The 13 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin That Won’t Make You Breakout
It’s a long-standing skincare myth that acne-prone skin doesn’t need to be moisturized. For years, it’s been thought that adding moisture to breakout-prone skin will only worsen things, but that’s not true. While finding a good moisturizer for your skin can seem like a winding road, truth be told, the best moisturizers for acne prone skin can make a major difference in its health and appearance. No matter what your acne routine looks like, one step to never gloss over is hydrating it since optimal moisture levels are a must to get your skin on the path to clear once and for all.
Our Top Picks
Best for Breakouts: Glo Skin Beauty BHA Clarifying Gel Moisturizer Best for Oily Skin: PCA SKIN Clearskin Best for Softening the Skin: EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer Best Ultralightweight Formula: SkinMedica Ultra Sheer Moisturizer Best for Restoring Skin Barrier: Epionce Renewal Facial Cream Best for Oil-Free Moisturizer: Dermalogica Active Moist Best for Dehydration: SENTÉ Dermal Repair UltraNourish Best for Daily Use: COSMEDIX Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer Best for Redness: Dr. Zenovia Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer Best for Congested Skin: Lancer Skincare The Method: Nourish Oily-Congested Skin Best for Moisturizer with SPF: Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30 Best for Adult Acne: Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer Best for Brightening: Allies of Skin Azelaic and Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum
Shop the Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin
Best for Breakouts: Glo Skin Beauty BHA Clarifying Gel Moisturizer
$60.00
This oil-free gel moisturizer, formulated with salicylic acid to help clarify the skin and prevent future breakouts, calms the skin and leaves it with a healthy matte glow. A blend of marine extracts and skin-calming botanicals conditions the skin and restores hydration levels for optimal radiance.
Key Ingredients: Lactic and salicylic acids, marine extracts
Skin Type: Acne-Prone
Beauty Insider Tip: Apply a thin, even layer to the face and neck and massage lightly into the skin morning and night.
Best for Oily Skin: PCA SKIN Clearskin
327 reviews
$61.00
This gentle moisturizer is perfect for oily skin that also easily flares up and helps control sebum production for less oily, shiny skin. Plus, the skin-soothing formula reduces redness related to breakouts so that your complexion is more evenly toned.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, borage seed oil, cucumber extract
Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Normal, and Sensitive
Beauty Insider Tip: When using during the day, always apply a layer of sunscreen to protect the skin from UV damage.
Best for Softening the Skin: EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer
870 reviews
$47.00
Rough, dry skin doesn’t stand a chance against this long-lasting moisturizer, which retains hydration while smoothing out uneven texture. Thanks to non-irritating willow bark, the oil-free formula helps to stimulate skin cell turnover, giving way to a smoothing effect and increasing the skin’s ability to retain moisture all day.
Key Ingredients: Willow bark extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: Oily, Sensitive
Beauty Insider Tip: The more you use this moisturizer, the thicker the epidermis will become.
Best Ultralightweight Formula: SkinMeduca Ultra Sheer Moisturizer
186 reviews
$60.00
Acne-prone skin does well with lightweight moisturizers that won’t clog the pores or leave behind any greasy residue. This non-comedogenic one helps to deeply hydrate the skin without instigating breakouts while preventing free radical damage for healthier skin.
Key Ingredients: Vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: To maintain hydrated skin, apply a small amount to the palm of your hand and gently massage it into the face, neck, and chest, followed by sunscreen.
Best for Restoring Skin Barrier: Epionce Renewal Facial Cream
130 reviews
$102.00
No matter your skin type, it needs hydration daily to maintain a healthy barrier that allows the skin to defend itself from damaging elements. This moisturizing cream, which doubles as an anti-aging treatment, works to decrease inflammation in the skin while strengthening its barrier function so that the skin can regenerate and repair itself naturally, giving way to a more youthful appearance.
Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam, flax seed, rosehip, safflower, avocado extracts
Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive, Normal
Beauty Insider Tip: When used up to three times per day, this moisturizing cream helps reduce the visible appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
Best Oil-Free Moisturizer: Dermalogica Active Moist
121 reviews
$76.00
Acne-prone skin and unnecessary oils can be a bad pairing, which is why most dermatologists always advise acneic skin to stick with oil-free skincare products, moisturizer included. We like that this oil-free formula is light on the skin yet lends a dose of calming hydration to protect against moisture loss and help heal compromised skin.
Key Ingredients: Silk protein, burdock, sage, cucumber
Skin Type: Normal, Combination, Oily
Beauty Insider Tip: This sheer formula works best when applied to damp skin.
Best for Dehydration: SENTÉ Dermal Repair UltraNourish
14 reviews
$179.00
Naturally dry skin often requires a double dose of moisture to prevent dehydration, which can compromise its health and render it more susceptible to damage. Loaded with skincare ingredients that help replenish lost lipids while smoothing the surface, this soft-to-the-touch cream also helps diminish the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and redness for deeply hydrated skin.
Key Ingredients: Heparan sulfate analog, lipid blend, ceramides, vitamin E
Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive
Beauty Insider Tip: Try using this moisturizer on rosacea-prone skin in the winter to restore balance and moisture to the skin.
Best for Daily Use: COSMEDIX Harmonize Microbiome Boosting Moisturizer
$68.00
One of the best ways to hydrate the skin while preventing breakouts is to use a moisturizer with probiotics, like this one. Perfect for helping to balance out the complexion while smoothing out the skin’s texture, this fruit-and-plant-rich cream strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier so that it looks well-hydrated and more vibrant.
Key Ingredients: Mango fruit, lactobacillus ferment, chlorella extract, grape, ginger, and frankincense extracts
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: Has a nice, light, refreshing scent for an uplifting experience.
