and below: We don't recommend ceramide moisturizers with this rating; you won't find any on our list. Ceramides are lipids that are naturally found in the skin and used synthetically in skin care products like cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. These lipids account for roughly half of the outermost layer of skin called the epidermis or stratum corneum. Though the moisturizer is made for acne-prone skin, it’s also great for oily and combination skin. We also love that it’s fragrance-free and appreciate the budget-friendly price.

When testing out this face oil on acne-prone skin, we were impressed with the results: Although not leaving us with a dewy glow like some other face oils provide, it offered must-needed hydration along with oil-balancing effects. In addition to integrating this into our skincare routine, we also loved using this face oil to prep the skin for dermaplaning as it helped provide a super clean shave while removing dead skin cells — just be sure to avoid any blemishes if you choose to use it for this reason. According to Dr. Mina, expensive acne products are not always worth it. She says that more budget-friendly products can be just as effective as their fancy counterparts. “What’s most important is that you turn the product around and look at the active ingredient,” she explains, noting that this information alone can tell you how effective a product is compared to its more expensive counterpart (and, they’re often very comparable). Perhaps one of the most common skincare ingredients in over-the-counter acne products, salicylic acid is no doubt a favorite amongst dermatologists as well as those with acne-prone complexions. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that can penetrate deep into pores to prevent clogging,” says Dr. Litani. She notes that this skincare superstar can be found in a range of acne products, including cleansers, pads, and leave-on products like spot treatments. Recognised as the number one dermacosmetic brand worldwide, La Roche-Posay’s philosophy centres around science-led solutions for even the most sensitive of skin types. Fenty Skin’s Hydra Vizor Invisible Face Moisturizer is our favorite face moisturizer with SPF—and it’s one of Galaria’s favorites, too. Unlike many sun-protective moisturizers, this one’s lightweight and non-comedogenic. And it never left behind any grease or residue.To keep the moisturizing benefits going, Dr. Yadav says to look for other emollients. These help moisturize and nourish the skin, she says. Squalane is one of her favorite emollients that mimics the skin’s natural oils, and it’s a key ingredient in the Shani Darden Hydration Peptide Cream. The moisturizer is also one of the most versatile on our list. In addition to being great for different skin types (including dry, oily, and combination skin), it’s fragrance-free and sensitive-skin-friendly. And at a budget-friendly price, we think it’s a steal.

Also suitable for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Helps moisturise and comfort sensitive skin. Multiple observation studies on over 650 patients.We can’t deny that its current price is a lot to spend on a 1.6-ounce moisturizer. But if you’ve struggled to find something that balances out your combination skin, this moisturizer may be worth the splurge. As Galaria noted, oil-free moisturizers are great for oily skin—and Tatcha’s The Water Cream is no exception. But the lightweight moisturizer takes things a step further: One of its key ingredients, leopard lily, actually reduces the amount of oil in your skin. At its core, the brand’s key ingredient, thermal spring water, helps to soothe and cool dry and damaged complexions. This pairs with actives in its gentle formulas that combine maximum efficacy with optimal tolerance to provide visible results over time. Glow Recipe’s Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer promises hydrating results in as little as three days. But we found that it worked even faster: Just 15 minutes after applying the moisturizer, our skin looked and felt more hydrated. During our test, the moisturizer proved lightweight, easy to apply, and fast-absorbing. And it balanced out our skin, boosting moisture by 22 percent while reducing oil by 7 percent. After using the moisturizer, our skin felt hydrated and refreshed. But we didn’t notice an immediate difference in our complexion. And we’re curious to test this moisturizer long-term to see how well it works on blemishes and discoloration over time.

The types of acne products recommended by dermatologists can vary depending on a number of factors. “Whichever treatment is right for you will depend on a number of things including your acne severity, how much it bothers you (this doesn't always correlate with severity), your age, and whether you are planning or could become pregnant, to name a few,” says Dr. Mina. She recommends seeking insight from a dermatologist to learn more about your acne type and what types of treatments, ingredients, and product formulations will work best.Ultimately, ceramides keep external invaders away while keeping moisture sealed in to encourage skin that looks and feels healthy and soft.

Since ceramides complement one another, Dr. Oliver recommends looking for a moisturizer that contains more than one type of ceramide. Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream and EADEM’s Cloud Cushion Plush Moisturizer with Ceramides + Peptides each contain all three main types of ceramides for triple the potency. Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream left our skin 9 to 23 percent more hydrated than at the start of our test. But because the cream was so heavy and greasy, we had to wait a while to see results—and for the price, we’d rather buy something else. SkinCeuticals’ Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 may be the priciest product on our list. But when we tested it on combination skin, it worked wonders. The moisturizer balanced out the oiliest parts of our face, making them look matte rather than shiny. And it hydrated all our dry spots, boosting moisture by 5 percent, according to our moisture meter. Retinols decrease sebum production and make your skin less likely to clog,” Dr. Litani notes. With that said, retinol can dry the skin out initially, so she recommends easing into use by using it every few nights and always applying a non-comedogenic moisturizer on top. A retinol product we recommend for acne is the First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate, which features retinol, ceramides, and peptides in its hard-working formula.Face oils aren’t always recommended for acne-prone skin (especially if your complexion is naturally oily) since some can be too heavy on the skin. However, we found that the Kinship Kinskin Oat Ceramide Relief Face Oil is supremely lightweight and features a formula that is anti-inflammatory and can actually balance the skin’s oil production. This facial oil also contains key ingredients such as vitamin C, known for its antioxidant properties and ability to brighten the complexion, as well as oat ceramides for moisture barrier support. To find the best ceramide moisturizers, we tested them in The Verywell Testing Lab and in the real world.