In my decade-long quest to banish acne from my face, I’ve tried just about everything: countless skincare products, antibiotics and laser treatments, stopping short of Roaccutane. More often than not, however, these treatments leave my skin dry, flaky and irritated. Finding a moisturiser that restores much-needed hydration without clogging my pores and triggering yet more breakouts has been a delicate balancing act — a fine line I’ve spent years trying to navigate, with mixed results.
The best -approved moisturises for acne-prone skin at a glance:
First and foremost, however, what causes acne in the first place? Dr Clare Kiely stresses that it is a medical condition and the reasons in which it occurs are multifactorial: “There is usually a genetic predisposition, with hormonal fluctuations playing a major role at different stages of life. Increased sebum production, blocked hair follicles, Cutibacterium acnes and inflammation all interact to produce acne.” She adds too that “stress and certain environmental factors can exacerbate acne.”
While the approach to acne has often been to dry out the skin and remove any trace of oil, moisturising is actually very important when treating acne. “One of the things people often confuse is oily skin with well-moisturised skin,” Dr Kiely explains. “Sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands, whereas the skin barrier relies on a different mixture of lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, within the outer epidermis. You can therefore have very oily skin and still have a dehydrated, compromised skin barrier.”
Supporting the skin barrier is of the utmost importance, which can so often be compromised when using acne treatments. Dr Nora concurs, “Many acne treatments, including retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, can disrupt the skin barrier and increase transepidermal water loss. A good moisturiser helps restore barrier function, reduce irritation and improve treatment tolerance.”
But what makes a moisturiser “good”, and worthy of being placed in a round up of the best moisturisers for acne-prone skin? Well, it needs to do what it says on the tin and impart moisture to the complexion, but when on the hunt for a moisturiser for acne-prone skin especially, both experts agree that you need a formula that is lightweight and non-comedogenic. Dr Nora adds to look for “humectants for hydration and ingredients that support the skin barrier.” She also recommends that “gel-creams are often ideal for oilier skin, while richer formulations may be needed when using prescription acne treatments. The goal is to maintain hydration without unnecessary irritation, while using targeted treatments for individual blemishes rather than applying harsh actives across the entire face.”
Scroll on for the best moisturisers for acne-prone skin, that have been tried and tested and recommended by the beauty team and the experts, as well as more about what you need to look for in an effective formula.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Soothing Cream for Sensitive Skin 40ml
- Why it’s -approved: The Toleriane collection from La Roche-Posay is a saviour for sensitive skin. It is made up of micellar water, night cream, eye cream and more to cover every step, with formulas composed of calming ingredients that have been clinically proven to hydrate without irritation. One stand-out in the range is the Dermallergo Soothing Cream. I keep this product in my skincare arsenal for when I have overdone it on the actives or incorporated a new formula that has left my skin stressed out. It acts as an instantly soothing moisturiser with the brand’s ultra-hydrating signature thermal water, supercharged with probiotic-derived fractions to support the skin barrier and neurosenine to counteract redness.
Dr. Althea
345 Relief Cream
Why it’s -approved: The Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream went viral on TikTok for its benefits for acne-prone skin. K-beauty enthusiasts raved about its ability to improve the healing process of a breakout, as its formula soothes and calms redness. This includes tea tree, an element long beloved for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, balancing niacinamide and hydrating glycerin. It absorbs easily and doesn’t pill under make-up.
- Why it’s -approved: Marvellously hydrating and miraculously oil-free, The Inkey List’s Biombe Balancing moisturiser is an affordable summertime staple. Ultra-lightweight and suitable for acne-prone skin, it contains two per cent hexapeptide (an anti-ageing skincare peptide containing six amino acids), which works to reduce the appearance of blemishes and pores while minimising shine. Meanwhile, green tea and biolin inclusions help to reduce redness and lock in moisture, respectively. Its airy, gel-like finish means that it works brilliantly as a primer, too.
- Key ingredients: Hexapeptide, green tea, biolin
- Why it’s -approved: Formulated to deliver lasting nourishment to compromised skin, Medik8’s Ultimate Recovery cream is a brilliant post-treatment soother thanks to ingredients such as allantonin, arnica and beta-glucan. The ultra-rich face cream is particularly great for post-acne-scarring treatment or tweakments, though a small amount can also be massaged into scars on other areas of the body to help promote healing and repair.
- Key ingredients: Allantonin, arnica, beta-glucan
Why it’s -approved: This moisturiser reduces the appearance of blackheads, while mattifying the skin for up to eight hours, thanks to an acne-fighting, salicylic acid-derivative ingredient called LHA. Lightweight and highly effective.
- Why it’s -approved: With a weightless consistency and blend of skin-balancing ingredients, this serum-like moisturiser is a safe pick for combo skin. Whether your skin leans on the oily or drier side, its complex of ceramides and fatty acids is well placed to bolster your moisture barrier and keep hydration where it’s needed most.
- Key ingredients: tri-ceramide complex, niacinamide, blue tansy and polyhydroxy acid
- gently exfoliates dull skin with PHA, delivers lightweight moisture, plus fragrance and alcohol-free
- Why it’s -approved: A popular choice for teens, ’s beauty director Funmi Fetto bought this cream for her son and found it very effective at caring for breakout-prone complexions. It is lightweight, formulated with a combination of nourishing but non-comedogenic ingredients and even has SPF30.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol, glycerrhetinic acid and allantoin
Should someone with active acne ever stop moisturising because they’re worried about breakouts?
Put simply, no. “Acne-prone skin still needs its barrier looked after, and it absolutely still needs daily SPF, particularly as UV exposure can worsen post-inflammatory pigmentation,” advises Dr Kiely. She stresses: “Stripping the skin is not the answer.”
Which moisturising ingredients are particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin?
Dr Kiely breaks it down. She tells us: “Moisturising ingredients generally fall into three categories: humectants, emollients and occlusives. For acne-prone skin, I tend to favour formulations that provide hydration and barrier support without feeling excessively heavy.”
When it comes to humectants, both experts reference glycerin and hyaluronic acid to “help attract and retain water in the skin,” explains Dr Kiely. “They also spotlight ceramides to support the lipid barrier and squalane to minimise water loss, which Dr Kiely says “is a useful emollient that can work well even in oily skin.” Niacinamide supports the skin barrier too and is “particularly beneficial for its anti-inflammatory properties,” Dr Nora tells me.
Are there ingredients people with acne-prone skin should avoid?
As for what to avoid, Dr Nora advises to “avoid heavily fragranced products on inflamed or sensitive skin. I also encourage patients to avoid repeatedly applying drying spot treatments or picking blemishes. Hydrocolloid patches, such as Hero Mighty Patch, offer a gentler way to protect superficial spots while absorbing excess fluid.” Dr Kiely adds not to be afraid of oils. “They aren't automatically bad for acne, and neither are occlusive ingredients. It depends on the specific ingredient, its concentration and how the whole product has been formulated.”
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