If you’re battling breakouts, you may need to avoid some skin-care products, but there’s one thing you shouldn’t skip: moisturizer. Still, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works well for acne-prone skin without clogging pores, causing irritation, or making the skin feel tight or greasy.
“Look for moisturizers that are labeled oil-free or noncomedogenic, as they’re less likely to clog pores,” advises Marie V. Hayag, MD, a dermatologist at Fifth Avenue Center for Aesthetic Medicine. Choosing a good moisturizer for acne-prone skin is especially important if you use products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can dry out your complexion.
According to Dr. Hayag, water-based products contain humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. She also recommends looking for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, and green tea. So how do you know which cream, gel, or lotion is best?
We spent hours researching today’s most popular and best-selling products, sifting through customer reviews and seeking Dr. Hayag’s advice to find out. Keep scrolling to find the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
1. Murad Clear Oil-Free Hydro-Gel
Murad is a trusted brand you can count on when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin. With that in mind, our top pick is the Clarifying Hydro-Gel, an ultra-light, non-comedogenic formula.
It hydrates with hyaluronic acid, heals and soothes skin with ginger root extract, and curbs breakouts with a very gentle dose of salicylic acid. We also love that this oil-free moisturizer contains Korean red pine extract,
a natural antimicrobial that inhibits the spread of acne-causing bacteria.
2. Best Budget: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: On a budget? Opt for CeraVe. Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this dermatologist-approved lotion contains essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin for lightweight hydration.
3. Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Unscented Moisturizing Lotion: The drugstore is all about Cetaphil. This large pump bottle is packed with niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E, and
glycerin. Although it contains a small amount of plant oil, it is said to even out skin tone and help reduce oil production.
4. Best SPF: EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46: When it comes to moisturizing with sunscreen, dermatologist Dr. Martha H. Viera, FAAD, says, “You should avoid heavy oils because they can clog your pores.”
EltaMD UV Clear, a non-comedogenic formula, has the benefit of an invisible SPF 46.
5. Best Treatment: Tula Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer: According to Dr. Tula Breakout Star, contains: Tula Breakout Star Superhero Salicylic Acid BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). Hayag is one of the best ingredients for treating
acne. 3 “It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and helps exfoliate the skin,” she told Byrdie.
6. Best Treatment: 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2: Sure, it’s expensive, but just one pump of 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2 (a lighter version of the brand’s best-selling day cream) is enough to give you
moisture all over your face.
Ingredients include hyaluronic acid to increase moisture, niacinamide to reduce inflammation, and antioxidants that form a barrier to protect the skin from irritants. Additionally, the product contains a proprietary complex called
NAC Y2, which, according to 111Skin, reduces the effects of environmental damage. The formula won’t clog pores, but it plumps skin and erases fine lines.
7. Best Korean Beauty: CosRx AC Collection Light Soothing Moisturizer: From our favorite growing Korean beauty brand, the CosRx Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer is a nourishing cream that balances acne-prone skin. It provides lightweight hydration and contains therapeutic anti-inflammatory ingredients like propolis, green tea, aloe vera, and allantoin.
8. Best Morning Neutrogena Moisturizing Sunscreen: Use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer in the morning. This cruelty-free, lightweight lotion has a sheer texture and provides broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection against the sun’s harmful rays.
9. Best Afternoon Product: Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer: For your evening skincare routine, we recommend Paula’s Choice Clear. Enriched with ceramides, humectants, licorice root extract, and niacinamide to soothe, this oil-free moisturizer hydrates and refreshes acne-prone skin.
10. Best Mattifying Fluid: Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid: We also love Caudalie Vinopure, an oil-controlling lotion that simultaneously hydrates and absorbs oil to balance acne-prone skin.
The secret? Squalene is derived from olives, an oil naturally produced by the skin. The idea is that when your skin replenishes squalene, it won’t produce as much squalene.
11. Best Moisturizer: Tatcha The Water Cream: This moisturizer from everyone’s favorite Japanese skincare brand is a top-notch moisturizer for thirsty, acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula contains nourishing and soothing ingredients
a blend of green tea, algae, hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts.
12. Best Resurfacer: ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer Rosen Tropics Moisturizer contains bromelain to gently exfoliate and fight dead skin cells and uneven texture. Plus, the lightweight formula delivers a light burst of moisture
and brightening kojic acid to brighten your complexion.
13. Best Soother: Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Restorer If you suffer from red, reactive skin, Avène Tolerance Control is your best bet. The highlight is the brand’s mineral-rich thermal water, which has been shown to…
relieve inflammation while having healing and moisturizing properties.
14. Best for Blackheads: Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer Are you troubled by blackheads? Thanks to its blend of bamboo charcoal and salicylic acid, you can count on Origins Clear Improvement to open pores and dissolve sebum while preventing further blemishes from forming.
15. Best Gel: Basic Butter Radiance Cleanser If you prefer gels, then the Radiance Cleanser is for you. While this natural moisturizer contains some plant oils, it’s formulated to balance oil production without clogging pores. You’ll get a hydrated, dewy complexion without being greasy and shiny.
16. Best for Mature Skin: Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer Designed for acne-prone skin, this oil-free moisturizer absorbs quickly and hydrates without leaving an oily shine. Amino acids help fight fine lines, while seaweed extract firms mature skin.
