Jennifer Garner, 50, Shares Her Favorite $18 Moisturizer That Plumps Skin "Instantly" (2024)

It might seem counterintuitive to moisturize oily, acne-prone skin, but acne-fighting products can leave skin feeling extra dry as result. Fortunately, there are plenty of face creams and moisturizers that work wonders for oily and acne-prone skin to give it the hydration it needs without causing breakouts.

Keep scrolling for our picks of the best moisturizers for acne-prone and oily skin: a combination of top-tested products, GH Seal Stars and GH Beauty Awards winners, as well as beauty expert and editor favorites.

"A good moisturizer for oily skin will provide hydration without feeling heavy," says Chiara Butler, a Good Housekeeping Institute reviews analyst. "It should feel light and refreshing on skin, and may even provide oil control, mattifying or acne-fighting benefits."

The Good Housekeeping Institute regularly tests moisturizers of all kinds, including for oily and acne-prone skin. Our most recent facial moisturizer test included 12 products with 22 women testing each one, and six of those moisturizers were also evaluated in the Lab using a Corneometer, an instrument that measures skin hydration. We compiled a total of 1,920 Corneometer data points taken and 2,160 questions tallied from surveys that the testers filled out after use, all of which contributed to our selection.

A GH Seal holder and editor favorite for good reason, this Mary Kay night cream works its magic while you sleep and when skin is in repair mode. It re-energizes skin’s youthful glow, helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and helps skin look firmer. Plus, our Lab has reviewed the data: it truly moisturizes skin for 12 hours like it claims. Testers loved that it absorbs quickly, isn't greasy and works on even the most sensitive skin. Some did note that while it absorbs well, it is a thicker texture so it may not be ideal for summer time.

Consider this lotion a triple threat: it's a major bang for your buck, XL-sized and a winner in our GH Lab moisturizers test for its moisturizing capabilities — it increased skin hydration by 48.1% over six hours, according to our Corneometer data. It also absorbs quickly, isn't greasy and leaves skin super soft. One of our editors who is on prescription acne medication finds that this moisturizer pairs nicely with it and "hydrates skin instantly without feeling heavy or greasy." If skin is irritated though, testers found that this one doesn't soothe skin as well as other lotions.

This non-greasy gel moisturizer is made with hyaluronic acid, which "draws moisture to the skin and helps it stay plump and dewy," according to Deirdre Hooper, M.D., a New Orleans-based dermatologist. The GH Beauty Award winner is super popular among all skin types for a reason: It's light, gentle and feels refreshing on your skin. Plus, our Beauty Lab tests found that it kept skin hydrated for 12 hours — and even Jennifer Garner is a fan! If you have mature skin, take note: it may not provide enough hydration, according to a reviewer.

Looking for a do-it-all daily product? Try RoC's moisturizer — it hydrates your skin, protects from the sun with SPF 30 and claims to "fight the major signs of aging," all in one bottle. It's a favorite of Danusia Wnek's, a Senior Chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who says it's "perfect for anyone with oily skin who isn’t looking for heavy moisturizer," and that it's her preferred daytime lotion. While most reviewers didn't mind the fragrance, some noted that it was strong.

In a recent GH Institute facial sunscreens test, Bare Republic's SPF moisturizer received the highest scores for both not leaving skin oily or shiny, making it our top oily skin pick. Testers noted that it is easy to apply and doesn't interfere with makeup, cause irritation or breakouts. "I was impressed from the first use," shares one tester. "The texture and application was smooth, it wasn't greasy at all and it almost seemed to blur my pores and give a matte finish which is so nice because facial sunscreens usually seem to magnify my pores." The one downside: testers with darker skin tones noted that it can leave a white cast.

Formulated with breakout busting salicylic acid, this grapefruit-scented GH Beauty Award winner is recommended for acne-prone skin. It's affordable, lightweight and won't clog your pores. "I was first drawn to this moisturizer because of the pink grapefruit scent (which is amazing by the way), but it really cleared up my acne!" wrote one verified purchaser. Others, however, find the citrus scent a little overbearing.

This moisturizer is formulated specifically for oily skin and it absorbs quickly, so it hydrates without feeling greasy. One GH beauty editor with self-described oily and acne-prone skin has been using it for nearly a year and it's never caused any breakouts. Use it in the morning, at night and even as a face mask. One reviewer did note that it is a thicker formula, which may be too heavy for some with oily skin.

La Roche-Posay's mattifying moisturizer is great for anyone with super oily skin. It's made with dimethicone — a.k.a. a silicone-based ingredient that leaves a smooth, matte finish on your face. That makes it a good option for underneath makeup, so you can hydrate your skin without looking greasy or shiny. One thing to note: a few reviewers commented on the small size of the bottle and that it doesn't last very long.

