The 16 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Based Skin in 2024

If you’re battling breakouts, you may need to avoid some skin-care products, but there’s one thing you shouldn’t skip: moisturizer. Still, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works well for acne-prone skin without clogging pores, causing irritation, or making the skin feel tight or greasy.

“Look for moisturizers that are labeled oil-free or noncomedogenic, as they’re less likely to clog pores,” advises Marie V. Hayag, MD, a dermatologist at Fifth Avenue Center for Aesthetic Medicine. Choosing a good 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 recommends 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 today’s most popular and best-selling products, sifting through customer reviews and seeking Dr. Hayag’s advice to find out. Keep scrolling to find the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.

1. Murad Clear Oil-Free Hydro-Gel

Murad is a trusted brand you can count on when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin. With that in mind, our top pick is the Clarifying Hydro-Gel, an ultra-light, non-comedogenic formula.

It hydrates with hyaluronic acid, heals and soothes skin with ginger root extract, and curbs breakouts with a very gentle dose of 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 Budget: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: On a budget? Opt for CeraVe. Oil-free and non-comedogenic, this dermatologist-approved lotion contains essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin for lightweight hydration.

3. Best Drugstore: Cetaphil Unscented Moisturizing Lotion: The drugstore is all about Cetaphil. This large pump bottle is packed with 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 help reduce oil production.

4. Best SPF: EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46: When it comes to moisturizing with sunscreen, dermatologist Dr. Martha H. Viera, FAAD, says, “You should avoid heavy oils because they can clog your pores.”

EltaMD UV Clear, a non-comedogenic formula, has the benefit of an invisible SPF 46.

5. Best Treatment: Tula Breakout Star Acne Moisturizer: According to Dr. Tula Breakout Star, contains: Tula Breakout Star Superhero Salicylic Acid BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). Hayag is one of the best ingredients for treating

acne. 3 “It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and helps exfoliate the skin,” she told Byrdie.

6. Best Treatment: 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 lighter version of the brand’s best-selling day cream) is enough to give you

moisture all over your face.

Ingredients include hyaluronic acid to increase moisture, niacinamide to reduce inflammation, and antioxidants that form a barrier to protect the skin from irritation. Additionally, the product contains a proprietary complex called

NAC Y2, which, according to 111Skin, reduces the effects of environmental damage. The formula won’t clog pores, but it plumps skin and eliminates fine lines.

7. Best Korean Beauty: CosRx AC Collection Light Soothing Moisturizer: From our favorite growing Korean beauty brand, the CosRx Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer is a nourishing cream that balances acne-prone skin. It provides lightweight hydration and contains therapeutic anti-inflammatory ingredients like propolis, green tea, aloe vera, and allantoin.

8. Best Morning Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizing Sunscreen: Use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer in the morning. This cruelty-free, lightweight lotion has a clear texture and provides broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

9. Best Afternoon Product: Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer: For your evening skincare routine, we recommend Paula’s Choice Clear. Enriched with ceramides, humectants, licorice root extract, and niacinamide soothe, hydrate, and refresh acne-prone skin.

10. Best Mattifying Fluid: Caudalie Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid: We also love Caudalie Vinopure, an oil-controlling lotion that simultaneously hydrates and absorbs oil to balance acne-prone skin.

The secret? Squalene is derived from olives, an oil naturally produced by the skin. The idea is that when your skin replenishes squalene, it won’t produce as much squalene.

11. Best Moisturizer: Tatcha The Water Cream: This moisturizer from everyone’s favorite Japanese skincare brand is a top-notch moisturizer for thirsty, acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula contains nourishing and soothing ingredients

a blend of green tea, algae, hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts.

12. Best Resurfacer: ROSEN Skincare Tropics Moisturizer Rosen Tropics Moisturizer contains bromelain to gently exfoliate and fight dead skin cells and uneven texture. Plus, the lightweight formula delivers a light burst of moisture

and brightening kojic acid to brighten your complexion.

13. Best Soother: Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Restorer If you suffer from red, reactive skin, Avène Tolerance Control is your best bet. The highlight is the brand’s mineral-rich thermal water, which has been shown to…

relieve inflammation while having healing and moisturizing properties.

14. Best for Blackheads: Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer Are you troubled by blackheads? Thanks to its blend of bamboo charcoal and salicylic acid, you can count on Origins Clear Improvement to open pores and dissolve sebum while preventing further blemishes from forming.

15. Best Gel: Basic Butter Radiance Cleanser If you prefer gels, then the Radiance Cleanser is for you. While this natural moisturizer contains some plant oils, its formula balances oil production without clogging pores. You’ll get a hydrated, dewy complexion without being greasy and shiny.

16. Best for Mature Skin: Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer Designed for acne-prone skin, this oil-free moisturizer absorbs quickly and hydrates without leaving an oily shine. Amino acids help fight fine lines, while seaweed 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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