Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin, Backed by Dermatologists

If you’re battling acne, there are some skincare products you should avoid, but there’s one you shouldn’t miss: moisturizer.

However, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that’s good for acne-prone skin and won’t clog pores, cause irritation, or leave your skin feeling tight or greasy.

“Look for moisturizers that are labeled oil-free or noncomedogenic, as they’re less likely to clog pores,” advises Dr. Marie V. Hayag, a dermatologist at Fifth Avenue Aesthetic Medical Center. Choosing a quality moisturizer for acne-prone skin is especially important if you use products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can dry out your complexion.

According to Dr. Hayag, water-based products contain humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. She also suggests looking for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, 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, poring over customer reviews, and taking advice from Seeked Dr. Hayag to find out.

Keep scrolling to find the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.

1. Murad Clear Oil-Free Hydro-Gel

When it comes to caring for acne-prone skin, Murad is a trusted brand you can count on. That’s why our favorite is the Clear Hydro-Gel, an ultra-light, non-comedogenic formula.

It hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid, heals and soothes with ginger root extract, and curbs breakouts with very gentle salicylic acid.

We also love that this oil-free moisturizer contains Korean red pine extract, a natural antimicrobial that inhibits the spread of acne-causing bacteria.

2. Best Value: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion:

Are you on a budget? Then opt for Selevi. Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this dermatologist-recommended lotion contains essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin for light hydration.

3. Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Unscented Moisturizing Lotion: At the drugstore, Cetaphil is everywhere.

This large pump bottle is packed with skincare ingredients like niacinamide (vitamin B3), vitamin E, and glycerin.

Although it contains a small amount of plant oil, it is said to even out skin tone and reduce oil production.

4. Best SPF: EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46: Board-certified dermatologist Martha H. Viera, MD, FAAD, advises moisturizing with sunscreen: “Avoid heavy oils that can clog your pores.”

She recommends EltaMD UV Clear, a non-comedogenic formula with an invisible SPF 46.

5. Best Skincare: Tula Breakout Star Acne-Fighting Moisturizer: Tula Breakout Star contains a high-potency salicylic acid BHA (beta hydroxy acid), according to doctors.

Hayag is one of the best ingredients for treating acne. 3 “It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and helps exfoliate the skin,” she explained to Byrdie.

6. Best Skincare: 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2:

Sure, it’s expensive, but just one pump of 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream Light NAC Y2 (a lightweight version of the brand’s best-selling day cream) is enough to moisturize your entire face.

Ingredients include hyaluronic acid to enhance hydration, niacinamide to reduce inflammation, and antioxidants to form a barrier and protect the skin from irritation.

In addition, the product contains a patented complex called NAC Y2, which 111Skin says reduces the effects of environmental damage.

Rather than clogging pores, the formula plumps the skin and smoothes fine lines.

7. Best Korean Beauty: CosRx AC Collection Light Soothing Moisturizer: Our growing Korean beauty brand CosRx Light Soothing Moisturizer is a nourishing cream that balances acne-prone skin.

It provides light hydration and contains anti-inflammatory ingredients like propolis, green tea, aloe vera, and allantoin.

8. Best Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer for Mornings: Use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer in the mornings.

This cruelty-free, lightweight lotion comes in a clear finish and provides broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

9. Best Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer for Afternoon: For your evening skincare routine, we recommend Paula’s Choice Clear.

This oil-free moisturizer is enriched with ceramides, humectants, licorice root extract, and niacinamide to soothe, hydrate, and refresh acne-prone skin.

10. Best Mattifying Fluid: Caudalie Vinopure Hydrating Mattifying Fluid:

We also love Caudalie Vinopure, an oil-controlling lotion that hydrates and absorbs oil at the same time to balance acne-prone skin.

What’s the secret? Squalene is extracted from olives and is a natural skin oil. The theory behind it is that when skin gets squalene, it produces less squalene.

11. Best Moisturizer: Tatcha Water Cream: This moisturizer from Japan’s favorite skincare brand is a great moisturizer for dry, acne-prone skin.

The oil-free formula contains a nourishing and soothing blend of green tea, seaweed, hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts.

12. Best Resurfacing Product: ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer. Rose Tropics Moisturizer contains bromelain to gently exfoliate and fight dead skin cells and uneven skin texture.

The lightweight formula also provides light hydration and brightening kojic acid for a radiant complexion.

13. Best Soothing Product: Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Restoring Cream. If you suffer from red, reactive skin, Avène Tolerance Control is the best choice.

The brand’s highlight is mineral-rich thermal water, which is proven to reduce inflammation while also having healing and moisturizing properties.

14. Best Blackhead Removal Tip: Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer. Are you troubled by blackheads?

Thanks to a blend of bamboo charcoal and salicylic acid, Origins Clear Improvement reliably unclogs pores and dissolves sebum while preventing new skin blemishes from forming.

15. Best Gel: Basic Butter Radiant Face Jelly If you prefer gels, Radiant Face Jelly is the one for you.

While this natural moisturizer contains some plant oils, it’s formulated to balance oil production without clogging pores.

Your complexion will be hydrated and moisturized without feeling greasy or shiny.

16. Best for mature skin: Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer. Formulated for acne-prone skin, this oil-free moisturizer absorbs quickly and hydrates without feeling greasy.

Amino acids help eliminate fine lines, while algae extract firms mature skin.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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