This GH Beauty Award winner is an ideal moisturizer for people with combination skin — meaning your face is dry in some areas and oily in others (like your T-zone, for example). The oil- and fragrance-free formula absorbs quickly and is non-comedogenic so it won't clog your pores. It is extremely light though, so you may need additional moisture in the evening. If you need something with SPF, try Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer With Broad Spectrum SPF 35 — another Beauty Award winner!

When you have oily or acne-prone skin, lightweight is a big buzzword for a moisturizer. This GH Seal star from Olay lives up to its "light-as-air" promise; a study performed by the brand revealed that the majority of testers felt that the whipped formula was extremely light and breathable, while still being super hydrating and helping to lessen the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also absorbs quickly and doesn't clog pores. This may not be ideal for those who need to use fragrance-free products.

In addition to having a cooling gel texture, this oil-free K-beauty star soothes and hydrates skin with watermelon extract and hyaluronic acid. Plus, it contains antioxidants to protect skin from free radical damage. "This product is amazing," shares one reviewer. "It is so moisturizing, feels so nice and cool and refreshing and it is great for my oily skin!" As a lightweight moisturizer, it may not be hydrating enough for the drier winter months, one reviewer noted.

Think double duty for the ultimate glow. Paula's Choice's lotion gently exfoliates skin with 2% beta hydroxy acids, while simultaneously moisturizing skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of pores. The best part: no irritation afterwards. "This is a really nice lotion with salicylic acid," says Wnek. "It gives skin instant lightweight hydration and then when you wake up in the morning, your skin feels smooth and soft." If you don't see results right away, stick with it — some reviewers say it can take time to see a change in skin.

Lightweight, cooling and a power protector? Yes, please. Coola's Refreshing Water Cream nourishes and shields skin from sun damage, blue light and pollution. It also acts like a primer and plays nicely with other products (meaning, no pilling). "I am currently using this product and I really like it for someone with oily/combination/acne-prone skin," says Wnek. "It absorbs quickly, doesn’t irritate my skin and lays nicely under my makeup." Take note of the waxy/chemical-like scent; a few reviewers were not fans of it.

Packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin, this lotion has all the benefits of a heavier cream without the feel. It's extremely lightweight and absorbs into skin almost instantly. Reviewers love how light it feels on their skin. It may not be ideal for all skin types, as a few users with sensitive skin noted irritation after using.

When you are using acne medication as many with oily skin are, it can leave skin dry and flaky. And it can be hard to find the right moisturizer that hydrates skin without irritating. "This is a nice lightweight cream that pairs nicely with any drying treatments that people with acne-prone skin might be using," says Wnek. "It feels silky upon application, yet leaves my skin feeling soft without any heaviness." Stick with using this at night — a few reviewers noted it didn't lay nicely under makeup.

You may know Differin as one of the few brands on the market that has a prescription-strength retinoid. The dermatologist-favorite brand also has an oil-absorbing moisturizer, which helps give skin a matte finish after application. "It’s hydrating and keeps shine and oil under control," says one Amazon reviewer. "It also helps prevent breakouts." Another plus? It's SPF 30, so it will help keep your skin shielded from the sun's harmful rays. Be careful to keep it away from eyes as it can sting if it gets too close.

Kiehl's gel cream controls shine and works to keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours after you apply it. Once you smooth it on, it delivers a cooling sensation, so your skin feels calmed. "[The] gel texture is amazing, skin feels hydrated and without this oily layer that some moisturizers leave," says one reviewer. While many love the formula, a few reviewers commented didn't love the non-matte finish.

Ideal for sensitive skin, this gel cream doesn't make you feel greasy. The formula feels like a shot of hydration. "It's amazing," raves one reviewer. "Completely transformed my skin. It's so soft and smooth. My skin has honestly never felt this good." Users love it so much, they tend to fly through the product; a few complained about how little was in the bottle.

Korres Serum-in-Moisturizer doesn't just help hydrate skin; it also builds elasticity and improves skin texture. Since it's a serum-moisturizer hybrid, you can cut out the need for extra serums that might make you greasy — and the lightweight formula is hydrating without weighing you down. While most reviewers didn't find the scent overpowering, a few didn't like it.

Butler loves that this gel cream, albeit a pricey option, gives an instant boost of soothing hydration while still feeling light on skin. "This product has an incredible 'melting' texture that transforms from a gel to a refreshing liquid as you apply it," she says. It claims to hydrate skin for up to 72 hours, according to the brand. "It also boasts a great blend of humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and saccharide isomerate to provide much needed hydration to oily skin."