There’s few things more depressing than zits, pimples, and blemishes taking control of your face.
But, be helpless no more and fight back with these top-rated moisturizers for acne-prone skin!
Vanquish, banish, and soundly defeat all breakouts and send a message to any renegade oil glands that dare usurp your confidence and clear complexion again!
By reading these reviews, you’ll know how to arm yourself with paraben free creams, non comedogenic moisturizers, and anti-acne formulas.
Take control of your breakouts, and even better, prevent future breakouts by knowing the differences between oil-free, fragrance-free, natural vs chemical, and acid-containing moisturizers.
This knowledge is even more lethal than two fingers popping that zit! – by the way, ouch!
Our 5 Top Moisturizers for Acne Prone Skin
Ditch the zits with Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer! Wave ta-ta to red, inflamed, and irritated skin that has you hiding under thick concealer and make-up all day.
The Neutrogena cream has all the elements that you want to see in an acne moisturizer. It’s non-greasy, non-comedogenic, and it contains the anti-acne ingredient, salicylic acid – it’s no wonder it’s such a popular facial product.
The creamy but lightweight texture of the acne moisturizer is a huge benefit since it’s an ideal moisturizer for oily skin, sensitive skin types, and of course, the acne prone. You won’t be left with greasiness, a sticky film, or a shiny sheen – your pimples already do all of that for you.
And, there’s another thing that Neutrogena does right! The pH formula of the acne moisturizer is perfectly conducive for exfoliation. The small amount of salicylic acid actually works in the lotion’s favor to gently exfoliate the skin without over-drying it. This means, shedding dead skin cells, killing off bacteria, and less breakouts!
You’ll also be relieved to know that you can use this moisturizer daily, even twice a day if you wish, to really hydrate your skin without clogging pores and to treat and manage your acne.
But, the last factor to consider is its sweet pink grapefruit extract for a mild scent. It’s not overpowering, and if you’re a guy, your buddies won’t even notice. No one will know you have a thing for pink skin care products.
So, for a really low-budget price with a whole lotta acne-fighting punch, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer might be your daily answer to your daily skin desires.
Main Benefits:
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil-free
- Contains salicylic acid
- Lightweight
- Acne moisturizer
Main Drawbacks:
- Scented
- Low concentration of salicylic acid
Customer Reviews:
According to the many clear faces of the reviewers, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer is the ideal daily cream to ward off breakouts. Reviewers especially appreciate the lightweight texture without any grease and shine being left behind.
But, it must be acknowledged that scents and fragrances can aggravate very sensitive skin even further, causing more irritation and breakouts.
However, it’s the last-mentioned element in the ingredients list, and it doesn’t seem to bother most users. So, there’s nothing left to say other than it’s an acne-fighting boxer that you want in your ring!
Popular Questions (and Answers)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer Features:
- Creamy but lightweight
- Smooth and silky
- Pleasant and mild scent
- Non-greasy and filmy
- Doesn’t dry out skin
If you have a personality that wants-it-all, then you’re going to fall head over heels with the ultimate multi-tasker, Body Merry’s Retinol Surge Moisturizer! It’s also a best seller product since it has many hats to wear, and it plays each role fantastically!
It’s a serum and moisturizer in one that’s formulated to be an extreme facial cream that’ll fix up your face without all the side effects typical of Retinol. And, if you aren’t aware, Retinol is the miracle ingredient that many women want to get their hands on to slow down the aging process. Blemishes, sun spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and fine lines will disappear with long term use.
But, what about for acne-prone skin? Ah, don’t feel so left out. Retinol can work its age-defying magic on your zits as well. Not only will it clean surface skin to minimize breakouts, it’s also going to diminish those acne scars as well. Yes, that’s right – diminish acne scars too. Feel free to cry right about now, because this product actually works!
Body Merry’s Retinol combo impresses even further with its completely organic and all-natural ingredients – Plant Derived Hyaluronic Acid, Wildcrafted Green Tea, Vitamin E, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vitamin B5, and Shea Butter.
Since Retinol’s are usually very drying and irritating to the skin, the natural ingredients soothes, hydrates, and moisturizes your skin for a supple, brighter, and glowing complexion. This product has a well earned spot on our list of the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin.
You don’t have to slather your face in more make-up, inducing worse breakouts that happen more often. You don’t have to shy away in public, and you don’t have to pick at your skin. Zap your zits away while shaving off the years that show in your face. Stop looking years beyond your true age and be a youngin’ again!
Main Benefits:
- Organic and all-natural
- Contains Retinol
- Serum and moisturizer
- Diminishes scars
- Works for acne
Main Drawbacks:
- Price
Customer Reviews:
When it comes to acne treatment, every single user is in agreement that Body Merry’s Retinol Surge Moisturizer will do wonders for your breakouts. There were absolutely no negative reviews when it came to addressing its zit and pimple-fighting abilities.
