6 Moisturisers For Acne-Prone Skin That Understand There’s Not A One-Size-Fits-All Solution To Blemishes

Best for: Sensitive skin

Whether it’s dryness from the changing seasons, irritation after a cosmetic treatment, or little scrapes and nicks from daily life, this restorative cream is made to calm and protect skin at any age. Its rich, soothing formula works like a comfort blanket, delivering instant relief while helping skin rebuild its natural defences. Powered by Avène’s signature Thermal Spring Water and a patented post-biotic ingredient, it not only hydrates but also supports skin recovery, while a copper-zinc complex adds protective benefits to keep compromised skin feeling secure.

Sizes: 40ml, 100ml

Key features:

• Creates a protective film
• Suitable for use on all external areas of the face and body
• Suitable for use on infants, children, and adults
• Visibly restores skin and has immediate soothing properties
• Fragrance free
• Creamy, nourishing texture

Available at:

• $39.99 from Avène 

Best for: A shine-free complexion

This multitasking moisturiser regulates sebum and oil-production to keep pores congestion-free, plus, it mattifies for a shine-free finish that works well under makeup.

Sizes: 40ml

Key features:

• Formulated with sebum-regulating ingredients
• Gentle exfoliants tighten enlarged pores and refine skin texture
• Mattifies the complexion
• Suitable for sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin susceptible to shine and clogged pores

Available at:

• $21.03 from Amazon Australia
• $30.36 from Priceline
• $30.39 from Chemist Warehouse

Best for: Regulating pore-clogging sebum

Bioderma have patented their own Fluidactiv™ complex to biologically regulate sebum quality, ensuring pores stay free from congestion and blemishes. Anti-irritants enoxolone and allantoin soothe and reduce redness, and moisturising glycerine and reinforcing ceramides help to hydrate and strengthen the moisture barrier.

Sizes: 40ml

Key features:

• Contains sebum-regulating Fluidactiv™ complex
• Stops congestion and blemishes from forming
• Anti-irritants soothe and reduce redness
• Lightweight hydrators provide moisture
• Helps to reduce dry, tight-feeling skin

Available at:

• $16.19 from Amazon Australia
• $20.99 from Priceline
• $29.99 from Adore Beauty

Best for: Prepping skin before makeup

Lightweight and shine-balancing, this pick from Glossier has been formulated with oily skin in mind. It contains niacinamide, which helps to refine the appearance of pores and uneven skin tone, while willow bark extract smooths unwanted texture, and marine extract minimises shine. But it’s the hydrating glycerin, and smoothing primer complex that makes this moisturiser the best match for your makeup.

Sizes: 50ml

Key features:

• Niacinamide refines the appearance of pores and uneven skin tone
• Willow bark extract smooths skin texture
• Marine extract controls shine
• Glycerin hydrates
• Customised Power Primers smooth and blur imperfections

Available at:

• $45 from MECCA
• $48 from Glossier

Best for: Anti-ageing

Enjoy the benefits of vitamin A without compromising breakout-prone skin, and start using a bakuchiol-enriched night cream (like this K-Beauty best-seller) in the evenings. It’s enhanced with the addition of retinal, which in turn helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, refine skin tone and texture, and minimise the frequency of breakouts.

Sizes: 30ml

Key features:

• Enriched with bakuchiol and retinal
• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
• Refines skin tone and texture
• Minimises the frequency of breakouts
• Suitable for evening use
• It is recommended to apply an SPF the morning after

Available at:

• $42 from Nudie Glow
• $42.50 from Beauty Amora
• $49 from Oz Hair & Beauty

Best for: Dehydrated skin

While a lot of people who deal with breakouts have oily skin, some are actually noticing spots pop up as a result of dehydration. However, these folks benefit the most from lightweight, non-comedogenic hydrating moisturiser formulas that won’t clog their pores. Enter: BYOMA’s Moisturising Gel Cream. This oil-free face cream contains a Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids), which enriches and strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier, while niacinamide and green tea aim to balance, refine and soothe the complexion.

Sizes: 50ml

Key features:

• Non-comedogenic and oil-free
• Lightweight gel-cream texture
• Contains a barrier-fortifying Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids)
• Promotes moisture retention
• Enriched with refining, balancing and soothing niacinamide and green tea

Available at:

• $27 from Sephora

Best for: Skincare beginners

Whether you’re dealing with hormonal breakouts later on in life, or have a teenager at home who’s sporting their first-ever spot, this lightweight gel-cream moisturiser is suitable for all. It’s infused with a Triple Tea Complex™ and tangerine extract, which gently smooth skin texture, and simultaneously soothe, hydrate, and reinforce the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Sizes: 50ml

Key features:

• Suitable for ages 12+
• Lightweight gel-cream formula
• Infused with Triple Tea Complex™ and tangerine extract
• Soothes and calms skin
• Smooths skin texture
• Hydrates, strengthens and protects the skin’s natural moisture barrier

Available at:

• $59 from Sephora