The 14 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin, Vetted & Reviewed
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The products that soothed and supported our acne-prone skin.
InStyle / Kristin Kempa
Those of us with acne-prone skin dance a complicated waltz between finding moisturizers that will keep our complexion hydrated without triggering an increase in oil production, or products that don’t strip the skin of valuable nutrients and thus causing yet another flare up. We want something that pairs well with acne-treatments and soothes the skin after a particularly bad breakout. It can be a long and frustrating journey to find the best acne-prone moisturizer that works for you all alone, so we took the reigns and tested 19 of the best rated moisturizers, which were specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, on a range of skin types and concerns during a four week period, then recorded our findings.
But just to set expectations, while these moisturizers are non-irritating and work to hydrate without causing flare-ups, they are not necessarily treatments for acne and blemishes. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. DiAnne Davis says that the best thing you can do for acne-prone skin is to keep pores clear of gunk and grime but the skin soft and supple. On that note, our winning formulas are ahead.
Best Overall: Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer
What We Love: It kept acne at bay even during our cycles.
What We Don’t Love: It takes a few minutes to fully absorb.
Key Ingredients: Honey, jojoba seed oil, glycerin | Size: 1.7 oz
This moisturizer was specifically formulated with acne-prone skin in mind. Rather than stripping away oils and degrading the skin barrier, Tata Harper uses soothing and nourishing botanicals to rebalance and protect the skin. We tested their claims and learned that they’re far from lofty. We usually have some breakouts during our period, but since starting this product, no blemishes appeared with the arrival of Aunt Flo.
The lotion felt smooth and took a moment to fully sink in (we had to give it a minute or two before applying any other product over it), but in general felt very lightweight and friendly. A waft of botanical scents gently touched our noses but disappeared again almost immediately once absorbed. Most of all, we experienced no burning sensation from the ingredients (most of which were derived from nature). After four weeks of daily use, we’re elated to report that we had far fewer breakouts. It also helped reduce redness and puffiness around the cheeks.
Best for Oily Acne-Prone Skin: Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Acne Facial Moisturizer
What We Love: It reduced our breakouts in severity, frequency, and length.
What We Don’t Love: There is a faint oatmeal scent to it which may not be for everyone.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, soybean seed extract, glycerin | Size: 4 oz
For how price-conscious this product is, it worked absolute miracles on our oily and acne-prone skin. Since using this, our breakouts were not as frequent, severe, or long-lasting. Not to mention, after the month-long testing period, our skin looked visibly balanced and more hydrated.
The experience of slathering the lotion on was also pleasant. Almost immediately, the product felt refreshing, light, and comfortable, spreading without any patchiness. We applied this after going over our skin with a cleanser and the lightweight moisturizer helped block the overproduction of oils. Throughout the day, we could feel our skin singing with gratitude for such special treatment. There is a bit of an oatmeal scent to it, which we quite enjoyed but may not be for everyone. Fear not, however, as it never lingered and became undetectable after a few short moments.
Best for Night: Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer
What We Love: This cream paired well with other acne-targeted treatments.
What We Don’t Love: We didn’t see it reduce our blemishes.
Key Ingredients: Encapsulated probiotics, bisabolol, squalane | Size: 1.7 oz
We used this product as part of our nightly skincare routine, as we liked to opt for moisturizer with SPF during the day (more on that below). Every morning when we woke up, we were elated to see how plump and moisturized our skin still looked.
Applying this product felt like our skin was taking a nice gulp of water — it was gentle and quick-absorbing. The texture was something between a gel and a cream, slightly liquidy, and glided over our skin dreamily without ever feeling taut. We layered this formula over a Differin gel and it paired superbly well together — it never felt as though the moisturizer was hindering the acne serums from working their magic. If you use other topical acne-treatment products, this is a great moisturizer to use in tandem.
Best for Before Makeup: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
What We Love: It has mildly mattifying properties which worked as a great basis for foundations.