However, it’s quite pricey for a 3.5 ounce bottle. But, then again, you’re paying for something that works, is all-natural and organic, and it’s a best seller! The reviews don’t lie and there’s a couple thousand of them!
Popular Questions (and Answers)
Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer Features:
- Soothing and healing to skin
- Age-defying
- Lightweight and creamy
- A little goes a long way
- Extremely moisturizing
Sunscreen products and banishing pimples don’t seem to work very well hand in hand, but if you’re ready for a product that can do both well, then Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30 is worth a try.
This particular facial cream has been specially-formulated to target oily and acne-prone skin. And, since it’s mission is to clear your face of all unwelcome invaders, it’s going to soothe and diminish the effects of prescription acne treatments too!
As a mattifying moisturizer, it’s fast-absorbing and gets rid of oils and shine thanks to its Micropearl Technology. Cetaphil’s patented Ceramide Technology immediately throws up a skin barrier to go a step further and protect your skin from harmful elements that would induce and encourage bacteria that cause dreaded breakouts.
And, while all these ingredients and top-of-the-class technologies are at work cleaning and disinfecting the skin, Allantoin and Licorice Root Extracts amazingly calms, soothes, and moisturizes at the same time.
The lightweight hydration lasts all day long with Oleosome Technology to really keep those side effects from prescription treatments at bay. And, it’s worth mentioning right about now that it’s paraben and fragrance free. B-b-b-bonus! – the less chemicals the better!
And, credit is due to the Oleosome Technology for reducing the oiliness and streaking that’s so typical of conventional broad spectrum sunscreens. You don’t have to concede with extra oil and shine to get protection from UVA/UVB rays! So, slather on up with SPF 30 and you’re fully armed to enjoy a day out in the sun!
Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic are the best words of comfort to the acne prone types out there.
Main Benefits:
- SPF 30
- Controls shine
- Non-greasy
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-acnegenic
Main Drawbacks:
- Not for use close to eyes
Customer Reviews:
Other than working excellently for the acne prone, reviews reveal that one of the most important factors of the Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30 is that it’s unscented and fragrance free. Best of all, you don’t have to buy extra products for the sunscreen factor either!
But, there have been some complaints that applying too close to the eyes may induce tears since the ingredients in the broad spectrum may be too strong for the sensitive eye area.
However, as a sunscreen and an acne banisher – it does it well!
Popular Questions (and Answers)
Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30 Features:
- Hypoallergenic
- Safe to use with prescription treatments
- Fast-absorbing
- Controls shine
- Mattyifies
If you’re been plagued with having a pimple face long after puberty made its public declaration, then this oily skin and acne moisturizer is exactly what you need! The Concept Skin Oil Control moisturizer is non-drying, oil-free, and non-comedogenic! What more can you ask for? We’ll tell you…
It contains 0.8 percent of salicylic acid to clear out acne blemishes, prevent breakouts, and even to keep those on-going, oil-producing glands under control. And, with oil control at bay and a balanced pH formula, it will exfoliate and clear up your complexion to reveal a vibrant and radiant glow.
There are several quality and natural botanicals that are hard at work, such as Aloe Vera Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, White Tea Extract, Chamomile Extract, Cinnamon Extract, Olive Leaf Extract, and many more to cleanse, normalize pH levels, mattify, and calm red and irritated skin.
And, if you’ve got oily skin and you still can’t bare to part with your make-up for the sake of your skin, then don’t fret any longer if you’ve got a bottle of Concept Skin moisturizer. It absorbs quickly leaving you with a matte finish – the perfect kind of easel to start your make-up routine with.
You won’t have to blot as often as you regularly do with this anti-acne moisturizer, if you even need to at all! You won’t have to worry about looking like you’ve been working out all day when you haven’t lifted a finger.
With this anti-acne and anti-oily moisturizer in your bathroom cupboard, you can fight off acne, ban blemishes, and be a flawless beauty once again!
Main Benefits:
- Oil free
- Natural ingredients
- Matte finish
- Contains salicylic acid
- Moisturizing
Main Drawbacks:
- Price
Customer Reviews:
Even though the Concept Skin Oil Control Oily Skin and Acne Moisturizer is new to the market, it’s proving to be a stunner product among its users. Reviewers love the matte finish, the natural and organic ingredients, and most of all, the oil and shine control factors that reveals glowing and clear skin.
However, you’re definitely paying for it with its hefty price tag for only 2 ounces. But, if that’s the only thing to complain about when it’s a proven oil free moisturizer to fight off acne, why are there complaints at all?
