When it comes to the best moisturisers for acne, it can be a total maze trying to find products that work. Oily, dry or combination - there are so many options out there that can set off a breakout or trigger our acne. So, to make it a little easier, we've started with one of the first product you should be thinking about in your skincare routine: the best moisturisers for you.
Acne is something that many of us struggle with - some more than others. It's really important to have a refined skincare routine. As well as medication and cleansing, moisturisers can be a tool to keep acne at bay by acting as a barrier and keeping dryness away.
Moisturiser will comfort and care for your skin type and keep any major skin concerns at bay. Typically if you have acne prone skin, your skin will most likely be on the oily side. The best moisturisers for oily skin can also work to maintain excess oil production and keep the skin balanced.
Closer's best moisturisers for acne at a glance:
Best budget moisturiser for acne: NIVEA Face Cream Light Moisturiser, £4.99 on Boots
Best lightweight moisturiser for acne: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide Moisturiser, £19 on Boots
Best moisturiser for acne for sensitive skin: CeraVe Facial Moisturising Cream, £10 on LookFantastic
Moisturisers for acne can be the key to keeping your skin clear and fresh. Something that you should be using everyday should not be triggering spots and blemishes. Don't forget that using a moisturiser with spf will is beneficial regardless of your skin type to protect your skin from the sun - we recommend checking out the best spf moisturisers to suit acne-prone skin to continue preventing any future blemishes.
Looking to find a new moisturiser for acne-prone skin? Keep scrolling to shop the best moisturisers for acne ideal for you:
SHOP: The best moisturisers for acne
Best budget moisturiser for acne
NIVEAwww.boots.com
Kicking off with a totally affordable option, Nivea face creams are light and also have SPF 15, making it an amazing everyday choice. With vitamin E and anti-oxidants, this will keep your skin feeling fresh and ready for the day. This is a great all-rounder for people who suffer from smaller acne breakouts.
Customer review: "Really lightweight and super absorbing face cream. Leaves skin feeling very soft and perfect for sensitive skin."
Pros
- Great price point
- Protects the skin from sun
Cons
- Not to be used as a night cream as SPF is included
Best lightweight moisturiser for acne
La Roche-Posaywww.boots.com
This La Roche-Posay sensitive moisturiser is raved about by skincare lovers everywhere. It's fragrance-free, alcohol-free and has prebiotic hydrating thermal water to relieve sensitive skin. It will repair the microbial barrier and protect your skin, making it perfect for any acne sufferers.
Customer review: "A simple and light moisturiser that works well. I have damaged my skin barrier by using too many actives but this moisturiser is saving my skin, very gentle, light and hydrating, feels lovely on my skin."
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Works for sensitive skin too
Cons
- Hard to tell when product has finished
Best moisturiser for acne for sensitive skin
CeraVewww.lookfantastic.com
CeraVe is known for its skincare essentials, and this daily facial moisturiser is one to use for acne-prone skin. With niacinamide and three essential ceramides, the CeraVe Facial Moisturising Cream also works as one of the best barrier creams to protect and strengthen the skin's barrier whilst calming inflamed pores.
Customer review: "My friend recommended this, I've been using for over a month now and I'm impressed. It's very light, non greasy and is absorbed by my skin well. It's kept my face well moisturised on the worst winter days. And at a third of the price of my original moisturiser I can't grumble!"
Pros
- Protects skin barrier
- Light formula sits comfortably on the skin
Cons
- Suitable for a drier skin type
Best moisturiser for acne to reduce redness
Feel Uniquewww.boots.com
If you're really struggling with severe acne, this BIODERMA Sebium moisturiser may be a better choice. Counteracting ultra-drying treatment, it's extremely moisturising and reduces redness with its anti-irritant ingredients. Great for everyday use.
Customer review: "Very good moisturizer for skin that has been sensitized. Only downsides is that it leaves a slight "oily" coverage and the tube doesn't have much product. But it is definitely a product worth trying."
Pros
- Soothes redness
- Helps balance excess oiliness
Cons
- Not suitable for a dry skin type
Best night mask moisturiser for acne
The Body Shopwww.thebodyshop.com
As we mentioned before, tea tree oil is a great tool for anti-inflammatory features, and if you want a more intense moisturiser, then it may be a good idea to invest in The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Mask. Just pop it on overnight to feel the full benefits and keep blemishes away for good.
Customer review: "I got a sample of this a few weeks ago and I’ve noticed it’s made a huge difference in my skin! My skin looks so much smoother and any small blemishes I have are significantly reduced overnight with using this mask."
Pros
- Treats and targets blemishes as you sleep
- Soothes any angry blemishes
Cons
- Product might transfer onto bedding
Best anti-imperfection moisturiser for acne
LOOKFANTASTICwww.lookfantastic.com
This is a good mid-range price anti-acne moisturiser that will keep angry spots at bay. Including glycolic acid, it helps to keep blemishes and scars away, especially on sensitive skin.
Customer review: "The most amazing moisturiser ever... I have break outs all the time on my cheeks and chin, since using this twice a day my skin is clear and silky smooth."
Pros
- Gently exfoliates as it moisturises
- Vitamin C works to brighten skin
Cons
- Not suitable for a drier skin type
Best moisturiser for acne with hyaluronic acid
LOOKFANTASTICwww.lookfantastic.com
The Ordinary has been a game-changer for many skincare fans, especially this natural moisturiser with hyaluronic acid. Easily used every day, it's non-greasy but super moisturising, with multiple acids to enrich the skin as well as being vegan and cruelty-free. Win.
Customer review: "I have combination/oily skin and I always end up coming back to this. A little goes a long way but also it isn’t too thick. Great base for make up. Would definitely recommend."
Pros
- Moisturising formula
- Great price point
Cons
- Not suitable for super oily skin types
Best cooling moisturiser for acne
Skin Proud
Not only is this Skin Proud moisturiser anti-inflammatory with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, but the brand also recommends popping it in the freezer to make an ultimate cooling, de-puffing and soothing moisturiser. Made from vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, this Frozen Over option will make even the breakouts much easier to handle.
Customer review: "The only face cream I’ve ever tried that didn’t cause any breakouts or irritation the following days. The texture of this product is light, it’s completely odourless and a few seconds after application you can’t feel it on your skin. Hydrates lightly the skin without any oily/ itchy sensation or residue."
Pros
- Cooling formula helps soothe active spots
- Made with aloe vera to refresh and calm
Cons
- Needs to be stored in the freezer
What should I look for in a moisturiser for acne?
As we all know, everyone's skin is different. Moisturisers that may work for one person may not work for another, so make sure you keep with ingredients you know and trust. Finding the right skincare ingredients to suit your skin is key to seeing results. Introducing the best vitamin C moisturiser will help to brighten, firm and add radiance for example. It's important to also give your skin time to adjust to changes in your skincare routine, as changing it up too frequently may also be a trigger for acne. With this in mind, though, there are qualities in a moisturiser that you may want to keep an eye out for:
Salicylic acid: Acting as a natural and gentle exfoliant, this ingredient in moisturisers will keep pores unclogged and unwanted oils away from your skin.
Tea tree oil: This oil is easy to get your hands on and acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, keeping redness away and spot flare-ups smaller. Whilst you shouldn't apply it directly to the skin, having tea tree oil in a moisturiser is an easy way to get the benefits.
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid: These work well in drawing out moisturiser to keep your pores super-quenched without feeling too heavy on the skin.
With this in mind, stay away from moisturisers with ingredients like petroleum and coconut oil because these can clog up your pores.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.