12 Best Moisturizers for Acne

If you have acne-prone skin, then the last thing you’ll want is for your moisturizer to block your pores. You’re going to want something that is lightweight and will allow your skin to breathe while still hydrating and protecting your skin. 

Your best bet is to look out for moisturizers that are oil-free, which is particularly important if you have oily skin. This will help to stop your skin from producing even more oil, which can clog pores and lead to more acne appearing.

Prior to moisturizing give your face a real treat, check our reviews for the Best Facial Steamers, they are a vital part of any facial treatment which you can do at home. They are the ultimate skin decongestant tool, allowing any active ingredients you use on your face afterwards to more effectively sink into your skin.

Best Moisturizers For Dealing With Acne

Below we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best moisturizers you can use if you suffer from acne.

Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly Gel

This unique jelly-like texture penetrates the skin quickly, ensuring fast hydration.

It has an oil-free formula that isn’t sticky and won’t leave a residue on your face, so you don’t have to worry about it blocking your pores. 

It’s a lightweight gel that protects against pollution and is so hydrating, it’s perfect if you have dry skin that is also prone to acne. 

It will strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and improve its resiliency, leaving it smooth, soft, and glowing. 

Murad Clarifying Water Gel Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid 

This moisturizer not only hydrates your skin but also cleanses it. What more could you want for acne-prone skin? 

Key ingredients include salicylic acid to help exfoliate and refine the skin, hyaluronic acid to provide long-lasting hydration and Korean Red Pine Extract to interrupt any bacteria that can cause irritation. 

Being free from any parabens, gluten, and sulfates, it’s suitable for sensitive skin. Cruelty free product.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Dry Skin

As a lightweight formula that has been designed to quickly absorb into the skin without leaving it feeling greasy. 

CeraVe have developed this moisturizer with dermatologists so you can be assured it will be gentle on the skin without aggravating any acne.

It’s suitable for all skin types including oily, sensitive, dry, and normal. 

To use this moisturizer, you should apply it liberally and as often as needed. It’s also suitable for the face and body. 

Fragrance free, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic product.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Long-Lasting Facial Moisturizer 

Coming with SPF 15, this moisturizer will not only help with your acne-prone skin but will also protect your face from any harmful UV rays that can lead to ageing. 

This moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated for up to 12 hours without clogging pores.

Being a sheer formula, it will also absorb quickly to leave it feeling soft and smooth. 

You can wear it alone or with makeup to help provide you with smoother, softer, and clearer skin. 

Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dye-free, alcohol-free and oil-free and non-comedogenic product.

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer

This is a weightless moisturizer that has been specially created for acne-prone skin.

It’s been specially designed to moisturize and hydrate your skin without increasing the amount of oil and shine on your skin. 

For best results, you should use this moisturizer at least once a day, but it can be used twice daily if you would also like to double it up as a night cream. 

Also perfect for sensitive skin, this moisturizer does not include any parabens or fragrances. 

Caudalie Vinopure Oil-Control Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin

Caudalie has developed a lightweight and mattifying moisturizer that is still able to hydrate and leave your skin feeling soft.

It will absorb any excess oil and reduce the appearance of blackheads or imperfections. 

Formulated with Grape Seed Polyphenols, these will limit the amount of sebum the skin produces to reduce the number of blackheads.

Silica Powder and Java Seed Extract will mattify the skin and Natural Mediterranean Oil will moisturize and hydrate. 

Over 28 days 93% of customers noticed that their spots and blackheads appeared reduced. 

Vegan and fragrance free product.

Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid

This moisturizer is also an acne treatment and has been formulated with 1% salicylic acid to help gently exfoliate your skin and clear up and prevent any blackheads and acne. 

Also infused with bamboo charcoal, this key ingredient will absorb any impurities such as excess sebum. 

It will keep your face hydrated all day long while clearing and exfoliating the skin.

A powerful product that ticks all the boxes if you have acne-prone skin. 

Bioderma Sebium Mat Control Mattifying and Moisturizing Face Cream

Control any amount of shine with this mattifying moisturizer.

It moisturizes acne-prone skin without leaving it feeling greasy or with any excess residue on the face. It has been formulated with a special powder that will instantly soften and mattify for up to eight hours. 

Apply to the skin at least once a day or both morning and night.

For maximum results, you can pair it with Bioderma’s Sebium H2O or foaming gel. 

Expect this moisturizer to target sebum and keep your pores from becoming blocked while also reducing the appearance of any irregularities such as blemishes. 

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream Fresh Hydration

This is a fast-absorbing hydrating gel cream that will leave your skin looking and feeling more balanced while also retaining essential moisture and without any annoying greasy residue. 

Formulated with cucumber and imperarta cylindrica root extract and antarcticine, these ingredients will help to soothe and condition the skin.

This product will seal in your moisture without causing any excess shine. 

It’s been created for normal to oily skin and should be applied to cleansed and toned skin. You can use it day or night. 

Yes to Watermelon Daily Gel Moisturizer

Hydrate and nourish your skin with this watermelon and antioxidant-infused moisturizing gel.

It’s been designed for all skin types so it can still be used on acne-prone skin and will leave it looking refreshed, brighter and smoother. 

Key ingredients include watermelon extract, vitamin C and lycopene, all of which will help to brighten, plump and hydrate your skin to leave it looking and feeling its very best. 

You’ll want to use this moisturizing gel after cleansing your face. Make sure it is free from makeup, dirt and grime and apply once or twice a day for the best results. 

Vegan, cruelty-free & leaping bunny certified.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Salicylic Acid Acne-Fighting Daily Face Moisturizer for Breakout Prone Skin

This unscented, acne-fighting moisturizer will help to prevent breakouts and even out your skin tone.

Infused with salicylic acid, this powerful ingredient fights acne by gently exfoliating the skin and removing any build-up that can lead to future breakouts.   

As well as fighting acne, it will still leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Being hypoallergenic, it can even be used on sensitive skin.

It won’t clog pores and feels gentle when applied. 

You can use this moisturizer up to three times daily, but you should start with one application a day and then gradually apply more if you feel it is needed, using it a maximum of three times a day.  

Oil-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic product.

PCA Skin Clearskin Lightweight Face Moisturizer

Hydrate and soothe your acne-prone skin with this moisturizer.

It’s been created for normal to oily acne-prone skin thanks to its purifying ingredients. It will help to repair moisture levels and reduce any discolouration that can occur from breakouts. 

This moisturizer will reduce any redness and also control breakouts while also balancing your skin’s oil production to help promote a clearer complexion. 

You should apply a small amount to your face every morning and evening after cleansing the face.

You can apply it along with an SPF during the day to protect your skin from those damaging UV rays. 

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When choosing a moisturizer for your acne-prone skin there are key elements you’re going to want to look out for.

Firstly, you’ll want a lightweight moisturizer as this will reduce the chance of your pores clogging which can lead to breakouts.

Next, if you have oily skin, you may want to choose an oil-free moisturizer as this will reduce the amount of shine and sebum produced on your face. Sebum can lead to blackheads and along with breakouts, this is no doubt something you’ll want to avoid. 

Many skincare brands now have the option to purchase moisturizers that actually help to fight acne. These are usually infused with salicylic acid which is a powerful acne-fighting ingredient thanks to how it gently exfoliates and removes any build-up on the face. 

Whatever moisturizer you decide to go for, make sure you’re applying it to freshly cleansed skin for the best results and at least once a day if you want to see results.