buuk.top / Chloe Jeong
If you struggle with breakouts, there are some skincare products you should avoid but one you should never skip: moisturizer. Still, finding a moisturizer for acne-prone skin that doesnt clog pores, cause irritation, or make skin feel uncomfortably tight or greasy can be challenging. "Look for moisturizers that are labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic, as they are less likely to clog pores," advises dermatologist Marie V. Hayag, MD of Fifth Avenue Aesthetics.
Finding a good moisturizer for acne-prone skin is especially important if youre using a treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can dry out the complexion. According to Dr. Hayag, water-based products containing humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid are ideal. She also recommends looking for soothing ingredients such as aloe, vitamin E, and green tea.
So, how do you know which cream, gel, or lotion is best? We spent hours researching the most popular and best-selling products available today, combed through customer reviews, and sought guidance from Dr. Hayag to find out.
Keep scrolling for the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion at Amazon
Cetaphil Fragrance Free Moisturizing Lotion at Amazon
EltaMD Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 at Amazon
Tula Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer at Amazon
111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream at Amazon
CosRx AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer at Amazon
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture at Amazon
Paulas Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer
Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid at Amazon
In This Article
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Non-comedogenic
Oil-free formula
Hydrates with humectants
Gel formula takes a while to absorb into skin
Murad is a tried-and-true brand you can count on when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin. With that said, our number one pick is the Clarifying Water Gel, an ultra-lightweight, non-comedogenic formula.
It hydrates with hyaluronic acid, heals and soothes with ginger root extract, and keeps breakouts at bay with a very mild dose of salicylic acid. We also like that this oil-free moisturizer contains Korean red pine extract, a natural antimicrobial that inhibits the spread of acne-causing bacteria.1
Active Ingredients: Allantoin | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Budget
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Budget-friendly
Non-comedogenic
Oil-free formula
Not hydrating enough for drier skin
On a budget? Go with CeraVe. This dermatologist-approved lotion is oil-free and non-comedogenic, offering lightweight hydration with essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides | Skin Type: Normal to Dry | SPF: None | Size: 12 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
No
Best Drugstore
Cetaphil Fragrance Free Moisturizing Lotion
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Ulta
Budget-friendly
Non-comedogenic
Replenishes skin barrier
Not oil-free
From the pharmacy aisle, were all about Cetaphil. This generously sized pump bottle is chock full of skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E, and glycerin. While it does contain a small amount of plant-derived oil, the idea is that it balances your complexion to help it produce less oil.2
Active Ingredients:Vitamins E and B5 | Skin Type: Dry and Sensitive | SPF: None | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best With SPF
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Dermstore
View On Dermstore
View On Walmart
Provides broad UV protection
Non-comedogenic
Invisible finish gives a natural look
Pricey
When it comes to moisturizers with sun protection, board-certified dermatologist Martha H. Viera, MD, FAAD, says, "You need to avoid heavy oils that can clog the pores." She recommends EltaMD UV Clear, a non-comedogenic formula that provides invisible SPF 46 protection.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Niacinamides | Skin Type: Acne-Prone and Sensitive| SPF: 46 | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Treatment
Tula Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Dermstore
Anti-inflammatory ingredients
Non-comedogenic
Airtight container
Pricey
Tula Breakout Star contains BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) superhero salicylic acid, which Dr. Hayag says is one of the best ingredients for treating acne.3"It is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and helps exfoliate the skin," she tells buuk.top.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2% | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Splurge
111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2
Amazon
View On Dermstore
Its lightweight
Leaves skin glowing
A little goes a long way
Has a strong fragrance
Sure, its expensive, but just one pump of 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2—a lighter version of the brands best-selling day cream—is enough to moisturize your entire face. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, niacinamide to decrease inflammation, and antioxidants, which create a barrier to shield skin from irritants. Plus, the product contains a proprietary complex called NAC Y2, which 111Skin promises can reduce the effects of environmental damage. The formulation wont clog pores, but it will plump skin and blur the appearance of fine lines.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamides and NAC Y2 | Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone, and Combination| SPF: None | Size: 1.69 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best K-Beauty
CosRx AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer
Dermstore
View On Dermstore
View On Walmart
Budget-friendly
Oil-free formula
Heals acne
Propolis may trigger allergies
From the Korean beauty brand that were all growing to love, CosRx Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer is a clutch for balancing acne-prone skin. It offers light hydration and contains anti-inflammatory ingredients with healing properties like propolis, green tea, aloe, and allantoin.4567
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaves Extract 71.2% | Skin Type: Sensitive, Oily, Combination, and Combination | SPF: None | Size:1.7 ounces |Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best A.M.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen
Amazon
Budget-friendly
Contains SPF for UV protection
Lightweight in feel
Slightly tacky when first applying
In the morning, reach for Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture. This non-irritating, lightweight lotion goes on sheer and offers broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection from the suns harmful rays.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 1.5%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 3%, and Oxybenzone 4% | Skin Type: Sensitive | SPF: 15 | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
No
Best P.M.
