Best Face Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin of 2025

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For those with acne-prone skin, finding the right face moisturizer can be a challenge. It's important to look for products that are non-comedogenic and oil-free to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. Some popular options include Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture, and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer. These moisturizers are designed to hydrate the skin without causing excess oil production or irritation. They also contain ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid that can help to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Face Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer is a dermatologist-recommended moisturizer that effectively hydrates and treats sensitive acne-prone skin. Its shine-free hydration with 0.5% salicylic acid clears and prevents breakouts while improving skin texture and tone. Additionally, the botanical and prebiotic complex helps nourish the skin and soothe acne redness. The moisturizer also defends against five signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier. Its travel size makes it ideal for vacations and trips.
Differin Soothing Face Moisturizer
Differin Moisturizer is designed specifically for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin. Its gentle, dermatologist-recommended formula is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. This moisturizer balances your skin's moisture levels, helping to soothe and soften dry areas. Plus, it avoids harsh ingredients like lanolin and salicylic acid, making it ideal for users seeking a calming skincare option. To use, simply apply it over your face, hands, and body to keep your skin hydrated and comfortable throughout the day.
Minimalist 10% Vitamin B5 Moisturizer
The Minimalist B5 Face Moisturizer is designed for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Its lightweight formula hydrates and nourishes your skin without adding oil, making it perfect for everyday use. With a high concentration of Vitamin B5, this moisturizer delivers deep hydration while repairing skin damage. It also contains a blend of Zinc, Copper, and Magnesium to help protect your skin from free radicals. Plus, it’s free from fragrances, silicones, and parabens, ensuring a clean beauty experience that is gentle on your skin.
Aveeno Clear Complexion Acne-Fighting Moisturizer
Aveeno Clear Complexion Acne-Fighting Daily Face Moisturizer is a great choice for those with breakout-prone skin. It contains 0.5% salicylic acid to help clear up existing blemishes and prevent future breakouts. The Total Soy Complex helps improve the overall look of your complexion by visibly evening skin tone and smoothing texture. It is oil-free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores. Customers love this product for its moisturizing and non-greasy feel, though some have noted that the new formula has a gritty texture and a bad smell.
Neutralyze Renewal Complex Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin
Neutralyze Renewal Complex Moisturizer is a time-released, multi-tasking face moisturizer cream that contains 2% mandelic acid & salicylic acid to remove acne, increase cellular turnover, and gently exfoliate for acne-prone skin. It also contains patented, advanced oil control technology to quickly absorb into the skin and deeply penetrate, removing excess oil trapped in pores. This hydrating facial moisturizer cream is fast absorbing and perfect for dry, oily and combination skin. It fights acne, hydrates and prevents future breakouts. Neutralyze is cruelty-free and made in a certified cGMP/SOP compliant facility.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Facial Moisturizer
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Facial Moisturizer is a lightweight, fast-absorbing face lotion that helps to clear breakouts with 0.5% salicylic acid. It is infused with a light pink grapefruit scent and includes naturally derived grapefruit extract. It is suitable for daily use in a regular acne skincare routine and is oil-free, non-greasy, and non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores. Customers have found it to be effective in reducing acne size, redness, and quickening healing, while not drying out the skin.
Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer
Paula's Choice CLEAR Oil-Free Moisturizer is a lightweight face moisturizer specifically designed for acne-prone skin. It is formulated with moisture barrier-repairing ceramides, pore-minimizing niacinamide, and antioxidant-rich blueberry & pumpkin extracts to hydrate dry, flaky patches while visibly reducing redness without clogging pores. Customers have praised it for its effectiveness in treating cystic acne, soothing irritation, and keeping breakouts under control.
Minimalist Sensitive Skin Moisturizer
The Minimalist Moisturizer is designed specifically for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Its lightweight formula absorbs quickly, ensuring your face feels fresh without any sticky residue. Infused with Polyglutamic Acid, this moisturizer offers superior hydration, holding four times more water than Hyaluronic Acid to keep your skin plump and nourished. The soothing properties of Sepicalm work to calm irritation and reduce redness caused by sun exposure. Additionally, it contains high-quality ingredients like Oat extract and Squalane to further nourish your skin, making it a great choice for daily use.
Rael Miracle Clear Barrier Cream
Rael Miracle Clear Barrier Cream is a daily moisturizer specifically formulated for oily skin, acne, and large or clogged pores. It is infused with Succinic Acid, strengthening Minerice Enzyme Complex, and moisturizing Vitamin B5 Panthenol. It provides long-lasting moisturization without leaving skin feeling greasy and is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, and artificial fragrance. It is non-irritating, non-drying, and safe for daily use for all skin types.
Clear Collective Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer
Clear Collective Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer from Hero Cosmetics is a lightweight, pore-purifying daily moisturizer designed to fortify and replenish acne-prone skin. This unique probiotic formula supports skin's healthy bacteria balance for skin that looks smooth and luminous all day long. It is free of petrolatum, parabens, fragrance, artificial colors, silicones and mineral oils, making it safe for all skin types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it OK to moisturize acne-prone skin?
When creating an acne treatment plan, dermatologists sometimes include a moisturizer. Acne can cause your skin to feel oily and greasy, so a moisturizer may be the last thing you'd think of trying. A moisturizer, however, may be just what you need if you're using one of the following acne treatments: Benzoyl peroxide.
During our face moisturizer for acne-prone skin research, we found 48 face moisturizer for acne-prone skin products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 194,580 customer reviews through our big data system to write the face moisturizers for acne-prone skin list. We found that most customers choose face moisturizers for acne-prone skin with an average price of $16.50.
The face moisturizers for acne-prone skin are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of face moisturizers for acne-prone skin, including Cetaphil, Differin, Minimalist, TENA, Neutralyze. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.