Building a skin care routine for acne-prone skin is a finely-tuned and carefully-curated endeavour. And it’s never a one-size-fits-all journey either.
Although the basic principle of preventing congestion underlies all truly beneficial pimple-busting products, there’s also a wealth of factors to consider, which determine what your skin may need.
It’s for this very reason that we’ve cultivated a comprehensive list of moisturisers for acne-prone skin that combat congestion, but also do so much more.
Acne-prone skin can deal with a long list of issues that either accompany or stem from its congestion and imbalance, such as dehydration, inflammation, an impaired moisture barrier, et cetera, et cetera.
Here, these six top-rated moisturisers for acne-prone skin aim to calm, balance and clear where possible and fortify the foundations of healthy skin.
2024’s top moisturiser for acne prone skin
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Matte Anti-Shine Moisturiser, $28.50, Amazon Australia
- Bioderma Sébium Hydra Moisturiser, $20.99, Amazon Australia
- Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel, $79, Sephora Australia
The best moisturiser for acne-prone skin 2024
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Matte Anti-Shine Moisturiser
from $28.50 at Amazon Australia
Best for: A shine-free complexion
This multitasking moisturiser regulates sebum and oil-production to keep pores congestion-free, plus, it mattifies for a shine-free finish that works well under makeup.
Sizes: 40ml
Key features:
- Formulated with sebum-regulating ingredients
- Gentle exfoliants tighten enlarged pores and refine skin texture
- Mattifies the complexion
- Suitable for sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin susceptible to shine and clogged pores
Available at:
- $28.50 from Amazon Australia
- $30.36 from Priceline
- $30.39 from Chemist Warehouse
Bioderma Sébium Hydra Moisturiser
from $20.99 at Amazon Australia
Best for: Regulating pore-clogging sebum
Bioderma have patented their own Fluidactiv
complex to biologically regulate sebum quality, ensuring pores stay free from congestion and blemishes. Anti-irritants enoxolone and allantoin soothe and reduce redness, and moisturising glycerine and reinforcing ceramides help to hydrate and strengthen the moisture barrier.
Sizes: 40ml
Key features:
- Contains sebum-regulating Fluidactiv complex
- Stops congestion and blemishes from forming
- Anti-irritants soothe and reduce redness
- Lightweight hydrators provide moisture
- Helps to reduce dry, tight-feeling skin
Available at:
- $20.99 from Amazon Australia
- $20.99 from Priceline
- $29.99 from Adore Beauty
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel
from $79 at Sephora
Best for: Balancing skin and stopping irritation
This oil-free, lightweight pick contains Korean red pine extract, which helps to inhibit a process called quorum sensing—a process known to cause microbiome imbalance and irritation. Hyaluronic acid and saicylic acid are also in the mix to hydrate and refine for a balanced, non-greasy complexion.
Sizes: 50ml / 60ml
Key features:
- Korean red pine extract halts microbiome imbalance and irritation
- Hyaluronic acid to hydrate
- Salicylic acid to refine texture
- Oil-free water-gel texture
- Non-greasy finish
Available at:
- $79 from Sephora
- $79 from Murad
- $79 from Adore Beauty
Bescher Sea Cucumber Collagen Calming Cream
from $103 at Bescher
Best for: Healing surface inflammation
This innovative formula utilises sea cucumber collagen to help heal surface inflammation, as well as ceramides, squalene, MSM and antioxidants to soothe redness, accelerate wound healing, and improve moisture levels, texture and tone.
Sizes: 50ml
Key features:
- Sea cucumber heals surface inflammation and accelerates wound healing
- Contains a hydrating and soothing blend of ceramides, squalene, MSM and antioxidants
- Works to calm and soothe redness
- Improves skin texture and tone
Available at:
- $103 from Bescher
Rejuvaus Antioxidant Light Moisturiser
from $180 at Rejuvaus
Best for: Hydration that won’t clog pores
Most moisturisers rely on thick occlusive ingredients to reduce trans epidermal water loss, however this can lead to congestion. But this pick uses multiple weights of hyaluronic acids and fatty acids to restore hydration, as well as niacinamide to refine pores.
Sizes: 50ml
Key features:
- Uses lightweight humectants (hyaluronic acid) and fatty acids (moisture-replenishing lipids) to hydrate
- Niacinamide refines pores and skin texture and tone
- Softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Uses clean ingredients that won’t lead to irritation or congestion
Airless packaging ensures formula stability
Leitin Face Hydrator
from $54 at Leitin
Best for: Lightweight nourishment
Many lightweight moisturisers skimp on ingredients that can help to nourish the skin, but reducing the risk of congestion doesn’t have to mean compromising on nourishment. This formula has been enriched with a hydration complex that utilises antioxidant-rich botanicals such as banksia flower and wattle seed, as well as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.
Sizes:
Key features:
- Lightweight and fast-absorbing
- Banksia flower and wattle seed brighten and enhance radiance
Tasmanian Mountain Pepper calms and promotes skin resilience - Hyaluronic acid hydrates
Ceramides fortify the moisture barrier
Niacinamide refines pores, tone and texture
Which moisturiser is best for acne-prone skin?
An oil-free moisturiser with a lightweight consistency is usually the best rule of thumb, but if you find your skin errs on the drier side or deals with sensitivities as a result of acne it could be worth testing out your skin’s tolerance to moisturisers with hydrating ingredients that promote moisture replenishment, and well-researched skin-soothing ingredients too.
Is moisturiser good for acne?
Moisturiser can be beneficial to acne-prone skin as it can help to regulate oil and sebum production by keeping the skin hydrated and balanced, but be wary of ingredients lists that include ingredients such as pore-clogging heavy oils, waxes, and petrolatum, and irritating fragrance and perfume.
Looking to save money on moisturiser for acne-prone skin? Check out our coupon codes for Net-A-Porter, MECCA and more.
Main image credit: @taylor_hill
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