Paulas Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Dermstore
Oil-free formula
Anti-inflammatory ingredients
Replenishes skin barrier
Not hydrating enough for drier skin
For your evening skincare routine, we recommend Paulas Choice Clear. Infused with ceramides, humectants, licorice root extract, and niacinamide, this oil-free moisturizer pulls out all the stops to calm, hydrate, and replenish acne-prone complexions.
Active Ingredients: 0.5% Salicylic Acid 0.5% | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | SPF: None | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Mattifying
Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Dermstore
Matte finish
Balances oil production
Non-comedogenic
Could come in larger size
Were also loving Caudalie Vinopure, a mattifying lotion that simultaneously hydrates and absorbs greasiness to balance acne-prone skin. The secret? Olive-derived squalene, the type of oil your skin naturally produces. The idea is that when your skin is replenished with squalene, it wont produce as much.
Active Ingredients: Java Tea Extract and Grape Seed Polyphenols | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | SPF: None | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Hydrating
Tatcha The Water Cream
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Walmart
Oil-free formula
Anti-inflammatory ingredients
Balances oil production
Unhygienic container
From everyones favorite Japanese skincare brand, The Water Cream is a stellar hydrator for thirsty, acne-prone skin. Boasting an oil-free formula, it contains a nourishing and soothing blend of green tea, algae, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts.
Active Ingredients:Japanese Camellia Oil (Tsubaki) and Hadasei-3 | Skin Type: All | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
buuk.top / Ashley Rebecca
What Our Testers Say
"There was no heavy or sticky residue, and once the cream was absorbed, my skin felt comfortable." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Retexturizing
ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer
Target
View On Target
View On Nordstrom
Lightly exfoliates
Minimizes uneven texture
Boosts complexion
Unhygienic container
Not oil-free
Rosen Tropics Moisturizer oh-so-gently exfoliates with pineapple enzymes to tackle dead skin buildup and uneven texture.8Whats more, the weightless formula offers light hydration while delivering a more radiant complexion with radiance-boosting kojic acid.9
Active Ingredients: Pineapple Extract and Kojic Acid | Skin Type: Oily and Acne-Prone | SPF: None | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Soothing
Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Aveneusa.com
Soothing
Restores skin barrier
Oil-free formula
May cause breakouts for acne-prone skin
If youre dealing with red, reactive skin, your best bet is the Avène Tolerance Control. The kicker is the brands mineral-rich thermal spring water, which has been shown to soothe inflammation while offering healing and hydrating benefits.10
Active Ingredients: D-Sensinose| Skin Type:Sensitive | SPF: None | Size: 1.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best for Blackheads
Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer
Amazon
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Great winter moisturizer
Gets rid of acne quick, especially whiteheads
Prevents breakouts
The smell
Blackheads bumming you out? Thanks to a blend of bamboo charcoal and salicylic acid, you can count on Origins Clear Improvement to unclog your pores and dissolve sebum while preventing more blemishes from forming.11
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 1% | Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Gel
Base Butter Radiate Face Jelly
Base Butter
View On Madewell.com
Balances oil production
Minimal ingredients
Natural formula
Might irritate sensitive skin on first use
If youre partial to gels, Radiate Face Jelly has your name on it. While this natural moisturizer contains some plant oils, its formulated to balance oil production without clogging your pores. You can expect a dewy, hydrated complexion without a greasy, shiny finish.
Active Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice | Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone, and Combination| SPF: None | Size: 2 ounces | Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best for Mature Skin
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer
Dermstore
View On Amazon
View On Sephora
Fragrance free
Helps balance combination skin
Also targets fine lines
Some users say its not as effective on severe or persistent acne
This oil-free moisturizer is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, absorbing quickly to provide moisture without shine. Amino acids help target fine lines, while algae extracts work to tighten mature skin.
