The 10 best non-comedogenic moisturizers for acne-prone skin that won't make you break out

Best overall

We are big fans of this dermatologist-approved moisturizer that our expert, Dr. Ugonabo, recommends for those with acne-prone skin. This moisturizer gets the "best overall" award from us for its simple formula free of parabens, fragrances, and pore-clogging ingredients like lanolin, alongside its creamy texture that soaks into skin well. Vanicream is proof that you don't need to spend a ton for a great skincare product.

All skin types can benefit from using this moisturizer thanks to hydrating, barrier-protective ingredients like squalene, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. The formula itself softens and plumps the skin, but doesn't feel sticky or heavy, making it the perfect everyday moisturizer. You can apply it twice daily (or whenever your skin thirsts for relief) without fearing irritation or looking like a greasy donut.

Best for sensitive skin

When it comes to the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin, you'll hear a lot about skin barrier health. Your barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, responsible for protecting you from external pollutants and keeping your skin hydrated. For sensitive skin types easily irritated by thick creams or certain ingredients, it's especially important to invest in emollient products that protect your skin barrier, but our pick also has acne-fighting properties. We recommend the Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream from the Korean skincare brand Skin1004. The lightweight formula is non-sticky and sits smoothly on the skin without clumping or pilling against other layered products. Skin will feel nourished and ultra-moisturized, while the Centella asiatica extract (a known acne-fighting ingredient) cares for blemishes on and beneath the surface. Other ingredients like ceramides and lipids (yes, lipids as in fats!) help to protect the barrier.

Best drugstore

If you're browsing the drugstore for a budget-friendly moisturizer, the e.l.f. Calming Water Cream is a standout pick. This lightweight formula has a gel-like texture that feels refreshing on the skin and works especially well for those with excess oil. It absorbs quickly, leaving skin soft and plump. The green-tinted cream combines salicylic acid, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid to help regulate sebum, prevent breakouts, and calm redness for a more even tone.

Best for dry skin

"I've been using this to treat my dry skin almost daily for the past year, and it's the only face cream that helps my face feel hydrated for days at a time," says Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor. A key ingredient in the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream is its high-density ceramides, which, when synthesized, can boost your skin's ability to retain moisture. It also contains palmitic acid, which builds up the lipid barrier of your skin to protect it from bacteria and pollutants.

"If you're like me and prone to hormonal acne flare-ups, this cream is safe and comfortable to wear even when breaking out," says Chase. For chronic acne, Aestura has a Theracne collection infused with hylauronic acid and zinc.

Read more about this K-beauty bestseller in our full Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream review.

Best hydrating

If your acne-fighting routine includes salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinol, chances are your skin is craving extra hydration. The Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream is one of our top picks for delivering intense moisture while keeping irritation to a minimum.

Formulated for very dry skin, it features powerhouse ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid to plump, smooth, and restore a healthy glow. Despite its rich texture, the cream melts into skin with a water-like consistency that absorbs quickly as you massage it in. It's a great daytime option that even sensitive skin types can comfortably use. Plus, it's not super expensive and often goes on sale on Amazon.

Best for soothing breakouts

When you're mid-breakout, it can help to use a moisturizer that's reinforced with acne-fighting ingredients. We Kiehl's Expertly Clear moisturizer because it provides a targeted treatment by combining salicylic acid for surface acne, niacinamide for post-acne marks, and glycerin for moisture. In our testing, we found that the thin texture may feel drying on some skin types, so during cold or particularly dry months, we recommend layering this product with an additional moisturizer (like Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane) to offer your skin a little extra protection. During your day or night routine, apply a thin layer of this lightweight gel on the areas most affected by acne.

Best for combination skin

It took just one day of use for our senior associate style editor, Gabrielle Chase, to call herself impressed with this moisturizer. As someone who deals with hormonal breakouts, she swears by this moisturizer for long-lasting hydration, crediting its medium-weight, non-greasy texture with keeping her skin smooth and supple. "You may need to use a few extra pumps to get a longer-lasting effect, but it's gentle enough to layer on," she explains. It's a great option for combination skin because the formula is oil-free, and it softens the skin with Hydrosella, peptides, and squalene — all hydrating ingredients that won't feel too heavy anywhere or clog pores.

Best for oily skin

To confirm what you've probably heard before, yes, oily skin types still need moisturizer, and this gel cream from beloved brand Dieux Skin is an excellent choice. We think it's one of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin, and it's even a top pick in our guide on the best moisturizers for oily skin. Its jelly-like texture wraps skin in glycerin, ceramides, and amino acids to plump and firm skin without flooding an already oily complexion. Our testers praised this moisturizer for its lightweight texture that quickly absorbs into the skin while keeping the complexion hydrated and flake-free, even in below-freezing temperatures.

Best lightweight

COSRX takes acne care seriously — looking at you Acne Pimple Master Patch, a popular TikTok-favorite — so it's no shock that their moisturizers are also made for acne-prone skin. This lightweight formula is one of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin because of its ability to help soothe and treat acne without a thick or drying formula that irritates skin. The use of Centella Asiatica (a popular K-beauty ingredient) moisturizes and calms sensitive, acne-addled skin.

Best for mattifying

Since oily skin is prone to acne, you'll want to avoid heavy skincare products that clog your pores and leave you looking greasy. This mattifying moisturizer from La Roche-Posay uses zinc picolinate to neutralize excess oils on the face without drying out the skin. It's still hydrating, so it won't leave your skin feeling tight or dry, but this is definitely a product that folks with dry skin will want to skip.

