Listen up: Just because you have oily skin that errs on the side of the acne-prone doesn’t mean you’re immune to dryness and dehydration. Quite the opposite, in fact—a life without moisturizer means skin that’s thirsty AF, and oily skin that’s thirsty AF responds by overproducing oil, which is a great way to get more breakouts. That’s called a vicious cycle, and there’s no reason to engage in the whole causality situation (which came first, the oily skin or the acne?) when you can take a more proactive approach by finding the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin instead.
More: The 5 Reasons You’re Causing Your Own Breakouts
These eight picks are on the top of our list right now for fighting breakouts and keeping shine at bay—and some even come complete with antiaging ingredients, lightweight skin-perfecting coverage, or major SPF defense, which gives you all the more reason to add them to your skin-care lineup posthaste. Get into it.
More: The 10 Least Annoying Sunscreens to Wear on Your Face
1. Context Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer
Major moisture—and SPF 15—are hidden in this lightweight formula, which combines shea butter and manuka honey to condition the skin with potent vitamins and antioxidants that minimize pores and prevent premature aging. (The Stell, $40)
2. Eve Lom Rescue Oil-Free Moisturizer
This weightless hydrating fluid will control shine, fight acne, and keep skin in tip-top shape with antiseptic witch hazel, soothing cornflower, and more. (Barneys New York, $75)
3. Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
A longtime drugstore stalwart, this soothing lotion with feverfew extract is excellent for all skin types, from the sensitive and redness-prone to oily, easily irritated acne skin. It's essentially a salve for all that ails you. (Walgreens, $16)
4. Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer
For a perfect canvas and lightweight hydration, choose this blurring moisturizer, which works like a primer to smooth away flaws and "retouch" skin. It's mattifying but not drying and so lightweight you can pat it over makeup as a touch-up throughout the day. (Clinique, $3)
5. Olay Total Effects Fragrance-Free 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer
This never-fail antiaging formula is packed with vitamins and antioxidants to keep skin hydrated, minimize pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while balancing oil production to fight shine. (Walmart, $15)
6. Juice Beauty SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer
Keep it natural and non-pore-clogging with this aloe-rich formula, which leaves skin looking calm, healthy, and completely under control thanks to organic fruit extracts and nourishing algae-based nutrients.
(Juice Beauty, $29)
7. Honest Beauty Everything Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20
When a hint of tint is all but necessary, keep skin looking perfect—and shine under wraps—with this calming, conditioning moisturizer that melts into skin for foundation-like coverage with a super lightweight, barely there finish. (Honest Beauty, $28)
8. Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Moisture Cushion
The gel-cream moisturizer of your lightweight hydration dreams, this smoothing oil-free formula plumps the skin to prevent dehydration while keeping oil and shine to a minimum.
(Dr. Dennis Gross, $58)
Originally posted on StyleCaster.com