Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin

Best facial moisturizers for those with acne-prone skin

Although Paula Begoun, skin care expert and author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me," says people with oily and combination (oily in the nose, forehead and chin, and dry in other areas) skin do not need a moisturizer except in areas of the face that may be dry, other experts recommend moisturizers for everyone regardless of skin type. Rona Berg, author of "Beauty: The New Basics" and former beauty editor of The New York Times Magazine, is in the latter camp, but she emphasizes that choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type is a must. For instance, consumers with oily skin should select lotions or gels as opposed to creams, which are heavier and more emollient. The top facial moisturizers for this skin type are also noncomedogenic, meaning they should be oil-free and should not clog pores. This is especially true for those who have acne. People prone to blemishes should look for lighter moisturizers that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid or lactic acid.

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can also be beneficial ingredients for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and can clean the pores. It is preferred over alpha hydroxy acids for oily skin because it can penetrate oil, but it is not recommended for people who are allergic to aspirin because it's made from similar ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical disinfectant that kills bacteria and fights blemishes. It is available in concentrations of 2.5 percent, 5 percent and 10 percent. Experts say that most people, including teenagers, should start with the lowest strength and move up only if it is not effective. If you have acne-prone skin, you might also be interested in the ConsumerSearch report on acne treatments.

Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer Oil-Free (*Est. $17 for 1.7 oz.) is a top pick for acne-prone skin because it is said to fight acne and hydrate skin at the same time. The moisturizer contains only 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, and it can be applied liberally over the entire face. It also contains a soothing algae extract that calms and reduces redness. Users at MakeupAlley.com give the moisturizer a good overall rating, but they say it isn't very moisturizing. Several say that although it does an excellent job of clearing up acne, it can be rather drying. A few suggest using an additional oil-free moisturizer on top of the Acne Solutions. Begoun calls Clinique's Clearing Moisturizer "one of the most state-of-the-art benzoyl peroxide lotions available today," but says its inclusion of peppermint extract, a potential irritant, is unnecessary. Begoun also raves about Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel-Lotion (*Est. $15 for 0.5 oz.). This product, however, contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide and may be better as a spot treatment than a moisturizer. Users at TotalBeauty.com, where it gets a good overall rating, agree. Several say that they use the gel as a spot treatment and that it effectively clears up pimples within one to two days. It also prevents further blemishes, according to reviewers.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cream (*Est. $13 for 1 oz.) is marketed to the many adults who have acne and wrinkles, but we didn't find many reviews for it. It contains retinol to reduce the appearance of fine lines and salicylic acid to fight acne. Begoun, however, says the moisturizer is more notable for its rich antioxidant content. She also says the pH balance of the cream is too high to effectively exfoliate the pores. Some users at MakeupAlley.com disagree, however, saying that Neutrogena reduced their acne breakouts. Others, though, say they noticed no difference.