What We Don’t Love: It’s a little drying, especially when combined with other acne products.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, butylene glycol, glycerin | Size: 3 oz
We deemed this an excellent choice for layering underneath makeup due to its slightly mattifying properties that serve as a primer for foundation. The cream that came out was originally thick right out of the squeeze tube but then felt light and airy once on the face. It got absorbed almost instantly and felt quite indetectable on our faces. For this reason, it was easy to go straight into our beauty routine without any lead time.
We will say however that it’s not the most hydrating of options. Especially when combined with other acne products, it felt quite drying at least for the first week as our skin got used to the new product — likely due to salicylic acid, a powerful acne fighting ingredient — which the label did warn us about beforehand. Still, it was a great option that worked double duty as a fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer and as a base for makeup.
Best Drugstore: CosRx AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer
What We Love: It has a gentle cooling effect that can soothe flare ups.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not hydrating enough for people with dry skin.
Key Ingredients: Propolis extract, aloe leaf water, camellia leaf water, glycerin | Size: 2.7 oz
The thing that set this option apart from the rest was that it had a slightly cooling effect on the skin immediately upon application. It’s not tightening or irritating, but it was a new kind of sensation for us which we could imagine is useful for when there are painful flare ups. The product is between a gel and a cream and it’s rather thin without being runny. As someone with dry skin, the lightweight formula was not quite hydrating enough. It would be an excellent choice for the summer, humid days, or anyone with oily skin, however. It also made layering makeup on top a breeze. As a matter of fact, it kept the makeup from running throughout the day.
Because it cleanses and tightens pores, any kind of acne caused by product build-up was kept at bay. It didn’t necessarily treat old acne scars, but it did prevent new flare ups from occurring.
Best with SPF: Dermalogica Clearing Defense SPF30
What We Love: Our tester typically breaks out when applying new products, but this product kept flare ups at bay.
What We Don’t Love: It stings the eye when it gets into it.
Key Ingredients: Homosalate, octocrylene, butylene glycol | Size: 2 oz
Where typical sunscreens feel heavy and greasy, this one was thin enough to spread easily and didn’t clog our pores. It had a slightly mattifying effect, which made layering makeup over a breeze. And while there wasn’t any itching or burning when it covered our acne, it did sting our eyes if it got into them (pro tip: wash your hands after applying the cream before going into your makeup routine).
One thing to note is that we did see some separation occurring. A simple shake of the bottle allowed the formula to mix well and came out more consistent. We recommend this product for people with normal to oily, sensitive skin, as we noticed it’s more of a sunscreen than a moisturizer. Our tester typically breaks out anytime she applies a new product to her face but this was one of the first times that did not occur.
Best for Mature Skin: Dr Barbara Stürm Clarifying Face Cream
What We Love: It improved the overall hydration level of our skin over time.
What We Don’t Love: It has a slight medicinal scent to it.
Key Ingredients: Purslane extract, macadamia nut oil, vitamin C, vitamin E | Size: 0.7 oz
Dr. Barbara Stürm is known for their pricey skincare products and we’ve put them to the test. While using this moisturizer, we experienced zero breakouts, despite typically having a few when trying out new products. We’re usually quite wary of creams that claim to be for acne as they have a tendency to dry out our skin and irritate it. This one however was soft and gentle, a friendly kiss to the cheek, if you will.
The formula has a medicinal scent to it, which wasn’t a make it or break it detail. It fades in the minutes it takes to fully seep into the skin, however. The cream itself is very luxurious and lightweight — a great hot weather option. We noticed with consistent use that our overall skin hydration improved with time — we no longer experienced any midday dryness.
Best Natural: Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Moisturizer
What We Love: It pairs really well with other acne-treatment products.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not a particularly long-lasting cream.
