Best Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin

Anyone prone to breakouts knows that you can’t just slap any ol’ moisturizer on your face and call it a day.

If you’re part of this lucky club, you know that acne-safe moisturizers are hard to come by.

But don’t worry—we did the work for you and found four of the best moisturizers on the market that will keep your skin nourished and hydrated without clogging your pores and breaking you out.

The 4 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin, Tested and Reviewed

My top choice for the overall best acne-safe moisturizer is Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream because of its affordability, efficacy, and hydrating ingredients. 

While I also love both moisturizers from Clearstem (Hydraberry and Hydraglow), their price point is a bit less accessible, bumping Tower 28 to the number one spot. 

CLEARSTEM Hydraberry Moisture Mask is my pick for the best acne-safe moisturizer for dry skin, while Hydraglow is excellent for people looking for an anti-aging and acne-safe moisturizer (a rare gem of a combo, let me tell you).

Lastly, if you’re on a budget or want to go the drugstore route, CLEARSTEM Hydraberry Moisture Mask is my pick for the best acne-safe moisturizer for dry skin, while Hydraglow is excellent for people looking for an anti-aging and acne-safe moisturizer (a rare gem of a combo, let me tell you).

As a note, every one of these moisturizers contains zero comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients, so I will not list that in the “pros and cons” because they all are non-comedogenic.

The Nutrition Insider Methodology

Here at The Nutrition Insider, we don’t recommend any old product off the shelf, and we certainly aren’t swayed by free products or monetary incentives. 

We put a lot of thought and care into the products and brands we recommend—in fact, we have an entire library of trusted brands that we’ve thoroughly vetted here—to help take the guesswork out of your shopping experience.

Here’s a quick look at the selection criteria we used when evaluating mouthwashes and the testing methods utilized to determine the best of the best.

Our Selection Criteria

Acne-safe moisturizers must do two primary things: moisturize the skin and not clog pores. However, several other factors must be considered when evaluating moisturizers, including the safety of the ingredients, value, efficacy, and usability.

Ingredients

Many skincare products contain potentially harmful ingredients. While I won’t use the term “clean” when describing these products (as the word is essentially meaningless in this day and age of greenwashing), I will evaluate the ingredients’ safety, toxicity, and potential ability to cause irritation, allergic responses, or other adverse reactions. 

When it comes to acne-safe skincare specifically, you must consider each ingredient’s comedogenic rating. Also known as “pore-clogging,” comedogenicity is the primary reason why you can break out from a particular skincare product (even if it says “acne-safe”!). 

While there are dozens, if not hundreds, of comedogenic skincare ingredients, here are some of the top offenders: 

• Coconut oil 
• Algae, kelp, and seaweed extracts
• Beeswax
• Cocoa butter
• Shea butter
• Sodium laureth (or lauryl) sulfate (SLS) 
• Wheat germ oil 
• Isopropyl myristate
• Olive oil 
• Soybean oil
• ​​Glyceryl stearate SE

Although many of these are high-quality, excellent ingredients in any other context—and are very commonly used in “natural” skincare—they, unfortunately, have high acne-causing potential. Comedogenicity is rated on a scale of 0 to 5, with 5 being the most pore-clogging. 

For example, coconut oil has a comedogenic rating of 4, while acne-safe argan oil has a 0 rating. 

That said, everybody’s skin reacts differently to certain ingredients, so feel free to test products out and see how your skin reacts. Plus, comedogenic ratings are not an exact science, so you may see varying scores on different sites.

For a complete list of comedogenic ingredients, check out the Clearstem Pore-Clogging Ingredient Checker, Acne Clinic NYC, or Skin Nutritious. 

Lastly, I am also looking to see if these moisturizers have beneficial hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, bakuchiol, or glycerin.

Price

Of course, price is important when it comes to skincare, especially for something you use twice daily. 

In addition to the price tag, I considered the quality of the ingredients used to assess overall value.

Effectiveness

No matter how great the ingredients and price point are, it doesn’t really matter unless the moisturizer actually works, right? 

I’ve got you covered here—both from personal experience and reading dozens of reviews to make sure the moisturizer is doing what it says it’s going to do (and not do, aka break you out!).

Our Testing Methods

Duration & Frequency

I used each moisturizer for at least three days, twice daily. 

Effectiveness

To test effectiveness, I evaluated how moisturized my skin felt after using it (both once and over the several-day period), in addition to any unwanted textures, like stickiness or greasiness. 

I also kept a close eye on any breakouts that might be forming. My skin is sensitive enough that I can break out the next day from comedogenic skincare, and all four of these moisturizers passed the test.  

