All the moisture, none of the clogged pores.
Non-comedogenic. It’s a mouthful, right? As clinical as this term may sound, it’s actually very easy to explain. "Simply put, non-comedogenic moisturizers contain ingredients that won't clog or block your pores," says board-certified aesthetic nurse practitioner, Christine Adams. Clogged pores are the jumping-off point for many skin issues including breakouts, rough texture, uneven tone, and more.1 Non-comedogenic formulas are especially great for those who have oily or acne-prone skin, says board-certified dermatologist Jessie Cheung, MD.
To choose the best non-comedogenic moisturizers on the market, we tested a whole slew of formulas and narrowed down our favorites based on their active ingredients, feel on skin, textures, and ability to hydrate—without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Then, we chatted with Adams and Dr. Cheung to get their thoughts. Here, find our picks of the best non-comedogenic moisturizers for all skin types.
Best Overall
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer
There's a lot to love about this pick from Neutrogena. An SPF moisturizer from the brand's popular Hydro Boost line, it's loaded with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and antioxidants to hydrate and protect your skin. The formula feels lightweight to the touch (aka it isn't too heavy and doesn't leave skin feeling greasy). It absorbs quickly and hydrates the skin almost instantly. When we tested it ourselves, we found that you don’t need a lot of product to fully moisturize your face. Also nice: The formula contains SPF 50, so you can count on it to protect your skin while you wear it. Keep in mind that while it doesn't impart a white cast, it does smell a bit like sunscreen.
Best Glowy
Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer
If you love a glowy moisturizer, look no further than the Cay Skin Isle Glow Face Moisturizer SPF 45. This formula leaves a light, pearlescent glow on the skin and boosts the appearance of a dry, dull dermis. As for the feel, this moisturizer strikes the right balance between greasy and dry—offering the perfect amount of hydration without going overboard (a difficult feat when using a glow-inducing product). When we tried it in our Lab, we found that it left a beautiful sheen to the skin but pilled over certain serums or makeup products.
Best Splurge
MDSolar Sciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer
The MDSolarSciences Daily Perfecting Moisturizer offers lightweight hydration and adequate sun protection. Featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidants, this pick keeps your skin moisturized, calm, and protected throughout the day. During testing, we appreciated how easily the formula melted into the skin. Right out of the bottle, the texture is silky, smooth, and rich but doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. Performance-wise, it holds up throughout the day and doesn’t leave your skin looking or feeling greasy. It’s hard to find anything we didn’t love about this moisturizer, other than the fact that some people noticed that it stung ever so slightly upon application. However, after a few seconds, the sensation dissipated.
Best for Irritated Skin
Tower 28 SOS Barrier Recovery Cream
Chock-full of nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, this moisturizer from sensitive skin champion Tower 28 is high on our short list of favorite products for acne-prone skin. When used alone or with the brand's SOS Spray (our top pick for the best toner), the cream hydrates skin, soothes irritation, and helps reinforce a damaged skin barrier. It sits beautifully underneath makeup and plays well with other skincare, so you can use it morning or night, regardless of the other products you have in your routine. Our only gripe with this product is that it comes in a small bottle; we wish it was available in a larger size.
Best Lightweight
Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Day Cream
With a light-as-air formula that glides onto the skin, SPF 20 sun protection, and an incredibly chic-looking container, this formula from Shiseido was our favorite for folks who prefer a lighter texture. This pick contains hyaluronic acid to thoroughly hydrate the skin, while ginseng root extract2 builds the skin barrier. This is an elegant formulation, there’s no doubt about it. The only thing we don't love is the fact that the scent is pretty strong. It might be offputting for those who can't tolerate fragrances in their skincare or simply want to skip formulas with an added scent.
Best for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
La Roche-Posay is well known for its products formulated for sensitive skin, and the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV SPF 30 falls right into that category. During testing, we loved that this formula didn’t irritate our skin, didn’t leave any sort of white cast, and didn’t make our face look greasy, either. One thing we noticed about this formula is that it stayed put, even during our water spritzing test. We think this pick would be a good option if you sweat a lot or do a bunch of outdoor activities or sports. We also noticed that this formula does leave the tiniest bit of sheen to the skin. Not anywhere near greasy, but it does add a bit of dewiness. If you have oily skin, you might not love this formula on your face, however, the brand makes a matte version, so that might be more up your alley.
Best Sustainable
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Moisturizer
Between the sleek bottle, a lavender-colored formula, and an easily refillable tube, we love many things about this formula from Fenty Beauty. The brand makes it easy to order another refill to add to the existing outer packaging, making this a great sustainable option. The refill size costs $4 less than the product with the outer packaging included. When we tried it, we liked the dewy glow left behind and the fact that the SPF was undetectable thanks to a fragrance that masks the smell. One thing we noticed was that this product pills if anything is applied on top of it. Because of this, we probably wouldn’t recommend this if you tend to wear makeup often. It’s a better option for folks who don’t wear makeup every day or for makeup-free beach days.
