Whether you live in a hot climate or have sensitive, acneic skin, you know there are certain moisturizers that do—and definitely do not—work with your barrier. Thick, balmy concoctions are great for those with dry skin or anyone enduring frigid winters with moisture-sucking indoor heating, and lighter, nourishing formulas are great for normal skin types and tepid environments. But if you often struggle with the occasional breakout from these middle-of-the-road moisturizers, it’s not you—it’s likely oil, an oft-utilized ingredient in face creams that works wonders for many skin types, just not yours. Luckily, there’s a bevy of oil-free options awaiting your discovery.

“Oil-free moisturizers are particularly helpful for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin types,” says board-certified dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein, Kseniya Kobets, M.D. “Not because all oils are inherently bad, but because in certain patients they can contribute to congestion, and [they] can also cause sensitivity in skin barrier disruption associated with acne-prone skin.” In short, these formulations shouldn’t be drying or barely there—they should calm and quench the skin, be fast-absorbing, and multitasking to boost consistency of use.