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Byrdie / Kristin Kempa
If you struggle with breakouts, there are some skincare products you should avoid but one you should never skip: moisturizer. Most likely, you’re using treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and/or tretinoin to treat your acne, which can leave it a bit vulnerable to redness and irritation. With the right moisturizer, you can protect your skin barrier and treat breakouts simultaneously.
Still, finding a moisturizer for acne-prone skin that doesn't clog pores or make skin feel uncomfortably tight or greasy can be challenging. That’s why we tested 19 different moisturizers to discover which truly met their acne-fighting claims. After consistently using each moisturizer over four weeks, we rated each formula on consistency, absorption, hydration, and the overall improvement of our skin. Here are the best moisturizers that hydrate and help treat acne.
Best Overall
Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer
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Sephora
Reduces breakouts
Hydrates skin without feeling heavy or greasy
Pairs well with other products
Takes a few minutes to absorb
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, hordeum vulgare leaf juice | Skin Type: Acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Tata Harper is known for high-performing skincare products boasting ingredients grown on the brand’s Vermont farm, and this moisturizer from the brand did not disappoint. While traditional acne products can be harsh and medicinal, this formula uses a blend of plant oils and botanical extracts to fight blemishes. After using the moisturizer consistently for one month, we had fewer breakouts, and any blemishes we had were less red and puffy than usual. This checks out—the formula’s two key ingredients are jojoba oil and honey, both of which are known to heal acne and boost hydration without clogging pores. We loved the smooth, soothing consistency of the moisturizer and the light botanical scent. It did take a few minutes for the formula to absorb into our skin, but once our skin soaked it up, the moisturizer didn’t feel heavy or greasy.
Who It’s For
If you’ve tried every acne-fighting product out there but haven’t found a winning formula, we recommend investing in this unique plant-powered moisturizer that reduces breakouts and increases hydration.
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Byrdie / Rachel Marek
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Amazon
Wallet-friendly
Reduces frequency and severity of breakouts
Lightweight and hydrating
Slightly strong fragrance
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, soy | Skin Type: Acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Using a moisturizer with salicylic acid is a good way to keep breakouts at bay, explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that removes excess oil and dead cells from the skin to keep the pores clear. However, since this ingredient can be a bit drying, you run the risk of overdoing it and drying out your skin. With only a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid, this Aveeno moisturizer gently unclogs without causing dryness. In fact, whenever we applied this moisturizer, we got a refreshing dose of hydration. Although we enjoyed the scent, it didn’t linger either. We used this moisturizer daily, and our breakouts decreased not only in frequency but also in severity. A huge win for us.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for an effective moisturizer without a hefty price tag, this drugstore-favorite brand delivers an acne moisturizer that delivers the results you would expect from a much more expensive product. It reduces acne, hydrates skin, and evens tone and texture, all in a sleek pump bottle.
Best Splurge
Dr. Barbara Stürm Clarifying Face Cream
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D.r Barbara Stürm
Luxurious feel
Treats acne and aging
Doesn’t irritate skin
Unpleasant smell
Key Ingredients: Zinc, macadamia nut oil, vitamin C and E | Skin Type: Acne-prone, mature | SPF: None | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Yes, spending over $200 on a cream may seem like a huge investment, but considering that this one treats both acne and fine lines and wrinkles, the price is relatively reasonable because you are practically getting two products in one. Formulated by the revolutionary Dr. Barbara Sturm, this cream helps those with both acne and anti-aging concerns. Zinc removes excess sebum that can contribute to pimples, while a blend of plant oils strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier and restores its balance. Vitamins C and E help prevent aging and reveal a brighter, more radiant tone. The result is a thick, creamy moisturizer that absorbs quickly and leaves a lightweight, hydrated feel. We weren’t a fan of the medicinal scent, but eventually, we got used to it.
Who It’s For
With vitamins, plant oils, and minerals, this is a worthy investment for those who want to treat both acne and signs of aging in one product.
Best Gentle
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
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Amazon
Good for sensitive skin
Extremely lightweight
Moisturizing
Doesn’t have SPF
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid | Skin Type: Acne-prone, sensitive | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Murad is a tried-and-true brand you can count on when caring for acne-prone skin. With that said, our number one pick is the Clarifying Water Gel, an oil-free, noncomedogenic 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. Thanks to its water gel texture, the moisturizer was extremely lightweight, and we couldn’t feel it on our faces. We have very sensitive skin, yet we didn't have any irritation, redness, or tingling when using this product. By the end of the testing period, our skin was clearer and more hydrated. While we wish this formula contained SPF, its simplicity can be ideal for those with very sensitive skin.
Who It’s For
Those with highly sensitive skin who can’t stand heavy products and complicated formulas will enjoy this gentle, water-gel moisturizer.
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Byrdie / Dana Ingemann
Best for Redness
Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Moisturizer
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Dr. Jart
Reduces the look of redness and skin irritation
Lightweight
Leaves skin with a healthy glow
Hydration doesn’t last all day
Key Ingredients: Tea tree leaf extract, niacinamide | Skin Type: Inflamed, acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.69 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
One of the most annoying side effects of acne is skin redness. Thankfully, with moisturizers like this one from Dr. Jart+, you can soothe inflammation instantly. The main active ingredient is tea tree leaf extract, which is known to kill acne-causing bacteria, as well as decrease inflammation. The moisturizer also features a Green Calming Complex—including green tea extract and aloe vera—to soothe and hydrate. Every time we applied this lightweight moisturizer to our skin, we felt a refreshing cooling sensation and watched our skin’s redness disappear. We were left with rejuvenated, glowy skin, likely due to the niacinamide, which further helps to reduce redness and brighten blemishes. We also appreciated how the moisturizer didn’t leave a residue or clog pores, and we didn’t notice a spike in breakouts during the testing period. While we adored the initial glow the cream gave us, it didn’t necessarily last all day, so we recommend reapplying throughout the day for glass skin.
