This *Super* Key Step Can Make or Break Your Acne Routine

This drugstore facial moisturizer is still my #1 recommendation for acne-prone skin. It's affordable and formulated specifically for hypersensitive, reactive, and acne-prone skin. Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane provide a mega dose of hydration but won't irritate skin or clog pores.

Pros: Affordable, deeply hydrating, formulated for extremely sensitive skin

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for drier skin types

Customer Review: "I use this as apart of both my day and night skincare routine. It's very light and simple. Doesn't clog my pores or cause breakouts, which is a godsend for me. Little to no scent, absorbs fast, and is great for under makeup or SPF. My favorite moisturizer I've tried and it's very affordable."

This is one of my all time favorite moisturizers for dehydrated, sensitive, acne-prone skin. While Darden offers this lighter weight, oil-free cream too, I prefer this one, especially during the winter. It's rich enough to quench dry or thirsty skin, but never irritates or causes new breakouts.

Pros: Deeply hydrating without clogging pores, great winter moisturizer

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "Shani Darden’s moisturize is the secret to fighting dry skin in the winter. This has been the perfect addition to my morning routine! My skin feels hydrated and plump! The ingredients doesn’t have any strong scent which is great for my sensitive skin."

"I am obsessed with this lightweight moisturizer that is packed with hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and essential lipids that help to hydrate the skin for up to 72 hours without leaving it feeling sticky or greasy." — Penzi

Pros: Provides up to 72 hours of hydration, lightweight, oil-free

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for dry skin types

Customer Review: "I love everything about this moisturizer! Truthfully, i don't think I'll ever turn to another moisturizer again, this is THE one for me. I have very sensitive skin and this never broke me out. I found this to be a lot better than the gel version as it has no fragrance and has an overall cleaner, lighter feel to it. The texture is smooth, almost like butter but with no grease, and it makes a huge difference in how my face looks during the wintertime as someone who gets really dry skin that sometimes flakes in the cold. This is one of those products that make my skincare routine something to look forward to as i absolutely love how this makes my skin feel!!"

"This lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer with sunscreen is a great everyday pick. It is not heavy and features ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that  help the skin retain its natural moisture and restore the skin’s barrier." — Penzi

Pros: Affordable, ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin, contains SPF 30 sun protection, hyaluronic acid and ceramides provide deep hydration

Cons: None

Customer Review: "This lotion is actually lightweight and non-greasy! I have struggled to find a lightweight lotion with SPF that doesn't make your skin white, and this is it! My face is dry and oily and this lotion works on both problem areas. I've been using it for years, and will continue to.

This oil-free moisturizer is a rec from board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD. She says, "This oil-free moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture in, aloe vera and cucumber extract to help soothe the skin, and grape-seed extract, which is rich in antioxidants, helping to fight free radical damage and promote collagen synthesis.  It can be used by all skin types, as it is noncomedogenic, and it is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, paraffin, formaldehyde, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, petrolatum, triclosan, and GMOs."

Pros: Oil-free, affordable, fragrance-free

Cons: None

Customer Review: "I have oily sensitive skin and this stuff is AMAZING! I was sent a sample with the BP Wash and when I tell you this is the best moisturizer I have use, I mean it! No tingling, redness, or eye reactions. My skin is so smooth and feels great."

This daily moisturizer is sheer and contains willow bark to stimulate cellular turnover. Other ingredients include vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to seal in moisture.

Pros: Sheer, weightless, noncomedogenic, helps stimulate skin cell turnover

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for drier skin types

Customer Review: "My skin is prone to closed comedones and now dry patches since I've started using Tretitoin. This is the only moisturizer I've tried that doesn't clog my pores and keeps my skin moisturized all day."

Tatcha's oil-free, water-based cream contains Japanese botanicals to control excess oil, tighten pores, smooth skin, and promote an overall glow. It's formulated to hydrate skin without leaving a greasy or sticky residue.

Pros: Oil-free, absorbs quickly, reduces excess oil

Cons: Expensive

Customer Review: "Love!! Acne safe, good for oil and pores, does its job. Worth the money, as you only need a tiny bit and it spreads out so much."

Fun fact: When I first started writing about beauty, this was one of the first moisturizers I tried that I truly loved. It's a lightweight gel moisturizer that has ingredients like moringa-seed extract and moringa water to refresh and clarify the skin, papaya extract to exfoliate, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. The product also minimizes pores and reduces shine.

Pros: Lightweight gel texture, noncomedogenic, contains skin-clarifying ingredients, fragrance-free

Cons: May not be hydrating enough for dry skin types

Customer Review: "Obsessed with this cream! It leaves my skin feeling light and moisturized. Doesn't feel sticky like other gel creams. I have acne-prone skin, and it hasn't made me break out."

This lightweight moisturizer from beloved French drugstore brand La Roche-Posay also contains broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen for a bit of extra sun protection.

Pros: Noncomedogenic, great for retinoid users and sensitive skin, contains calming niacinamide

Cons: Tends to pill when combined with certain products

Customer Review: "I finally switched to this and it saved my skin from the freakout it was having with the moisturizer I used before this and bought the full size [of it] too."

ICYMI, I wrote a glowing review of this oil-free, noncomedogenic moisturizer recently and couldn't find enough good things to say. It's a great option for oily, acne-prone folks who also have extremely sensitive skin (a.k.a, me). 

Pros: Lightweight, gel-cream formula, glycerin and a skin barrier repair complex guard against dehydration

Cons: None

Customer Review: "I live in a dry climate and have sensitive, acne-prone skin and my skin has absolutely loved this. My skin has been so dry this winter and I found myself adding layers and layers of moisturizer. However, once I started using this, I have simplified my skincare routine because it actually moisturizes and relieves my dryness!"

This hydrating gel-cream from Kiehl's is totally oil-free

Pros: Oil-free, gel-cream texture, lightweight on the skin, helps skin maintain its natural moisture levels

Cons: Can pill under certain foundations

Customer Review: "I absolutely love this moisturizer! I have oily, acne-prone skin and this moisturizer is lightweight, fluffy, and a little goes a LONG way, which is why I didn’t mind the price. I have had this moisturizer for 2 months now & I still have 75% left of the jar, using day and night. I didn’t give it a fifth star because it is a little sticky after applying, but it doesn’t bother me at all after I put on makeup or go to sleep. Will be purchasing again!"