Popular Questions (and Answers)
Concept Skin Oil Control Features:
- For sensitive, oily/acne-prone skin
- Dries fast
- Lightweight
- Applies smoothly
- Non-greasy
If you love your skin and you want to feed it what you would only dare feed yourself, then the Era Organics 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer is a dream come true! It’s a complete skin care product all in one with its deep hydration, repair team, and protection detail to really do a number on your face.
Don’t expect just surface care either. The moisturizing ingredients will soak up and sink in deep to the bottom layers of your skin for super hydration that lasts 8-12 hours. And, getting into skin cells and tissue nice and deep, the moisturizer can repair damaged cells, restore your natural 5.5 pH balance, and stimulate new and healthy cell growth.
You recognize these benefits don’t you? Anti-aging side effects are all positive with reinforced fibers, improved elasticity, and stimulated collagen production. Why not get some youthful action going on while you’re beating the spots and the acne blemishes?
The Era Organics Moisturizer is hypoallergenic, oil-free, and non comedogenic – the perfect combination for oily and acne-prone skin. It also doesn’t contain any nasty stuff that contribute to breakouts like fillers, alcohol, fragrances, toxins, and parabens.
Impressively, the Era moisturizer will work with your body’s natural chemistry to reduce the shine, control the oil, and disinfect your pores with superfood ingredients high in antioxidants and skin protective essentials.
Just some of these organic ingredients include Aloe Vera, Blue Green Algae, Manuka Honey, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, and Vitamins A, B, C, and E.
So, if you’ve been tormented with acne, oily, dry and cracked skin, Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis, acne scars, stretch marks, and even sensitive skin, then you need to feed your skin what its lacking – Era Organics 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer.
Main Benefits:
- Toxin and paraben free
- Natural ingredients
- Deep hydration
- Non comedogenic
- Anti-aging
Main Drawbacks:
- Price
Customer Reviews:
Evident by the hundreds of reviews, the Era Organics 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer is loved by all & can be considered one of the best facial moisturizers on the market! Those that used it long term reaped the benefits of faster healing and rapid diminishing of breakout symptoms.
Like many worthy and high quality facial products, it’s a doozy when it comes to price – it’s expensive. But, can you really put a price on a zit-free face?
All in all, the Era Organics Moisturizer wins over the hearts and faces of many!
Popular Questions (and Answers)
Era Organics 10-in-1 Facial Moisturizer Features:
- Antimicrobial
- Nourishing and moisturizing
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces redness
- Silky and creamy texture
Which is the Best Acne Moisturizer for You?
To really help you beat the on-going war of pimples, blackheads, and everything else in between, it goes without saying that you need the right product for the right set of problems – else things are really going to get problematic. So, don’t make any mistakes that you can’t afford!
So, if you’re looking for a product that doubles as a sunscreen, and it’s safe for oily and acne-prone skin, then the choice is easy – the Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF 30 is going to give you two-in-one action. Control the shine, minimize risks while enjoying the warm weather, and fight off breakouts without even trying.
But, sometimes users wants to go a step further and do a whole body treatment, especially if back acne and other oily skin conditions are an issue. To combat nearly every skin problem there is, including cystic acne, the Era Organics Moisturizer is going to be your safest and best bet. There’s really not enough word count to describe all the wonderful benefits from the amazing moisturizer.
And, if beating acne with oil control is your main concern, then put down the blotting sheets and buy up the Concept Skin Oil Control moisturizer instead! Less shine, natural botanicals, and a matte complexion is everything you can ask for.
Now, the take home recommendation of the lot in the this guide is the Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer. Getting your anti-aging groove on and nourishing skin with deep moisturizing hydration while you’re combating the root of your acne problems is every acne-ridden soul’s dream.
The reviews have spoken, and so have the results. So, don’t waste any more time wallowing in the sorrow of your skin despair. It’s time to fight back!
Moisturizer for Acne Buying Guide
Sensitive, Oily, or Acne Prone?
What’s you skin type? Do you even know? While sensitive, oily, and acne prone can almost always be categorized as the same, it’ll help to know the differences to really choose the right moisturizer.
You have overactive sebaceous glands that produce more oil than your skin needs. It can leave a shiny appearance on your skin, and it may only be in certain areas on your face or the entire area. You may also experience pimples and zits periodically in conjunction with your oily skin.
These skin types like to do everything to the extreme. You don’t just have one or two spots to deal with, it’s a full-on breakout, and it either happens often or it doesn’t go away – like, ever! Being very specific with moisturizers and reading labels for trigger ingredients is a skill learned early with this skin type.
