Oil-Free Moisturizer for Hyperpigmentation and Acne Marks: Vitamin C+E vs Niacinamide Compared

Hyperpigmentation and acne marks respond to different ingredients than dullness or dryness alone. What matters most in a moisturizer for this concern is the active ingredient it’s built around. Oil-free texture matters less. Here are five oil-free moisturizers, all sold on Nykaa. Each is compared here on its active ingredient, texture, and review count. Two of these five are built around hyaluronic acid, a humectant. The other three use vitamin C paired with vitamin E, vitamin B5 alone, or niacinamide instead.

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Prices last checked 2026-09-10. We don’t show a price here because it wasn’t checked in the last 24 hours — the listing may have changed. Review counts below show purchase and review volume. They don’t reflect fit or quality.

  • Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Super Bright Gel Moisturizer: It pairs Vitamin C with Vitamin E in a brightening gel formula. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also supports collagen synthesis. Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that helps stabilize it. It has 133,119 reviews.
  • Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer: It’s built around 10% Vitamin B5, also called panthenol. Panthenol is a humectant and emollient. It attracts moisture and supports the skin barrier. It has 98,609 reviews.
  • Plum 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water Moisturiser: It combines 2% niacinamide with rice water. Niacinamide affects melanosome transfer, which relates to how pigmentation appears. It also helps regulate oil production. Rice water adds a soothing, humectant component. It has 66,740 reviews.
  • Ponds Super Light Gel Oil-Free Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid: It’s formulated as a super light gel built around hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws and holds moisture at the skin’s surface. It has 675,918 reviews, the highest count in this set.
  • The Derma Co Oil-free Daily Face Moisturizer With Hyaluronic Acid: It’s positioned as a daily-use moisturizer from a brand built around dermatology-style skincare. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid for surface hydration. It has 6,685 reviews.

For more on niacinamide in serum form, see what each niacinamide serum pairs it with.

If brightening with antioxidants is the priority, pick Dot & Key. If barrier support is the priority, pick Minimalist. If a niacinamide-based formula matters most, pick Plum. If you want a light gel texture, pick Ponds. If you prefer a dermatology-style daily moisturizer, pick The Derma Co.

Shop these oil-free moisturizers on Nykaa

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