Active Ingredients: Amino Acids and Algae Extract | Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Combination| SPF: None | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
The best overall moisturizer for acne-prone complexions is Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion (view at Sephora), a super-lightweight, oil-free formula that hydrates, heals, soothes, and helps prevent breakouts. Looking for a better value? You cant go wrong with CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (view at Amazon), which comes in a generously sized pump bottle and boasts lightweight, non-comedogenic hydration.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Morgan Rabach is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical PLLC, a dermatology and facial plastic surgery practice that she started with her sister, Dr. Lesley Rabach. In addition to her private practice, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Martha H. Viera, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist. Her practice in Coral Gables, Florida, focuses on non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments.
What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Acne
Non-Comedogenic
Dr. Rabach stresses the importance of using a non-comedogenic moisturizer if you have acne-prone skin. “This means you can confidently moisturize your skin knowing that the ingredients will not add to clogging your pores, thus making the acne worse,” she says. “Ingredients that are often avoided in these formulations are oils and other emollients like petrolatum that can clog the pores.”
Humectants
Dr. Rabach says it’s also important to look for water-based moisturizers with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid—like our best overall pick, Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel—as these will draw water into the skin to keep skin moisturized. More importantly, they dont have occlusive properties, which form a protective coating on the skins surface (which can lead to clogged pores and exacerbate acne). “Usually, these types of moisturizers feel light and aren’t too thick or heavy,” she says.
Soothing
Finally, Dr. Rabach says that acne-prone skin needs a lot of TLC, so it’s best to look for soothing formulations. With that said, she says that they should be free of fragrance, dyes, and botanicals (as these can cause skin allergies or irritate the skin) as well as alcohols, which can be too drying. We like the CosRx AC Collection Moisturizer, which contains soothing aloe vera and green tea extract.
Moisturizers formulated specifically for acne-prone skin are typically oil-free or otherwise non-comedogenic, meaning theyre unlikely to clog your pores. Additionally, many contain anti-inflammatory ingredients that help soothe irritation and minimize redness.
Some creams and lotions are also formulated to help clear and prevent breakouts. "Its especially important to moisturize if youre using acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid because they can be drying and irritating to the skin," adds Dr. Hayag.
"Generally, I recommend that those with acne-prone skin moisturize twice a day," says Dr. Hayag. While you might be tempted to use a lotion or cream less often to avoid clogging your pores or creating a greasy look, you shouldnt have this issue with oil-free and non-comedogenic formulas.
Why Trust buuk.top?
Theresa Holland is a skincare enthusiast and freelance commerce writer specializing in cosmetics. For this story, she interviewed two board-certified dermatologists for product suggestions and insight into formulations. She combed through ingredients lists, pored over user reviews, and referenced several peer-reviewed articles before making her final selections. From the above list, Theresa has personally tried Murad, CeraVe, Cetaphil, Neutrogena, Avène, Tatcha, and EltaMD. You can find more of her bylines on MyDomaine.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough moisturizers for acne-prone skin from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@buuk.top.com
and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
Article Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8172577/
Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.2147/CCID.S144180
Woodruff, A, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of a 2% salicylic acid cleanser for improvement of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Savić, Vesna Lj et al. Comparative Study of the Biological Activity of Allantoin and Aqueous Extract of the Comfrey Root. Phytotherapy research : PTR vol. 29,8 (2015): 1117-22. doi:10.1002/ptr.5356
Koch, Wojciech et al. Applications of Tea (Camellia sinensis) and its Active Constituents in Cosmetics. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,23 4277. doi:10.3390/molecules24234277
Sung, Soo-Hyun et al. External Use of Propolis for Oral, Skin, and Genital Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2017 (2017): 8025752. doi:10.1155/2017/8025752
Radha MH, et al. Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.
Mekas M, et al. An Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Novel Enzyme Exfoliation Versus Glycolic Acid in Photodamage Treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015 Nov;14(11):1306-19.
Sarkar R, et al. Cosmeceuticals for Hyperpigmentation: What is Available? J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2013 Jan-Mar; 6(1): 4–11. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.110089.
Merial-Kieny C, Castex-Rizzi N, Selas B, Mery S, Guerrero D. Avène Thermal Spring Water: an active component with specific properties. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2011;25 Suppl 1:2-5. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03892.x.
The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Do Face Masks Really Work? The "Magic" Behind Face Masks — and How to Get the Most Out of Them. Penn Medicine.
Woodruff, A, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of a 2% salicylic acid cleanser for improvement of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
-->