind except a radiant and non-shiny complexion. Spend summer days chasing high tides, without the shine. 

SHOP NOW: Alpha-H High Tide Water Cream, $79.95

Go-To Very Lightweight Moisturiser

Perfect to help combat oily skin over the summer months and beyond is Go-To’s Very Lightweight Moisturiser. Formulated specifically for oily and acne prone skin, the gel-cream moisturiser packs a punch in more ways than one. Ingredients like ceramides help to fight dehydration, while clover flower extract works to regulate oil production in the skin. What’s more, the product is housed in Go-To’s very own refillable pod, so you can beat the humidity and packaging waste. 

SHOP NOW: Go-To Very Lightweight Moisturiser, $55

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel 

A reliable and supercharged gel moisturiser that’s often overlooked is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel. Packed full of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, amino acids and electrolytes that aid in absorption, this weightless water gel will leave you with fresh, glowing and plump skin all summer long. The best part? You can pick this one up at your local pharmacy or supermarket, so there’s no excuse not to try it. 

SHOP NOW: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel, $24.39 

Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Balancing Gel Moisturiser

Designed to combat excess oil and support a healthy skin microbiome, the Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Balancing Gel Moisturiser is about to become a new summer favourite. The gel formula is fast absorbing and contains encapsulated probiotics, squalane and bisabolol which work together to balance, soothe and provide weightless hydration. Delivering enough nourishment and hydration that it can be used alone, yet lightweight enough that it is perfect to get us through on those high humidity days shine-free, this moisturiser can do no wrong. 

SHOP NOW: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Balancing Gel Moisturiser, $99

Hada Labo Intense Hydrating Skin-Plumping Gel

Last, but certainly not least, is Japanese skincare brand Hada Labo’s Intense Hydrating Skin-Plumping Gel. Hada Labo is Japan’s number one selling skincare brand and even though it only landed at major Australian retailers in 2023, it’s no surprise that their gel moisturiser is already one for the books. A silky, velvet-soft texture, the gel is rich in Hada Labo’s famed Super Hyaluronic Acid formulation to moisturise and plump the skin without the heaviness of a cream. Providing long-lasting hydration, the formula absorbs nicely into the skin and sits perfectly under your favourite SPF or skin tint all day long.  

SHOP NOW: Hada Labo Intense Hydrating Skin-Plumping Gel, $35.95