What to look for

Ingredients:

Dr. Ugonabo recommends looking for facial moisturizers infused with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, as these ingredients offer nourishment while keeping the skin hydrated. The best moisturizers for acne-prone skin provide deep moisturization to repair the skin while exfoliating ingredients treat blemishes, dark spots, and acne marks.

For those with oily skin, "It might be helpful to use a matte moisturizer that contains [acne-fighting] ingredients such as salicylic acid," shares Dr. Ugonabo. According to the AAD, avoid using comedogenic skincare ingredients like coconut oil, lanolin, or silicone, along with alcohol, which can dry out the skin.

Consistency:

Facial moisturizers are available in a plethora of consistencies and textures that you'll want to be conscious of when picking a face cream for acne-prone skin. Gel and gel cream options like the Dieux Skin Air Angel Gel Cream are made to quickly absorb into the skin while leaving the epidermis supple and soft. Meanwhile, rich creams like Shani Darden Skin Care Hydration Peptide Cream are on the thicker side to provide deep moisture for dry skin without clogging pores.

Since this skin type is prone to both dryness and oiliness, it's important to find a lightweight moisturizer that won't clog your pores but is creamy for nourishment and hydration of the skin barrier. If you're prone to excessive oil that keeps the blemishes coming, use a mattifying formula (like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat) made with some form of non-drying astringent to absorb oil on the skin. Sometimes, your acne-prone skin is on the dry side, and you'll want a moisturizer with a dewy formula (like Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream) that's formulated with ceramides to nourish the outer layer of the skin for that glass skin look.

FAQs

What type of face cream is best for acne-prone skin?

Facial moisturizers are usually described as three different types: Emollients, humectants, and occlusives. It's important to pick the right type of moisturizer as the different formulations can impact the varying skin types.

Emollients are for barrier protection: An emollient moisturizer, like the Erno Laszlo Soothing Relief Hydration Emulsion, is best for dry skin types that need extra soothing and hydration. Sort of like a hybrid moisturizer, they include hydrating ingredients while simultaneously locking moisture into the skin to create a healthy barrier that prevents evaporation.

Occlusive moisturizers are for slugging: If you have acne-prone skin, you'll want to avoid using occlusive moisturizers that often have a thicker, greasier texture on the skin. These products are most used to lock in moisture as opposed to add moisture.

Humectants are for pure hydration: Finally, according to the Cleveland Clinic, humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are more lightweight than occlusives, making them ideal for oily skin types that need moisture without the greasy texture.

How often should you apply a moisturizer if you have acne-prone skin?

Depending on the specific product you're using, you'll want to apply a moisturizer for acne-prone skin at least twice a day. This skincare rule is the same regardless of your skin type or concerns, and yes, that means oily skin, too. That's why it's vital to use a moisturizer that is good for daily application.

Can too much moisturizer make acne worse?

When applying your moisturizer for acne-prone skin, be mindful that there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. If you overuse your moisturizer (especially if it's thick in consistency), you risk clogging your pores, wasting product, and damaging your skin barrier with the product overload. Dr. Ugonabo adds, "It's imperative that acne-prone patients look for non-comedogenic moisturizers, meaning that won't clog their pores, so this way it doesn't contribute further to their acne."

Excessive product can lead to heightened sebum production and greasy skin, making acne breakouts worse. On the other hand, if you don't use moisturizer at all, your acne can get worse. "Moisturizing is still important for acne-prone skin as it helps build a healthy skin barrier," confirms Dr. Ugonabo. Think of skincare as the Goldilocks story; you don't want to use too much or too little of any product.

Is hyaluronic acid good for acne?

Hyaluronic acid is most likely already in the formulation of your favorite products for several good reasons. This skincare ingredient has been studied for its reparative and hydrating benefits for acne-prone skin and aging skin. As a form of humectant, hyaluronic acid in acne skincare helps moisturize the skin without clogging pores, reducing blemishes in return. All skin types can benefit from using a hyaluronic acid moisturizer or hyaluronic acid serum to add deep hydration without leaving behind a greasy texture.

What does non-comedogenic mean?

A non-comedogenic product is one that is formulated to be less likely to clog pores or cause acne. This is because it rarely includes occlusives (typically rich oils or butters) which are known to cause comedones, blackheads, and whiteheads. Products featuring the non-comedogenic label undergo testing before they're allowed to make that claim.

Dr. Ansell notes in our guide to the best moisturizers for combination skin that it's best for those with acne-prone skin "to look for [a] non-comedogenic [formula], which means it won't clog pores (and cause problems in the oily areas)."

Can moisturizers make acne worse?

Sometimes. If a formula is too heavy, pore-clogging, or irritating, it may trigger breakouts. Always look for "non-comedogenic" on the label and patch-test new products before applying to your whole face.

What moisturizers work best with acne treatments like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide?

When using drying or irritating acne treatments, pair them with a calming, fragrance-free moisturizer. Ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and glycerin help buffer irritation and prevent flaking. Some people even "sandwich" their treatment between two thin layers of moisturizer to reduce dryness.

Can moisturizers help with post-acne marks or dark spots?

Moisturizers that contain brightening ingredients like niacinamide or licorice root extract may help even tone and calm redness. For stubborn hyperpigmentation, you'll likely need targeted treatments (like vitamin C, azelaic acid, or retinoids) alongside a good moisturizer.