Usability and Accessibility

This section evaluates the overall user experience, including the ease of removing any seals or caps, the type of container (e.g., squeeze tube vs. open tub), and anything that helped or hindered accessibility or usability.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

Even after reading through our testing methodology, you might still be left wondering why you should trust our product reviews.

The Nutrition Insider prides itself on being a neutral third party that only reviews products we believe in.

Our team consists of doctors, registered dietitians, and food experts who are dedicated to providing you with the best science-backed takes on the latest food and nutrition trends and health products.

Beyond just providing you with research-driven product reviews, our goal is to educate and inform you––our health-conscious audience––of the best practices across the health and wellness spaces, including dieting principles, supplement buying guides, trends, and new developments in the industry, etc.

Our content dives deeper than surface-level branding and marketing claims, providing you with value-added “industry insider” information.

For more information about how The Nutrition Insider conducts its reviews and other aspects of our business, please feel free to read our Editorial Policy.

Top 4 Acne-Safe Moisturizers: Reviews and Recommendations

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for—the recommendations! I have dealt with breakouts for most of my life, so if you’re Googling “acne-safe moisturizer” and ended up here, I feel you. 

These products were not tested and evaluated by someone with annoyingly perfect skin, so when I say they are acne-safe, I know because they are!

That said, you know that we all have vastly different skin triggers, so, as always, take caution when you start using a product for the first time to make sure your skin reacts well to it.

1. Overall Best Acne-Safe Moisturizer: Tower 28 SOS Barrier Recovery Cream

My top choice for the overall best acne-safe moisturizer is Tower 28 SOS Daily Barrier Recovery Cream because of its affordability, efficacy, and hydrating ingredients. 

Out of all the moisturizers I tested, this one had the best “weight”—meaning it was neither too lightweight nor too heavy. 

It was not greasy, did not leave a sticky or oily residue, and performed well under makeup without causing pilling. 

It’s also fragrance-free (great for people with sensitive skin) and contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. 

Overall Rating

A+

Main Ingredients

The Tower 28 SOS Barrier Recovery Cream contains the following ingredients: 

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Sclerotium Gum, Triolein, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Behenyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Ceramide NP, Glyceryl Dioleate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin

While many of those ingredients look a little scary, this moisturizer scored a “2” on the EWG Skin Deep site (out of 10), meaning it has low potential for carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive concerns, or allergic reactions.

However, a couple of the ingredients (ethylhexylglycerin and microcrystalline cellulose) were shown to have a moderate potential for skin irritation and allergies/immunotoxicity, respectively.

That said, ethylhexylglycerin is the last ingredient listed, meaning there’s not much of it. 

Regarding beneficial ingredients, this moisturizer contains four forms of hyaluronic acid, a highly hydrating compound, and ceramides, which keep moisture in the skin and support the skin barrier.  

This moisturizer is also fragrance-free, which many sensitive skin sufferers will rejoice about, and is accepted by the National Eczema Foundation. 

Effectiveness

I thoroughly enjoyed using the Tower 28 moisturizer, as it’s moderate-weight texture was perfect for my semi-dry, combination skin. 

As you can see in the photo above, Tower 28 is one of the thickest-looking moisturizers, but it doesn’t come off greasy or sticky and does not leave an oily residue or sheen. 

It worked just fine under makeup, with no annoying pilling that can occur with some moisturizers. 

I also found that this moisturizer did what it was supposed to do: it moisturized! A few dry spots I had seemed to suck up this moisturizer every time I used it, with improvements taking place over the few days. 

And, of course, this moisturizer did not break me out.

Price vs. Serving Size

Tower 28 SOS Barrier Recovery Cream is available at several big-box retailers and on their website.

Based on their website, this moisturizer costs $24.00 for 1.86 ounces ($12.90 / Fl Oz). 

It’s not the least expensive option, but it’s definitely not the most costly. Overall, I think this moisturizer is very reasonably priced.

My one complaint is that the tube is a little small, and I use more of a product when it comes in a squeezable tube than when it comes in a tub (like the Clearstem moisturizers). After just about four or five days of use, it seems like I am already one-quarter of the way through the container. 

2. Best Acne-Safe Moisturizer for Dry Skin: CLEARSTEM Hydraberry

Clearstem is a standout acne-safe skincare brand, and they are unique in that they promote anti-acne and anti-aging simultaneously, whereas most other skincare products have to pick one or the other. 

The CLEARSTEM Hydraberry Moisture Mask is my top choice for acne-prone people with dry skin, as it’s highly hydrating and nourishing—in fact, they call it a “moisture mask” rather than a moisturizer. 

It contains plenty of botanical ingredients, such as squalane, argan stem cells, abyssine, aloe vera, arnica flower, turmeric, and green tea extract. I also love its minty scent (from real peppermint oil, not fragrance). 

