K, maybe you’ve heard this a million times, but it bears repeating: You can’t skip out on moisturizer if you’ve got oily or acne-prone skin. Sorry, not sorry, but if you want to keep your oily skin at bay, the secret is to keep it hydrated with a great moisturizer.
And before you’re all like, huh, contradictory much?! A few derms and I broke down everything you need to know about the best moisturizers for acne-prone and oily skin types, why they’re essential, aaaand even sifted through the hundreds of creams on the market right now to find your match. If you’ve tried everything to get rid of your oily skin to no avail, it’s time to pop one of these 15 face creams for acne-prone and oily skin in your bag ASAP.
Meet the experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, Vice President of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and Associate Clinical Professor at Yale. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color.
- Heidi Waldorf, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics in New York who specializes in cosmetic dermatology. Waldorf previously spoke to Cosmo about how to get rid of oily skin.
- Anar Mikailov, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Massachusets, and founder of KP Away. Mikailov previously spoke to Cosmo about the best face moisturizers for all skin types.
And if you’re just here for the goods, and don’t want alllll the ~great knowledge~ below (which, whomp whomp), here’s a little sneak peek of the content ahead:
Our top picks for the best moisturizers for acne-prone and oily skin in 2022:
Does acne-prone skin need moisturizer?
“Moisturizing is important to keep the skin’s barrier intact,” Waldorf has told Cosmo. It might feel a little counterintuitive to load up on heavy creams and lotions when you’ve got hella shine on your face, but skipping moisturizer can actually make your face produce more oil (and that definitely isn’t the goal, right?).
Oily skin and acne typically tend to go hand in hand, considering too much oil production on your face contributes to blackheads, clogged pores, and all those ~lovely~ breakouts. So when looking for a moisturizer for your skin, it could be beneficial to purchase products that target and address both of these skin concerns.
In addition to regular cleansing and treating, you’ll also want to invest in a lightweight—yet super hydrating—moisturizer to keep excess oil, and therefore acne, at bay. “Use a light lotion instead of a heavier cream,” says Gohara. Lotions are more-so water-based, whereas creams are more-so oil-based, and oil, of course, is something you’ll want to avoid, she explains.
How to choose the best moisturizer for acne-prone and oily skin:
Determine your skin type
Listen, I get it, you’re here because you have oily skin—a no-brainer, right? But there’s more to it than just having oily skin—in this case, I’m referencing your skin’s sensitivity and other skin concerns like acne. Your general skin type and pre-existing skin concerns are the best indicators for what type of moisturizer you should use, Mikailov has explained to Cosmo, adding that “as the ingredient list grows, so does the likelihood of irritation or allergic reaction.” Leading us to need to…
Examine the ingredients
Once you choose your moisturizer’s consistency, those with oily skin should look for formulas with lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid or glycerin, Waldorf explained. If you have sensitive skin and legit breakout at the thought of trying new products and ingredients, stick to “alcohol-, fragrance-, and oil-free products,” says Gohara, adding that you should also keep an eye out for products that are “non-comedogenic,” AKA a ~fancy~ way of saying the ingredients won’t clog your pores.
Develop a skincare routine
And finally, if you’re looking to keep your oily skin in check, in addition to popping one of these moisturizers for oily and acne-prone skin in your cart, you should def develop a skincare routine.
But before you do, understand that I don’t suggest that you purchase a million unnecessary products, in fact, adding too many products will increase your chances of looking, well, oily. Start with a great oil-free face wash, one of these moisturizers below, and a sunscreen for oily skin (yes, non-greasy sunscreens do indeed exist). See? Easy peasy.
The best moisturizers for acne-prone and oily skin
Now for the fun part, and what you’ve all been waiting for: The 15 best moisturizers for acne-prone and oily skin on the market. Buh-byeee oil and acne, won’t miss ya!
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