Best for Redness: Dr. Zenovia Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer
3 reviews
$40.00
Acne-prone skin often displays signs of redness, a sign of inflammation, that can leave behind discoloration and spots as the skin heals. This soothing daily-use moisturizer not only leaves skin hydrated for hours on end, but it also helps to reduce skin redness for a more even tone and a natural, healthy glow.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, aloe vera, curated antioxidant blend, REG-ulate360 Complex™, bakuchiol
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: Use the moisturizer with the Dr. Zenovia Skin Care Clear Complexion Regimen for even better results.
Best for Congested Skin: Lancer Skincare The Method: Nourish Oily-Congested Skin
2 reviews
$130.00
When congested skin and clogged pores are an issue, finding the right moisturizer is key to preventing problems from worsening. This lightweight formula reduces oil production and minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, imparting long-lasting hydration so skin looks refined and less problematic.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, sodium hyaluronate, lilac stem cells
Skin Type: Oily
Beauty Insider Tip: To moisturize the eye area, apply a small amount of the moisturizer to the surrounding skin, which is gentle enough for the delicate skin.
Best Moisturizer with SPF: Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45
5 reviews
$49.00
Sunscreen is a skincare nonnegotiable, but not all formulas offer the added benefit of moisture while being suitable for acne-prone skin. Luckily, this one does both to protect the skin from unnecessary sun exposure and potential damage while keeping oily and breakout-prone skin in check. All that’s left behind is perfectly hydrated skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, oil-trapping microspheres, avocado and African yellow wood bark extracts
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: The oil-trapping microspheres instantly mattify and blur imperfections, helping to reduce the appearance of pores by 54%.
Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30
$32.00
When it comes to finding a good moisturizer for sensitive skin, many factors go into making it a match. We like this ultra-lightweight reparative moisturizer, packed with UVA and UVB filters, for more sensitive skin types since it leaves skin feeling soft, moisturized, and supple yet never irritated.
Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, glycerin
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: To make the most of your sunscreen efforts, make sure to pair this daily-use SPF with long-sleeve shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses when outdoors.
Best for Adult Acne: Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
229 reviews
$65.00
Despite the myths, moisturizing acne-prone skin, especially when adult acne is a problem, is a must since hydration is necessary to keep the skin’s functional systems running properly. This anti-breakout moisturizer helps exfoliate the skin and break up debris within the pores that cause breakouts, so it’s better balanced and well-hydrated for a bump-free complexion.
Key Ingredients: Cucumber juice, willow bark extract, yogurt, tea tree oil, calendula oil, Biocomplex2™
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone
Beauty Insider Tip: For a lighter application, emulsify the moisturizer in the palms of your hands with a few drops of water.
Best for Brightening: Allies of Skin Azelaic and Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum
$99.00
One of the side effects of stubborn acne is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is known to leave behind hard-to-erase discoloration and spots. This hydrating serum works hard to lighten dark spots on the skin while helping to minimize enlarged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads for more evenly toned and smoother skin.
Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, kojic acid, hexylresorcinol complex, ribose, licorice, bakuchiol
Skin Type: All Skin Types
Beauty Insider Tip: The blend of acids helps to clear up breakouts and prevent new ones from forming
FAQs
Should You Moisturize If You Have Acne?
All skin types need to be moisturized daily, including acne-prone skin. While it may sound counterintuitive to wear a moisturizer over breakouts and blemishes, truth be told, hydration can help keep breakouts at bay if you use one of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin. That’s because inflammation and acne go hand in hand, and the right moisturizer can limit that while improving the water content in the skin and providing other skin-friendly benefits.
But that’s not the only reason to moisturize the skin if you have acne. A good moisturizer can also defend the skin against dryness from anti-acne products while soothing and nourishing it and helping protect the skin barrier. Plus, skipping moisturizing can cause the skin to produce more oil, increasing breakouts.
Which Type of Moisturizer is Best for Acne-Prone Skin?
The best moisturizers for acne-prone skin are those that work well with your skin type since different skin types have different needs. Acne-prone skin tends to do well with lightweight lotions and creams and gel-based formulas that contain ingredients such as glycerin, aloe, and panthenol, as well as ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Finding the right moisturizer for your skin may take trial and error.
Is Moisturizing Good for Acne?
Not only is moisturizing the skin good for acne, but it can also help clear it up. Some moisturizers made for acne-prone skin contain skin-clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol, which help limit the incidence of breakouts and make any current ones heal even faster.
How Often Should You Moisturize With Acne?
There’s no hard and fast rule about how often to moisturize the skin if you have acne, but most dermatologists recommend at least once per day, sometimes twice, if your skin can handle it. The key is to use the right moisturizer for your skin and ensure it is oil-free and non-comedogenic.
The Bottom Line
Keeping acne-prone skin well hydrated in an effort to keep the skin clear and blemish-free. No matter what type of moisturizing formula you gravitate towards, the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin are oil-free and non-comedogenic, not to clog the pores and instigate breakouts. Sometimes, finding the right moisturizer for acne-prone skin takes a bit of trial and error, but once you find one that you like and is compatible with your skin, the benefits of regular moisturizing will shine through.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and beauty expert with more than 16 years of experience. She previously held the title of Executive Beauty Editor at NewBeauty magazine, where she reported on beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health and wellness. She was also instrumental in the launch of the beauty supplement brand Hush & Hush. A self-professed beauty junkie and retinol and sunscreen pusher, Elise knows what’s new, what works and who’s the best to go for every procedure under the sun. Follow Elise on Facebook, Instagram, and on her beauty blog, elisetabin.com
Related Posts
Your Beauty Checklist: How to Prep Your Skin and Hair for Your Holiday Parties