I gave this product a top score for moisturizing ability and experience, but the overall grade dropped slightly for a few ingredient issues.

Overall Rating

A

Main Ingredients

Some of the main ingredients in Hydraberry include:

• Squalane: A lighter derivative of squalene (a natural lipid found in many plants and animals) that is highly hydrating, safe for acne-prone skin, and has antioxidant properties to support anti-aging.
• Aloe vera: A cooling, anti-inflammatory plant used to calm redness and irritation. 
• Arnica flower: A plant that can calm inflammation and heal wounds (such as open breakouts).
• Abyssine: A natural seed oil from the Crambe abyssinica plant that supports healing and can help to protect skin from UV damage.
• Blueberry fruit extract: The “berry” in Hydraberry comes from this extract, which has been shown in research to improve the skin barrier and protect it from environmental stressors when applied topically. 
• Sodium hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid that acts as a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin.

The complete ingredient list can be found here: 

Water/Aqua, Propanediol, Squalane (Olive), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Raphanus Sativux (Radish) Seed Extract, Isopentyldiol, Butylene Glycol, Arnica Montana (Arnica Flower) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Tea Leaf) Extract, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract., Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract*, Jojoba Esters, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Erythritol, Polylysine, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol

*Certified Organic

As a quick note, “jojoba esters,” as seen in this product, are non-comedogenic, but “jojoba oil” that is non-esterified is comedogenic. 

This moisturizer also received a “2” rating by EWG, but some of its ingredients, including Camellia Sinensis (Tea Leaf) Extract and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, were flagged as potentially allergy-causing or immunotoxic. 

Plus, I do not like that the complete ingredient list is only on the outer box that the container comes in, which most people readily toss out as soon as they get it. They list a few key ingredients on the front of the bottle, but I prefer to have a full ingredient list handy for reference. 

Effectiveness

The Clearstem Hydraberry moisture mask is highly effective at hydrating and moisturizing skin. 

It has a dreamy scent and luxurious texture that feels like you’re getting a spa treatment—and it really hydrates your skin. Although you’d think from the name that it would smell like berries, the scent is minty and peppermint oil-based (no fragrance). 

This moisturizer is perfect for people with very dry or dehydrated skin or for use during the winter months. As my skin runs dry, I really enjoyed it.   

I used it morning and night, but if your skin is oily, you may want to use it only at night. It does not leave your skin with an oily residue, but it could be too much for some people, especially if they want to put makeup on immediately. However, I did not have an issue with wearing Hydraberry underneath makeup after letting it soak in for about 20 minutes. 
One downside of the tub-based container is that it’s less sanitary than a squeeze tube or pump bottle, and these moisturizers do not come with a little spoon. While you can use a cotton swab, I prefer these small metal spatulas for skincare or makeup, which are easy to clean and reuse.

Price vs. Serving Size

At $44.00 for a 2-ounce container, this product is on the pricier side ($22 / Fl Oz) but certainly not outrageous in the skincare world.

Plus, tub containers like this go much further, in my opinion, than tube-based creams. I have been using this for over a week and barely made a dent, so I’m assuming it will last two months or more—especially if you only use it at night.

3. Best Acne-Safe Moisturizer for Anti-Aging: ​​Clearstem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer

If you struggle with acne but are in your 30s and beyond (fun stuff), you probably want products that both fight acne and signs of aging—and the Clearstem Hydraglow Stem Cell Moisturizer is an excellent choice. 

This moisturizer is non-greasy, hydrating, and helps to fight fine lines and wrinkles with the addition of bakuchiol. However, it’s expensive and has a couple of potentially irritating ingredients.

Overall Rating

A-

Main Ingredients

Two of the key ingredients in Hydraglow that make it an anti-aging moisturizer are bakuchiol and plant-based stem cells.

Bakuchiol acts like retinol (probably the most famous skincare ingredient there is), but unlike retinol, it does not cause sun sensitivity. Many people blindly use retinol every night but don’t adequately protect their skin from the sun, leading to worse skin and increased signs of aging—the opposite of what they want. 

Rather, bakuchiol has the same mechanism as retinol—increasing skin cell turnover—but does cause side effects like flaking skin or extreme redness. However, some people still report mild irritation or redness when first starting bakuchiol. 

The other key anti-aging ingredient is plant-based stem cells, which are derived from amino acids and peptides that work to promote collagen synthesis and skin cell turnover. 

Regarding moisturizing ingredients, you’ll find glycerin, squalane, rosehip seed oil, blueberry seed oil, sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid derivative), argan oil, sunflower seed oil, and sea buckthorn. 