Who It’s For
Whether you are suffering from active breakouts and/or leftover acne scars, this moisturizer calms redness and prevents future breakouts.
Best for Oily Skin
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Moisturizer
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Amazon
Mattifying by reducing oil
Primes the skin for makeup
Very lightweight
Can dry out skin at first
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, kojic acid, licorice root | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Oily skin and acne often go hand in hand, and if your skin is truly an oil slick, you might wonder why you even need to use a moisturizer. Well, completely skipping out on hydrating products can cause your skin to overproduce sebum, making it even more oily and susceptible to breakouts. Instead, it’s best to use a noncomedogenic moisturizer like this one from Cetaphil that helps reduce oil and pimples. Salicylic acid works to unclog pores and prevent breakouts while kojic acid and licorice root to help fade acne scars. The formula has a soft and thick feel, yet it instantly dissolves into the skin, absorbing excess oil and leaving our skin smooth, matte, and buttery soft. It does an amazing job as a primer for makeup, as it creates an oil-free, velvety base for foundation and concealer. Granted, it’s not the most hydrating moisturizer we tried, but for those trying to get their oily skin under control, this might provide just the right amount of moisture.
Who It’s For
While this may not be moisturizing enough for those with dry skin, it’s a great product for those who want to mattify their oily skin and create a smooth base for foundation.
Best Oil-Free
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer
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Dermstore
Lightweight and water-like consistency
Absorbs well
Pairs well with other products with active ingredients
Cooling effect
Can leave dark skin looking ashy
Key Ingredients: Essential amino acid derivatives, red marine algae | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you already use strong ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin to treat acne, it’s usually best to skip out on salicylic acid in your moisturizer and instead use a simple cream that soothes and hydrates. This oil-free formula from Kate Somerville is extremely gentle and hydrating, with only amino acids and red marine algae to help plump skin and improve elasticity and firmness. Putting on this cream was a treat, as it provided an immediate cooling effect and seemed to awaken our pores, in a good way. With a lightweight, water-like consistency, it soaked into our skin quickly and layered beautifully with our tretinoin cream and sunscreen. At the end of the testing period, we were a little disappointed that the cream didn’t leave us with more of a glow. Despite the hydration, those with deep skin tones looked a little ashy, similar to how sunscreen can leave darker skin tones looking grayish.
Who It’s For
This moisturizer is ideal for those looking for a simple, oil-free moisturizer that you can easily incorporate into your existing acne-fighting routine. However, it may not work for those with dry skin or darker skin tones.
Best for Dry Skin
skinbetter science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
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Skinbetter
Provides all day hydration
Leaves skin plump and dewy
Smooths and softens
Can pill under makeup
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, vitamin C | Skin Type: Dry, mature, acne-prone | SPF: None | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Having dry skin and acne can make you feel like you’ve been cursed twice, as it can be hard to find products that address both issues without making the other worse. Yet Skinbetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment deeply hydrated our skin without causing breakouts. The magic can be partly explained by ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and jojoba oil which are known to provide superb hydration without clogging pores. While the formula may be too heavy for those with oily skin or those used to light moisturizers, we loved how luxurious it felt on our skin. And unlike some other moisturizers we tested, the hydration lasted all day. Our main complaint was that sometimes the moisturizer caused our makeup to pill, so it might be better to use it at night.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a moisturizer to fix your dry skin without triggering breakouts, this formula will plump and hydrate without any irritation.
Best With SPF
Dermalogica Clearing Defense SPF30
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Dermalogica
Provides SPF without adding shine
Antioxidant protection
Reduces shine
Formula can separate
Key Ingredients: Willow bark, tapioca, green tea extract, Vitamin C | Skin Type: Acne-prone | SPF: SPF 30 | Size: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We all know we are supposed to wear sunscreen every day, but it can be hard to find a sunscreen that doesn’t make breakouts worse when you have acne-prone skin. That’s why we love this Dermalogica moisturizer, which has SPF and acne-fighting ingredients. Thanks to SPF 30 and antioxidant protection from green tea and vitamin C, it’s the perfect product to use in the morning to protect your skin. If you’re worried sunscreen will make your acne-prone skin oily, rest assured that this one uses tapioca to help reduce shine.
Who It’s For
If you want a moisturizer that contains SPF, this one is perfect for acne-prone skin. It’s lightweight and mattifying, yet it still hydrates and helps soothe redness and brighten acne scars over time.
What to Look for in a Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
- Non-Comedogenic Formulation: Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D. stresses the importance of using a noncomedogenic 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 explains.
- Hydrators: Dr. Rabach says it’s also important to look for water-based moisturizers with humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid as these will draw water into the skin to keep skin moisturized. “Usually, these types of moisturizers feel light and aren’t too thick or heavy,” she adds.
- Ingredients: Finally, Dr. Rabach says that acne-prone skin needs a lot of TLC, so it’s best to look for soothing formulations with ingredients such as aloe, vitamin E, and green tea. She also recommends looking for formulas without fragrance, dyes, or alcohol, which can be too drying.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Cieslak is an associate commerce editor, covering all things beauty and fashion. She’s struggled with acne since she was a teenager, so she has a ton of firsthand experience testing different products for acne-prone skin and speaking to dermatologists about the latest ingredients and products.
For this article, Byrdie consulted these experts:
- 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.
- Dr. Marie V. Hayag, MD is a board-certified dermatologist at Fifth Avenue Aesthetics. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and she also teaches in the Dermatology Department’s Surgery clinic.
- Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist and is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
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 any moisturizers for acne-prone skin from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