Key Ingredients: Tea tree leaf extract, glycerin, niacinamide | Size: 1.7 oz
This moisturizer leans on the power of three different tea tree extracts that soothe blemish-prone skin without drying them out. Dr. Jart calls it a natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide, so anyone with sensitive skin (hello, us) who typically experiences irritation from moisturizers would benefit from this option.
The first thing we noticed was how feathery the formula was. Upon application, it has a bit of a cooling effect on the skin without feeling sticky or leaving any residue. After a minute or two, the moisture was fully locked in and even created a nice glow on the skin. We absolutely loved that there was no fragrance, and it worked really well with our other acne-treatment products. If you’re looking for a neutral and gentle moisturizer that doesn’t cause flare ups and layers well with other products, this is it.
Best for Body: Hero Cosmetics Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer
What We Love: It visibly reduced our acne and redness.
What We Don’t Love: It needs to be rubbed in really well (and long) otherwise it flakes.
Key Ingredients: prebiotic sugar complex, sage extract | Size: 2.36 oz
We’ve mentioned a lot of lotions that do not irritate and pair well with acne-prone skin on the face. This option however visibly improves breakouts and redness on the skin below our neck, especially if you’re struggling with back acne.
It wasn’t a day-to-night difference, but enough to give us a boost of confidence with every glance at the mirror. We learned quickly it was important to rub it in thoroughly (and for quite a while), otherwise it wouldn’t properly absorb and leave a flaky residue on the surface. It’s also slightly sticky, which wasn’t the most pleasant experience. For this reason we found it best to use it at night before going to bed to let it work its magic while we snoozed.
Best for Pimples and Dark Spots: Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer
What We Love: It brightened dark spots and kept breakouts from occurring.
What We Don’t Love: The hydration is not very long lasting.
Key Ingredients: Red marine algae, amino acid derivatives, butylene glycol | Size: 1.7 oz
We tested this on skin that’s prone to cystic acne, and the results were very pleasant. The Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer made it so that there were no new acne breakouts and dark spots even started to fade. Where our face typically gets a bit of an itchy sensation whenever introducing new products, this product felt soothing and cooling.
The formula itself is more on the watery side and sinks in very quickly. It felt as though it balanced the hydration levels on our faces perfectly without feeling too dry or too sticky. Because it’s so airy, it layered really well with other products and never had any adversary effects or felt too heavy. It receives bonus points for being fragrance-free.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
What We Love: Despite being very lightweight, it’s extremely hydrating.
What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have any built-in SPF.
We were quite surprised with how hydrating this oil-free gel moisturizer was considering how airy it was. Our skin drank this up like water and almost instantly the gel became indetectable. And yet, we noticed how our skin felt much better throughout the day, holding onto the hydration expertly.
Our skin is prone to hives and acne, getting the occasional allergic reaction to some mystery ingredient. The gel was very gentle over our reactive skin, never creating any burning or irritating sensations. We adored the fact that it was scentless and it certainly wasn’t greasy. The formula gets most of its hydrating capabilities through the hyaluronic acid, while salicylic acid gently clears out the pores. After the testing period, we saw an subtle improvement in the overall appearance of our skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, red pine extract | Size: 1.6 oz
Best Dermatologist-Recommended: Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer
What We Love: It’s incredibly hydrating despite being oil-less.
What We Don’t Love: The bottle is very small.
Key Ingredients: Licorice root, hydrolyzed pumpkin seed cake, niacinamide, ceramides | Size: 0.5 oz
Oil-free options are fantastic for people who’s acne is caused by clogged pores. The lack of oil makes this weightless, as the formula leans on the powers of niacinamide and ceramides to boost hydration instead. Upon application, it took a few moments to fully absorb but the two minute wait was worth it. Once on, it left a glow on our face that looked bright and refreshed.
Mostly we were amazed that after a whole day, our skin remained moisturized (not to be mistaken with oily). While it didn’t necessarily improve breakouts or clear dark spots, it certainly felt gentle and moisturized without the help of pore-clogging oils.
