We Tested Nearly 20 Formulas to Find the Very Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin

After testing 19 high moisturizers for acne-prone pores and skin, we had been most impressed by the Aveeno Clear Complexion Day by day Zits Facial Moisturizer. The pharmacy system is enriched with salicylic acid which gently exfoliates the pores and skin, improves the pores and skin’s texture, removes extra oil, and reduces pore-clogging dry pores and skin buildup.

When testing this moisturizer, we instantly cherished the general texture and located that its light-weight consistency makes it straightforward to unfold and soak up effectively into the pores and skin. The bottle additionally encompasses a pump cap, which feels accessible and sensible, making it a extra handy possibility for on a regular basis use.

After 4 weeks of testing, we observed an total enchancment in our pores and skin. Not solely did our complexion feel and look extra hydrated and resilient, however our blemishes additionally cleared up with common use. 

Measurement: 4 ounces | Key Substances: Salicylic acid

Our Scores

• Really feel

  4.7/5

• Absorption

  4.5/5

• Put on

  5/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Look

  5/5

For a extra splurge-worthy high choice, think about the Tata Harper Clarifying Moisturizer. It’s formulated with a number of spectacular substances for pimples, together with a salicylic acid mix and pure BHAs, which offer light chemical exfoliation and assist preserve pore-clogging dry pores and skin and extra oil manufacturing at bay. 

The moisturizer has a thick consistency, which we had been a bit involved about at first. Nonetheless, when utilized to the pores and skin and totally absorbed (which takes a couple of minutes), the moisturizer had a extra light-weight really feel that absorbed into the pores and skin and layered nicely with different formulation, particularly serums. With common use, we discovered that the Tata Harper Moisturizer made our pores and skin look clearer and extra radiant, plus it helped cut back total redness and decreased infected blemishes.

Measurement: 1.7 ounces | Key Substances: Tazman pepper berry, salicylic acid mix, pure BHAs, noticed palmetto

Our Scores

• Really feel

  4.8/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Put on

  5/5

• Hydration

  3/5

• Look

  4/5

For an additional budget-friendly moisturizer for acne-prone pores and skin, think about the Cetaphil Mild Clear Mattifying Zits Moisturizer. We love the mushy, buttery texture that’s straightforward to use everywhere in the complexion, and the matte end. It’s nice for these searching for an affordable moisturizer for shiny pores and skin sorts that additionally expertise breakouts. 

When testing this system, we didn’t discover a significant distinction within the look of earlier blemishes. Nonetheless, our pores and skin appeared way more hydrated (with out the difficulty of extra oil), and, with common use, it helped preserve new blemishes from forming. 

Measurement: 3 ounces | Key Substances: Salicylic acid

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  4.7/5

• Put on

  4.8/5

• Hydration

  4.5/5

• Look

  4.5/5

For a extra splurge-worthy possibility, think about the Dr. Barbara Stürm Clarifying Face Cream. Formulated with balloon vine, viper’s bugloss, and sunflower seed oil for his or her deep conditioning properties, zinc for its skill to take away extra sebum, and bistorta root extract so as to add a contact of glow, this hydrating system can enhance the pores and skin’s texture by softening and nourishing the pores and skin.

We love this system as a result of it has that luxe really feel that we count on with a higher-end price ticket and it really works at hydrating the pores and skin. The feel is thick and creamy however has a extra light-weight really feel as soon as utilized to the pores and skin, so that you get one of the best of each worlds. And, regardless of that heavier consistency, it’s nonetheless light-weight sufficient to put on in heat climate, too. Throughout testing, we observed elevated hydration and didn’t expertise any new breakouts. 

Measurement: 0.67 ounces, 1.69 ounces | Key Substances: Balloon vine, viper’s bugloss, sunflower seed oil, zinc, bistorta root extract

Our Scores

• Really feel

  4.7/5

• Absorption

  4.5/5

• Put on

  4.9/5

• Hydration

  3/5

• Look

  4.3/5

Sensitivity is a bit more widespread in acne-prone pores and skin, particularly when you’ve got uncomfortable or painful breakouts. For a moisturizer that’s light sufficient to use on delicate and acne-prone pores and skin, we suggest the Cosrx AC Assortment Light-weight Soothing Moisturizer. This moisturizer for acne-prone pores and skin encompasses a system elevated by Propolis extract, aloe vera water, inexperienced tea water, and niacinamide to nourish and soothe the pores and skin whereas offering a number of hydration and lowering the look of swelling and irritation in blemishes. 

We examined this system on ultra-sensitive pores and skin and located that its texture is a mixture of gel and cream, which supplied light-weight but efficient protection that didn’t irritate the pores and skin. Moreover, this moisturizer has a cooling impact that soothes the pores and skin upon contact and looks like a relieving exhale on irritated blemishes.

Measurement: 2.7 ounces | Key Substances: Propolis extract, aloe vera water, inexperienced tea water, niacinamide

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Put on

  5/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Look

  4.5/5

When you’ve got oily pores and skin that’s liable to pimples, the Dr. Jart Teatreement Moisturizer is our high decide for one of the best light-weight moisturizer. Formulated with niacinamide to scale back swelling and infected pores and skin together with tea tree for its antimicrobial properties, this moisturizer has a creamy look however glides on like a gel, offering loads of hydration with out weighing pores and skin down. 

