Acne is the single most common skin condition in the United States, but not all breakouts are created equal. In fact, oily skin and acne tend to go hand in hand, but you can still experience breakouts even if you have dry or dehydrated skin.

Believe it or not, dry and dehydrated skin may even exacerbate acne. Whether acne treatments have left your skin dry or you simply have a dry skin type, we’re here to break down when and why you need a moisturizer, and our dermatologists’ top product picks, including:

• Does moisturizer help with acne?
• The best moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin
• The best moisturizer for red, inflamed, dry and acne-prone skin
• The best oil-free moisturizer
• The best natural moisturizer for acne-prone skin
• The best moisturizer for dry, acne-prone skin
• The best non-comedogenic moisturizer
• The best salicylic acid moisturizer
• The best tinted moisturizer for acne-prone skin

Does moisturizer help with acne?

Moisturized skin is a key component in a healthy complexion, but your skin may have enough natural moisture on its own. Board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger says:

“You shouldn’t moisturize simply for the sake of moisturizing. If your skin feels hydrated and healthy, it usually isn’t necessary to layer on a moisturizer. It’s all about knowing your skin and listening to cues that show your skin barrier is damaged or your skin is dehydrated. Sometimes, this will require a trip to your dermatologist for confirmation or treatment as well.”

If you’re unsure whether your skin is exhibiting signs of skin barrier damage or dehydration, pay attention to the finer details. Does your skin appear dull, or are your fine lines and wrinkles more pronounced? Your skin may be dehydrated, which presents a great opportunity for a hydrator. If your skin feels tight, red, flaky or irritated, it may be a sign of a damaged skin barrier.

Dr. Daniel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin Medical Director, compares a damaged skin barrier to peeling paint on a car. “If the paint on your car is chipping off, things from the environment can get into it, and it can start to rust and break down. Your skin is the same way. You have to have moisture, so your skin cells can adhere to one another.”

If your skin barrier is damaged, it disrupts the natural environment of your skin, which can lead to increased inflammation, bacteria, and other skin infections, all of which can worsen acne.

Lastly, if you are using exfoliators like the LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Mild 11% or retinols on the skin, you should consider layering a moisturizer on top to help prevent dryness or peeling.

The best moisturizers for acne-prone skin

Finding a moisturizer for acne-prone skin can be challenging, but remember to listen to what your skin tells you. If your skin feels a little tight, try a lightweight moisturizer. If you want to control oiliness, look for a mattifying product. Lastly, listen to your skin once you start using it. If you don’t feel your moisturizer is improving, try a different formula or reach out to your dermatologist for help.

The best moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin

If your skin is oily and acne-prone, a mattifying formula is a great place to start because it will help absorb excess oil. You may also benefit from using a moisturizer that contains exfoliating ingredients to improve cell turnover, which can reduce breakouts.

LovelySkin LUXE Mattifying Antioxidant Moisturizer

This dermatologist-developed formula helps balance and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, creating a matte finish. It’s also enriched with afaLUXE™, a powerful ingredient that helps gently exfoliate to remove excess oil and dead skin cells while encouraging a smoother skin texture.

The best moisturizer for red, inflamed, dry and acne-prone skin

Acne-prone skin can be prone to redness and irritation, which calls for products that help tame inflammation and dryness. If you’re experiencing irritated skin, prioritize skin barrier health and opt for a soothing formula.

CLn Facial Moisturizer

Made with niacinamide and ceramides to soothe inflammation and offer antioxidant benefits, this calming, yet lightweight formula helps tame redness while maintaining skin barrier health. Its fast-absorbing, non-greasy texture locks in hydration while soothing acne-prone skin.

The best oil-free moisturizer

If your skin is oily, you may not want to add more oil to the mix. Oil-free moisturizers tend to be lighter in weight and can help maintain your skin’s natural moisture levels. Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says, “Since acne-prone individuals usually have an excess of oil and sebum on the skin, adding more oils can lead to further pore clogging.”

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer

It’s possible to hydrate without making your skin feel slick, and this oil-free moisturizer checks that box. It’s made with perlite and silica to absorb excess oil and contains niacinamide to soothe any acne-related inflammation.

The best natural moisturizer for acne-prone skin

If you prefer natural and organic ingredients in your routine, there are options for you, too. Many common acne ingredients, such as AHAs, are often derived from natural sources.

Eminence Organics Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer

This lightweight gel-cream moisturizer helps hydrate skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. It contains lactic acid to encourage cell turnover, antioxidant-rich superfruit mangosteen to shield against environmental stress and ribose to smooth skin texture.

The best moisturizer for dry, acne-prone skin

If you experience dryness and acne, you’re faced with a special challenge. The best moisturizer for dry, acne-prone skin will balance the skin barrier and hydrate without clogging pores.

Obagi CLENZIderm MD Therapeutic Moisturizer

The Obagi CLENZIderm collection was specifically designed for individuals with acne-prone skin. This moisturizer targets dryness caused by acne treatments that sap skin of its natural moisture. It’s made with 20% glycerin to increase water content at the skin’s surface as well as soothing allantoin and dimethicone.

The best non-comedogenic moisturizer

Many products carry a “non-comedogenic” label, which implies that it won’t clog your pores. Dr. Joel Schlessinger says: “When a product is noted as 'non-comedogenic,’ this usually means one of two things. Either a dermatologist has evaluated the ingredients on actual patients, reviewed the ingredients and concluded they are not at risk for acne, or testing on animals has been performed. Due to the increased desire to avoid animal testing in product development, studies are rarely performed. Therefore, the term is somewhat confusing, and most dermatologists take it with a grain of salt!”

He continues, “This doesn't mean you can't believe anything stated about whether or not a product causes acne, but it does mean you will probably have to do your own investigation or count on a dermatologist for the best information. At LovelySkin.com, I try to find those products that are helpful or, at the very least, not hurtful for acne. That's one reason we exist—to help our customers navigate this very confusing world.”

ALASTIN Skincare HA IMMERSE Serum

This hydrating serum is made with a proprietary peptide that helps skin boost its own natural hyaluronic acid production, along with hydrating silver mushroom extract. It’s lightweight, non-comedogenic and clinically proven to improve moisture levels.

The best salicylic acid moisturizer

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, that helps dissolve dead skin cells and oil. It offers anti-inflammatory benefits and helps regulate natural oil production to keep breakouts at bay, making it a great option for someone with acne-prone skin.

Dermalogica Acne Biotic Moisturizer

Formulated for adult acne, this 0.5% salicylic acid moisturizer helps keep pores clear while preventing future breakouts. It contains bioengineered plankton extract and glycerin to soothe and maintain the skin barrier while balancing oil production.

The best tinted moisturizer for acne-prone skin

Whether you have post-breakout marks on your skin (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or generalized redness due to inflammation, you may want a tinted formula to help tame any discoloration. Thankfully, we offer options specifically designed for reducing redness, as well as options that suit your skin tone.

EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Broad Spectrum SPF 50 - Green Tint for Redness

Created with a green tint, this unique sunscreen helps tame redness while hydrating with a nourishing blend of ceramides. It’s made with 100% mineral sun filters and designed for individuals with sensitive skin. Plus, it helps hydrate and protect while counteracting visible redness.

Revision Skincare Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45 Matte

This lightweight formula creates a natural-looking matte finish with sheer coverage that promotes a more even skin tone. It contains peptides to address signs of aging, lecithin to minimize the appearance of pores and vitamin C to brighten the skin.

Should you be including vitamin C in your acne skin care routine? You can learn more on the LovelySkin blog.