Best Korean: Peach & Lily Peach Slices Acne Oil-Free Moisturizer
What We Love: It’s silicone and scent-free.
What We Don’t Love: If you want a dewy finish, this won’t create it.
Key Ingredients: Acerola, allantoin, cucumber, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid| Size: 2.7 oz
Another great oil-free option is this one from Peach & Lily. We found the consistency to be quite interesting, a very moist and stretchy formula. A tiny blip covers a great surface, making us confident that the bottle will last a while. It took about 30 seconds to fully absorb with no residue left on the skin, creating a very hydrated canvas. It’s neither matte or dewy, but the perfect balance in-between.
It also served as a great base, combined with a primer underneath our makeup, extending its life. The fact that it's unscented is the icing on the cake for those sensitive to fragrance or just prefer products without it included.
Best for Dry Skin: skinbetter science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
What We Love: It plumped our skin and smoothed it over time.
What We Don’t Love: If not fully absorbed, it will cause your makeup to pill.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, glycerin, vitamin C | Size: 1.7 oz
Those suffering from dry skin are going to need a little more TLC on their thirsty skin. When we tested this on sensitive skin prone to eczema, we felt that it was extremely moisturizing. The thick formula was borderline heavy and definitely made the skin look and feel dewy.
While on, it felt very soothing and relaxing – a real treat to the skin, if you will. Because it is rather thick, we had to wait a few minutes before applying any makeup on top otherwise it would start to pill. With daily and consistent use, we noticed our skin was smoother and softer at the end of the testing period.
What to Keep in Mind
Non-Comedogenic Formulas: Finding a formula that is non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t clog your pores and cause further congestion (and more pimples), is essential when shopping for a moisturizer for acne-prone skin — whether it's a luxe brand or drugstore moisturizer. It’s just as helpful to know what not to use, and New York City-based board certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian specifically says to “avoid silicones and lanolin, which can irritate skin and worsen acne.” Other common pore-clogging ingredients to stay far away from include shea butter, coconut oil, algae extract, and cornstarch. If you aren’t sure whether an ingredient is helpful or hurtful, you can check acneclinic.org before rolling the dice and slathering a new cream all over your face.
Hydrating Ingredients: No matter if you have super dry skin or a visage that looks like an oil slick, we all need — at the very least — a bit of extra moisture. “Without a moisturizer, your sebaceous glands may start to produce more oil to hydrate the skin, and this can potentially lead to acne breakouts,” says Dr. Davis. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, glycerin, and ceramides to moisturize and balance the skin’s hydration levels.
Your Questions, Answered.
How often should I apply moisturizer?
“Acneic clients should moisturize their skin daily,” says Sophie Pavitt, a New York City-based esthetician.
“If you are cleansing your face daily, which you should be, then you should be moisturizing your face as well,” adds Dr. Nazarian. “The process of cleansing, even gentle cleansing, removes some of the skin surface hydrators, and therefore moisturizing is a vital and necessary step in every skin care regimen.”
Is using a moisturizer good for acne?
“Even with acne, having an effective moisturizer can rebalance the skin, decrease oil production, and improve the health of your skin while strengthening the barrier,” explains Dr. Nazarian.
Finding a moisturizer that coincides with your skin type is a vital part of an acne-healing journey. For those with oily skin, a gel or lightweight formula might be best, while those with dry skin might want a thicker formula that supplies a heavy dose of hydration.
What step is moisturizer in a skincare routine?
Moisturizer should be applied towards the end of a skincare regimen, after cleansing, and serum or spot treatment applications. A moisturizer should be applied before sunscreen or makeup in a morning routine.
Why Shop With Us
Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with over three years of experience covering fashion and beauty products. In order to write this article, she dove deep into the insights provided by the testers and occasionally followed up with individuals for further clarifications. Jasmine Hyman is a commerce producer and writer for Dotdash Meredith’s beauty and travel publications. Three skin experts, including two board-certified dermatologists were consulted for further tips on buying moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
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