ELLE Edit: 17 Moisturisers To Try If You Have Acne-Prone Skin

Waking up to uncomfortable, congested skin? An extra blanket of thick, greasy shine is the last thing you need. That's why we favour lightweight, water-gel textures that hydrate without ever feeling heavy. Cue Drunk Elephant's Protini Polypeptide Cream. This cloud-like moisturiser absorbs into your skin without leaving a trace and is packed with peptides to help strengthen and nourish your face when it's at it's most compromised.

The name of this cream speaks for itself: clear and calm. Taking a three-pronged approach to acne, this multitasking moisturiser targets excess dead skin cells, over-production of sebum and bacteria. Made up of Japanese liquorice extract, lingonberry seed oil and a soothing complex of chamomile, lavender and sage, this high-performance gel cream lightens acne scars, controls oil and most importantly keeps acne-causing congestion at bay.

When it comes to blemishes, La Roche-Posay is famous for being able to tackle any spot that you throw at it. Containing salicylic acid, this daily moisturiser works to unblock pores and control sebum levels. Use it regularly and you’re not only less likely to get future breakouts but, with the addition of zinc, it helps to get rid of any current spots, too.

It's no secret that Dr. Jart+ is a powerhouse when it comes to redness. In fact, you might already be familiar with its viral colour-correcting treatment which has been crowned a modern skincare hero by TikTok. This ultra-light cream is another favourite of ours. It uses a clever complex of tiger grass and cicabond (a skin renewing blend of proteins and minerals) to calm and restore irritated, red, stressed skin when spots and rosacea make an unwanted return.

If you find you get the odd spot now and again but still want your skin to appear glowy, this luxe hero from Dr. Sturm provides the best of both worlds. Enriched with zinc, it manages to soothe any irritation and counteract redness whilst still leaving skin with a plumped and dewy finish – no oiliness in sight.

K-beauty brand Laneige is loved globally for its lip sleeping mask, but this gel moisturiser is an underrated hero. Perfect for oily and dehydrated skin (yes, you can be both) it's a refreshing, lightweight texture that's fast-absorbing and never greasy – which is thanks to a mix of both hyaluronic acid and deep sea algae.

When it comes to luxury skincare, Tatcha is hard to beat. This chic pot comes complete with a gold spatula to pick up the perfect amount of product with every application. The formula is pretty impressive too; a rich blend of rice, algae, green tea and Japanese rose. It smoothes texture, tightens pores and balances excess oil production, leaving you with a demi-matte finish. Add it to your skincare routine ASAP.

Acne-prone, oily and sensitive? If you've hit the trifecta, you can't go far wrong with a bit of Avène in your daily routine. Not only does it mattify, reduce excess sebum and hydrate all at once, but it's also formulated with the brand's iconic Thermal Spring Water which soothes areas of irritation. We'll take two.

We guarantee you'll find Augustinus Bader's line-up of luxury, hardworking products on almost every beauty editor's bathroom shelf. Designed for oily skin types and humid climates, this lighter version of the cult original cream has a matte finish specifically designed to control unwanted shine. A brilliant bookend to any skincare routine, it's a worthwhile investment if you ask us.

Salicylic acid is the gold standard when it comes to blemish-busting ingredients, and one to look out for when you're shopping for skincare. This creamy moisturiser also contains hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin feels supple, plump and hydrated throughout the day too. Consider it a one-stop shop to a blemish-free complexion.

If your skin is ultra-sensitive and prone to a shiny T-zone then this weightless moisturiser from Curél ticks every box. It's fragrance-free, won't clog your pores and is ideal for sensitive skin types. A couple of pumps is enough for your whole face, so this bottle will last for a while. It'll balancing oil production and because it's also rich in skin-barrier-soothing ceramides, it'll soften, smooth and hydrate without leaving any greasiness behind.

Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream is one of the most well-known moisturisers and make-up primers in the industry, widely loved by editors, influencer and artists alike. However, it's not the best for oily skin: which is why the brand dropped this water-based alternative. Consider it a lightweight little sister to the original – it isn't as rich or heavy, but it is just as hydrating, making it a skin saviour for oilier complexions.

While this might not look like the most appealing of moisturisers, it's proof that what's inside that counts. If you have oily skin and have looked on with envy as dry skin types around you get to slather on rich, luxurious creams without breaking out, we hear you. This hydrating option is less than £20 but believe us when we say it outperforms many pricier brands, and has everything you need if you're prone to redness and oversized pores.

Acne-prone skin commonly goes hand-in-hand with excess oil production, which is exactly what this gel hydrator aims to quell. While it may feel sticky at first, it sinks into skin in seconds to leave you with a grease-free face.

Beauty Pie is home to some of our favourite beauty products of all time, including this gel moisturiser. Taking all the best parts of K-beauty to treat acne-prone skin, it's a cocktail of Jeju volcanic sand, flower stem cell extract and ficucell vita, which transform dullness to a dewy glow and reduces shine in oilier areas.

Put simply, this is one of the plushest moisturiser textures we've come across. Soft to the touch with a glass-skin dew, this shortcut to glazed skin uses potent levels of niacinamide to balance and hydrate. Because why should you have to give up glow in the name of a few blemishes? What's more, this vegan and cruelty-free cream is free from fragrance, gluten or parabens, making it a great all-rounder for just about any skin type.

Skincare expert Kate Somerville has been treating and perfecting faces for 30 years, so it's safe to say that she knows her stuff. That's why this cult moisturiser contains oil-absorbing microspheres that work to ensure skin stays matte all day long.