We examined this system on ultra-sensitive and acne-prone pores and skin and located that the included tea tree offers a cooling impact that helps soothe the pores and skin upon utility. Moreover, we had been additionally impressed by how nicely the system absorbs into the pores and skin and doesn’t go away behind a sticky residue. With every use, we noticed a major enchancment in hydration, and over time, our complexion appeared to have a extra natural-looking glow.

Measurement: 1.69 ounces | Key Substances: Niacinamide, tea tree leaf extract, tea tree leaf oil, 4-terpineol

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Put on

  5/5

• Hydration

  4/5

• Look

  5/5

These with oily and acne-prone pores and skin want a moisturizer that may correctly hydrate with out including extra oil to the complexion. With this in thoughts, the Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer is our high decide for one of the best oil-free product. This moisturizer is enriched with important amino acid derivatives, algae-based tighteners, and pink marine algae that work collectively to enhance elasticity, tone, tighten, and goal fantastic strains and wrinkles whereas offering a number of light-weight nourishment. 

For the reason that system is oil-free, it soaks into the pores and skin with ease and is light-weight sufficient to hydrate the pores and skin with out scary extra oil manufacturing. When testing this system, we discovered that it hydrated the pores and skin with out the all-too-common added shine, and it had a pleasant cooling sensation that felt wonderful on irritated and infected pores and skin. 

Measurement: 1.7 ounces | Key Substances: Important amino acid derivatives, algae-based tighteners, pink marine algae

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Put on

  4.5/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Look

  4/5

Hyaluronic acid is among the finest and most hydrating substances you’ll find in a moisturizer — and it simply so occurs to be extremely light-weight. The Murad Clarifying Oil Free Water Gel contains hyaluronic acid together with salicylic acid and Korean pink pine to assist exfoliate and stability the pores and skin’s microbiome. 

We love this system as a result of regardless of having a light-weight, water-like consistency, the hyaluronic acid offers loads of deep hydration, whereas the salicylic acid helps exfoliate the pores and skin and creates a complexion with improved absorption. We observed an total hydration enchancment all through the testing course of, and our pores and skin even stayed hydrated for longer all through the day. 

Measurement: 1.6 ounces | Key Substances: Hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, Korean pink pine

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  4/5

• Put on

  4.5/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Look

  4/5

Simply because a moisturizer is light-weight doesn’t imply it’s not long-lasting. Living proof: The Paula’s Selection Clear Moisturizer is an oil-free system that’s light-weight but ultra-nourishing for all-day put on. Enhanced with licorice root for anti-aging advantages, hydrolyzed pumpkin seedcake to stop moisture loss, niacinamide for enhancing barrier power and lowering irritation, and ceramides for an additional dose of hydration, this system offers a deep conditioning impact with out the chance of extra sebum manufacturing.

Whereas it does go away behind some residue — which isn’t very best for layering make-up — we love how mushy and supple this made our pores and skin throughout the testing interval. Moreover, the system is light sufficient to make use of on delicate pores and skin and doesn’t trigger further breakouts. 

Measurement: 2 ounces⁠ | Key Substances: Licorice root⁠, hydrolyzed pumpkin seedcake⁠, niacinamide⁠, ceramides

Our Scores

• Really feel

  4.3/5

• Absorption

  5/5

• Put on

  5/5

• Hydration

  4/5

• Look

  4/5

If you happen to’re searching for a moisturizer that’s light sufficient for delicate acne-prone pores and skin, fragrance-free is the best way to go. After testing a number of choices, we suggest the Peach & Lily Peach Slices Zits Oil-Free Moisturizer. Formulated with a mix of acerola, allantoin cica, cucumber, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid, this spectacular hydrator nourishes, exfoliates, smooths, soothes, and helps cut back irritation, too. 

At first, the system felt a bit oily on the pores and skin, however after round 30 seconds, it totally absorbed into the pores and skin and was barely noticeable. We love that this system has a pure end and that the substances can work collectively to scale back the look of pimples with common use. On high of that, it layers properly with different skincare and make-up formulation. 

Measurement: 2.82 ounces | Key Substances: Acerola, allantoin, cica, cucumber, hyaluronic acid complicated, niacinamide, salicylic acid

Our Scores

• Really feel

  5/5

• Absorption

  4/5

• Put on

  4.5/5

• Hydration

  5/5

• Look

  4/5

If you happen to want a moisturizer with some further oomph, we additionally love the Skinbetter Trio Rebalancing Moisture Remedy for its heavy dose of hydration and dewy end. Whereas delivering deep hydration, this system stays light-weight, so it’s very best for acne-prone pores and skin and an ideal alternative for these with dry however blemished pores and skin.

Formulated with hyaluronic acid to draw moisture and supply long-lasting nourishment, we observed that the face lotion improved hydration and enhanced the pores and skin’s texture with a a lot smoother floor. We additionally love how the moisturizer offers a dewy look with out falling into the greasy territory, so the complexion seems extra refreshed and glowy. 

Measurement: 1.7 ounces | Key Substances: Pure moisturizing elements, hyaluronic acid