This type is harder to define since it can mean various things for everyone. But, we’d be in agreement that sensitive skin is easily irritated, quick to inflame and redden, and it can be brought on by various skin conditions and medications.
Chemical vs Natural
This part of the buying guide goes a step further than just what your personal preferences are. It also addresses how chemicals can affect your acne condition and help it at the same time.
Natural is always a popular option for many skin care enthusiasts, because it’s gentle and it works with your body’s natural chemistry while being effective. Plus, you’re not putting any toxins or chemicals you know nothing about into your very porous organ.
But, there’s a time and place for chemical acne moisturizers, and more and more, you’ll see that natural botanicals are working alongside them to provide even better results.
Pros of Chemical Acne Moisturizers:
- Sunscreen moisturizers are chemical-based
- Highly effective for short-term acne treatment
- Often include age-defying ingredients
- Can bleach and even out skin tones and blemishes
- Designed specifically for acne-prone skin
- Promotes deep hydration with moisturizing ingredients
Cons of Chemical Acne Moisturizers:
- Strips all natural oils from skin
- Can over-dry skin causing more irritation and breakouts
- Can experience side effects
- Requires strict adherence to application instructions
Anti-acne or All-purpose Moisturizers
You could get away with using an all-purpose moisturizer if your skin isn’t too oily. But, for the acne prone, you really should stick with acne-specific moisturizers that are specially formulated to help you beat the breakout and tame down the shine.
Even if the label of the product doesn’t specifically sport anti-acne, acne prone, or non-acnegenic in its marketing, take a look at the ingredients. Seeing salicylic acid or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and benzoyl peroxide are good indications that you have an acne-specific moisturizer.
But, since all skin types are different, some all-purpose moisturizers have the ability to cater to all skin types, including being effective for the acne prone, such as the Body Merry Retinol Surge Moisturizer. Why? Because it’s cleansing, disinfecting, and replenishing much-needed hydration and moisturization that even oily and acne prone types need.
Non Comedogenic vs Comedogenic
Comedogenic moisturizers are going to clog pores and make your breakouts look like something that resembles The Blob. While comedogenic ingredients like Cocoa Butter, pigments, and dyes are seemingly harmless, it can aggravate skin that is prone to acne.
Instead, you want non-comedogenic moisturizers that are oil-free and lightweight in consistency. And, even though the moisturizer may be lightweight, you don’t want to compromise on quality and substance.
Another good indication is how well it applies. Look for moisturizers that are fast-absorbing, dries quickly, has no greasy or filmy residue, and doesn’t feel layered or packed onto the skin.
And, even if you’re a pro at using non-comedogenic moisturizers, you might find that you’re still breaking out. Sorry to tell you, but it might not be the fault of the moisturizer.
Are you unconsciously touching your face a lot? Do you wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently? Did you know your cell phone, remote, car steering wheel, mouse, and keyboard are all heavily laden with germs? Are you seeing a pattern here? Acne thrives on bacteria. So, less touching and obsessing about the face and more being strict about what touches the delicate skin of your profile.
Fragrance or No Fragrance
Everyone should know this, but just in case you didn’t, fragrances can irritate and negatively affect acne-prone skin. Fragrances are often made with both natural and synthetic ingredients, and companies aren’t required to tell you everything that’s in a “fragrance”.
Scented moisturizers may cause issues for you too, so keep an eye on where these aromatic oils, scents, and fragrances appear in the ingredients list. If it’s last, it might be a safe best. But, best of all, it won’t have any.
So, while the sweet aroma of Petal Kisses or Divine Roses might sound appealing, just stay away.
Acid Guide
The most common acids that you’re going to find in acne and skin care moisturizers are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and hyaluronic acid. But, which one is the kind for you? Here’s our brief guide on understanding the acids.
- Exfoliant – provides benefits of scrubbing without physically scrubbing
- Shucks off dead skin cells
- Opens pores
- Balances skin pH levels
- Reduces inflammation and redness
- Effective in low concentrations
- Bactericidal
- Works very quickly
- Good partner with antibiotics
- Can prevent antibiotic resistance
- Humectant – moisture-binding
- Naturally occurring in the body
- Powerful ability to retain moisture
- Provides youthful-looking, plump, supple skin
- Lightweight
- Highly concentrated
- Revitalize outer skin layer
Break Free from Acne
With all the life-saver acne prone moisturizers out there, there’s no reason to have to fight your skin problems alone. Whether you’re a greenie and you prefer the organic and all-natural methods or if you’re sold on whatever works and gets the job done, you can be free of the shackles that holds your self-confidence hostage.
Let your face shine – in a good way, and embrace the possibilities of what life would look like without zits and other bits chaining you down. Now’s the time to break free!