Best for Oily Skin
Skinfix Barrier+ Gel Cream
Skinfix knows a thing or two about creating excellent non-comedogenic moisturizers for a range of skin types. This formula in particular is ideal for oily skin because it has a super light gel texture that spreads easily and absorbs quickly while delivering weightless hydration that lasts all day. Also nice: contains peptides and niacinamide to nourish, absorb excess oil, and even out skin tone. We also love that it gives the skin a subtle glow that never looks greasy, and it creates a soft, smooth canvas for makeup. The only negative note we have is that it has a bit of a funky smell. If you can get past that, we bet you'll love the rest of the formula.
Best for Dry Skin
Skinfix Face Cream
Another Skinfix pick, this formula is ideal for those with dry skin. If you have dry skin that requires a serious dose of moisture but struggle to find an option that won't clog your pores, we recommend this one. It contains a blend of nourishing ingredients—ceramides, peptides, and glycerin—that work to deeply moisturize your skin and support a healthy skin barrier. The texture feels rich but not overly heavy or greasy, and we love that it gives the complexion a fresh, hydrated glow. Though we adore it for dry skin, some of our editors with oily skin also sing its praises.
Best Luxury
Tatcha The Water Cream
Rich in nutrients and botanicals, this ultra-plush formula feels like heaven on the skin. Infused with green tea, algae, and protein-packed rice water, this cream deeply hydrates and restores dull, lackluster skin to healthy radiance. It has a water-like gel texture that absorbs quickly, making it a great choice for those with oily skin types or anyone who prefers ultra-lightweight skincare. As if it wasn’t luxurious enough, it also includes a hint of 23-karat gold for the ultimate gorgeous glow. Just keep in mind that because it's so light, it might not be enough for super dry skin types. If you have drier skin, we recommend the
Best Balm
REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Recovery Balm
Creams are great, but for skin concerns that require heavy-duty solutions, a balm might be more effective. Rich, thick, and packed with major hydrators (like plant oils and beta-glucan), this overnight balm should be the last skincare product applied to your regimen as it seals everything in. After consistent use, a tester shared that her skin looked less splotchy and more even. While it can feel a bit heavy on the face, it's a great choice if you're dealing with serious dryness, and we love that it can be applied on the driest areas of the body, too.
Best Hybrid
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
The secret to Hailey Bieber's glazed, dewy skin, the Peptide Glazing Fluid is hydration in a bottle. The lightweight, quick-absorbing serum-moisturizer hybrid plumps and moisturizes the skin on contact. The formula contains niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and marula oil, each of which works to soften the skin and support the overall barrier. The only downside of the product is that the shape of the bottle and the pump make it virtually impossible to finish every last drop.
What to Look for in a Non-Comedogenic Moisturizer
- Skin Type: When shopping for a moisturizer you'll be using on your face, consider your skin type. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, look for something on the lighter side. If you have dry skin or are worried about wrinkles, opt for a thicker cream.
- Hydrating Ingredients: You don’t want the moisturizer to clog pores, but you do want it to hydrate. Dr. Cheung says choosing moisturizers with humectants, lightweight hydrating ingredients that attract water to and trap it in the skin, are ideal to look for in non-comedogenic formulas. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are two of her faves.
- Other Ingredients: Dr. Cheung says that formulas that contain alpha- and/or beta-hydroxy acids are great, especially for those with oily skin, as they help gently exfoliate and dissolve excess oil. Excess oil and sebum can cause the pores to be clogged, which can lead to breakouts.3
FAQ
What does non-comedogenic mean?
Formulas that are non-comedogenic simply don't contain components that can clog your pores, says Adams. She says this is important especially in a moisturizer for oily skin or acne-prone skin, as clogged pores can exacerbate these issues and worsen skin.
How can I tell if a moisturizer is non-comedogenic?
According to Adams, all skincare ingredients fall somewhere from 0 to 5 on the comedogenic rating scale, which shows how likely a specific ingredient can clog your pores. So, an ingredient rated 0 is non-comedogenic and one that's rated 5 is very comedogenic.4 Some examples of ingredients that land at a 0 are vitamin C, glycerin, and aloe vera, so look for those while shopping for a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Adams warns to stay away from certain oils and butters (such as coconut oil and cocoa butter), which can be pore-clogging—especially when used together. However, some oils are pretty low on the comedogenic scale, so make sure to do your research before buying.
What skin types should use a non-comedogenic moisturizer?
All skin types can benefit from using non-comedogenic moisturizers, but they're especially helpful for those with and combination skin types, says Adams. "Dry skin types can tolerate more higher scaled comedogenic products, such as oils, but I would still be cautious with using too many," she says. No skin type is insusceptible to clogged pores, so you'll still want to be careful when adding those formulas to your routine.
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