Here is the full ingredient list in Hydraglow:

Water/Aqua/Eau, *Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Raphanus Sativux (Radish) Seed Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bakuchiol, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Blueberry) Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Callus Culture Extract, Isomal, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Seed Oil, Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Lactic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol

*Certified Organic

Although this product is not rated on EWG, it shares a few ingredient similarities with the Clearstem Hydraberry, including green tea leaf extract, which was flagged as potentially causing skin irritation or allergic reactions. As mentioned, bakuchiol can also irritate some people.

Effectiveness

Clearstem Hydraglow effectively hydrates and moisturizes the skin. This product is lighter than the Hydraberry mask and best suited for people with normal to combination acne-prone skin who are starting to experience signs of skin aging.

You can use it day and night, as it sits well under makeup and is not too heavy. 

I did not experience any oily or greasy residue, nor any stickiness after using this. Although it looks quite light in texture, I’d describe it as a moderate-weight moisturizer. 

As a bonus, I feel like my skin looks extra glowy after using this moisturizer.  

As mentioned in the previous section, a downside of the tub-based container is that it’s less sanitary than a squeeze tube or pump bottle, and these moisturizers do not come with a little spoon. 

Price vs. Serving Size

This is definitely an expensive moisturizer at $56 for 2 ounces ($28 / Fl Oz).

However, if you are concerned with wrinkles or signs of facial aging and use retinol serums (which typically cost anywhere from $20 to $80 per ounce), this could be worth it as a two-in-one product for both anti-acne and anti-aging.

If you’re 20 years old with not a wrinkle in sight, you probably don’t need to use this one yet—but for the late 20s, 30s, and beyond, I think the price is semi-justified due to its abundance of beneficial ingredients and dual action.

4. Best Drugstore Acne-Safe Moisturizer: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

If you’re looking for an acne-safe moisturizer on a budget, Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is the one—especially for people with sensitive skin who have to be wary of every ingredient they put on their face.

You can’t beat the price, but this moisturizer might be a little too lightweight for people with dry skin looking for deep hydration. Still, I awarded it top points for its accessibility, minimal ingredients, and effectiveness for most skin types.

Overall Rating

A+

Pros & Cons

Main Ingredients

Vanicream has the simplest ingredient list out of any of these moisturizers, and it’s free of dyes, fragrances, masking fragrances, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, and botanical extracts.

While botanical extracts can have beneficial properties, they can also be irritating for people with sensitive skin. 

Therefore, this moisturizer is highly recommended by dermatologists for people with sensitive skin. 

The main moisturizing and hydrating ingredients in Vanicream are squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and four types of ceramides. Here’s the full ingredient list: 

Purified water, squalane, glycerin, pentylene glycol, polyglyceryl-2 stearate, glyceryl stearate, stearyl alcohol, hyaluronic acid, ceramide EOP, ceramide NG, ceramide NP, ceramide AS, ceramide AP, carnosine, hydrogenated lecithin, phytosterols, caprylyl glycol, polyacrylate crosspolymer-11, 1,2-hexanediol

Like with the Tower 28 moisturizer, some of these ingredients can look kind of scary, but they’re actually not. In fact, this Vanicream moisturizer has the best EWG rating (“1”), with all ingredients passing the test. 

I also love that the Vanicream website has a page for their ingredients that describes what their functions are. 

Effectiveness

As I have combination skin with plenty of dry patches, I typically prefer a moderate-weight moisturizer that really sinks in. This one was pretty lightweight (almost runny in texture). That said, I think the Vanicream moisturizer did its job of gently hydrating and soaking into my skin. (And the people definitely agree, with a 4.6 average rating on Amazon from 16,600 reviews!)

If you have severely dry skin, you may need to use more of this moisturizer or apply it more often. I also think this is an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin, as it’s free of just about everything that could irritate you.

Price vs. Serving Size

You can’t beat this price, at just $14.95 for 3 oz ($4.98 / Fl Oz). Plus, the ingredients are non-toxic and non-irritating. Win-win!

Key Takeaways

Acne-safe moisturizers don’t have to be an oxymoron—there are plenty of hydrating and nourishing options out there that won’t clog your pores and break you out. 

I personally tested these four moisturizers and checked their ingredients for comedogenicity, finding all of them to work effectively at moisturizing my combination skin and not breaking me out. 

My favorite overall for everyday use is the Tower 28 SOS Barrier Recovery Cream, but the other three were also excellent choices.

I would use CLEARSTEM Hydraberry on extra-dry days, during the winter, or when my skin needs an extra hydration boost, and the CLEARSTEM Hydraglow is perfect for people wanting an anti-aging and anti-acne combination.

Lastly, you can’t beat the price and low-irritation ingredients in Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, which is excellent for those with sensitive skin.