11 Moisturisers For Acne-Prone Skin That Won’t Break You Out

It’s a common misconception that you should skip moisturiser if you have oily, acne-prone skin. Keeping your skin hydrated helps keep its oil production regulated, and the best moisturisers for acne-prone skin contain active ingredients to soothe existing breakouts. Truthfully, it’s all about finding the perfect moisturiser for your skin type, one that strikes the delicate balance between hydration and acne control.

Our list below not only showcases top-tier moisturisers renowned for their efficacy, but also includes direct referrals and insightful quotes from dermatologists who understand the unique needs of those who frequently break out. Here, the 11 best moisturisers for acne-prone and oily skin, which dermatologists Hadley King, David Kim, and Marisa Garshick, along with cosmetic surgeon, Ariel Ostad, recommend to their patients.

Related Article: The 16 Best Acne Serums Dermatologists Actually Recommend

Shop the Best Moisturisers for Acne

DERMATOLOGIST APPROVED

Skinfix Barrier+ Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream

PROS

• Air-tight
• Brightening and soothing

Kim recommends SkinFix’s gel moisturisr because of how hydrating and healing it is for the skin barrier, thanks to ingredients like niacinamide and antimicrobial peptides. Without proper hydration, acne-prone skin can get too dry—ultimately making oil worse. Plus, this cream’s airtight jar packaging helps keep bacteria out, which is crucial for keeping skin clear.

What reviewers are saying: “This product is really lightweight and does a great job of moisturising without leaving me feeling oily. My skin feels plumper and softer after using! I also love that it is refillable, and allows me to reduce plastic waste.” —KdB1215

FOR DRY SKIN

Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturiser

PROS

• Delivers lightweight hydration
• Bestseller

Laneige Water Bank moisturiser contains hyaluronic acid, which can provide lightweight hydration to acne-prone skin, helping keep it moisturised and plump. Plus, the blend of ceramides and squalane can help heal your skin barrier, leaving your skin more balanced.

What reviewers are saying: “My skin feels moisturised after using this product. I have sensitive, oily combo and acne prone skin. It doesn’t clog my pores or feel heavy on my skin. When I use it as a nightly moisturizer I use 2 thin layers every night. I only use it as a day moisturiser when I feel my skin can use it, typically after retinol use.” —Iona S

TIKTOK VIRAL

CosRx Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream

PROS

• Great for glowy skin
• Thousands of positive reviews
• Bestseller

Snail mucin is hot right now, and before you gag, it’s actually been a proven skincare ingredient for ages. TikTok recently got wind of it, and CosRx products have been flying off shelves ever since. What makes this cream special is the texture. It’s a bit slimy, like a gel, but it leaves skin radiant, plump, smooth, and soft—never greasy. It’s ideal for those who still want glowing, glasslike skin, just without the grease.

What reviewers are saying: “This is hands-down, one of the best moisturisers I’ve ever used in my face. I am Asian and have extremely extremely oily skin. My skin is so oily. It is so terrible but whenever I combine my skin care routine with a cleanser for oily skin and then I bought this product to moisturise. My skin has not been as oily. This product is moisturising without giving you the greasy affect, I love this product.” —Laura

BEST ROUTINE

Differin Restorative Night Moisturiser

PROS

• Part of a proven system
• Soothing and deeply hydrating night cream

If you like the simplicity of a whole system designed for acne, look to Differin. This night cream with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and allantoin was specifically designed to use with the brand’s adapalene gel, once available only by prescription. This soothing cream helps counteract drying effects, so your skin stays perfectly balanced.

What reviewers are saying: “I started using this about a month ago and it works great! I noticed a difference within a week. I use it at night and a collagen moisturiser in the morning. My skin has not looked this good in a very long time!” —Laura Hayman

AMAZON’S CHOICE

Paula’s Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser

PROS

• Lightweight
• Cooling

This lightweight moisturiser boasts everything you want in a cream for acne-prone skin: ceramides, antioxidants, and niacinamide to reduce pore size and soothe.

What reviewers are saying: “I am trying different Paula’s Choice products. I am 51 y/o and ordered this as I still have acne prone skin and this is oil free. I LOVE it! It absorbs instantly and is hydrating without being greasy at all! It is specified as a nighttime treatment but I have been using it during the day under my sunscreen and it is wonderful. Will continue to try more products in this skin care line.” —CS

Related Article: The 15 Best Acne Spot Treatments To Zap Zits Fast

FOR DULL SKIN

Augustinus Bader The Cream

PROS

• Improves the skin’s appearance
• For dull skin

Acne-prone skin has high redness factors and often flares up due to stress. This cream has a proprietary blend of ingredients that reduce redness and seriously calm stressed skin—no wonder it’s a must-have for celebrities, beauty editors, and skincare lovers in the know.

What reviewers are saying: “Good for combination skin type. Reduces redness as what it says. Doesn’t clog pores or create tiny white spots. Loving it.” —Tracy G

BEST WITH SPF

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion AM (SPF 30)

PROS

• Noncomedogenic
• Contains SPF 30

Dermatologists are huge fans of all CeraVe products—this one included. The brand’s facial moisturising lotion contains skin-soothing ceramides, niacinamide, lightweight hyaluronic acid, and sunscreen, which is crucial for protecting skin from damage that can exacerbate redness and texture.

What reviewers are saying: “I have used the CeraVe moisturiser for a few months now so decided to try the facial moisturisers and this am moisturiser is great. Yes, it takes a bit to rub in all the white from the sunscreen but I don’t mind given the protection it provides. Makes my skin feel great and I don’t find it greasy.” —Sheila

BEST FOR BREAKOUTS

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturiser

PROS

• Soothes acne-prone skin
• Contains salicylic acid and prevents breakouts

Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, reduce acne lesions, and promote smoother skin texture—but it can be drying if used in excess, and in the absence of a good moisturiser. With 0.5 percent salicylic acid, this mattifying moisturiser helps calm inflamed breakouts while delivering lightweight hydration with ingredients like glycerin and squalane.

What reviewers are saying: “I have been using this product a little over two weeks. my skin feels very hydrated and smooth after I use this. I use it under my makeup as my main moisturiser and it’s worked Fantastic. it doesn't interfere with any of my makeup and leaves my skin feeling refreshed.” —crystalg126

BEST FOR MATURE SKIN

Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream

PROS

• Contains zinc
• Celeb-loved

Sturm’s background in anti-inflammatory medicine means she understands the unique needs of acne-prone skin. This cream was designed for those of us who see both acne and fine lines in the mirror. With ingredients like zinc and proven botanical extracts, it helps soothe irritated skin, restore the moisture barrier, and plump from the inside out.

What reviewers are saying: “I have never had a daily lotion that works as well with my skin. I struggle with cystic acne and although my breakouts have not stopped, they have become less irritable while keeping my skin moisturised, minimizing flakiness and healing time.” —Amanda S

EDITOR’S FAVOURITE

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture

PROS

• Helps minimise the appearance of pores

This is my personal favourite. Although I am not a dermatologist, I am a 25-year-old woman with sensitive skin, routine blemishes, and frequent stressors. The blend of algae and botanical extracts helps visibly reduce pore size, and I never feel shiny or greasy after smearing this on.

What reviewers are saying: “Fantastic moisturiser for my older, aging skin that still gets the occasional breakout. I still have the classic ‘T-zone’ oily/dry combo but this product perfectly balances my skin. The cream feels light but luxurious and sinks in within seconds. I have been using SkinCeuticals for more than 10 years and I adore it!” —SSLamant

Related Article: How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars—Forever

BEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Mutha Cream

PROS

• Four forms of hyaluronic acid and bio-fermented ingredients
• 96 percent naturally derived

The mother of all lightweight creams (sorry, we had to), Mutha's blend of bio-fermented ingredients, aloe juice, gylcerin, and hyaluronic acid helps skin stay moisturised all day long, without ever feeling slick or greasy. With 96 percent of ingredients from natural origin, it’s also safe for sensitive skin.

Meet the Experts

Dr. David Kim is a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City.

Dr. Ariel Ostad is triple board-certified in dermatology, Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery, and facial cosmetic surgery and an associate clinical professor at NYU.

Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan and Englewood, New Jersey, at MDCS Dermatology, as well as an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Hadley King, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology, and a clinical instructor of dermatology at Cornell University’s Weill Medical College.

This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.